They are en route to Farnham, a small hunting party, when a report is galloped along the road: cases of plague have appeared in the town. Henry, brave on the battlefield, pales almost before their eyes and wrenches around his horse's head: where to? Anywhere will do, anywhere but Farnham.
In "Bring Up the Bodies," a hunting party traveling to Farnham is interrupted by alarming news of a plague outbreak in the town. The disturbing report causes anxiety among the members, particularly affecting Henry, who, despite his battlefield courage, visibly becomes frightened. His instinctive reaction is to abruptly turn his horse away from Farnham, expressing a desperate desire to escape the impending danger.
This moment highlights the contrast between Henry's bravery in warfare and his vulnerability in the face of disease. The fear of plague emphasizes the unpredictable nature of life and mortality, revealing how quickly circumstances can shift from leisure to dread. The hunting trip, meant for enjoyment, takes a dark turn, showing the reality of health crises impacting society.
