Letmespeakproudly:telltheconstableWearebutwarriorsfortheworking—day;
Ourgaynessandourgiltareallbesmirch’dWithrainymarchinginthepainfulfield;
There’snotapieceoffeatherinourhost——
Goodargument,Ihope,wewillnotfly——
Andtimehathwornusintoslovenry:
But,bythemass,ourheartsareinthetrim;
Andmypoorsoldierstellme,yeterenightThey’llbeinfresherrobes,ortheywillpluckThegaynewcoatso’ertheFrenchsoldiers’headsAndturnthemoutofservice。Iftheydothis,——
As,ifGodplease,theyshall,——myransomthenWillsoonbelevied。Herald,savethouthylabour;
Comethounomoreforransom,gentleherald:
Theyshallhavenone,Iswear,butthesemyjoints;
WhichiftheyhaveasIwillleave’emthem,Shallyieldthemlittle,telltheconstable。MONTJOYIshall,KingHarry。Andsofaretheewell:
Thounevershalthearheraldanymore。
ExitKINGHENRYVIfearthou’ltoncemorecomeagainforransom。
EnterYORKYORKMylord,mosthumblyonmykneeIbegTheleadingofthevaward。KINGHENRYVTakeit,braveYork。Now,soldiers,marchaway:
Andhowthoupleasest,God,disposetheday!
ExeuntSCENEIV。Thefieldofbattle。Alarum。Excursions。EnterPISTOL,FrenchSoldier,andBoyPISTOLYield,cur!FrenchSoldierJepensequevousetesgentilhommedebonnequalite。PISTOLQualtitiecalmiecustureme!Artthouagentleman?
whatisthyname?discuss。FrenchSoldierOSeigneurDieu!PISTOLO,SignieurDewshouldbeagentleman:
Perpendmywords,OSignieurDew,andmark;
OSignieurDew,thoudiestonpointoffox,Except,Osignieur,thoudogivetomeEgregiousransom。FrenchSoldierO,prenezmisericorde!ayezpitiedemoi!PISTOLMoyshallnotserve;Iwillhavefortymoys;
OrIwillfetchthyrimoutatthythroatIndropsofcrimsonblood。FrenchSoldierEst—ilimpossibled’echapperlaforcedetonbras?PISTOLBrass,cur!
Thoudamnedandluxuriousmountaingoat,Offer’stmebrass?FrenchSoldierOpardonnezmoi!PISTOLSay’stthoumeso?isthatatonofmoys?
Comehither,boy:askmethisslaveinFrenchWhatishisname。BoyEcoutez:commentetes—vousappele?FrenchSoldierMonsieurleFer。BoyHesayshisnameisMasterFer。PISTOLMasterFer!I’llferhim,andfirkhim,andferrethim:discussthesameinFrenchuntohim。BoyIdonotknowtheFrenchforfer,andferret,andfirk。PISTOLBidhimprepare;forIwillcuthisthroat。FrenchSoldierQuedit—il,monsieur?BoyIlmecommandedevousdirequevousfaitesvouspret;carcesoldaticiestdisposetoutacetteheuredecoupervotregorge。PISTOLOwy,cuppelegorge,permafoy,Peasant,unlessthougivemecrowns,bravecrowns;
Ormangledshaltthoubebythismysword。FrenchSoldierO,jevoussupplie,pourl’amourdeDieu,mepardonner!Jesuisgentilhommedebonnemaison:
gardezmavie,etjevousdonneraideuxcentsecus。PISTOLWhatarehiswords?BoyHepraysyoutosavehislife:heisagentlemanofagoodhouse;andforhisransomhewillgiveyoutwohundredcrowns。PISTOLTellhimmyfuryshallabate,andIthecrownswilltake。FrenchSoldierPetitmonsieur,quedit—il?BoyEncorequ’ilestcontresonjurementdepardonneraucunprisonnier,neanmoins,pourlesecusquevousl’avezpromis,ilestcontentdevousdonnerlaliberte,lefranchisement。FrenchSoldierSurmesgenouxjevousdonnemilleremercimens;
etjem’estimeheureuxquejesuistombeentrelesmainsd’unchevalier,jepense,leplusbrave,vaillant,ettresdistingueseigneurd’Angleterre。PISTOLExpounduntome,boy。BoyHegivesyou,uponhisknees,athousandthanks;andheesteemshimselfhappythathehathfallenintothehandsofone,ashethinks,themostbrave,valorous,andthrice—worthysignieurofEngland。PISTOLAsIsuckblood,Iwillsomemercyshow。
Followme!BoySuivez—vouslegrandcapitaine。
ExeuntPISTOL,andFrenchSoldierIdidneverknowsofullavoiceissuefromsoemptyaheart:butthesayingistrue’Theemptyvesselmakesthegreatestsound。’BardolphandNymhadtentimesmorevalourthanthisroaringdevili’
theoldplay,thateveryonemayparehisnailswithawoodendagger;andtheyarebothhanged;andsowouldthisbe,ifhedurststealanythingadventurously。Imuststaywiththelackeys,withtheluggageofourcamp:theFrenchmighthaveagoodpreyofus,ifheknewofit;forthereisnonetoguarditbutboys。
ExitSCENEV。Anotherpartofthefield。EnterConstable,ORLEANS,BOURBON,DAUPHIN,andRAMBURESConstableOdiable!ORLEANSOseigneur!lejourestperdu,toutestperdu!DAUPHINMortdemavie!allisconfounded,all!
ReproachandeverlastingshameSitsmockinginourplumes。Omerchantefortune!
Donotrunaway。
AshortalarumConstableWhy,allourranksarebroke。DAUPHINOperdurableshame!let’sstabourselves。
Bethesethewretchesthatweplay’datdicefor?ORLEANSIsthisthekingwesenttoforhisransom?BOURBONShameandeternalshame,nothingbutshame!
Letusdieinhonour:oncemorebackagain;
AndhethatwillnotfollowBourbonnow,Lethimgohence,andwithhiscapinhand,Likeabasepander,holdthechamber—doorWhilstbyaslave,nogentlerthanmydog,Hisfairestdaughteriscontaminated。ConstableDisorder,thathathspoil’dus,friendusnow!
