ACTIPROLOGUEEnterChorusChorusOforaMuseoffire,thatwouldascendThebrightestheavenofinvention,Akingdomforastage,princestoactAndmonarchstobeholdtheswellingscene!
  ThenshouldthewarlikeHarry,likehimself,AssumetheportofMars;andathisheels,Leash’dinlikehounds,shouldfamine,swordandfireCrouchforemployment。Butpardon,andgentlesall,TheflatunraisedspiritsthathavedaredOnthisunworthyscaffoldtobringforthSogreatanobject:canthiscockpitholdThevastyfieldsofFrance?ormaywecramWithinthiswoodenOtheverycasquesThatdidaffrighttheairatAgincourt?
  O,pardon!sinceacrookedfiguremayAttestinlittleplaceamillion;
  Andletus,cipherstothisgreataccompt,Onyourimaginaryforceswork。
  SupposewithinthegirdleofthesewallsArenowconfinedtwomightymonarchies,WhosehighuprearedandabuttingfrontsTheperilousnarrowoceanpartsasunder:
  Pieceoutourimperfectionswithyourthoughts;
  Intoathousandpartsdivideonman,Andmakeimaginarypuissance;
  Thinkwhenwetalkofhorses,thatyouseethemPrintingtheirproudhoofsi’thereceivingearth;
  For’tisyourthoughtsthatnowmustdeckourkings,Carrythemhereandthere;jumpingo’ertimes,TurningtheaccomplishmentofmanyyearsIntoanhour—glass:forthewhichsupply,AdmitmeChorustothishistory;
  Whoprologue—likeyourhumblepatiencepray,Gentlytohear,kindlytojudge,ourplay。
  ExitSCENEI。London。Anante—chamberintheKING’Spalace。EntertheARCHBISHOPOFCANTERBURY,andtheBISHOPOFELYCANTERBURYMylord,I’lltellyou;thatselfbillisurged,Whichintheeleventhyearofthelastking’sreignWaslike,andhadindeedagainstuspass’d,ButthatthescamblingandunquiettimeDidpushitoutoffartherquestion。ELYButhow,mylord,shallweresistitnow?CANTERBURYItmustbethoughton。Ifitpassagainstus,Welosethebetterhalfofourpossession:
  ForallthetemporallandswhichmendevoutBytestamenthavegiventothechurchWouldtheystripfromus;beingvaluedthus:
  Asmuchaswouldmaintain,totheking’shonour,Fullfifteenearlsandfifteenhundredknights,Sixthousandandtwohundredgoodesquires;
  And,toreliefoflazarsandweakage,Ofindigentfaintsoulspastcorporaltoil。
  Ahundredalmshousesrightwellsupplied;
  Andtothecoffersofthekingbeside,Athousandpoundsbytheyear:thusrunsthebill。ELYThiswoulddrinkdeep。CANTERBURY’Twoulddrinkthecupandall。ELYButwhatprevention?CANTERBURYThekingisfullofgraceandfairregard。ELYAndatrueloveroftheholychurch。CANTERBURYThecoursesofhisyouthpromiseditnot。
  Thebreathnosoonerlefthisfather’sbody,Butthathiswildness,mortifiedinhim,Seem’dtodietoo;yea,atthatverymomentConsideration,likeanangel,cameAndwhipp’dtheoffendingAdamoutofhim,Leavinghisbodyasaparadise,Toenvelopandcontaincelestialspirits。
  Neverwassuchasuddenscholarmade;
  Nevercamereformationinaflood,Withsuchaheadycurrance,scouringfaultsNorneverHydra—headedwilfulnessSosoondidlosehisseatandallatonceAsinthisking。ELYWeareblessedinthechange。CANTERBURYHearhimbutreasonindivinity,Andall—admiringwithaninwardwishYouwoulddesirethekingweremadeaprelate:
  Hearhimdebateofcommonwealthaffairs,Youwouldsayithathbeenallinallhisstudy:
  Listhisdiscourseofwar,andyoushallhearAfearfulbattlerender’dyouinmusic:
  Turnhimtoanycauseofpolicy,TheGordianknotofithewillunloose,Familiarashisgarter:that,whenhespeaks,Theair,acharter’dlibertine,isstill,Andthemutewonderlurkethinmen’sears,Tostealhissweetandhoney’dsentences;
  SothattheartandpracticpartoflifeMustbethemistresstothistheoric:
  Whichisawonderhowhisgraceshouldgleanit,Sincehisaddictionwastocoursesvain,Hiscompaniesunletter’d,rudeandshallow,Hishoursfill’dupwithriots,banquets,sports,Andnevernotedinhimanystudy,Anyretirement,anysequestrationFromopenhauntsandpopularity。ELYThestrawberrygrowsunderneaththenettleAndwholesomeberriesthriveandripenbestNeighbour’dbyfruitofbaserquality:
  AndsotheprinceobscuredhiscontemplationUndertheveilofwildness;which,nodoubt,Grewlikethesummergrass,fastestbynight,Unseen,yetcresciveinhisfaculty。CANTERBURYItmustbeso;formiraclesareceased;
  AndthereforewemustneedsadmitthemeansHowthingsareperfected。ELYBut,mygoodlord,HownowformitigationofthisbillUrgedbythecommons?DothhismajestyInclinetoit,orno?CANTERBURYHeseemsindifferent,OrratherswayingmoreuponourpartThancherishingtheexhibitersagainstus;
  ForIhavemadeanoffertohismajesty,UponourspiritualconvocationAndinregardofcausesnowinhand,WhichIhaveopen’dtohisgraceatlarge,AstouchingFrance,togiveagreatersumThaneveratonetimetheclergyyetDidtohispredecessorspartwithal。ELYHowdidthisofferseemreceived,mylord?CANTERBURYWithgoodacceptanceofhismajesty;
