PERSONS REPRESENTED.

King Henry the Fiftb.

to Falstaff, now Soldiers in the King's army. Duke of GLOSTE B; } Brothers to the King.

BATES, COURT, WILLIAMS, Soldiers.

CHARLES, the Sixıb, King of France,
Duke of YORK, } Uneles to the King.

The Dauphin.
ExeTER,

Duke of BURGUNDY.
Earl of SALISBURY.

CONSTABLE, ORLEANS, RAMBURES, BOUR-
Earl of WEST MORELAND.

BON, GRANDPREE, French Lords.
Earl of WARWICK.

Governor of HARFLEUR.
Archbishop of CANTERBURY.

MONTJOY, a Herald.
Bishop of Ely.

Ambassadors to the King of England.
Earl of CAMBRIDGE, Conspirators againse ibe
Lord Scroop,
Ś King.

ISABEL, Queen of France.
Sir THOMAS GREY,

KATHARINE, Daughter :o the King of France.
Sir THOMAS ERPINCHAM, Gower, Flu Alice, a Lady attending on the Princess Ka-

ELLEN, MACKMORRIS, Jamy, Officers in tbarine.
King Henry's army.

QUICKLY, Pistols Wife, an Hoftefs.
NYM, BARDOLPH, Pistol, Boy, formerly Servants Cborus.

Lordi, Millengers, French and English Soldiers, with other Attendants.
The SCENE, at the Beginning of the Play, lies in England; but afterwards, wholly in France.

0

For a mule of fire?, that would ascend On your imaginary forcess work:

The brightest heaven of invention ! Suppose, within the girdle of these walls
A kingiiom for a stage, princes to act,

Are now confin'd two mighty monarchies,
And monarchs to behold the 'welling scene ! Whose high-upreared and abutting fronts
Then ihould the warlike Hariy, like himself, The perilous narrow 6

ocean parts arunder.
A:lume the port of Mars ; and, at his heels, Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts;
Leath'd in like hounds, should famine, sword, and into a thousand parts divide one man,
fire,

[all, And make imaginary puissance : Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them The Hat unraised ipirit, that hath dar'd,

Printing their proud hoofs i’ the receiving earth :
On this unworthy scartold, to bring forth For 'tis your thoughts that now mult deck our
So great an object : Can this cockpit hold

kings,
The valty field of France ? or may we cram, Carry them here and there ; jumping o'er times ;
Within this wooden () ?, the very calques + Turning the accomplishment of many years
That did attright the air ar Agincourt!

Into an hour-glass; For the which supply,
0, pardun! since a crooked figure may

Admit me chorus to this history ;
Allelt, in little place, a million;

Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray,
And let us, cyphers to this great accompt, Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.

1 The transactions comprised in this historical play commence about the latter end of the first, and terminate in the eighth year of this king's reign; when he married Katharine princess of France, and ciufcd up the differences betwixt England and that crown. It was wrii (as appears from a pailage in the chorus to the fifth act) at the time of the earl of Eflex's cominanding the forces in Ire

and in the reign ot queen Elizabeth, and not 'till after licnry the Vich had been played, as may be
fien by the conclusion of this play. 2 This goes upon the notion of the Peripatetic syltem, which
imagines several hcavens one above another; the last and higheft of which was one of tire.
this wooden circle. 4 The helmets., Si. e. your powers of fancy.

6 Terribas min76
in burlesque and common language, meant no more than cery narrow. In old booksinis mode of
exprebion occurs perpetually.

ACT

31.C.

SCENE I.

A fearful battle render'd you

in music: An Antichamber in the English Court, at Kinelwortb. Turn him to any cause of policy,

The Gordian knot of it he will unloose, Enter the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bi/kop Familiar as his garter; that, when he speaks of Ely.

The air, a charter'd libertine, is still, Cant. Y lord, I'll tell you,--that self bill And the mute wonder lurketh in men's cars, is urg d,

To steal his sweet and honey'd fentences;
Which, in the eleventh year o' the last king's reign, so that the art, and practic part of life
Was like, and had indeed against us past, Must be the mistress to this theorique ? :
But that the scambling and unquiet time Which is a wonder, how his grace ihoukl glcan !,
Did push it out of further queition.

