Henry V, Modern text based on the Folio
Not Peer Reviewed
461.1
[2.0]
¶
Flourish. Enter Chorus.
¶Chorus Now all the youth of England are on fire
¶And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies.
465Now thrive the armorers, and honor's thought
¶Reigns solely in the breast of every man.
¶They sell the pasture now to buy the horse,
¶Following the mirror of all Christian kings
¶With wingèd heels, as English Mercuries.
470For now sits expectation in the air
¶And hides a sword from hilts unto the point
¶With crowns imperial, crowns and coronets
¶Promised to Harry and his followers.
¶The French, advised by good intelligence
475Of this most dreadful preparation,
¶Shake in their fear, and with pale policy
¶Seek to divert the English purposes.
¶O England, model to thy inward greatness,
¶Like little body with a mighty heart,
480What mightst thou do, that honor would thee do,
¶Were all thy children kind and natural!
¶But see, thy fault France hath in thee found out:
¶A nest of hollow bosoms, which he fills
¶With treacherous crowns; and three corrupted men,
485One, Richard, Earl of Cambridge, and the second
¶Henry, Lord Scrope of Masham, and the third
¶Sir Thomas Grey, Knight of Northumberland,
¶Have for the gilt of France -- oh, guilt indeed! --
¶Confirmed conspiracy with fearful France.
490And by their hands this grace of kings must die,
¶If hell and treason hold their promises,
¶Ere he take ship for France, and in Southampton.
¶Linger your patience on, and we'll digest
¶Th'abuse of distance, force a play.
495The sum is paid, the traitors are agreed,
¶The king is set from London, and the scene
¶Is now transported, gentles, to Southampton.
¶There is the playhouse now, there must you sit,
¶And thence to France shall we convey you safe
500And bring you back, charming the narrow seas
¶To give you gentle pass; for if we may,
¶We'll not offend one stomach with our play.
¶But when the king come forth, and not till then,
¶Unto Southampton do we shift our scene.
Exit