  Savethattherewasnottimeenoughtohear,AsIperceivedhisgracewouldfainhavedone,TheseveralsandunhiddenpassagesOfhistruetitlestosomecertaindukedomsAndgenerallytothecrownandseatofFranceDerivedfromEdward,hisgreat—grandfather。ELYWhatwastheimpedimentthatbrokethisoff?CANTERBURYTheFrenchambassadoruponthatinstantCravedaudience;andthehour,Ithink,iscomeTogivehimhearing:isitfouro’clock?ELYItis。CANTERBURYThengowein,toknowhisembassy;
  WhichIcouldwithareadyguessdeclare,BeforetheFrenchmanspeakawordofit。ELYI’llwaituponyou,andIlongtohearit。
  ExeuntSCENEII。Thesame。ThePresencechamber。EnterKINGHENRYV,GLOUCESTER,BEDFORD,EXETER,WARWICK,WESTMORELAND,andAttendantsKINGHENRYVWhereismygraciousLordofCanterbury?EXETERNothereinpresence。KINGHENRYVSendforhim,gooduncle。WESTMORELANDShallwecallintheambassador,myliege?KINGHENRYVNotyet,mycousin:wewouldberesolved,Beforewehearhim,ofsomethingsofweightThattaskourthoughts,concerningusandFrance。
  EntertheARCHBISHOPOFCANTERBURY,andtheBISHOPofELYCANTERBURYGodandhisangelsguardyoursacredthroneAndmakeyoulongbecomeit!KINGHENRYVSure,wethankyou。
  Mylearnedlord,weprayyoutoproceedAndjustlyandreligiouslyunfoldWhythelawSaliquethattheyhaveinFranceOrshould,orshouldnot,barusinourclaim:
  AndGodforbid,mydearandfaithfullord,Thatyoushouldfashion,wrest,orbowyourreading,OrnicelychargeyourunderstandingsoulWithopeningtitlesmiscreate,whoserightSuitsnotinnativecolourswiththetruth;
  ForGoddothknowhowmanynowinhealthShalldroptheirbloodinapprobationOfwhatyourreverenceshallinciteusto。
  Thereforetakeheedhowyouimpawnourperson,Howyouawakeoursleepingswordofwar:
  Wechargeyou,inthenameofGod,takeheed;
  FornevertwosuchkingdomsdidcontendWithoutmuchfallofblood;whoseguiltlessdropsAreeveryoneawoe,asorecomplaint’GainsthimwhosewronggivesedgeuntotheswordsThatmakesuchwasteinbriefmortality。
  Underthisconjuration,speak,mylord;
  Forwewillhear,noteandbelieveinheartThatwhatyouspeakisinyourconsciencewash’dAspureassinwithbaptism。CANTERBURYThenhearme,gracioussovereign,andyoupeers,Thatoweyourselves,yourlivesandservicesTothisimperialthrone。ThereisnobarTomakeagainstyourhighness’claimtoFranceButthis,whichtheyproducefromPharamond,’InterramSalicammulieresnesuccedant:’
  ’NowomanshallsucceedinSaliqueland:’
  WhichSaliquelandtheFrenchunjustlyglozeTobetherealmofFrance,andPharamondThefounderofthislawandfemalebar。
  YettheirownauthorsfaithfullyaffirmThatthelandSaliqueisinGermany,BetweenthefloodsofSalaandofElbe;
  WhereCharlestheGreat,havingsubduedtheSaxons,ThereleftbehindandsettledcertainFrench;
  Who,holdingindisdaintheGermanwomenForsomedishonestmannersoftheirlife,Establish’dthenthislaw;towit,nofemaleShouldbeinheritrixinSaliqueland:
  WhichSalique,asIsaid,’twixtElbeandSala,IsatthisdayinGermanycall’dMeisen。
  ThendothitwellappearthatSaliquelawWasnotdevisedfortherealmofFrance:
  NordidtheFrenchpossesstheSaliquelandUntilfourhundredoneandtwentyyearsAfterdefunctionofKingPharamond,Idlysupposedthefounderofthislaw;
  WhodiedwithintheyearofourredemptionFourhundredtwenty—six;andCharlestheGreatSubduedtheSaxons,anddidseattheFrenchBeyondtheriverSala,intheyearEighthundredfive。Besides,theirwriterssay,KingPepin,whichdeposedChilderic,Did,asheirgeneral,beingdescendedOfBlithild,whichwasdaughtertoKingClothair,MakeclaimandtitletothecrownofFrance。
  HughCapetalso,whousurpedthecrownOfCharlesthedukeofLorraine,soleheirmaleOfthetruelineandstockofCharlestheGreat,Tofindhistitlewithsomeshowsoftruth,’Through,inpuretruth,itwascorruptandnaught,Convey’dhimselfasheirtotheLadyLingare,DaughtertoCharlemain,whowasthesonToLewistheemperor,andLewisthesonOfCharlestheGreat。AlsoKingLewistheTenth,WhowassoleheirtotheusurperCapet,Couldnotkeepquietinhisconscience,WearingthecrownofFrance,tillsatisfiedThatfairQueenIsabel,hisgrandmother,WaslinealoftheLadyErmengare,DaughtertoCharlestheforesaiddukeofLorraine:
  BythewhichmarriagethelineofCharlestheGreatWasre—unitedtothecrownofFrance。
  Sothat,asclearasisthesummer’ssun。
  KingPepin’stitleandHughCapet’sclaim,KingLewishissatisfaction,allappearToholdinrightandtitleofthefemale:
  SodothekingsofFranceuntothisday;
  HowbeittheywouldholdupthisSaliquelawTobaryourhighnessclaimingfromthefemale,AndratherchoosetohidetheminanetThanamplytoimbartheircrookedtitlesUsurp’dfromyouandyourprogenitors。KINGHENRYVMayIwithrightandconsciencemakethisclaim?CANTERBURYThesinuponmyhead,dreadsovereign!
