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Edition:
Famous Victories of Henry V
Famous Victories of Henry V (Modern)
- Introduction
- Texts of this edition
- Contextual materials
12.0.2Enter Henry the Fifth, with his Lords.
Come, my lords of England, 1135no doubt this good luck of winning this town 1136is a sign of an honorable victory to come. 1137But, good my lord, go and speak to the captains 1138with all speed to number the host of the Frenchmen, 1139and by that means we may the better know 1140how to appoint the battle.
12.1.1[Exit a Lord.]
An it please your majesty, 1142there are many of your men sick and diseased, 1143and many of them die for want of victuals.
And why did you not tell me of it before? 1145If we cannot have it for money, 1146we will have it by dint of sword. 1147The laws of arms allow no less.
I beseech your grace to grant me a boon.
What is that, my good lord?
That your grace would give me the 1151vanguard in the battle.
Trust me, my lord of Oxford, I cannot, 1153for I have already given it to my uncle the duke of York. 1154Yet I thank you for your good will. 1155
12.7.1A trumpet sounds.
I think it be some herald of arms.
King of England, my lord high constable 1160and others of the noblemen of France 1161sends me to defy thee as open enemy to God, 1162our country, and us, and hereupon 1163they presently bid thee battle.
Herald, tell them that I defy them 1165as open enemies to God, my country, and me, 1166and as wrongful usurpers of my right. 1167And whereas thou say'st they presently bid me battle, 1168tell them that I think they know how to please me. 1169But, I pray thee, what place hath my lord Prince Dauphin 1170here in battle?
Why, then, he doth me great injury. 1175I thought that he and I should have played at tennis together. 1176Therefore I have brought tennis balls for him, 1177but other manner of ones than he sent me. 1178And, herald, tell my lord Prince Dauphin 1179that I have inured my hands with other kind of weapons 1180than tennis balls ere this time o' day 1181and that he shall find it ere it be long. 1182And so adieu, my friend, 1183and tell my lord that I am ready when he will.
12.141185Come, my lords, I care not an I go to our captains, 1186and I'll see the number of the French army myself. 1187Strike up the drum.
12.14.1A drum strikes.