Letusonheapsgoofferupourlives。ORLEANSWeareenowyetlivinginthefieldTosmotheruptheEnglishinourthrongs,Ifanyordermightbethoughtupon。BOURBONThedeviltakeordernow!I’lltothethrong:
Letlifebeshort;elseshamewillbetoolong。
ExeuntSCENEVI。Anotherpartofthefield。Alarums。EnterKINGHENRYandforces,EXETER,andothersKINGHENRYVWellhavewedone,thricevaliantcountrymen:
Butall’snotdone;yetkeeptheFrenchthefield。EXETERTheDukeofYorkcommendshimtoyourmajesty。KINGHENRYVLiveshe,gooduncle?thricewithinthishourIsawhimdown;thriceupagainandfighting;
Fromhelmettothespurallbloodhewas。EXETERInwhicharray,bravesoldier,dothhelie,Lardingtheplain;andbyhisbloodyside,Yoke—fellowtohishonour—owingwounds,ThenobleEarlofSuffolkalsolies。
Suffolkfirstdied:andYork,allhaggledover,Comestohim,whereingorehelayinsteep’d,Andtakeshimbythebeard;kissesthegashesThatbloodilydidspawnuponhisface;
Andcriesaloud’Tarry,dearcousinSuffolk!
Mysoulshallthinekeepcompanytoheaven;
Tarry,sweetsoul,formine,thenflyabreast,Asinthisgloriousandwell—foughtenfieldWekepttogetherinourchivalry!’
UponthesewordsIcameandcheer’dhimup:
Hesmiledmeintheface,raughtmehishand,And,withafeeblegripe,says’Dearmylord,Commendmyservicetomesovereign。’
SodidheturnandoverSuffolk’sneckHethrewhiswoundedarmandkiss’dhislips;
Andsoespousedtodeath,withbloodheseal’dAtestamentofnoble—endinglove。
TheprettyandsweetmannerofitforcedThosewatersfrommewhichIwouldhavestopp’d;
ButIhadnotsomuchofmaninme,AndallmymothercameintomineeyesAndgavemeuptotears。KINGHENRYVIblameyounot;
For,hearingthis,ImustperforcecompoundWithmistfuleyes,ortheywillissuetoo。
AlarumBut,hark!whatnewalarumisthissame?
TheFrenchhavereinforcedtheirscatter’dmen:
Theneverysoldierkillhisprisoners:
Givethewordthrough。
ExeuntSCENEVII。Anotherpartofthefield。EnterFLUELLENandGOWERFLUELLENKillthepoysandtheluggage!’tisexpresslyagainstthelawofarms:’tisasarrantapieceofknavery,markyounow,ascanbeoffer’t;inyourconscience,now,isitnot?GOWER’Tiscertainthere’snotaboyleftalive;
andthecowardlyrascalsthatranfromthebattleha’donethisslaughter:besides,theyhaveburnedandcarriedawayallthatwasintheking’stent;
whereforetheking,mostworthily,hathcausedeverysoldiertocuthisprisoner’sthroat。O,’tisagallantking!FLUELLENAy,hewaspornatMonmouth,CaptainGower。
Whatcallyouthetown’snamewhereAlexanderthePigwasborn!GOWERAlexandertheGreat。FLUELLENWhy,Iprayyou,isnotpiggreat?thepig,orthegreat,orthemighty,orthehuge,orthemagnanimous,areallonereckonings,savethephraseisalittlevariations。GOWERIthinkAlexandertheGreatwasborninMacedon;hisfatherwascalledPhilipofMacedon,asItakeit。FLUELLENIthinkitisinMacedonwhereAlexanderisporn。I
tellyou,captain,ifyoulookinthemapsofthe’orld,Iwarrantyousallfind,inthecomparisonsbetweenMacedonandMonmouth,thatthesituations,lookyou,isbothalike。ThereisariverinMacedon;andthereisalsomoreoverariveratMonmouth:itiscalledWyeatMonmouth;butitisoutofmyprainswhatisthenameoftheotherriver;but’tisallone,’tisalikeasmyfingersistomyfingers,andthereissalmonsinboth。IfyoumarkAlexander’slifewell,HarryofMonmouth’slifeiscomeafteritindifferentwell;forthereisfiguresinallthings。Alexander,Godknows,andyouknow,inhisrages,andhisfuries,andhiswraths,andhischolers,andhismoods,andhisdispleasures,andhisindignations,andalsobeingalittleintoxicatesinhisprains,did,inhisalesandhisangers,lookyou,killhisbestfriend,Cleitus。GOWEROurkingisnotlikehiminthat:heneverkilledanyofhisfriends。FLUELLENItisnotwelldone,markyounowtakethetalesoutofmymouth,ereitismadeandfinished。Ispeakbutinthefiguresandcomparisonsofit:asAlexanderkilledhisfriendCleitus,beinginhisalesandhiscups;soalsoHarryMonmouth,beinginhisrightwitsandhisgoodjudgments,turnedawaythefatknightwiththegreatbelly—doublet:hewasfullofjests,andgipes,andknaveries,andmocks;Ihaveforgothisname。GOWERSirJohnFalstaff。FLUELLENThatishe:I’lltellyouthereisgoodmenpornatMonmouth。GOWERHerecomeshismajesty。
Alarum。EnterKINGHENRY,andforces;WARWICK,GLOUCESTER,EXETER,andothersKINGHENRYVIwasnotangrysinceIcametoFranceUntilthisinstant。Takeatrumpet,herald;
Ridethouuntothehorsemenonyonhill:
Iftheywillfightwithus,bidthemcomedown,Orvoidthefield;theydooffendoursight:
Ifthey’lldoneither,wewillcometothem,Andmakethemskirraway,asswiftasstonesEnforcedfromtheoldAssyrianslings:
Besides,we’llcutthethroatsofthosewehave,AndnotamanofthemthatweshalltakeShalltasteourmercy。Goandtellthemso。
EnterMONTJOYEXETERHerecomestheheraldoftheFrench,myliege。GLOUCESTERHiseyesarehumblerthantheyusedtobe。KINGHENRYVHownow!whatmeansthis,herald?know’stthounotThatIhavefinedthesebonesofmineforransom?
Comestthouagainforransom?MONTJOYNo,greatking:
Icometotheeforcharitablelicence,Thatwemaywandero’erthisbloodyfieldTolookourdead,andthentoburythem;
Tosortournoblesfromourcommonmen。
Formanyofourprinces——woethewhile!——
Liedrown’dandsoak’dinmercenaryblood;
SodoourvulgardrenchtheirpeasantlimbsInbloodofprinces;andtheirwoundedsteedsFretfetlockdeepingoreandwithwildrageYerkouttheirarmedheelsattheirdeadmasters,Killingthemtwice。O,giveusleave,greatking,ToviewthefieldinsafetyanddisposeOftheirdeadbodies!KINGHENRYVItelltheetruly,herald,Iknownotifthedaybeoursorno;
ForyetamanyofyourhorsemenpeerAndgallopo’erthefield。MONTJOYThedayisyours。KINGHENRYVPraisedbeGod,andnotourstrength,forit!