  ForinthebookofNumbersisitwrit,Whenthemandies,lettheinheritanceDescenduntothedaughter。Graciouslord,Standforyourown;unwindyourbloodyflag;
  Lookbackintoyourmightyancestors:
  Go,mydreadlord,toyourgreat—grandsire’stomb,Fromwhomyouclaim;invokehiswarlikespirit,Andyourgreat—uncle’s,EdwardtheBlackPrince,WhoontheFrenchgroundplay’datragedy,MakingdefeatonthefullpowerofFrance,WhileshismostmightyfatheronahillStoodsmilingtobeholdhislion’swhelpForageinbloodofFrenchnobility。
  OnobleEnglish。thatcouldentertainWithhalftheirforcesthefullPrideofFranceAndletanotherhalfstandlaughingby,Alloutofworkandcoldforaction!ELYAwakeremembranceofthesevaliantdeadAndwithyourpuissantarmrenewtheirfeats:
  Youaretheirheir;yousitupontheirthrone;
  ThebloodandcouragethatrenownedthemRunsinyourveins;andmythrice—puissantliegeIsintheveryMay—mornofhisyouth,Ripeforexploitsandmightyenterprises。EXETERYourbrotherkingsandmonarchsoftheearthDoallexpectthatyoushouldrouseyourself,Asdidtheformerlionsofyourblood。WESTMORELANDTheyknowyourgracehathcauseandmeansandmight;
  Sohathyourhighness;neverkingofEnglandHadnoblesricherandmoreloyalsubjects,WhoseheartshavelefttheirbodieshereinEnglandAndliepavilion’dinthefieldsofFrance。CANTERBURYO,lettheirbodiesfollow,mydearliege,Withbloodandswordandfiretowinyourright;
  InaidwhereofweofthespiritualtyWillraiseyourhighnesssuchamightysumAsneverdidtheclergyatonetimeBringintoanyofyourancestors。KINGHENRYVWemustnotonlyarmtoinvadetheFrench,ButlaydownourproportionstodefendAgainsttheScot,whowillmakeroaduponusWithalladvantages。CANTERBURYTheyofthosemarches,gracioussovereign,ShallbeawallsufficienttodefendOurinlandfromthepilferingborderers。KINGHENRYVWedonotmeanthecoursingsnatchersonly,ButfearthemainintendmentoftheScot,Whohathbeenstillagiddyneighbourtous;
  Foryoushallreadthatmygreat—grandfatherNeverwentwithhisforcesintoFranceButthattheScotonhisunfurnish’dkingdomCamepouring,likethetideintoabreach,Withampleandbrimfulnessofhisforce,Gallingthegleanedlandwithhotassays,Girdingwithgrievoussiegecastlesandtowns;
  ThatEngland,beingemptyofdefence,Hathshookandtrembledattheillneighbourhood。CANTERBURYShehathbeenthenmorefear’dthanharm’d,myliege;
  Forhearherbutexampledbyherself:
  WhenallherchivalryhathbeeninFranceAndsheamourningwidowofhernobles,ShehathherselfnotonlywelldefendedButtakenandimpoundedasastrayTheKingofScots;whomshedidsendtoFrance,TofillKingEdward’sfamewithprisonerkingsAndmakeherchronicleasrichwithpraiseAsistheoozeandbottomoftheseaWithsunkenwreckandsunlesstreasuries。WESTMORELANDButthere’sasayingveryoldandtrue,’IfthatyouwillFrancewin,ThenwithScotlandfirstbegin:’
  ForoncetheeagleEnglandbeinginprey,ToherunguardednesttheweaselScotComessneakingandsosucksherprincelyeggs,Playingthemouseinabsenceofthecat,Totearandhavocmorethanshecaneat。EXETERItfollowsthenthecatmuststayathome:
  Yetthatisbutacrush’dnecessity,Sincewehavelockstosafeguardnecessaries,Andprettytrapstocatchthepettythieves。
  Whilethatthearmedhanddothfightabroad,Theadvisedheaddefendsitselfathome;
  Forgovernment,thoughhighandlowandlower,Putintoparts,dothkeepinoneconsent,Congreeinginafullandnaturalclose,Likemusic。CANTERBURYThereforedothheavendivideThestateofmanindiversfunctions,Settingendeavourincontinualmotion;
  Towhichisfixed,asanaimorbutt,Obedience:forsoworkthehoney—bees,CreaturesthatbyaruleinnatureteachTheactofordertoapeopledkingdom。
  Theyhaveakingandofficersofsorts;
  Wheresome,likemagistrates,correctathome,Others,likemerchants,venturetradeabroad,Others,likesoldiers,armedintheirstings,Makebootuponthesummer’svelvetbuds,WhichpillagetheywithmerrymarchbringhomeTothetent—royaloftheiremperor;
  Who,busiedinhismajesty,surveysThesingingmasonsbuildingroofsofgold,Thecivilcitizenskneadingupthehoney,ThepoormechanicporterscrowdinginTheirheavyburdensathisnarrowgate,Thesad—eyedjustice,withhissurlyhum,Deliveringo’ertoexecutorspaleThelazyyawningdrone。Ithisinfer,Thatmanythings,havingfullreferenceTooneconsent,mayworkcontrariously:
  Asmanyarrows,loosedseveralways,Cometoonemark;asmanywaysmeetinonetown;
  Asmanyfreshstreamsmeetinonesaltsea;
  Asmanylinescloseinthedial’scentre;
  Somayathousandactions,onceafoot。
  Endinonepurpose,andbeallwellborneWithoutdefeat。ThereforetoFrance,myliege。
  DivideyourhappyEnglandintofour;
  WhereoftakeyouonequarterintoFrance,AndyouwithalshallmakeallGalliashake。
  Ifwe,withthricesuchpowersleftathome,Cannotdefendourowndoorsfromthedog,LetusbeworriedandournationloseThenameofhardinessandpolicy。KINGHENRYVCallinthemessengerssentfromtheDauphin。
  ExeuntsomeAttendantsNowarewewellresolved;and,byGod’shelp,Andyours,thenoblesinewsofourpower,Francebeingours,we’llbendittoourawe,Orbreakitalltopieces:ortherewe’llsit,RulinginlargeandampleemperyO’erFranceandallheralmostkinglydukedoms,Orlaythesebonesinanunworthyurn,Tombless,withnoremembranceoverthem:
  EitherourhistoryshallwithfullmouthSpeakfreelyofouracts,orelseourgrave,LikeTurkishmute,shallhaveatonguelessmouth,Notworshipp’dwithawaxenepitaph。
  EnterAmbassadorsofFranceNowarewewellpreparedtoknowthepleasureOfourfaircousinDauphin;forwehearYourgreetingisfromhim,notfromtheking。FirstAmbassadorMay’tpleaseyourmajestytogiveusleaveFreelytorenderwhatwehaveincharge;
  OrshallwesparinglyshowyoufaroffTheDauphin’smeaningandourembassy?KINGHENRYVWearenotyrant,butaChristianking;
  UntowhosegraceourpassionisassubjectAsareourwretchesfetter’dinourprisons:
  ThereforewithfrankandwithuncurbedplainnessTellustheDauphin’smind。FirstAmbassadorThus,then,infew。
  Yourhighness,latelysendingintoFrance,Didclaimsomecertaindukedoms,intherightOfyourgreatpredecessor,KingEdwardtheThird。
  Inanswerofwhichclaim,theprinceourmasterSaysthatyousavourtoomuchofyouryouth,Andbidsyoubeadvisedthere’snoughtinFranceThatcanbewithanimblegalliardwon;
  Youcannotrevelintodukedomsthere。
  Hethereforesendsyou,meeterforyourspirit,Thistunoftreasure;and,inlieuofthis,DesiresyouletthedukedomsthatyouclaimHearnomoreofyou。ThistheDauphinspeaks。KINGHENRYVWhattreasure,uncle?EXETERTennis—balls,myliege。KINGHENRYVWearegladtheDauphinissopleasantwithus;
