On two of its three occurrences, the word 'bedew' collocates with 'hearse' in contexts that refer to Henry V. In the opening scene of 1Henry VI a messenger arrives with bad news to compound the grief at the death of Henry V:
[3.] Mess.
103 My gracious lords, to add to your laments,
104 Wherewith you now bedew King Henry's hearse,
105 I must inform you of a dismal fight
106 Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French. (1H6 1.1.104)
The phrase returns in the final conversation of the dying Henry IV and his son, the future Henry V
109 What, canst thou not forbear me half an hour?
110 Then get thee gone, and dig my grave thyself,
111 And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear
112 That thou art crowned, not that I am dead.
113 Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse
114 Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head; (2H4 4.5.109-114)
The third occurrence of the word (Ri2 3.3.99) does not bear on this context.
25 July, 1999
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