Henry V, Modern text based on the Quarto

Author: William Shakespeare

Editor: James D. Mardock

Not Peer Reviewed

[Scene 8]

Enter King of France, ¶Lord Constable, the Dauphin, and Bourbon.

1380French King 'Tis certain he is past the river Somme.

¶Constable Mort de ma vie! Shall a few sprangs of us,

1385The emptying of our fathers' luxury,

1390Mon dieu! And if they pass ¶unfought withal,

I'll sell my dukedom ¶for a foggy farm

¶In that short-nook isle of England.

¶Constable Why, whence have they this mettle?

1395Is not their climate raw, foggy and cold,

¶On whom, as in disdain, the sun looks pale?

¶Can barley broth, a drench for swollen jades,

¶Their sodden water, ¶decoct such lively blood?

1400And shall our quick blood, spirited with wine,

¶Seem frosty? Oh, for honor of our names,

¶Let us not hang like frozen icicles

¶Upon our houses' tops while they o' more

Frosty climate ¶sweat drops of youthful blood.

¶French King Constable, dispatch. Send Montjoy forth

¶To know what willing ransom he will give.

¶Son dauphin, you shall stay in Rouen with me.

1445Dauphin Not so, I do beseech your majesty.

1445.1French King Well, I say it shall be so.

Exeunt omnes.