  Hispresentandyourpainswethankyoufor:
  Whenwehavemarch’dourracketstotheseballs,Wewill,inFrance,byGod’sgrace,playasetShallstrikehisfather’scrownintothehazard。
  TellhimhehathmadeamatchwithsuchawranglerThatallthecourtsofFrancewillbedisturb’dWithchaces。Andweunderstandhimwell,Howhecomeso’eruswithourwilderdays,Notmeasuringwhatusewemadeofthem。
  WenevervaluedthispoorseatofEngland;
  Andtherefore,livinghence,didgiveourselfTobarbarouslicence;as’tisevercommonThatmenaremerriestwhentheyarefromhome。
  ButtelltheDauphinIwillkeepmystate,BelikeakingandshowmysailofgreatnessWhenIdorousemeinmythroneofFrance:
  ForthatIhavelaidbymymajestyAndploddedlikeamanforworking—days,ButIwillrisetherewithsofullagloryThatIwilldazzlealltheeyesofFrance,Yea,striketheDauphinblindtolookonus。
  AndtellthepleasantprincethismockofhisHathturn’dhisballstogun—stones;andhissoulShallstandsorechargedforthewastefulvengeanceThatshallflywiththem:formanyathousandwidowsShallthishismockmockoutoftheirdearhusbands;
  Mockmothersfromtheirsons,mockcastlesdown;
  AndsomeareyetungottenandunbornThatshallhavecausetocursetheDauphin’sscorn。
  ButthisliesallwithinthewillofGod,TowhomIdoappeal;andinwhosenameTellyoutheDauphinIamcomingon,TovengemeasImayandtoputforthMyrightfulhandinawell—hallow’dcause。
  Sogetyouhenceinpeace;andtelltheDauphinHisjestwillsavourbutofshallowwit,Whenthousandsweepmorethandidlaughatit。
  Conveythemwithsafeconduct。Fareyouwell。
  ExeuntAmbassadorsEXETERThiswasamerrymessage。KINGHENRYVWehopetomakethesenderblushatit。
  Therefore,mylords,omitnohappyhourThatmaygivefurtherancetoourexpedition;
  ForwehavenownothoughtinusbutFrance,SavethosetoGod,thatrunbeforeourbusiness。
  ThereforeletourproportionsforthesewarsBesooncollectedandallthingsthoughtuponThatmaywithreasonableswiftnessaddMorefeatherstoourwings;for,Godbefore,We’llchidethisDauphinathisfather’sdoor。
  Thereforeleteverymannowtaskhisthought,Thatthisfairactionmayonfootbebrought。
  Exeunt。FlourishACTIIPROLOGUEEnterChorusChorusNowalltheyouthofEnglandareonfire,Andsilkendallianceinthewardrobelies:
  Nowthrivethearmourers,andhonour’sthoughtReignssolelyinthebreastofeveryman:
  Theysellthepasturenowtobuythehorse,FollowingthemirrorofallChristiankings,Withwingedheels,asEnglishMercuries。
  FornowsitsExpectationintheair,AndhidesaswordfromhiltsuntothepointWithcrownsimperial,crownsandcoronets,PromisedtoHarryandhisfollowers。
  TheFrench,advisedbygoodintelligenceOfthismostdreadfulpreparation,ShakeintheirfearandwithpalepolicySeektodiverttheEnglishpurposes。
  OEngland!modeltothyinwardgreatness,Likelittlebodywithamightyheart,Whatmightstthoudo,thathonourwouldtheedo,Wereallthychildrenkindandnatural!
  Butseethyfault!FrancehathintheefoundoutAnestofhollowbosoms,whichhefillsWithtreacherouscrowns;andthreecorruptedmen,One,RichardEarlofCambridge,andthesecond,HenryLordScroopofMasham,andthethird,SirThomasGrey,knight,ofNorthumberland,Have,forthegiltofFrance,——Oguiltindeed!
  Confirm’dconspiracywithfearfulFrance;
  Andbytheirhandsthisgraceofkingsmustdie,Ifhellandtreasonholdtheirpromises,ErehetakeshipforFrance,andinSouthampton。
  Lingeryourpatienceon;andwe’lldigestTheabuseofdistance;forceaplay:
  Thesumispaid;thetraitorsareagreed;
  ThekingissetfromLondon;andthesceneIsnowtransported,gentles,toSouthampton;
  Thereistheplayhousenow,theremustyousit:
  AndthencetoFranceshallweconveyyousafe,Andbringyouback,charmingthenarrowseasTogiveyougentlepass;for,ifwemay,We’llnotoffendonestomachwithourplay。
  But,tillthekingcomeforth,andnottillthen,UntoSouthamptondoweshiftourscene。
  ExitSCENEI。London。Astreet。EnterCorporalNYMandLieutenantBARDOLPHBARDOLPHWellmet,CorporalNym。NYMGoodmorrow,LieutenantBardolph。BARDOLPHWhat,areAncientPistolandyoufriendsyet?NYMFormypart,Icarenot:Isaylittle;
  butwhentimeshallserve,thereshallbesmiles;butthatshallbeasitmay。Idarenotfight;butIwillwinkandholdoutmineiron:itisasimpleone;
  butwhatthough?itwilltoastcheese,anditwillendurecoldasanotherman’sswordwill:andthere’sanend。BARDOLPHIwillbestowabreakfasttomakeyoufriends;andwe’llbeallthreeswornbrotherstoFrance:letitbeso,goodCorporalNym。NYMFaith,IwilllivesolongasImay,that’sthecertainofit;andwhenIcannotliveanylonger,I
  willdoasImay:thatismyrest,thatistherendezvousofit。BARDOLPHItiscertain,corporal,thatheismarriedtoNellQuickly:andcertainlyshedidyouwrong;foryouweretroth—plighttoher。NYMIcannottell:thingsmustbeastheymay:menmaysleep,andtheymayhavetheirthroatsaboutthematthattime;andsomesaykniveshaveedges。Itmustbeasitmay:thoughpatiencebeatiredmare,yetshewillplod。Theremustbeconclusions。Well,I
  cannottell。
  EnterPISTOLandHostessBARDOLPHHerecomesAncientPistolandhiswife:
  goodcorporal,bepatienthere。Hownow,minehostPistol!PISTOLBasetike,call’stthoumehost?Now,bythishand,Iswear,Iscorntheterm;NorshallmyNellkeeplodgers。HostessNo,bymytroth,notlong;forwecannotlodgeandboardadozenorfourteengentlewomenthatlivehonestlybytheprickoftheirneedles,butitwillbethoughtwekeepabawdyhousestraight。
  NYMandPISTOLdrawOwelladay,Lady,ifhebenotdrawnnow!weshallseewilfuladulteryandmurdercommitted。BARDOLPHGoodlieutenant!goodcorporal!offernothinghere。NYMPish!PISTOLPishforthee,Icelanddog!thouprick—ear’dcurofIceland!HostessGoodCorporalNym,showthyvalour,andputupyoursword。NYMWillyoushogoff?Iwouldhaveyousolus。PISTOL’Solus,’egregiousdog?Ovipervile!
  The’solus’inthymostmervailousface;
  The’solus’inthyteeth,andinthythroat,Andinthyhatefullungs,yea,inthymaw,perdy,And,whichisworse,withinthynastymouth!
  Idoretortthe’solus’inthybowels;
  ForIcantake,andPistol’scockisup,Andflashingfirewillfollow。NYMIamnotBarbason;youcannotconjureme。Ihaveanhumourtoknockyouindifferentlywell。Ifyougrowfoulwithme,Pistol,Iwillscouryouwithmyrapier,asImay,infairterms:ifyouwouldwalkoff,Iwouldprickyourgutsalittle,ingoodterms,asImay:andthat’sthehumourofit。PISTOLObraggartvileanddamnedfuriouswight!