Since his addiction was to courses vain ;
Ely. But how, my lord, shall we resist it now His companies unletter'd, rude, and shallow ;

Cant. It must be thought on. If it pass against us, His hours fill'd up with riots, banquets, fports;
We lose the better half of our posseflion : And never noted in him any study,
For all the temporal lands, which men devout Any retirement, any sequestration
By testament have given to the church,

From open haunts and popularity.
Would they strip from us ; being valu'd thus, Ely. The strawberry 4 grows underneath the
As much as would maintain, to the king's honour,

nettle ;
Full fifteen earls, and fifteen hundred knights ; And wholsome berries thrive, and ripen beft,
Six thousand and two hundred good esquires; Neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality :
And, to relief of lazars, and weak age,

And so the prince obscur'd his contemplation Of indigent faint fouls, paft corporal toil, Under the veil of wildness; which, no doubt, A hundred alms-houses, right well fupply'd ; Grew like the summer grass, fastest by nigli, And to the coffers of the king, beside,

Unseen, yet crescive in his faculty 5. A thousand pounds by the year : Thus runs the bill. Cant. It must be so: for miracles are ceas'd ; Ely. This would drink deep.

And therefore we must needs admit the means, Cant. 'Twould drink the and all.

How things are perfected.
Fly. But what prevention ?

Ely. But, my good lord,
Cont. The king is full of grace, and fair regard. How now for mitigation of this bill
Ely. And a true lover of the holy church. Urgʻd by the commons ? Doth bis majesty

Cant. The courses of his youth promis'd it not. Incline to it, or po?
The breath no rooner lost his father's body,

Cant. lle feams indifferent ;
But that his wildneis, mortity'd in him, Or, rather, swaying more upon our part,
Seem'd to dic too : yça, at that very moment, Than cherithing the exhibiters against us :
Confideration like an angel came,

For I have made an offer to his majesty,
And whipp'd the otfending Adam out of him ; Upon our spiritual convocation;
Leaving his body as a paradise,

And in regard of causes now in hand,
To envelop and contain cele!!ial spirits.

Which 1 bare open'd to his grace at large, Never was such a sudden scholar made :

As touching France,-to gie a greater sum Never came reformation in a ficod ?,

Than ever at one time the clergy yet With such a heady current, fcouring faults ; Did to his predecellors part withal. Nor never Hydra-headed wilfulness

Ely. How did this offer seem receiv'd, my lord? So soon did lose his seat, and ail at once,

Cant. With gooi acceptance of his majeity : As in this king.

Sare, that there was not time enough to hear Ely. We are blessed in the change.

(As, I perceir'd, his giace would fain have done) Cast. Hear him but reason in divinity, The leverals, and unluduen pailages, And, all-admiring, with an inward with

Oí his truesitles o to fome certain dukedoms; You would desire, the king were made a prelate: And, generally, to the crown and feat of France, Hear him debate of common-wealth affairs, Deriv'd from Edward, his great grandfather. You would say, it bath been all-in-all his study : Ely. What was the impediment that broka List his discourse of war, and you shall hear

this oft?

CUN

Meaning, when every one scambled, i. c. fir2mbled and thified for hinself as well as he could. 2 ALluding to the method by which Hercules cleanied the Augean Stables when he turned a river through them. 3 That is, his theory must have been taught by wri and fruclice. Thcoric or thenrique is what terminais in speculation. 4 1. c. The wild fruit To called, which grows in the woods. sine. Increating in its proper power. 0. The polices of his iles are the cores of jucejier by which his claims descend. Unhidden is open, clear.

Cant. The French Ambaffador, upon that instant, Which Salique land the French unjustly gloze Crav'd audience: and the hour, I think, is come, To be the realm of France, and Pharamond To give him hearing ; Is ic four o'clock :

The founder of this law and female bar. Ely. It is.

Yet their own authors faithfully affirm, Con. Then go wein, to know his embassy ; That the land Salique lies in Germany, Which I could, with a ready guess, declare, Between the floods of Sala and of Elbe : Before the Frenchman speaks a word of it. Where Charles the great, having subdu'd thie Ely. I'll wait upon you; and I long to hear it.

Saxons,

[Exeunt. There left behind and settled certain French ; S CE N E II,

Who, holding in disdain the German women, Opens to the presence.

For some dishonest manners of their life, Enter King Henry, Glofler, Bedford, Warwick, Establish'd there this law, to wit

, no female Westmoreland, and Excter.

Should be inheritrix in Salique land ; K. Henry. Where is my gracious lord of Can- Which Salique, as I said, 'twixt Elbe and Sala, terbury?

