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.
    990King. If not, what followes?
    Exe. Bloody cōstraint, for if you hide the crown
    Euen in your hearts, there will he rake for it:
    Therefore in fierce tempest is he comming,
    In thunder, and in earthquake, like a Ioue,
    995That if requiring faile, he will compell it:
    And on your heads turnes he the widowes teares,
    1000The Orphanes cries, the dead mens bones,
    The pining maydens grones.
    For husbands, fathers, and distressed louers,
    Which shall be swallowed in this controuersie.
    This is his claime, his threatning, and my message,
    1005Vnles the Dolphin be in presence here,
    To whom expresly we bring greeting too.
    1010Dol. For the Dolphin? I stand here for him,
    What to heare from England.
    Exe. Scorn & defiance, slight regard, contempt,
    And any thing that may not misbecome
    The mightie sender, doth he prise you at:
    1015Thus saith my king. Vnles your fathers highnesse
    Sweeten the bitter mocke you sent his Maiestie,
    Heele call you to so loud an answere for it,
    That caues and wombely vaultes of France
    1020Shall chide your trespasse, and return your mock,
    In second accent of his ordenance.
    Dol. Say that my father render faire reply,
    It is against my will:
    For I desire nothing so much,
    As oddes with England.
    1025And for that cause according to his youth
    I did present him with those Paris balles.
    Exe. Heele make your Paris Louer shake for it,
    Were it the mistresse Court of mightie Europe.
    And be assured, youle finde a difference
    1030As we his subiects haue in wonder found:
    C 2 Betweene