Whatisthiscastlecall’dthatstandshardby?MONTJOYTheycallitAgincourt。KINGHENRYVThencallwethisthefieldofAgincourt,FoughtonthedayofCrispinCrispianus。FLUELLENYourgrandfatheroffamousmemory,an’tpleaseyourmajesty,andyourgreat—uncleEdwardthePlackPrinceofWales,asIhavereadinthechronicles,foughtamostpravepattlehereinFrance。KINGHENRYVTheydid,Fluellen。FLUELLENYourmajestysaysverytrue:ifyourmajestiesisrememberedofit,theWelshmendidgoodserviceinagardenwhereleeksdidgrow,wearingleeksintheirMonmouthcaps;which,yourmajestyknow,tothishourisanhonourablebadgeoftheservice;andIdobelieveyourmajestytakesnoscorntoweartheleekuponSaintTavy’sday。KINGHENRYVIwearitforamemorablehonour;
ForIamWelsh,youknow,goodcountryman。FLUELLENAllthewaterinWyecannotwashyourmajesty’sWelshploodoutofyourpody,Icantellyouthat:
Godplessitandpreserveit,aslongasitpleaseshisgrace,andhismajestytoo!KINGHENRYVThanks,goodmycountryman。FLUELLENByJeshu,Iamyourmajesty’scountryman,Icarenotwhoknowit;Iwillconfessittoallthe’orld:
I
neednottobeashamedofyourmajesty,praisedbeGod,solongasyourmajestyisanhonestman。KINGHENRYVGodkeepmeso!Ourheraldsgowithhim:
BringmejustnoticeofthenumbersdeadOnbothourparts。Callyonderfellowhither。
PointstoWILLIAMS。ExeuntHeraldswithMontjoyEXETERSoldier,youmustcometotheking。KINGHENRYVSoldier,whywearestthouthatgloveinthycap?WILLIAMSAn’tpleaseyourmajesty,’tisthegageofonethatIshouldfightwithal,ifhebealive。KINGHENRYVAnEnglishman?WILLIAMSAn’tpleaseyourmajesty,arascalthatswaggeredwithmelastnight;who,ifaliveandeverdaretochallengethisglove,Ihavesworntotakehimaboxo’th’ear:orifIcanseemygloveinhiscap,whichheswore,ashewasasoldier,hewouldwearifalive,Iwillstrikeitoutsoundly。KINGHENRYVWhatthinkyou,CaptainFluellen?isitfitthissoldierkeephisoath?FLUELLENHeisacravenandavillainelse,an’tpleaseyourmajesty,inmyconscience。KINGHENRYVItmaybehisenemyisagentlemanofgreatsort,quitefromtheanswerofhisdegree。FLUELLENThoughhebeasgoodagentlemanasthedevilis,asLuciferandBelzebubhimself,itisnecessary,lookyourgrace,thathekeephisvowandhisoath:
ifhebeperjured,seeyounow,hisreputationisasarrantavillainandaJacksauce,aseverhisblackshoetroduponGod’sgroundandhisearth,inmyconscience,la!KINGHENRYVThenkeepthyvow,sirrah,whenthoumeetestthefellow。WILLIAMSSoIwill,myliege,asIlive。KINGHENRYVWhoservestthouunder?WILLIAMSUnderCaptainGower,myliege。FLUELLENGowerisagoodcaptain,andisgoodknowledgeandliteraturedinthewars。KINGHENRYVCallhimhithertome,soldier。WILLIAMSIwill,myliege。
ExitKINGHENRYVHere,Fluellen;wearthouthisfavourformeandstickitinthycap:whenAlenconandmyselfweredowntogether,Ipluckedthisglovefromhishelm:
ifanymanchallengethis,heisafriendtoAlencon,andanenemytoourperson;ifthouencounteranysuch,apprehendhim,anthoudostmelove。FLUELLENYourgracedoo’smeasgreathonoursascanbedesiredintheheartsofhissubjects:Iwouldfainseetheman,thathasbuttwolegs,thatshallfindhimselfaggrievedatthisglove;thatisall;
butI
wouldfainseeitonce,anpleaseGodofhisgracethatImightsee。KINGHENRYVKnowestthouGower?FLUELLENHeismydearfriend,anpleaseyou。KINGHENRYVPraythee,goseekhim,andbringhimtomytent。FLUELLENIwillfetchhim。
ExitKINGHENRYVMyLordofWarwick,andmybrotherGloucester,FollowFluellencloselyattheheels:
TheglovewhichIhavegivenhimforafavourMayhaplypurchasehimaboxo’th’ear;
Itisthesoldier’s;IbybargainshouldWearitmyself。Follow,goodcousinWarwick:
Ifthatthesoldierstrikehim,asIjudgeByhisbluntbearinghewillkeephisword,Somesuddenmischiefmayariseofit;
ForIdoknowFluellenvaliantAnd,touchedwithcholer,hotasgunpowder,Andquicklywillreturnaninjury:
Followandseetherebenoharmbetweenthem。
Goyouwithme,uncleofExeter。
ExeuntSCENEVIII。BeforeKINGHENRY’Spavilion。EnterGOWERandWILLIAMSWILLIAMSIwarrantitistoknightyou,captain。
EnterFLUELLENFLUELLENGod’swillandhispleasure,captain,I
beseechyounow,comeapacetotheking:thereismoregoodtowardyouperadventurethanisinyourknowledgetodreamof。WILLIAMSSir,knowyouthisglove?FLUELLENKnowtheglove!Iknowthegloveisglove。WILLIAMSIknowthis;andthusIchallengeit。
StrikeshimFLUELLEN’Sblood!anarranttraitorasanyisintheuniversalworld,orinFrance,orinEngland!GOWERHownow,sir!youvillain!WILLIAMSDoyouthinkI’llbeforsworn?FLUELLENStandaway,CaptainGower;Iwillgivetreasonhispaymentintoploughs,Iwarrantyou。WILLIAMSIamnotraitor。FLUELLENThat’salieinthythroat。Ichargeyouinhismajesty’sname,apprehendhim:he’safriendoftheDukeAlencon’s。
EnterWARWICKandGLOUCESTERWARWICKHownow,hownow!what’sthematter?FLUELLENMyLordofWarwick,hereis——praisedbeGodforit!
