[Scene 11]
Enter the [French] king, Prince Dauphin, and Lord High Constable of France.
1125FRENCH KING
¶Now, my Lord High Constable,
¶What say you to our embassage into England?
¶CONSTABLE
¶An it please your majesty, I can say nothing
1130Until my lords ambassadors be come home,
¶But yet methinks your grace hath done well
¶To get your men in so good a readiness
¶For fear of the worst.
¶FRENCH KING
1135Aye, my lord, we have some in a readiness,
¶But if the King of England make against us
¶We must have thrice so many moe.
¶DAUPHIN
¶Tut, my lord, although the King of England
1140Be young and wild-headed, yet never think he will be so
¶Unwise to make battle against the mighty King of
¶France.
¶FRENCH KING
¶Oh, my son, although the King of England be
1145Young and wild-headed, yet never think but he is ruled
¶By his wise counselors.
Enter Archbishop of Bourges.
¶BOURGES
¶God save the life of my sovereign lord the king.
¶FRENCH KING
1150Now, my good lord Archbishop of Bourges,
¶What news from our brother the English king?
¶BOURGES
¶An't please your majesty,
¶He is so far from your expectation
1155That nothing will serve him but the crown
¶And kingdom itself. Besides, he bade me haste quickly
¶Lest he be there before me, and so far as I hear
¶He hath kept promise, for they say he is already landed
¶At Quai de Caux in Normandy, upon the river of Seine,
1160And laid his siege to the garrison town of Harfleur.
¶FRENCH KING
¶You have made great haste in the meantime,
¶Have you not?
¶DAUPHIN
1165I pray you, my lord, how did the King of
¶England take my presents?
¶BOURGES
¶Truly my lord, in very ill part.
¶For these your balls of leather
1170He will toss you balls of brass and iron.
¶Trust me, my lord, I was very afraid of him,
¶He is such a haughty and high-minded prince;
¶He is as fierce as a lion.
¶CONSTABLE
1175Tush, we will make him as tame as a lamb,
¶I warrant you.
Enters a Messenger.
¶MESSENGER
¶God save the mighty King of France
¶FRENCH KING
1180Now, messenger, what news?
¶MESSENGER
¶An it please your majesty,
¶I come from your poor distressed town of Harfleur,
¶Which is so beset on every side,
1185If your majesty do not send present aid,
¶The town will be yielded to the English king.
¶FRENCH KING
¶Come, my lords, come, shall we stand still
¶Till our country be spoiled under our noses?
1190My lords, let the Normans, Brabants, Picardies,
¶And Danes be sent for with all speed,
¶And you, my Lord High Constable, I make general
¶Over all my whole army:
¶Monsieur le Colle, Master of the Bows,
1195Seignior Devers, and all the rest at your appointment.
¶DAUPHIN
¶I trust your majesty will bestow
¶Some part of the battle on me.
¶I hope not to present any otherwise than well.
1200FRENCH KING
¶I tell thee, my son,
¶Although I should get the victory, an thou lose thy life
¶I should think myself quite conquered,
¶And the Englishmen to have the victory.
1205DAUPHIN
¶Why, my lord and father,
¶I would have the petty king of England to know
¶That I dare encounter him in any ground of the world.
¶FRENCH KING
1210I know well my son,
¶But at this time I will have it thus.
¶Therefore come away.
Exeunt omnes.