  Thegravedothgape,anddotingdeathisnear;
  Thereforeexhale。BARDOLPHHearme,hearmewhatIsay:hethatstrikesthefirststroke,I’llrunhimuptothehilts,asIamasoldier。
  DrawsPISTOLAnoathofmicklemight;andfuryshallabate。
  Givemethyfist,thyfore—foottomegive:
  Thyspiritsaremosttall。NYMIwillcutthythroat,onetimeorother,infairterms:thatisthehumourofit。PISTOL’Coupleagorge!’
  Thatistheword。Itheedefyagain。
  OhoundofCrete,think’stthoumyspousetoget?
  No;tothespitalgo,AndfromthepowderingtubofinfamyFetchforththelazarkiteofCressid’skind,DollTearsheetshebyname,andherespouse:
  Ihave,andIwillhold,thequondamQuicklyFortheonlyshe;and——pauca,there’senough。
  Goto。
  EntertheBoyBoyMinehostPistol,youmustcometomymaster,andyou,hostess:heisverysick,andwouldtobed。
  GoodBardolph,putthyfacebetweenhissheets,anddotheofficeofawarming—pan。Faith,he’sveryill。BARDOLPHAway,yourogue!HostessBymytroth,he’llyieldthecrowapuddingoneofthesedays。Thekinghaskilledhisheart。Goodhusband,comehomepresently。
  ExeuntHostessandBoyBARDOLPHCome,shallImakeyoutwofriends?WemusttoFrancetogether:whythedevilshouldwekeepknivestocutoneanother’sthroats?PISTOLLetfloodso’erswell,andfiendsforfoodhowlon!NYMYou’llpaymetheeightshillingsIwonofyouatbetting?PISTOLBaseistheslavethatpays。NYMThatnowIwillhave:that’sthehumourofit。PISTOLAsmanhoodshallcompound:pushhome。
  TheydrawBARDOLPHBythissword,hethatmakesthefirstthrust,I’llkillhim;bythissword,Iwill。PISTOLSwordisanoath,andoathsmusthavetheircourse。BARDOLPHCorporalNym,anthouwiltbefriends,befriends:
  anthouwiltnot,why,then,beenemieswithmetoo。
  Prithee,putup。NYMIshallhavemyeightshillingsIwonofyouatbetting?PISTOLAnobleshaltthouhave,andpresentpay;
  AndliquorlikewisewillIgivetothee,Andfriendshipshallcombine,andbrotherhood:
  I’lllivebyNym,andNymshalllivebyme;
  Isnotthisjust?forIshallsutlerbeUntothecamp,andprofitswillaccrue。
  Givemethyhand。NYMIshallhavemynoble?PISTOLIncashmostjustlypaid。NYMWell,then,that’sthehumourof’t。
  Re—enterHostessHostessAseveryoucameofwomen,comeinquicklytoSirJohn。Ah,poorheart!heissoshakedofaburningquotidiantertian,thatitismostlamentabletobehold。Sweetmen,cometohim。NYMThekinghathrunbadhumoursontheknight;that’stheevenofit。PISTOLNym,thouhastspoketheright;
  Hisheartisfractedandcorroborate。NYMThekingisagoodking:butitmustbeasitmay;
  hepassessomehumoursandcareers。PISTOLLetuscondoletheknight;for,lambkinswewilllive。SCENEII。Southampton。Acouncil—chamber。EnterEXETER,BEDFORD,andWESTMORELANDBEDFORD’ForeGod,hisgraceisbold,totrustthesetraitors。EXETERTheyshallbeapprehendedbyandby。WESTMORELANDHowsmoothandeventheydobearthemselves!
  Asifallegianceintheirbosomssat,Crownedwithfaithandconstantloyalty。BEDFORDThekinghathnoteofallthattheyintend,Byinterceptionwhichtheydreamnotof。EXETERNay,butthemanthatwashisbedfellow,Whomhehathdull’dandcloy’dwithgraciousfavours,Thatheshould,foraforeignpurse,sosellHissovereign’slifetodeathandtreachery。
  Trumpetssound。EnterKINGHENRYV,SCROOP,CAMBRIDGE,GREY,andAttendantsKINGHENRYVNowsitsthewindfair,andwewillaboard。
  MyLordofCambridge,andmykindLordofMasham,Andyou,mygentleknight,givemeyourthoughts:
  ThinkyounotthatthepowerswebearwithusWillcuttheirpassagethroughtheforceofFrance,DoingtheexecutionandtheactForwhichwehaveinheadassembledthem?SCROOPNodoubt,myliege,ifeachmandohisbest。KINGHENRYVIdoubtnotthat;sincewearewellpersuadedWecarrynotaheartwithusfromhenceThatgrowsnotinafairconsentwithours,NorleavenotonebehindthatdothnotwishSuccessandconquesttoattendonus。CAMBRIDGENeverwasmonarchbetterfear’dandlovedThanisyourmajesty:there’snot,Ithink,asubjectThatsitsinheart—griefanduneasinessUnderthesweetshadeofyourgovernment。GREYTrue:thosethatwereyourfather’senemiesHavesteep’dtheirgallsinhoneyanddoserveyouWithheartscreateofdutyandofzeal。KINGHENRYVWethereforehavegreatcauseofthankfulness;
  Andshallforgettheofficeofourhand,SoonerthanquittanceofdesertandmeritAccordingtotheweightandworthiness。SCROOPSoserviceshallwithsteeledsinewstoil,Andlabourshallrefreshitselfwithhope,Todoyourgraceincessantservices。KINGHENRYVWejudgenoless。UncleofExeter,Enlargethemancommittedyesterday,Thatrail’dagainstourperson:weconsideritwasexcessofwinethatsethimon;
  Andonhismoreadvicewepardonhim。SCROOPThat’smercy,buttoomuchsecurity:
  Lethimbepunish’d,sovereign,lestexampleBreed,byhissufferance,moreofsuchakind。KINGHENRYVO,letusyetbemerciful。CAMBRIDGESomayyourhighness,andyetpunishtoo。GREYSir,Youshowgreatmercy,ifyougivehimlife,Afterthetasteofmuchcorrection。KINGHENRYVAlas,yourtoomuchloveandcareofmeAreheavyorisons’gainstthispoorwretch!
  Iflittlefaults,proceedingondistemper,Shallnotbewink’dat,howshallwestretchoureyeWhencapitalcrimes,chew’d,swallow’danddigested,Appearbeforeus?We’llyetenlargethatman,ThoughCambridge,ScroopandGrey,intheirdearcareAndtenderpreservationofourperson,Wouldhavehimpunished。AndnowtoourFrenchcauses:
  Whoarethelatecommissioners?CAMBRIDGEIone,mylord:
  Yourhighnessbademeaskforitto—day。SCROOPSodidyoume,myliege。GREYAndI,myroyalsovereign。KINGHENRYVThen,RichardEarlofCambridge,thereisyours;
  Thereyours,LordScroopofMasham;and,sirknight,GreyofNorthumberland,thissameisyours:
  Readthem;andknow,Iknowyourworthiness。
  MyLordofWestmoreland,anduncleExeter,Wewillaboardtonight。Why,hownow,gentlemen!