——amostcontagioustreasoncometolight,lookyou,asyoushalldesireinasummer’sday。Hereishismajesty。
EnterKINGHENRYandEXETERKINGHENRYVHownow!what’sthematter?FLUELLENMyliege,hereisavillainandatraitor,that,lookyourgrace,hasstrucktheglovewhichyourmajestyistakeoutofthehelmetofAlencon。WILLIAMSMyliege,thiswasmyglove;hereisthefellowofit;andhethatIgaveittoinchangepromisedtowearitinhiscap:Ipromisedtostrikehim,ifhedid:Imetthismanwithmygloveinhiscap,andI
havebeenasgoodasmyword。FLUELLENYourmajestyhearnow,savingyourmajesty’smanhood,whatanarrant,rascally,beggarly,lousyknaveitis:Ihopeyourmajestyispearmetestimonyandwitness,andwillavouchment,thatthisisthegloveofAlencon,thatyourmajestyisgiveme;inyourconscience,now?KINGHENRYVGivemethyglove,soldier:look,hereisthefellowofit。
’TwasI,indeed,thoupromised’sttostrike;
Andthouhastgivenmemostbitterterms。FLUELLENAnpleaseyourmajesty,lethisneckanswerforit,ifthereisanymartiallawintheworld。KINGHENRYVHowcanstthoumakemesatisfaction?WILLIAMSAlloffences,mylord,comefromtheheart:
nevercameanyfromminethatmightoffendyourmajesty。KINGHENRYVItwasourselfthoudidstabuse。WILLIAMSYourmajestycamenotlikeyourself:youappearedtomebutasacommonman;witnessthenight,yourgarments,yourlowliness;andwhatyourhighnesssufferedunderthatshape,Ibeseechyoutakeitforyourownfaultandnotmine:forhadyoubeenasI
tookyoufor,Imadenooffence;therefore,I
beseechyourhighness,pardonme。KINGHENRYVHere,uncleExeter,fillthisglovewithcrowns,Andgiveittothisfellow。Keepit,fellow;
AndwearitforanhonourinthycapTillIdochallengeit。Givehimthecrowns:
And,captain,youmustneedsbefriendswithhim。FLUELLENBythisdayandthislight,thefellowhasmettleenoughinhisbelly。Hold,thereistwelvepenceforyou;andIprayyoutoserveGot,andkeepyououtofprawls,andprabbles’andquarrels,anddissensions,and,Iwarrantyou,itisthebetterforyou。WILLIAMSIwillnoneofyourmoney。FLUELLENItiswithagoodwill;Icantellyou,itwillserveyoutomendyourshoes:come,whereforeshouldyoubesopashful?yourshoesisnotsogood:
’tisagoodsilling,Iwarrantyou,orIwillchangeit。
EnteranEnglishHeraldKINGHENRYVNow,herald,arethedeadnumber’d?HeraldHereisthenumberoftheslaughter’dFrench。KINGHENRYVWhatprisonersofgoodsortaretaken,uncle?EXETERCharlesDukeofOrleans,nephewtotheking;
JohnDukeofBourbon,andLordBouciqualt:
Ofotherlordsandbarons,knightsandsquires,Fullfifteenhundred,besidescommonmen。KINGHENRYVThisnotedothtellmeoftenthousandFrenchThatinthefieldlieslain:ofprinces,inthisnumber,Andnoblesbearingbanners,thereliedeadOnehundredtwentysix:addedtothese,Ofknights,esquires,andgallantgentlemen,Eightthousandandfourhundred;ofthewhich,Fivehundredwerebutyesterdaydubb’dknights:
Sothat,inthesetenthousandtheyhavelost,Therearebutsixteenhundredmercenaries;
Therestareprinces,barons,lords,knights,squires,Andgentlemenofbloodandquality。
Thenamesofthosetheirnoblesthatliedead:
CharlesDelabreth,highconstableofFrance;
JaquesofChatillon,admiralofFrance;
Themasterofthecross—bows,LordRambures;
GreatMasterofFrance,thebraveSirGuichardDolphin,JohnDukeofAlencon,AnthonyDukeofBrabant,ThebrotheroftheDukeofBurgundy,AndEdwardDukeofBar:oflustyearls,GrandpreandRoussi,FauconbergandFoix,BeaumontandMarle,VaudemontandLestrale。
Herewasaroyalfellowshipofdeath!
WhereisthenumberofourEnglishdead?
HeraldshewshimanotherpaperEdwardtheDukeofYork,theEarlofSuffolk,SirRichardKetly,DavyGam,esquire:
Noneelseofname;andofallothermenButfiveandtwenty。OGod,thyarmwashere;
Andnottous,buttothyarmalone,Ascribeweall!When,withoutstratagem,Butinplainshockandevenplayofbattle,WaseverknownsogreatandlittlelossOnonepartandontheother?Takeit,God,Foritisnonebutthine!EXETER’Tiswonderful!KINGHENRYVCome,goweinprocessiontothevillage。
AndbeitdeathproclaimedthroughourhostToboastofthisortakethepraisefromGodWhichishisonly。FLUELLENIsitnotlawful,anpleaseyourmajesty,totellhowmanyiskilled?KINGHENRYVYes,captain;butwiththisacknowledgement,ThatGodfoughtforus。FLUELLENYes,myconscience,hedidusgreatgood。KINGHENRYVDoweallholyrites;
Lettherebesung’Nonnobis’and’TeDeum;’
Thedeadwithcharityenclosedinclay:
AndthentoCalais;andtoEnglandthen:
Wherene’erfromFrancearrivedmorehappymen。
ExeuntACTVPROLOGUEEnterChorusChorusVouchsafetothosethathavenotreadthestory,ThatImaypromptthem:andofsuchashave,IhumblypraythemtoadmittheexcuseOftime,ofnumbersandduecourseofthings,WhichcannotintheirhugeandproperlifeBeherepresented。NowwebearthekingTowardCalais:granthimthere;thereseen,HeavehimawayuponyourwingedthoughtsAthwartthesea。Behold,theEnglishbeachPalesinthefloodwithmen,withwivesandboys,Whoseshoutsandclapsout—voicethedeepmouth’dsea,Whichlikeamightywhiffler’forethekingSeemstopreparehisway:solethimland,AndsolemnlyseehimsetontoLondon。
SoswiftapacehaththoughtthatevennowYoumayimaginehimuponBlackheath;
WherethathislordsdesirehimtohaveborneHisbruisedhelmetandhisbendedswordBeforehimthroughthecity:heforbidsit,Beingfreefromvainnessandself—gloriouspride;
Givingfulltrophy,signalandostentQuitefromhimselftoGod。Butnowbehold,Inthequickforgeandworking—houseofthought,HowLondondothpourouthercitizens!