Is at this day in Germany call d—Meisen. Exe. Not here in presence.

Thus doch it well appear, the Salique law K. Henry. Send for him, good uncle'. Was not devised for the realm of France : WA. Shall we call in the ambassador, my liege Nor did the French possess the Salique land K. Henry. Not yet, my coulin; we would be Until four hundred one and twenty years relolv'd,

After defunction of king Pharamond, Before we hear him, of some things of weight, Idly suppos’d the founder of this law ; That talk our thoughts 2, concerning us and France. Who died within the year of our redemption Enter tbe Archbisicop of Canterbury, and Biflop Four hundred twenty-fix; and Charles the great of Ely.

Subdu'd the Saxons, and did seat the French Cant. God, and his angels, guard your sacred Beyond the river Sala, in the year throne,

Eight hundred five. Besides, their writers (ay, And make you long become it!

King Pepin, which deposed Childerick, K. Henry. Sure, we thank you.

Did, as heir general, being descended My learned lord, we pray you to proceed ; Of Blithild, which was daughter to king Clothur, And juítly and religioully unfold,

Make claim and title to the crown of France. Why the law Silique, that they have in France, Hugh Capet also, that ufurp'd the crown Or should, or ihould not, bar us in our claim. Of Charles the duke of Lorain, fole heir male And God forhvid, iry dear and faithful lor), Of the true line and {tock of Charles the great, That you should fathion, wrest, or bow your To fine his title with some shew of truth, reading,

(Though, in pure truth, it was corrupt and naught) Or nicely charge your understanding foul Convey'd bimself as heir to the lady Lingare, With opening titles 3 milcre::te, whole night Daughter to Charlemail), who was the son Suits not in native colours with the truth ; To Lewis the emperor, and Lewis the son For God doth know, how many, now in hıçalth,

Dr Charles the great. Allo king Lewis the ninth, Sirall Arop their blood in approbation 4

Who was fole heir to the usurper Capet, Of what your reverence shall incite us to : Could not keep quict in his contcience, Therefore take heed how you impawn our person, Wearing the crown of France, 'till satisfy'd How you awake the sleeping sword of war; That fair queen Ilabel, his grandmother, We charge you in the name of God, uke heed : Was lineal of the lady Ermengare, For never two such kingdoms did contend, Daughter to Charles the foresaid duke of Lorain ; Without much fall of blood ; whose guiltless drops By the which marriage, the line of Charles the great Are every one a woe, a sore complaint,

Was re-united to the crown of France. 'Gainst him, whole wrong gives edge unto the so that, as clear as is the funnmer's fun, sword

King Pepin's titic, and Hugh Capet's claim, That makes such waste in brief mortality. King Lewis his fatisfaction, all anpear l'nder this conjuration, speak, my lord ; To hold in right and title of the female : For we will hear, nute, and believe in heat, So do the kings of France unto this day ; That what you speak is in your conscience wafhdj Howbeit they would hold up this Silique law, As pure as lin with baptiím.

To bar your highness claiming from the female; Cuni. Thien hear me, gracious sovereign,--and And rather chure to hide them in a net, you peers,

Than amply to imbare 7 their cresked tiles, Thit owe your lives, your faith, and services, Usurp'd from you and your progenitors. To this imperial throne ;-S There is no bar K. Henry. May I, with right and confcience, To make against your highness' claim to France,

make this claim? But this, which they produce from Pharamond, Cant. The fin upon my head, dread sovereign ! In terıne og Salicam miliares ne juccedant,

For in the book of Numbers is it writ-No tomar jhalljuiceed in Salique land:

When the son dies, let the inheritance

1 Jolin Holland, duke of Exeter, was married to Elizabetli the king's aun. 2 !leaning, keep our mind busied with scruples and laborious difquifitions. 3 i, e. fpuriors. poung and supporting that tiile which thall be now fet up. 5 This whole ipeech is copied from Holinhed. oie. to make it frewy or specions by fome appearance of justice.

71. c. day open, di play!o view.