  WhatseeyouinthosepapersthatyouloseSomuchcomplexion?Lookye,howtheychange!
  Theircheeksarepaper。Why,whatreadyouthereThathathsocowardedandchasedyourbloodOutofappearance?CAMBRIDGEIdoconfessmyfault;
  Anddosubmitmetoyourhighness’mercy。GREYSCROOPTowhichweallappeal。KINGHENRYVThemercythatwasquickinusbutlate,Byyourowncounselissuppress’dandkill’d:
  Youmustnotdare,forshame,totalkofmercy;
  Foryourownreasonsturnintoyourbosoms,Asdogsupontheirmasters,worryingyou。
  Seeyou,myprinces,andmynoblepeers,TheseEnglishmonsters!MyLordofCambridgehere,YouknowhowaptourlovewastoaccordTofurnishhimwithallappertinentsBelongingtohishonour;andthismanHath,forafewlightcrowns,lightlyconspired,AndswornuntothepractisesofFrance,TokillushereinHampton:tothewhichThisknight,nolessforbountyboundtousThanCambridgeis,hathlikewisesworn。But,O,WhatshallIsaytothee,LordScroop?thoucruel,Ingrateful,savageandinhumancreature!
  Thouthatdidstbearthekeyofallmycounsels,Thatknew’sttheverybottomofmysoul,Thatalmostmightsthavecoin’dmeintogold,Wouldstthouhavepractisedonmeforthyuse,Mayitbepossible,thatforeignhireCouldoutoftheeextractonesparkofevilThatmightannoymyfinger?’tissostrange,That,thoughthetruthofitstandsoffasgrossAsblackandwhite,myeyewillscarcelyseeit。
  Treasonandmurdereverkepttogether,Astwoyoke—devilssworntoeither’spurpose,Workingsogrosslyinanaturalcause,Thatadmirationdidnotwhoopatthem:
  Butthou,’gainstallproportion,didstbringinWondertowaitontreasonandonmurder:
  AndwhatsoevercunningfienditwasThatwroughtupontheesopreposterouslyHathgotthevoiceinhellforexcellence:
  AllotherdevilsthatsuggestbytreasonsDobotchandbungleupdamnationWithpatches,colours,andwithformsbeingfetch’dFromglisteringsemblancesofpiety;
  Buthethattemper’dtheebadetheestandup,Gavetheenoinstancewhythoushouldstdotreason,Unlesstodubtheewiththenameoftraitor。
  Ifthatsamedemonthathathgull’dtheethusShouldwithhisliongaitwalkthewholeworld,HemightreturntovastyTartarback,Andtellthelegions’IcanneverwinAsoulsoeasyasthatEnglishman’s。’
  O,howhastthouwith’jealousyinfectedThesweetnessofaffiance!Showmendutiful?
  Why,sodidstthou:seemtheygraveandlearned?
  Why,sodidstthou:cometheyofnoblefamily?
  Why,sodidstthou:seemtheyreligious?
  Why,sodidstthou:oraretheyspareindiet,Freefromgrosspassionorofmirthoranger,Constantinspirit,notswervingwiththeblood,Garnish’danddeck’dinmodestcomplement,Notworkingwiththeeyewithouttheear,Andbutinpurgedjudgmenttrustingneither?
  Suchandsofinelybolteddidstthouseem:
  Andthusthyfallhathleftakindofblot,Tomarkthefull—fraughtmanandbestinduedWithsomesuspicion。Iwillweepforthee;
  Forthisrevoltofthine,methinks,islikeAnotherfallofman。Theirfaultsareopen:
  Arrestthemtotheanswerofthelaw;
  AndGodacquitthemoftheirpractises!EXETERIarresttheeofhightreason,bythenameofRichardEarlofCambridge。
  Iarresttheeofhightreason,bythenameofHenryLordScroopofMasham。
  Iarresttheeofhightreason,bythenameofThomasGrey,knight,ofNorthumberland。SCROOPOurpurposesGodjustlyhathdiscover’d;
  AndIrepentmyfaultmorethanmydeath;
  WhichIbeseechyourhighnesstoforgive,Althoughmybodypaythepriceofit。CAMBRIDGEForme,thegoldofFrancedidnotseduce;
  AlthoughIdidadmititasamotiveThesoonertoeffectwhatIintended:
  ButGodbethankedforprevention;
  WhichIinsufferanceheartilywillrejoice,BeseechingGodandyoutopardonme。GREYNeverdidfaithfulsubjectmorerejoiceAtthediscoveryofmostdangeroustreasonThanIdoatthishourjoyo’ermyself。
  Preventedfromadamnedenterprise:
  Myfault,butnotmybody,pardon,sovereign。KINGHENRYVGodquityouinhismercy!Hearyoursentence。
  Youhaveconspiredagainstourroyalperson,Join’dwithanenemyproclaim’dandfromhiscoffersReceivedthegoldenearnestofourdeath;
  Whereinyouwouldhavesoldyourkingtoslaughter,Hisprincesandhispeerstoservitude,HissubjectstooppressionandcontemptAndhiswholekingdomintodesolation。
  Touchingourpersonseekwenorevenge;
  Butweourkingdom’ssafetymustsotender,Whoseruinyouhavesought,thattoherlawsWedodeliveryou。Getyouthereforehence,Poormiserablewretches,toyourdeath:
  Thetastewhereof,GodofhismercygiveYoupatiencetoendure,andtruerepentanceOfallyourdearoffences!Bearthemhence。
  ExeuntCAMBRIDGE,SCROOPandGREY,guardedNow,lords,forFrance;theenterprisewhereofShallbetoyou,asus,likeglorious。
  Wedoubtnotofafairandluckywar,SinceGodsograciouslyhathbroughttolightThisdangeroustreasonlurkinginourwayTohinderourbeginnings。WedoubtnotnowButeveryrubissmoothedonourway。
  Thenforth,dearcountrymen:letusdeliverOurpuissanceintothehandofGod,Puttingitstraightinexpedition。
  Cheerlytosea;thesignsofwaradvance:
  NokingofEngland,ifnotkingofFrance。
  ExeuntSCENEIII。London。Beforeatavern。EnterPISTOL,Hostess,NYM,BARDOLPH,andBoyHostessPrithee,honey—sweethusband,letmebringtheetoStaines。PISTOLNo;formymanlyheartdothyearn。
  Bardolph,beblithe:Nym,rousethyvauntingveins:
  Boy,bristlethycourageup;forFalstaffheisdead,Andwemustyearntherefore。BARDOLPHWouldIwerewithhim,wheresome’erheis,eitherinheavenorinhell!HostessNay,sure,he’snotinhell:he’sinArthur’sbosom,ifevermanwenttoArthur’sbosom。A’madeafinerendandwentawayanithadbeenanychristomchild;a’partedevenjustbetweentwelveandone,evenattheturningo’thetide:forafterIsawhimfumblewiththesheetsandplaywithflowersandsmileuponhisfingers’ends,Iknewtherewasbutoneway;forhisnosewasassharpasapen,anda’babbledofgreenfields。’Hownow,sirJohn!’quothI’what,man!beo’goodcheer。’Soa’criedout’God,God,God!’threeorfourtimes。NowI,tocomforthim,bidhima’
  shouldnotthinkofGod;Ihopedtherewasnoneedtotroublehimselfwithanysuchthoughtsyet。
  Soa’bademelaymoreclothesonhisfeet:Iputmyhandintothebedandfeltthem,andtheywereascoldasanystone;thenIfelttohisknees,andtheywereascoldasanystone,andsoupwardandupward,andallwasascoldasanystone。NYMTheysayhecriedoutofsack。HostessAy,thata’did。BARDOLPHAndofwomen。HostessNay,thata’didnot。BoyYes,thata’did;andsaidtheyweredevilsincarnate。HostessA’couldneverabidecarnation;’twasacolourheneverliked。BoyA’saidonce,thedevilwouldhavehimaboutwomen。HostessA’didinsomesort,indeed,handlewomen;
  butthenhewasrheumatic,andtalkedofthewhoreofBabylon。BoyDoyounotremember,a’sawafleastickuponBardolph’snose,anda’saiditwasablacksoulburninginhell—fire?BARDOLPHWell,thefuelisgonethatmaintainedthatfire:
  that’salltherichesIgotinhisservice。NYMShallweshog?thekingwillbegonefromSouthampton。PISTOLCome,let’saway。Mylove,givemethylips。
  Looktomychattelsandmymovables:
  Letsensesrule;thewordis’PitchandPay:’
  Trustnone;
  Foroathsarestraws,men’sfaithsarewafer—cakes,Andhold—fastistheonlydog,myduck:
  Therefore,Cavetobethycounsellor。
  Go,clearthycrystals。Yoke—fellowsinarms,LetustoFrance;likehorse—leeches,myboys,Tosuck,tosuck,theverybloodtosuck!BoyAndthat’sbutunwholesomefoodtheysay。PISTOLTouchhersoftmouth,andmarch。BARDOLPHFarewell,hostess。
  KissingherNYMIcannotkiss,thatisthehumourofit;
  but,adieu。PISTOLLethousewiferyappear:keepclose,I
  theecommand。HostessFarewell;adieu。
  ExeuntSCENEIV。France。TheKING’Spalace。Flourish。EntertheFRENCHKING,theDAUPHIN,theDUKES
  ofBERRIandBRETAGNE,theConstable,andothersKINGOFFRANCEThuscomestheEnglishwithfullpoweruponus;
  AndmorethancarefullyitusconcernsToanswerroyallyinourdefences。
  ThereforetheDukesofBerriandofBretagne,OfBrabantandofOrleans,shallmakeforth,Andyou,PrinceDauphin,withallswiftdispatch,TolineandnewrepairourtownsofwarWithmenofcourageandwithmeansdefendant;
  ForEnglandhisapproachesmakesasfierceAswaterstothesuckingofagulf。
  ItfitsusthentobeasprovidentAsfearmayteachusoutoflateexamplesLeftbythefatalandneglectedEnglishUponourfields。DAUPHINMymostredoubtedfather,Itismostmeetwearmus’gainstthefoe;
  Forpeaceitselfshouldnotsodullakingdom,Thoughwarnornoknownquarrelwereinquestion,Butthatdefences,musters,preparations,Shouldbemaintain’d,assembledandcollected,Aswereawarinexpectation。
  Therefore,Isay’tismeetweallgoforthToviewthesickandfeeblepartsofFrance:
  Andletusdoitwithnoshowoffear;
  No,withnomorethanifweheardthatEnglandWerebusiedwithaWhitsunmorris—dance:
  For,mygoodliege,sheissoidlyking’d,HersceptresofantasticallyborneByavain,giddy,shallow,humorousyouth,Thatfearattendshernot。ConstableOpeace,PrinceDauphin!
  Youaretoomuchmistakeninthisking:
  Questionyourgracethelateambassadors,Withwhatgreatstateheheardtheirembassy,Howwellsuppliedwithnoblecounsellors,Howmodestinexception,andwithalHowterribleinconstantresolution,AndyoushallfindhisvanitiesforespentWerebuttheoutsideoftheRomanBrutus,Coveringdiscretionwithacoatoffolly;
  AsgardenersdowithordurehidethoserootsThatshallfirstspringandbemostdelicate。DAUPHINWell,’tisnotso,mylordhighconstable;
  Butthoughwethinkitso,itisnomatter:
  Incasesofdefence’tisbesttoweighTheenemymoremightythanheseems:
  Sotheproportionsofdefencearefill’d;
  WhichofaweakorniggardlyprojectionDoth,likeamiser,spoilhiscoatwithscantingAlittlecloth。KINGOFFRANCEThinkweKingHarrystrong;
  And,princes,lookyoustronglyarmtomeethim。
  Thekindredofhimhathbeenflesh’duponus;
  AndheisbredoutofthatbloodystrainThathauntedusinourfamiliarpaths:
  WitnessourtoomuchmemorableshameWhenCressybattlefatallywasstruck,Andallourprincescaptiv’dbythehandOfthatblackname,Edward,BlackPrinceofWales;
  Whilesthathismountainsire,onmountainstanding,Upintheair,crown’dwiththegoldensun,Sawhisheroicalseed,andsmiledtoseehim,MangletheworkofnatureanddefaceThepatternsthatbyGodandbyFrenchfathersHadtwentyyearsbeenmade。ThisisastemOfthatvictoriousstock;andletusfearThenativemightinessandfateofhim。
  EnteraMessengerMessengerAmbassadorsfromHarryKingofEnglandDocraveadmittancetoyourmajesty。KINGOFFRANCEWe’llgivethempresentaudience。Go,andbringthem。
  ExeuntMessengerandcertainLordsYouseethischaseishotlyfollow’d,friends。DAUPHINTurnhead,andstoppursuit;forcowarddogsMostspendtheirmouthswhenwhattheyseemtothreatenRunsfarbeforethem。Goodmysovereign,TakeuptheEnglishshort,andletthemknowOfwhatamonarchyyouarethehead:
  Self—love,myliege,isnotsovileasinAsself—neglecting。
  Re—enterLords,withEXETERandtrainKINGOFFRANCEFromourbrotherEngland?EXETERFromhim;andthushegreetsyourmajesty。