Themayorandallhisbrethreninbestsort,LiketothesenatorsoftheantiqueRome,Withtheplebeiansswarmingattheirheels,GoforthandfetchtheirconqueringCaesarin:
As,byalowerbutlovinglikelihood,Werenowthegeneralofourgraciousempress,Asingoodtimehemay,fromIrelandcoming,Bringingrebellionbroachedonhissword,Howmanywouldthepeacefulcityquit,Towelcomehim!muchmore,andmuchmorecause,DidtheythisHarry。NowinLondonplacehim;
AsyetthelamentationoftheFrenchInvitestheKingofEngland’sstayathome;
Theemperor’scominginbehalfofFrance,Toorderpeacebetweenthem;andomitAlltheoccurrences,whateverchanced,TillHarry’sback—returnagaintoFrance:
Theremustwebringhim;andmyselfhaveplay’dTheinterim,byrememberingyou’tispast。
Thenbrookabridgment,andyoureyesadvance,Afteryourthoughts,straightbackagaintoFrance。
ExitSCENEI。France。TheEnglishcamp。EnterFLUELLENandGOWERGOWERNay,that’sright;butwhywearyouyourleektoday?
SaintDavy’sdayispast。FLUELLENThereisoccasionsandcauseswhyandwhereforeinallthings:Iwilltellyou,assemyfriend,CaptainGower:therascally,scald,beggarly,lousy,praggingknave,Pistol,whichyouandyourselfandalltheworldknowtobenopetterthanafellow,lookyounow,ofnomerits,heiscometomeandpringsmepreadandsaltyesterday,lookyou,andbidmeeatmyleek:itwasinplacewhereIcouldnotbreednocontentionwithhim;
butIwillbesoboldastowearitinmycaptillIseehimonceagain,andthenIwilltellhimalittlepieceofmydesires。
EnterPISTOLGOWERWhy,herehecomes,swellinglikeaturkey—cock。FLUELLEN’Tisnomatterforhisswellingsnorhisturkey—cocks。Godplessyou,AunchientPistol!
youscurvy,lousyknave,Godplessyou!PISTOLHa!artthoubedlam?dostthouthirst,baseTrojan,TohavemefoldupParca’sfatalweb?
Hence!Iamqualmishatthesmellofleek。FLUELLENIpeseechyouheartily,scurvy,lousyknave,atmydesires,andmyrequests,andmypetitions,toeat,lookyou,thisleek:because,lookyou,youdonotloveit,noryouraffectionsandyourappetitesandyourdigestionsdoo’snotagreewithit,Iwoulddesireyoutoeatit。PISTOLNotforCadwalladerandallhisgoats。FLUELLENThereisonegoatforyou。
StrikeshimWillyoubesogood,scauldknave,aseatit?PISTOLBaseTrojan,thoushaltdie。FLUELLENYousayverytrue,scauldknave,whenGod’swillis:
Iwilldesireyoutoliveinthemeantime,andeatyourvictuals:come,thereissauceforit。
StrikeshimYoucalledmeyesterdaymountain—squire;butI
willmakeyouto—dayasquireoflowdegree。Iprayyou,fallto:ifyoucanmockaleek,youcaneataleek。GOWEREnough,captain:youhaveastonishedhim。FLUELLENIsay,Iwillmakehimeatsomepartofmyleek,orIwillpeathispatefourdays。Bite,Iprayyou;
itisgoodforyourgreenwoundandyourploodycoxcomb。PISTOLMustIbite?FLUELLENYes,certainly,andoutofdoubtandoutofquestiontoo,andambiguities。PISTOLBythisleek,Iwillmosthorriblyrevenge:
Ieatandeat,Iswear——FLUELLENEat,Iprayyou:willyouhavesomemoresaucetoyourleek?thereisnotenoughleektoswearby。PISTOLQuietthycudgel;thoudostseeIeat。FLUELLENMuchgooddoyou,scauldknave,heartily。
Nay,prayyou,thrownoneaway;theskinisgoodforyourbrokencoxcomb。Whenyoutakeoccasionstoseeleekshereafter,Iprayyou,mockat’em;thatisall。PISTOLGood。FLUELLENAy,leeksisgood:holdyou,thereisagroattohealyourpate。PISTOLMeagroat!FLUELLENYes,verilyandintruth,youshalltakeit;orI
haveanotherleekinmypocket,whichyoushalleat。PISTOLItakethygroatinearnestofrevenge。FLUELLENIfIoweyouanything,Iwillpayyouincudgels:
youshallbeawoodmonger,andbuynothingofmebutcudgels。Godb’wi’you,andkeepyou,andhealyourpate。
ExitPISTOLAllhellshallstirforthis。GOWERGo,go;youareacounterfeitcowardlyknave。Willyoumockatanancienttradition,begunuponanhonourablerespect,andwornasamemorabletrophyofpredeceasedvalouranddarenotavouchinyourdeedsanyofyourwords?Ihaveseenyougleekingandgallingatthisgentlemantwiceorthrice。Youthought,becausehecouldnotspeakEnglishinthenativegarb,hecouldnotthereforehandleanEnglishcudgel:youfinditotherwise;andhenceforthletaWelshcorrectionteachyouagoodEnglishcondition。Fareyewell。
ExitPISTOLDothFortuneplaythehuswifewithmenow?
NewshaveI,thatmyNellisdeadi’thespitalOfmaladyofFrance;
Andtheremyrendezvousisquitecutoff。
OldIdowax;andfrommywearylimbsHonouriscudgelled。Well,bawdI’llturn,Andsomethingleantocutpurseofquickhand。
ToEnglandwillIsteal,andthereI’llsteal:
AndpatcheswillIgetuntothesecudgell’dscars,AndswearIgotthemintheGalliawars。
ExitSCENEII。France。Aroyalpalace。Enter,atonedoorKINGHENRY,EXETER,BEDFORD,GLOUCESTER,WARWICK,WESTMORELAND,andotherLords;atanother,theFRENCHKING,QUEEN
ISABEL,thePRINCESSKATHARINE,ALICEandotherLadies;theDUKEofBURGUNDY,andhistrainKINGHENRYVPeacetothismeeting,whereforewearemet!
