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About this text

  • Title: Famous Victories of Henry V (Modern)
  • Textual editor: Mathew Martin
  • Performance editor: Peter Cockett
  • Coordinating editor: Janelle Jenstad

  • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Peer Reviewed

    Famous Victories of Henry V (Modern)

    [Scene 12] [Video Sc.12]
    Enter Henry the Fifth, with his Lords.
    Henry V
    Come, my lords of England, 1135no doubt this good luck of winning this town is a sign of an honorable victory to come. But, good my lord, go and speak to the captains with all speed to number the host of the Frenchmen, and by that means we may the better know 1140how to appoint the battle.
    [Exit a Lord.]
    An it please your majesty, there are many of your men sick and diseased, and many of them die for want of victuals.
    Henry V
    And why did you not tell me of it before? 1145If we cannot have it for money, we will have it by dint of sword. The laws of arms allow no less.
    Oxford
    I beseech your grace to grant me a boon.
    Henry V
    What is that, my good lord?
    1150Oxford
    That your grace would give me the vanguard in the battle.
    Henry V
    Trust me, my lord of Oxford, I cannot, for I have already given it to my uncle the duke of York. Yet I thank you for your good will. 1155
    A trumpet sounds.
    How now, what is that?
    I think it be some herald of arms.
    Enter a Herald.
    Herald
    King of England, my lord high constable 1160and others of the noblemen of France sends me to defy thee as open enemy to God, our country, and us, and hereupon they presently bid thee battle.
    Henry V
    Herald, tell them that I defy them 1165as open enemies to God, my country, and me, and as wrongful usurpers of my right. And whereas thou say'st they presently bid me battle, tell them that I think they know how to please me. But, I pray thee, what place hath my lord Prince Dauphin 1170here in battle?
    Herald
    An it please your grace, my lord and king his father will not let him come into the field.
    Henry V
    Why, then, he doth me great injury. 1175I thought that he and I should have played at tennis together. Therefore I have brought tennis balls for him, but other manner of ones than he sent me. And, herald, tell my lord Prince Dauphin that I have inured my hands with other kind of weapons 1180than tennis balls ere this time o' day and that he shall find it ere it be long. And so adieu, my friend, and tell my lord that I am ready when he will.
    Exit Herald.
    1185Come, my lords, I care not an I go to our captains, and I'll see the number of the French army myself. Strike up the drum.
    A drum strikes.
    Exeunt omnes.