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American Shakespeare Center, The Duchess of Malfi. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
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Henry V, Modern text based on the Folio

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: James D. Mardock
Not Peer Reviewed

5.[0]

2850
Enter Chorus.
Chorus Vouchsafe to those that have not read the story
That I may prompt them; and of such as have,
I humbly pray them to admit th'excuse
Of time, of numbers, and due course of things
2855Which cannot in their huge and proper life
Be here presented. Now we bear the king
Toward Calais; grant him there. There seen,
Heave him away upon your wingèd thoughts
Athwart the sea. Behold, the English beach
2860Pales in the flood with men, wives, and boys,
Whose shouts and claps outvoice the deep-mouthed sea,
Which, like a mighty whiffler 'fore the king,
Seems to prepare his way. So let him land,
And solemnly see him set on to London.
2865So swift a pace hath thought that even now
You may imagine him upon Blackheath,
Where that his lords desire him to have borne
His bruisèd helmet and his bended sword
Before him through the city. He forbids it,
2870Being free from vainness and self-glorious pride,
Giving full trophy, signal, and ostent
Quite from himself to God. But now behold
In the quick forge and working-house of thought
How London doth pour out her citizens.
2875The mayor and all his brethren in best sort,
Like to the senators of th'antique Rome
With the plebeians swarming at their heels,
Go forth and fetch their conqu'ring Caesar in --
As, by a lower but by loving likelihood,
2880Were now the general of our gracious empress
(As in good time he may) from Ireland coming,
Bringing rebellion broachèd on his sword,
How many would the peaceful city quit
To welcome him? Much more, and much more cause,
2885Did they this Harry. Now in London place him,
As yet the lamentation of the French
Invites the king of England's stay at home.
The emperor's coming in behalf of France
To order peace between them, we omit:
2890All the occurrences, whatever chanced,
Till Harry's back return again to France.
There must we bring him, and myself have played
The interim by remembering you 'tis past.
Then brook abridgement, and your eyes advance,
2895After your thoughts, straight back again to France.
Exit.