Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Henry V (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: James D. Mardock
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-409-7

    Copyright James D. Mardock. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: James D. Mardock
    Peer Reviewed

    Henry V (Quarto 1, 1600)

    of Henry the fift.
    Cam. Neuer was Monarch better feared and loued then
    655 is your maiestie.
    Gray. Euen those that were your fathers enemies
    Haue steeped their galles in honey for your sake.
    King. We therefore haue great cause of thankfulnesse,
    And shall forget the office of our hands:
    Sooner then reward and merit,
    According to their cause and worthinesse.
    665Massha. So seruice shall with steeled sinewes shine,
    And labour shall refresh it selfe with hope
    To do your Grace incessant seruice.
    King. Vncle of Exeter, enlarge the man
    Committed yesterday, that rayled against our person,
    We consider it was the heate of wine that set him on,
    And on his more aduice we pardon him.
    Massha. That is mercie, but too much securitie:
    Let him bee punisht Soueraigne, least the example of (him

    675Breed more of such a kinde.
    King. O let vs yet be mercifull.
    Cam. So may your highnesse, and punish too.
    Gray. You shew great mercie if you giue him lilfe,
    After the taste of his correction.
    680King. Alas your too much care and loue of me
    Are heauy orisons gainst the poore wretch,
    If litle faults proceeding on distemper should not bee (winked at,

    How should we stretch our eye, when capitall crimes,
    Chewed, swallowed and disgested, appeare before vs:
    685Well yet enlarge the man, tho Cambridge and the rest
    In their deare loues, and tender preseruation of our state,
    Would haue him punisht.
    Now to our French causes.
    Who are the late Commissioners?
    690Cam. Me one my Lord, your highnesse bad me aske for
    it to day.
    B 3 Masha. So