  Hewillsyou,inthenameofGodAlmighty,Thatyoudivestyourself,andlayapartTheborrow’dgloriesthatbygiftofheaven,Bylawofnatureandofnations,’longTohimandtohisheirs;namely,thecrownAndallwide—stretchedhonoursthatpertainBycustomandtheordinanceoftimesUntothecrownofFrance。Thatyoumayknow’Tisnosinisternornoawkwardclaim,Pick’dfromtheworm—holesoflong—vanish’ddays,Norfromthedustofoldoblivionraked,Hesendsyouthismostmemorableline,Ineverybranchtrulydemonstrative;
  Willingtooverlookthispedigree:
  AndwhenyoufindhimevenlyderivedFromhismostfamedoffamousancestors,EdwardtheThird,hebidsyouthenresignYourcrownandkingdom,indirectlyheldFromhimthenativeandtruechallenger。KINGOFFRANCEOrelsewhatfollows?EXETERBloodyconstraint;forifyouhidethecrownEveninyourhearts,therewillherakeforit:
  Thereforeinfiercetempestishecoming,Inthunderandinearthquake,likeaJove,That,ifrequiringfail,hewillcompel;
  Andbidsyou,inthebowelsoftheLord,Deliverupthecrown,andtotakemercyOnthepoorsoulsforwhomthishungrywarOpenshisvastyjaws;andonyourheadTurningthewidows’tears,theorphans’criesThedeadmen’sblood,thepiningmaidensgroans,Forhusbands,fathersandbetrothedlovers,Thatshallbeswallow’dinthiscontroversy。
  Thisishisclaim,histhreateningandmymessage;
  UnlesstheDauphinbeinpresencehere,TowhomexpresslyIbringgreetingtoo。KINGOFFRANCEForus,wewillconsiderofthisfurther:
  To—morrowshallyoubearourfullintentBacktoourbrotherEngland。DAUPHINFortheDauphin,Istandhereforhim:whattohimfromEngland?EXETERScornanddefiance;slightregard,contempt,AndanythingthatmaynotmisbecomeThemightysender,dothheprizeyouat。
  Thussaysmyking;an’ifyourfather’shighnessDonot,ingrantofalldemandsatlarge,Sweetenthebittermockyousenthismajesty,He’llcallyoutosohotananswerofit,ThatcavesandwombyvaultagesofFranceShallchideyourtrespassandreturnyourmockInsecondaccentofhisordnance。DAUPHINSay,ifmyfatherrenderfairreturn,Itisagainstmywill;forIdesireNothingbutoddswithEngland:tothatend,Asmatchingtohisyouthandvanity,IdidpresenthimwiththeParisballs。EXETERHe’llmakeyourParisLouvreshakeforit,Wereitthemistress—courtofmightyEurope:
  And,beassured,you’llfindadifference,Aswehissubjectshaveinwonderfound,BetweenthepromiseofhisgreenerdaysAndthesehemastersnow:nowheweighstimeEventotheutmostgrain:thatyoushallreadInyourownlosses,ifhestayinFrance。KINGOFFRANCETo—morrowshallyouknowourmindatfull。EXETERDispatchuswithallspeed,lestthatourkingComeherehimselftoquestionourdelay;
  Forheisfootedinthislandalready。KINGOFFRANCEYoushallbesoondispatch’swithfairconditions:
  AnightisbutsmallbreathandlittlepauseToanswermattersofthisconsequence。
  Flourish。ExeuntACTIIIPROLOGUEEnterChorusChorusThuswithimaginedwingourswiftscenefliesInmotionofnolesscelerityThanthatofthought。SupposethatyouhaveseenThewell—appointedkingatHamptonpierEmbarkhisroyalty;andhisbravefleetWithsilkenstreamerstheyoungPhoebusfanning:
  Playwithyourfancies,andinthembeholdUponthehempentackleship—boysclimbing;
  HeartheshrillwhistlewhichdothordergiveTosoundsconfused;beholdthethreadensails,Bornewiththeinvisibleandcreepingwind,Drawthehugebottomsthroughthefurrow’dsea,Breastingtheloftysurge:O,dobutthinkYoustandupontheravageandbeholdAcityontheinconstantbillowsdancing;
  Forsoappearsthisfleetmajestical,HoldingduecoursetoHarfleur。Follow,follow:
  Grappleyourmindstosternageofthisnavy,AndleaveyourEngland,asdeadmidnightstill,Guardedwithgrandsires,babiesandoldwomen,Eitherpastornotarrivedtopithandpuissance;
  Forwhoishe,whosechinisbutenrich’dWithoneappearinghair,thatwillnotfollowThesecull’dandchoice—drawncavalierstoFrance?
  Work,workyourthoughts,andthereinseeasiege;
  Beholdtheordnanceontheircarriages,WithfatalmouthsgapingongirdedHarfleur。
  SupposetheambassadorfromtheFrenchcomesback;
  TellsHarrythatthekingdothofferhimKatharinehisdaughter,andwithher,todowry,Somepettyandunprofitabledukedoms。
  Theofferlikesnot:andthenimblegunnerWithlinstocknowthedevilishcannontouches,Alarum,andchambersgooffAnddowngoesallbeforethem。Stillbekind,Andekeoutourperformancewithyourmind。
  ExitSCENEI。France。BeforeHarfleur。Alarum。EnterKINGHENRY,EXETER,BEDFORD,GLOUCESTER,andSoldiers,withscaling—laddersKINGHENRYVOncemoreuntothebreach,dearfriends,oncemore;
  OrclosethewallupwithourEnglishdead。
  Inpeacethere’snothingsobecomesamanAsmodeststillnessandhumility:
  Butwhentheblastofwarblowsinourears,Thenimitatetheactionofthetiger;
  Stiffenthesinews,summonuptheblood,Disguisefairnaturewithhard—favour’drage;
  Thenlendtheeyeaterribleaspect;
  LetprythroughtheportageoftheheadLikethebrasscannon;letthebrowo’erwhelmitAsfearfullyasdothagalledrockO’erhangandjuttyhisconfoundedbase,Swill’dwiththewildandwastefulocean。
  Nowsettheteethandstretchthenostrilwide,HoldhardthebreathandbendupeveryspiritTohisfullheight。On,on,younoblestEnglish。
  Whosebloodisfetfromfathersofwar—proof!
  Fathersthat,likesomanyAlexanders,HaveinthesepartsfrommorntillevenfoughtAndsheathedtheirswordsforlackofargument:
  Dishonournotyourmothers;nowattestThatthosewhomyoucall’dfathersdidbegetyou。
  Becopynowtomenofgrosserblood,Andteachthemhowtowar。Andyou,goodyeoman,WhoselimbsweremadeinEngland,showushereThemettleofyourpasture;letusswearThatyouareworthyourbreeding;whichIdoubtnot;
  Forthereisnoneofyousomeanandbase,Thathathnotnoblelustreinyoureyes。