UntoourbrotherFrance,andtooursister,Healthandfairtimeofday;joyandgoodwishesToourmostfairandprincelycousinKatharine;
And,asabranchandmemberofthisroyalty,Bywhomthisgreatassemblyiscontrived,Wedosaluteyou,DukeofBurgundy;
And,princesFrench,andpeers,healthtoyouall!KINGOFFRANCERightjoyousarewetobeholdyourface,MostworthybrotherEngland;fairlymet:
Soareyou,princesEnglish,everyone。QUEENISABELSohappybetheissue,brotherEngland,Ofthisgooddayandofthisgraciousmeeting,Aswearenowgladtobeholdyoureyes;
Youreyes,whichhithertohaveborneinthemAgainsttheFrench,thatmetthemintheirbent,Thefatalballsofmurderingbasilisks:
Thevenomofsuchlooks,wefairlyhope,Havelosttheirquality,andthatthisdayShallchangeallgriefsandquarrelsintolove。KINGHENRYVTocryamentothat,thusweappear。QUEENISABELYouEnglishprincesall,Idosaluteyou。BURGUNDYMydutytoyouboth,onequallove,GreatKingsofFranceandEngland!ThatIhavelabour’d,Withallmywits,mypainsandstrongendeavours,TobringyourmostimperialmajestiesUntothisbarandroyalinterview,Yourmightinessonbothpartsbestcanwitness。
Sincethenmyofficehathsofarprevail’dThat,facetofaceandroyaleyetoeye,Youhavecongreeted,letitnotdisgraceme,IfIdemand,beforethisroyalview,Whatruborwhatimpedimentthereis,Whythatthenaked,poorandmangledPeace,Dearnurseofartsandjoyfulbirths,ShouldnotinthisbestgardenoftheworldOurfertileFrance,putupherlovelyvisage?
Alas,shehathfromFrancetoolongbeenchased,Andallherhusbandrydothlieonheaps,Corruptinginitsownfertility。
Hervine,themerrycheereroftheheart,Unpruneddies;herhedgeseven—pleach’d,Likeprisonerswildlyovergrownwithhair,Putforthdisorder’dtwigs;herfallowleasThedarnel,hemlockandrankfumitoryDothrootupon,whilethatthecoulterrustsThatshouldderacinatesuchsavagery;
Theevenmead,thaterstbroughtsweetlyforthThefreckledcowslip,burnetandgreenclover,Wantingthescythe,alluncorrected,rank,ConceivesbyidlenessandnothingteemsButhatefuldocks,roughthistles,kecksies,burs,Losingbothbeautyandutility。
Andasourvineyards,fallows,meadsandhedges,Defectiveintheirnatures,growtowildness,EvensoourhousesandourselvesandchildrenHavelost,ordonotlearnforwantoftime,Thesciencesthatshouldbecomeourcountry;
Butgrowlikesavages,——assoldierswillThatnothingdobutmeditateonblood,——
Toswearingandsternlooks,diffusedattireAndeverythingthatseemsunnatural。
WhichtoreduceintoourformerfavourYouareassembled:andmyspeechentreatsThatImayknowthelet,whygentlePeaceShouldnotexpeltheseinconveniencesAndblessuswithherformerqualities。KINGHENRYVIf,DukeofBurgundy,youwouldthepeace,WhosewantgivesgrowthtotheimperfectionsWhichyouhavecited,youmustbuythatpeaceWithfullaccordtoallourjustdemands;
WhosetenorsandparticulareffectsYouhaveenscheduledbrieflyinyourhands。BURGUNDYThekinghathheardthem;tothewhichasyetThereisnoanswermade。KINGHENRYVWellthenthepeace,Whichyoubeforesourged,liesinhisanswer。KINGOFFRANCEIhavebutwithacursoraryeyeO’erglancedthearticles:pleasethyourgraceToappointsomeofyourcouncilpresentlyTositwithusoncemore,withbetterheedTore—surveythem,wewillsuddenlyPassouracceptandperemptoryanswer。KINGHENRYVBrother,weshall。Go,uncleExeter,AndbrotherClarence,andyou,brotherGloucester,WarwickandHuntingdon,gowiththeking;
Andtakewithyoufreepowertoratify,Augment,oralter,asyourwisdomsbestShallseeadvantageableforourdignity,Anythinginoroutofourdemands,Andwe’llconsignthereto。Willyou,fairsister,Gowiththeprinces,orstayherewithus?QUEENISABELOurgraciousbrother,Iwillgowiththem:
Haplyawoman’svoicemaydosomegood,Whenarticlestoonicelyurgedbestoodon。KINGHENRYVYetleaveourcousinKatharineherewithus:
Sheisourcapitaldemand,comprisedWithinthefore—rankofourarticles。QUEENISABELShehathgoodleave。
ExeuntallexceptHENRY,KATHARINE,andALICEKINGHENRYVFairKatharine,andmostfair,WillyouvouchsafetoteachasoldiertermsSuchaswillenteratalady’searAndpleadhislove—suittohergentleheart?KATHARINEYourmajestyshallmockatme;IcannotspeakyourEngland。KINGHENRYVOfairKatharine,ifyouwilllovemesoundlywithyourFrenchheart,IwillbegladtohearyouconfessitbrokenlywithyourEnglishtongue。
Doyoulikeme,Kate?KATHARINEPardonnez—moi,Icannottellvatis’likeme。’KINGHENRYVAnangelislikeyou,Kate,andyouarelikeanangel。KATHARINEQuedit—il?quejesuissemblablealesanges?ALICEOui,vraiment,saufvotregrace,ainsidit—il。KINGHENRYVIsaidso,dearKatharine;andImustnotblushtoaffirmit。KATHARINEObonDieu!leslanguesdeshommessontpleinesdetromperies。KINGHENRYVWhatsaysshe,fairone?thatthetonguesofmenarefullofdeceits?ALICEOui,datdetonguesofdemansisbefullofdeceits:datisdeprincess。KINGHENRYVTheprincessisthebetterEnglishwoman。
I’faith,Kate,mywooingisfitforthyunderstanding:
IamgladthoucanstspeaknobetterEnglish;for,ifthoucouldst,thouwouldstfindmesuchaplainkingthatthouwouldstthinkIhadsoldmyfarmtobuymycrown。Iknownowaystominceitinlove,butdirectlytosay’Iloveyou:’thenifyouurgemefartherthantosay’doyouinfaith?’Iwearoutmysuit。Givemeyouranswer;i’faith,do:andsoclaphandsandabargain:howsayyou,lady?KATHARINESaufvotrehonneur,meunderstandvell。KINGHENRYVMarry,ifyouwouldputmetoversesortodanceforyoursake,Kate,whyyouundidme:fortheone,I
haveneitherwordsnormeasure,andfortheother,I
havenostrengthinmeasure,yetareasonablemeasureinstrength。IfIcouldwinaladyatleap—frog,orbyvaultingintomysaddlewithmyarmouronmyback,underthecorrectionofbraggingbeitspoken。Ishouldquicklyleapintoawife。
OrifImightbuffetformylove,orboundmyhorseforherfavours,Icouldlayonlikeabutcherandsitlikeajack—an—apes,neveroff。But,beforeGod,Kate,Icannotlookgreenlynorgaspoutmyeloquence,norIhavenocunninginprotestation;
onlydownrightoaths,whichIneverusetillurged,norneverbreakforurging。Ifthoucanstloveafellowofthistemper,Kate,whosefaceisnotworthsun—burning,thatneverlooksinhisglassforloveofanythingheseesthere,letthineeyebethycook。Ispeaktotheeplainsoldier:Ifthoucanstlovemeforthis,takeme:ifnot,tosaytotheethatIshalldie,istrue;butforthylove,bytheLord,no;yetIlovetheetoo。Andwhilethoulivest,dearKate,takeafellowofplainanduncoinedconstancy;forheperforcemustdotheeright,becausehehathnotthegifttowooinotherplaces:forthesefellowsofinfinitetongue,thatcanrhymethemselvesintoladies’favours,theydoalwaysreasonthemselvesoutagain。What!aspeakerisbutaprater;arhymeisbutaballad。
A
goodlegwillfall;astraightbackwillstoop;
ablackbeardwillturnwhite;acurledpatewillgrowbald;afairfacewillwither;afulleyewillwaxhollow:butagoodheart,Kate,isthesunandthemoon;or,rather,thesun,andnotthemoon;
foritshinesbrightandneverchanges,butkeepshiscoursetruly。Ifthouwouldhavesuchaone,takeme;andtakeme,takeasoldier;takeasoldier,takeaking。Andwhatsayestthouthentomylove?
