Henry V (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: James D. Mardock
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1Enter Prologue.
¶O For a Muse of Fire, that would ascend
¶The brightest Heauen of Inuention:
¶A Kingdome for a Stage, Princes to Act,
5And Monarchs to behold the swelling Scene.
¶Then should the Warlike Harry, like himselfe,
¶Assume the Port of Mars, and at his heeles
¶( Leasht in, like Hounds) should Famine, Sword, and Fire
¶Crouch for employment. But pardon, Gentles all:
10The flat vnraysed Spirits, that hath dar'd,
¶On this vnworthy Scaffold, to bring forth
¶So great an Obiect. Can this Cock-Pit hold
¶The vastie fields of France? Or may we cramme
¶Within this Woodden O. the very Caskes
15That did affright the Ayre at Agincourt?
¶O pardon: since a crooked Figure may
¶Attest in little place a Million,
¶And let vs, Cyphers to this great Accompt,
¶On your imaginarie Forces worke.
20Suppose within the Girdle of these Walls
¶Are now confin'd two mightie Monarchies,
¶Whose high, vp-reared, and abutting Fronts,
¶The perillous narrow Ocean parts asunder.
¶Peece out our imperfections with your thoughts:
25Into a thousand parts diuide one Man,
¶And make imaginarie Puissance.
¶Thinke when we talke of Horses, that you see them
¶Printing their prowd Hoofes i'th' receiuing Earth:
¶For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our Kings,
30Carry them here and there: Iumping o're Times;
¶Turning th'accomplishment of many yeeres
¶Into an Howre-glasse: for the which supplie,
¶Admit me Chorus to this Historie;
¶Who Prologue-like, your humble patience pray,
35Gently to heare, kindly to iudge our Play.
 Exit.
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Henry V (Folio 1, 1623)
