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  • 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 19] [Video Sc.19]
    Enter King of France, King of England, [Secretary,] 1450and attendants.
    Henry V
    Now, my good brother of France, my coming into this land was not to shed blood but for the right of my country, which, if you can deny, I am content peaceably to leave my siege 1455and to depart out of your land.
    Charles VI
    What is it you demand, my loving brother of England?
    Henry V
    My secretary hath it written. [To Secretary] Read it.
    Secretary
    Item, that immediately Henry of England 1460be crowned king of France.
    Charles VI
    A very hard sentence, my good brother of England.
    Henry V
    No more but right, my good brother of France.
    Charles VI
    Well, read on.
    1465Secretary
    Item, that after the death of the said Henry, the crown remain to him and his heirs forever.
    Charles VI
    Why, then, you do not only mean to dispossess me but also my son.
    Henry V
    Why, my good brother of France, 1470you have had it long enough, and, as for Prince Dauphin, it skills not though he sit beside the saddle. Thus I have set it down, and thus it shall be.
    Charles VI
    You are very peremptory, 1475my good brother of England.
    Henry V
    And you as perverse, my good brother of France.
    Charles VI
    Why, then, belike all that I have here is yours.
    Henry V
    Ay, even as far as the kingdom of France reaches.
    Charles VI
    Ay, for by this hot beginning 1480we shall scarce bring it to a calm ending.
    Henry V
    It is as you please. Here is my resolution.
    Charles VI
    Well, my brother of England, if you will give me a copy we will meet you again tomorrow.
    Henry V
    With a good will, my good brother of France. Secretary, deliver him a copy.
    1485Exit King of France, and all their attendants.
    My lords of England, go before, and I will follow you.
    Exeunt Lords.
    1490Speaks to himself.
    Henry V
    Ah Harry, thrice-unhappy Harry! Hast thou now conquered the French king and begin'st a fresh supply with his daughter? But with what face canst thou seek to gain her love, 1495which hath sought to win her father's crown? "Her father's crown," said I? No, it is mine own. Ay, but I love her and must crave her. Nay, I love her and will have her.
    Enter Lady Katherine and her Ladies.
    1500But here she comes. How now, fair Lady Katherine of France, what news?
    Katherine
    An it please your majesty, my father sent me to know if you will debate any of these 1505unreasonable demands which you require.
    Henry V
    Now trust me, Kate, I commend thy father's wit greatly in this, for none in the world could sooner have made me debate it if it were possible. 1510But tell me, sweet Kate, canst thou tell how to love?
    Katherine
    I cannot hate, my good lord, therefore far unfit were it for me to love.
    Henry V
    Tush, Kate. But tell me in plain terms, canst thou love the king of England? 1515I cannot do as these countries do that spend half their time in wooing. Tush, wench, I am none such. But wilt thou go over to England?
    Katherine
    I would to God that I had your majesty 1520as fast in love as you have my father in wars. I would not vouchsafe so much as one look until you had debated all these unreasonable demands.
    Henry V
    Tush, Kate, I know thou wouldst not use me so hardly. But tell me, canst thou love the king of England?
    1525Katherine
    How should I love him that hath dealt so hardly with my father?
    Henry V
    But I'll deal as easily with thee as thy heart can imagine or tongue can require. How say'st thou? What will it be?
    1530Katherine
    If I were of my own direction, I could give you answer. But seeing I stand at my father's direction, I must first know his will.
    Henry V
    But shall I have thy good will in the mean season?
    1535Katherine
    Whereas I can put your grace in no assurance, I would be loath to put you in any despair.
    Henry V
    Now before God, it is a sweet wench.
    She goes aside, and speaks as followeth.
    Katherine
    I may think myself the happiest in the world, 1540that is beloved of the mighty king of England.
    Henry V
    Well, Kate, are you at host with me? Sweet Kate, tell thy father from me that none in the world could sooner have persuaded me to it than thou, and so tell thy father from me.
    1545Katherine
    God keep your majesty in good health.
    Exit Kat[herine of France and her Ladies].
    Henry V
    Farewell, sweet Kate! In faith, it is a sweet wench, but, if I knew I could not have her father's good will, I would so rouse the towers over his ears 1550that I would make him be glad to bring her me upon his hands and knees.
    Exit King.
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