speak,myfair,andfairly,Ipraythee。KATHARINEIsitpossibledatIsouldlovedeenemyofFrance?KINGHENRYVNo;itisnotpossibleyoushouldlovetheenemyofFrance,Kate:but,inlovingme,youshouldlovethefriendofFrance;forIloveFrancesowellthatIwillnotpartwithavillageofit;Iwillhaveitallmine:and,Kate,whenFranceismineandIamyours,thenyoursisFranceandyouaremine。KATHARINEIcannottellvatisdat。KINGHENRYVNo,Kate?IwilltelltheeinFrench;
whichIamsurewillhanguponmytonguelikeanew—marriedwifeaboutherhusband’sneck,hardlytobeshookoff。JequandsurlepossessiondeFrance,etquandvousavezlepossessiondemoi,——letmesee,whatthen?SaintDenisbemyspeed!——doncvotreestFranceetvousetesmienne。Itisaseasyforme,Kate,toconquerthekingdomastospeaksomuchmoreFrench:IshallnevermovetheeinFrench,unlessitbetolaughatme。KATHARINESaufvotrehonneur,leFrancoisquevousparlez,ilestmeilleurquel’Angloislequeljeparle。KINGHENRYVNo,faith,is’tnot,Kate:butthyspeakingofmytongue,andIthine,mosttruly—falsely,mustneedsbegrantedtobemuchatone。But,Kate,dostthouunderstandthusmuchEnglish,canstthouloveme?KATHARINEIcannottell。KINGHENRYVCananyofyourneighbourstell,Kate?
I’llaskthem。Come,Iknowthoulovestme:andatnight,whenyoucomeintoyourcloset,you’llquestionthisgentlewomanaboutme;andIknow,Kate,youwilltoherdispraisethosepartsinmethatyoulovewithyourheart:but,goodKate,mockmemercifully;
therather,gentleprincess,becauseIlovetheecruelly。Ifeverthoubeestmine,Kate,asI
haveasavingfaithwithinmetellsmethoushalt,I
gettheewithscambling,andthoumustthereforeneedsproveagoodsoldier—breeder:shallnotthouandI,betweenSaintDenisandSaintGeorge,compoundaboy,halfFrench,halfEnglish,thatshallgotoConstantinopleandtaketheTurkbythebeard?
shallwenot?whatsayestthou,myfairflower—de—luce?KATHARINEIdonotknowdatKINGHENRYVNo;’tishereaftertoknow,butnowtopromise:dobutnowpromise,Kate,youwillendeavourforyourFrenchpartofsuchaboy;andformyEnglishmoietytakethewordofakingandabachelor。Howansweryou,laplusbelleKatharinedumonde,montrescheretdevindeesse?KATHARINEYourmajesteeavefausseFrenchenoughtodeceivedemostsagedemoiselledatisenFrance。KINGHENRYVNow,fieuponmyfalseFrench!Byminehonour,intrueEnglish,Ilovethee,Kate:bywhichhonourI
darenotswearthoulovestme;yetmybloodbeginstoflattermethatthoudost,notwithstandingthepooranduntemperingeffectofmyvisage。Now,beshrewmyfather’sambition!hewasthinkingofcivilwarswhenhegotme:thereforewasIcreatedwithastubbornoutside,withanaspectofiron,that,whenIcometowooladies,Ifrightthem。But,infaith,Kate,theelderIwax,thebetterIshallappear:
mycomfortis,thatoldage,thatilllayerupofbeauty,candonomore,spoiluponmyface:thouhastme,ifthouhastme,attheworst;andthoushaltwearme,ifthouwearme,betterandbetter:
andthereforetellme,mostfairKatharine,willyouhaveme?Putoffyourmaidenblushes;avouchthethoughtsofyourheartwiththelooksofanempress;
takemebythehand,andsay’HarryofEnglandIamthine:’whichwordthoushaltnosoonerblessmineearwithal,butIwilltelltheealoud’Englandisthine,Irelandisthine,Franceisthine,andHarryPlantagenetisthine;’whothoughIspeakitbeforehisface,ifhebenotfellowwiththebestking,thoushaltfindthebestkingofgoodfellows。
Come,youranswerinbrokenmusic;forthyvoiceismusicandthyEnglishbroken;therefore,queenofall,Katharine,breakthymindtomeinbrokenEnglish;wiltthouhaveme?KATHARINEDatisasitsallpleasederoimonpere。KINGHENRYVNay,itwillpleasehimwell,Kateitshallpleasehim,Kate。KATHARINEDenitsallalsocontentme。KINGHENRYVUponthatIkissyourhand,andIcallyoumyqueen。KATHARINELaissez,monseigneur,laissez,laissez:
mafoi,jeneveuxpointquevousabaissiezvotregrandeurenbaisantlamaind’unedevotreseigeurieindigneserviteur;excusez—moi,jevoussupplie,montres—puissantseigneur。KINGHENRYVThenIwillkissyourlips,Kate。KATHARINELesdamesetdemoisellespouretrebaiseesdevantleurnoces,iln’estpaslacoutumedeFrance。KINGHENRYVMadammyinterpreter,whatsaysshe?ALICEDatitisnotbedefashionpourlesladiesofFrance,——IcannottellvatisbaiserenAnglish。KINGHENRYVTokiss。ALICEYourmajestyentendrebettrequemoi。KINGHENRYVItisnotafashionforthemaidsinFrancetokissbeforetheyaremarried,wouldshesay?ALICEOui,vraiment。KINGHENRYVOKate,nicecustomscurtsytogreatkings。DearKate,youandIcannotbeconfinedwithintheweaklistofacountry’sfashion:wearethemakersofmanners,Kate;andthelibertythatfollowsourplacesstopsthemouthofallfind—faults;asIwilldoyours,forupholdingthenicefashionofyourcountryindenyingmeakiss:therefore,patientlyandyielding。