Deliend

Descend unto the daughter. Gracious lord, When all her chivalry hath been in France,
Stand for your own; unwind your bloody Aag; And she a mourning widow of her nobles,
Look back unto your mighty ancestors :

She hath herself not only well defended,
Go, my dread lord, to your great grandfire's tomb, But taken, and impounded as a stray,
From whom you claim ; invoke his warlike spirit, The king of Scots; whom she did send to Frances
And your great uncle's, Edward the black prince ; To fill king Edward's fame with prisoner kings;
Who on the French ground play'd a tragedy, And make your chronicle as rich with praise,
Making dcfeat on the full power of France; As is the ouze and bottom of the sea
Whiles his most mighty father on a hill

With funken wreck and sumless treasuries. Stood smiling, to behold his lion's whelp

Exc. But there's a saying very old and true, Forage in blood of French nobility:--

If that you will France rein, O noble English, that could entertain

Then with Scotland first brgin: With half their forces the full pride of France ; For once the eagle England being in prey, And let another hailstand laughing by,

To her unguarded nest the weazel Scot All out of work, and cold for action!

Comes sneaking, and so sucks her princely eggs; Ely. Awake remembrance of these valiant dead, Playing the mouse, in absence of the cat, And with your puillant arm renew their feats : To taint and havock more than the can eat. You are their heir, you sit upon their thuone; Ely. It follows then, the cat must stay at home: The blood and courage that renowned them, Yet that is but a curs d 3 neceility; Runs in your veins ; and my thrice-puissant liege Since we have locks to fafeguard necelaries, Is in the very May-morn of his youth,

And pretty traps to catch the petty thieves. Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprizes.

While that the armed hand duth fight abroad, Exc. Your brother kings and monarchs of the The advised head defends itself at home : earth

For government, though high, and lour, and lover, Do all expect that you should roule yourself, Put into parts, doch keep in one consent 4 ; As did the former lions of your blood.

Congruing in a full and natural cloie,
Wifi. They know, your grace hath cause, and Like mufick.
means and might;

Cint. Trus: ilciefore doth heaven divide
So hath your highness; never king of England The ftate of man in divers functions,
Had nobles richer, and more loyal subjects; Setting endeavour in continual motion;
Whole hearts have left their bodies here in England, To which is fixed, as an aim or butt,
And lie pavilion'd in the fields of France.

Obedience : for su work the honey becs;
Cant. 0, let their bodies follow, my dear liege, Creatures, thit, by a rule in nature, teach
With blood and sword, and fire, to win your right : The Jt of order to a peopled kingdom.
In aid whereof, we of the spiritualty

They have a king, and officers of sorts :
Will raise your highness such a mighty sum, Where fomc, like magiftrates, correct at home;
As never did the clergy at one time

Oihers, like merchants, venture trade abroad; Bring in to any of your ancestors. [French ; Others, like soldiers, armed in their itings,

K. Inry. We must not only arm to invade the Make boot upon the funmis velvet buds ; But lay down our proportions to defend

Which pillage they with merry march bring home
Againft the Scot, who will make road upon us To the tent-royal of their emperor :
With all advantages.

Who, bufy’d in his majefty, survey's
Cant. They of those marcine:?, gracious forercign, The singing masons building roofs of gold;
Shall be a wall fufficient to defend

The civil citizens kneading up the honey ;
Our inland from the pilfering borderers. [only, The per mechanick porters crowding in

K. Henry. We do not mean the coursing snatchers Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate;
But fear the main intendment of the Scot, The sad-ey'd justice, with his curly hum,
Who hath been still a 2 giddy neighbour to us : Delivering o'er to caecutors pale
For you shall read, that my great grandfather The lazv yawning crore. I this infer,
Never went with his forces into France,

That many things, having full reference
But that the Scot on his unfurnith'd kingdom To one confent, may work contrarioully ;
Came pouring, like the tide into a breach), As many arrow's, looied several ways,
With ample and brim fulnefs of his furce ; Fiy tu one mark;
Galling the gleaned land with hot attays;

1. Is many several ways meet in one town ; Girding with grievous siege castles and tow'ns ; As many fresh streams run in one self fua; That England, being empty of defence,

As many lines close in the dial's center ; Hath shook, a id trembled at the ill neighbourhood. So may a thousand actions, once afout, Cant. She hath been then more fear'd than harm'd, End in one purpose, and be all well bone my liege :

Without deiet. Therefore to France, my liege. For hear her but exampled by herself, - Divide your happy England into four ;

I The marches are the borders, the limits, the confines. Hence the Lord's larchers, i.e. the lords prefidents of the marches. &c. 2 i. c. inconstant, changeable. 3 i. e. an unfortuna:e necejan, or a neceflity to be arrated. 4 Confoni is arilun. $ The fenfe is, that all endeavour is to iciannace in obedience, to be fubordinate to ise public good and general delign of governancnt.

Where f