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)

    The Chronicle Historie
    Therefore freely and with vncurbed boldnesse
    Tell vs the Dolphins minde.
    Ambas. Then this in fine the Dolphin saith,
    395Whereas you clayme certaine Townes in France,
    From your predecessor king Edward the third,
    397.1This he returnes.
    He saith, theres nought in France that can be with a nimble
    Galliard wonne: you cannot reuel into Dukedomes there:
    Therefore he sendeth meeter for your study,
    This tunne of treasure: and in lieu of this,
    405Desires to let the Dukedomes that you craue
    Heare no more from you: This the Dolphin saith.
    King. What treasure Vncle?
    Exe. Tennis balles my Liege.
    King. We are glad the Dolphin is so pleasant with vs,
    410Your message and his present we accept:
    When we haue matched our rackets to these balles,
    We will by Gods grace play such a set,
    Shall strike his fathers crowne into the hazard.
    Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler,
    415That all the Courts of France shall be disturbd with chases.
    And we vnderstand him well, how he comes ore vs
    With our wilder dayes, not measuring what vse we made
    of them.
    We neuer valued this poore seate of England.
    420And therefore gaue our selues to barbarous licence:
    As tis common seene that men are merriest when they are
    from home.
    But tell the Dolphin we will keepe our state,
    Be like a King, mightie and commaund,
    425When we do rowse vs in throne of France:
    For this haue we laid by our Maiestie
    And plodded lide a man for working dayes.
    But we will rise there with so full of glory,
    That we will dazell all the eyes of France,
    430I strike the Dolphin blinde to looke on vs,
    And tell him this, his mock hath turnd his balles to gun (stones,
    And