第3章

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。