KissingherYouhavewitchcraftinyourlips,Kate:thereismoreeloquenceinasugartouchofthemthaninthetonguesoftheFrenchcouncil;andtheyshouldsoonerpersuadeHarryofEnglandthanageneralpetitionofmonarchs。Herecomesyourfather。
Re—entertheFRENCHKINGandhisQUEEN,BURGUNDY,andotherLordsBURGUNDYGodsaveyourmajesty!myroyalcousin,teachyouourprincessEnglish?KINGHENRYVIwouldhaveherlearn,myfaircousin,howperfectlyIloveher;andthatisgoodEnglish。BURGUNDYIsshenotapt?KINGHENRYVOurtongueisrough,coz,andmyconditionisnotsmooth;sothat,havingneitherthevoicenortheheartofflatteryaboutme,Icannotsoconjureupthespiritofloveinher,thathewillappearinhistruelikeness。BURGUNDYPardonthefranknessofmymirth,ifIansweryouforthat。Ifyouwouldconjureinher,youmustmakeacircle;ifconjureuploveinherinhistruelikeness,hemustappearnakedandblind。Canyoublameherthen,beingamaidyetrosedoverwiththevirgincrimsonofmodesty,ifshedenytheappearanceofanakedblindboyinhernakedseeingself?Itwere,mylord,ahardconditionforamaidtoconsignto。KINGHENRYVYettheydowinkandyield,asloveisblindandenforces。BURGUNDYTheyarethenexcused,mylord,whentheyseenotwhattheydo。KINGHENRYVThen,goodmylord,teachyourcousintoconsentwinking。BURGUNDYIwillwinkonhertoconsent,mylord,ifyouwillteachhertoknowmymeaning:formaids,wellsummeredandwarmkept,arelikefliesatBartholomew—tide,blind,thoughtheyhavetheireyes;andthentheywillendurehandling,whichbeforewouldnotabidelookingon。KINGHENRYVThismoraltiesmeovertotimeandahotsummer;
andsoIshallcatchthefly,yourcousin,inthelatterendandshemustbeblindtoo。BURGUNDYAsloveis,mylord,beforeitloves。KINGHENRYVItisso:andyoumay,someofyou,thankloveformyblindness,whocannotseemanyafairFrenchcityforonefairFrenchmaidthatstandsinmyway。FRENCHKINGYes,mylord,youseethemperspectively,thecitiesturnedintoamaid;fortheyareallgirdledwithmaidenwallsthatwarhathneverentered。KINGHENRYVShallKatebemywife?FRENCHKINGSopleaseyou。KINGHENRYVIamcontent;sothemaidencitiesyoutalkofmaywaitonher:sothemaidthatstoodinthewayformywishshallshowmethewaytomywill。FRENCHKINGWehaveconsentedtoalltermsofreason。KINGHENRYVIs’tso,mylordsofEngland?WESTMORELANDThekinghathgrantedeveryarticle:
Hisdaughterfirst,andtheninsequelall,Accordingtotheirfirmproposednatures。EXETEROnlyhehathnotyetsubscribedthis:
Whereyourmajestydemands,thattheKingofFrance,havinganyoccasiontowriteformatterofgrant,shallnameyourhighnessinthisformandwiththisadditioninFrench,NotretrescherfilsHenri,Roid’Angleterre,HeritierdeFrance;andthusinLatin,PraeclarissimusfiliusnosterHenricus,RexAngliae,etHaeresFranciae。FRENCHKINGNorthisIhavenot,brother,sodenied,Butyourrequestshallmakemeletitpass。KINGHENRYVIprayyouthen,inloveanddearalliance,Letthatonearticlerankwiththerest;
Andthereupongivemeyourdaughter。FRENCHKINGTakeher,fairson,andfromherbloodraiseupIssuetome;thatthecontendingkingdomsOfFranceandEngland,whoseveryshoreslookpaleWithenvyofeachother’shappiness,Mayceasetheirhatred,andthisdearconjunctionPlantneighbourhoodandChristian—likeaccordIntheirsweetbosoms,thatneverwaradvanceHisbleedingsword’twixtEnglandandfairFrance。ALLAmen!KINGHENRYVNow,welcome,Kate:andbearmewitnessall,ThathereIkissherasmysovereignqueen。
FlourishQUEENISABELGod,thebestmakerofallmarriages,Combineyourheartsinone,yourrealmsinone!
Asmanandwife,beingtwo,areoneinlove,Sobethere’twixtyourkingdomssuchaspousal,Thatnevermayilloffice,orfelljealousy,Whichtroublesoftthebedofblessedmarriage,Thrustinbetweenthepactionofthesekingdoms,Tomakedivorceoftheirincorporateleague;
ThatEnglishmayasFrench,FrenchEnglishmen,Receiveeachother。GodspeakthisAmen!ALLAmen!KINGHENRYVPrepareweforourmarriage——onwhichday,MyLordofBurgundy,we’lltakeyouroath,Andallthepeers’,forsuretyofourleagues。
ThenshallIsweartoKate,andyoutome;
Andmayouroathswellkeptandprosperousbe!
Sennet。ExeuntEPILOGUE
EnterChorusChorusThusfar,withroughandall—unablepen,Ourbendingauthorhathpursuedthestory,Inlittleroomconfiningmightymen,Manglingbystartsthefullcourseoftheirglory。
Smalltime,butinthatsmallmostgreatlylivedThisstarofEngland:Fortunemadehissword;
Bywhichtheworld’sbestgardenbeachieved,Andofitlefthissonimperiallord。
HenrytheSixth,ininfantbandscrown’dKingOfFranceandEngland,didthiskingsucceed;
Whosestatesomanyhadthemanaging,ThattheylostFranceandmadehisEnglandbleed:
Whichoftourstagehathshown;and,fortheirsake,Inyourfairmindsletthisacceptancetake。