Original: As thou art to this hour was Richard then
Modern: Just as disappointing as you are right now, that’s how Richard was back then

Original: When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh,
Modern: When I returned from France and landed at Ravenspurgh,

Original: And even as I was then is Percy now.
Modern: And Percy is now exactly what I was at that time.

Original: Now, by my sceptre and my soul to boot,
Modern: Now, I swear by my royal authority and my very soul,

Original: He hath more worthy interest to the state
Modern: He has more legitimate claim to the kingdom

Original: Than thou the shadow of succession;
Modern: Than you have to your weak claim as my heir;

Original: For of no right, nor colour like to right,
Modern: For without any legal right, or even the appearance of having right,

Original: He doth fill fields with harness in the realm,
Modern: He fills the battlefields with armored soldiers throughout the kingdom,

Original: Turns head against the lion’s armed jaws,
Modern: Turns to fight against the king’s military power,

Original: And, being no more in debt to years than thou,
Modern: And, being no older than you are,

Original: Leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on
Modern: He commands the loyalty of experienced nobles and respected church leaders

Original: To bloody battles and to bruising arms.
Modern: Into violent warfare and brutal combat.

Original: What never-dying honour hath he got
Modern: What eternal glory has he earned

Original: Against renowned Douglas! whose high deeds,
Modern: By fighting against the famous Douglas! whose great accomplishments,

Original: Whose hot incursions and great name in arms
Modern: Whose fierce attacks and legendary reputation as a warrior

Original: Holds from all soldiers chief majority
Modern: Wins him the greatest respect from all soldiers

Original: And military title capital
Modern: And the highest military honors

Original: Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ:
Modern: Throughout all the Christian kingdoms:

Original: Thrice hath this Hotspur, Mars in swathling clothes,
Modern: Three times has this Hotspur, like the god of war in baby blankets,

Original: This infant warrior, in his enterprises
Modern: This young warrior, in his military campaigns

Original: Discomfited great Douglas, ta’en him once,
Modern: Defeated the great Douglas, captured him once,

Original: Enlarged him and made a friend of him,
Modern: Released him and turned him into an ally,

Original: To fill the mouth of deep defiance up
Modern: To strengthen his voice of rebellion

Original: And shake the peace and safety of our throne.
Modern: And threaten the security and stability of our kingdom.

Original: And what say you to this? Percy, Northumberland,
Modern: And what do you have to say about this? Percy, Northumberland,

Original: The Archbishop’s grace of York, Douglas, Mortimer,
Modern: The Archbishop of York, Douglas, Mortimer,

Original: Capitulate against us and are up.
Modern: Have joined forces against us and are in rebellion.

Original: But wherefore do I tell these news to thee?
Modern: But why am I telling you this news?

Original: Why, Harry, do I tell thee of my foes,
Modern: Why, Harry, am I telling you about my enemies,

Original: Which art my near’st and dearest enemy?
Modern: When you are my closest and worst enemy?

Original: Thou that art like enough, through vassal fear,
Modern: You who are likely enough, out of cowardly fear,

Original: Base inclination and the start of spleen
Modern: Low character and sudden angry impulse

Original: To fight against me under Percy’s pay,
Modern: To fight against me as Percy’s hired soldier,

Original: To dog his heels and curtsy at his frowns,
Modern: To follow him around like a servant and bow to his every displeasure,

Original: To show how much thou art degenerate.
Modern: To prove how far you’ve fallen from what a prince should be.

In Act III, Scene 2 of Henry IV, Part 1, King Henry IV meets privately with his son, Prince Hal, in the palace at Westminster. The King dismisses his attendants to speak candidly with the Prince about his dissolute behavior and low companions. Henry reproaches Hal severely, expressing deep disappointment in his son’s wild lifestyle and association with commoners, particularly his time spent in taverns. The King contrasts Hal’s behavior with his own youth, explaining how he carefully cultivated his public image by appearing rarely before the people, thereby maintaining an air of majesty and wonder. He further compares Hal unfavorably to Harry Percy (Hotspur), noting that Hotspur has won more honor and glory through his martial achievements than the Prince has, and suggests that Hotspur is more worthy to inherit the throne.

Prince Hal responds to his father’s rebuke with a heartfelt promise to reform and redeem himself. He vows to cast off his loose behavior and prove himself in battle against Hotspur, pledging to defeat the Percy rebel and reclaim the honor that Hotspur has won. Hal assures his father that he will make Hotspur exchange his glories for shame, or die in the attempt. The King, moved by his son’s earnest promise, accepts Hal’s words and immediately gives him a command in the coming military campaign against the rebels. Henry informs Hal that he will lead a force to meet the insurgents, and the scene concludes with the King’s decision to march against the rebellion led by the Percy family and their allies.

Henry IV, Part I follows the political and personal struggles of King Henry IV as he faces rebellion from powerful nobles while dealing with his wayward son, Prince Hal. The play opens with Henry’s guilt over having deposed Richard II and his disappointment in his eldest son, who spends his time in taverns with the disreputable Sir John Falstaff rather than at court. Meanwhile, the Percy family—led by Henry “Hotspur” Percy, his father the Earl of Northumberland, and his uncle the Earl of Worcester—grows increasingly resentful of the king’s treatment of them despite their crucial role in placing him on the throne.

The Percys form an alliance with Welsh rebel Owen Glendower and Scottish rebel the Earl of Douglas to overthrow Henry IV. Hotspur, a fiery young warrior obsessed with honor, becomes the rebellion’s military leader. Simultaneously, Prince Hal reveals in soliloquy that he deliberately maintains his dissolute reputation to make his eventual reformation more impressive. When his father confronts him about his behavior and unfavorably compares him to the noble Hotspur, Hal promises to redeem himself by defeating his rival in battle.

The rebellion comes to a head at the Battle of Shrewsbury, where the royal forces face the rebel army. During the battle, Prince Hal saves his father’s life and fulfills his promise by killing Hotspur in single combat, finally proving his worthiness as heir to the throne. Falstaff, who has been cowardly throughout the battle, claims credit for Hotspur’s death after discovering the body. The king’s forces win the battle, with Worcester and Douglas captured, though some rebels escape. The play concludes with the king’s victory secured but the realm’s troubles not entirely resolved, as other rebels remain at large and the crown’s stability depends on continued military action.