Hen . Where is my gracious Lord of Canterbury ? Hen . Send for him , good uncle . Hen . Not yet , my cousin : we would be resolv ’ d , Before we hear him , of some things of weight , That task our thoughts , concerning us and France . Re-enter HERALD with the Archbishop of CANTERBURY , and Bishop of ELY , L. H . The Bishops cross to R. C . Hen . Sure , we thank you . My learned lord , we pray you to proceed , And justly and religiously unfold , Why the law Salique , that they have in France , Or should , or should not , bar us in our claim : And Heaven forbid , my dear and faithful lord , That you should fashion , wrest , or bow your reading , Or nicely charge your understanding soul With opening titles miscreate , whose right Suits not in native colours with the truth . For Heaven doth know how many , now in health , Shall drop their blood in approbation Of what your reverence shall incite us to . Therefore take heed how you impawn our person , How you awake the sleeping sword of war : We charge you , in the name of Heaven , take heed : Under this conjuration , speak , my lord . Hen . May I with right and conscience make this claim ? Hen . We must not only arm to invade the French , But lay down our proportions to defend Against the Scot , who will make road upon us With all advantages . Hen . Call in the messengers sent from the Dauphin .Now are we well resolv ’ d ; and by Heaven ’ s help , And yours , the noble sinews of our power ,— France being ours , we ’ ll bend it to our awe , Or break it all to pieces . Re-enter HERALD and Lords , L. H ., with the AMBASSADOR of FRANCE , French Bishops , Gentlemen , and Attendants carrying a treasure chest , L. H . Now are we well prepar ’ d to know the pleasure Of our fair cousin Dauphin ; for we hear Your greeting is from him , not from the king . Hen . We are no tyrant , but a Christian king ; Therefore with frank and with uncurbed plainness Tell us the Dauphin ’ s mind . Hen . What treasure , uncle ? Hen . We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us ; His present and your pains we thank you for : When we have match ’ d our rackets to these balls , We will , in France , by Heaven ’ s grace , play a set Shall strike his father ’ s crown into the hazard . And we understand him well , How he comes o ’ er us with our wilder days , Not measuring what use we made of them . But tell the Dauphin ,— I will keep my state ; Be like a king , and show my soul of greatness , When I do rouse me in my throne of France : For I will rise there with so full a glory , That I will dazzle all the eyes of France , Yea , strike the Dauphin blind to look on us . But this lies all within the will of Heaven , To whom I do appeal ; And in whose name , Tell you the Dauphin , I am coming on , To venge me as I may , and to put forth My rightful hand in a well-hallow ’ d cause . So , get you hence in peace ; and tell the Dauphin , His jest will savour but of shallow wit , When thousands weep , more than did laugh at it .— Convey them with safe conduct .— Fare you well . Hen . We hope to make the sender blush at it . Therefore , my lords , omit no happy hour That may give furtherance to our expedition ; For we have now no thought in us but France , Save those to Heaven , that run before our business . Therefore let our proportions for these wars Be soon collected , and all things thought upon That may with reasonable swiftness add More feathers to our wings ; for , Heaven before , We ’ ll chide this Dauphin at his father ’ s door . Trumpets sound . Hen . Now sits the wind fair , and we will aboard . My lord of Cambridge ,— and my kind lord of Masham ,— And you , my gentle knight ,— give me your thoughts : Think you not , that the powers we bear with us Will cut their passage through the force of France ? Hen . I doubt not that ; since we are well persuaded We carry not a heart with us from hence That grows not in a fair consent with ours , Nor leave not one behind that doth not wish Success and conquest to attend on us . Hen . We therefore have great cause of thankfulness ; And shall forget the office of our hand , Sooner than quittance of desert and merit According to the weight and worthiness . Uncle of Exeter , R . Enlarge the man committed yesterday , That rail ’ d against our person : we consider It was excess of wine that set him on ; And , on his more advice , we pardon him . Hen . O , let us yet be merciful . Hen . Alas , your too much love and care of me Are heavy orisons ’ gainst this poor wretch ! If little faults , proceeding on distemper , Shall not be wink ’ d at , how shall we stretch our eye When capital crimes , chew ’ d , swallow ’ d , and digested , Appear before us ?— We ’ ll yet enlarge that man , Though Cambridge , Scroop , and Grey ,— in their dear care And tender preservation of our person ,— Would have him punish ’ d . And now to our French causes : Who are the late Commissioners ? Hen . Then , Richard earl of Cambridge , there is yours ;— There yours , lord Scroop of Masham ;— and , sir knight , Grey of Northumberland , this same is yours :— Read them ; and know , I know your worthiness .— My lord of Westmoreland ,— and uncle Exeter ,— We will aboard to-night . Why , how now , gentlemen ! What see you in those papers , that you lose So much complexion ?— look ye , how they change ! Their cheeks are paper .— Why , what read you there , That hath so cowarded and chas ’ d your blood Out of appearance ? Hen . The mercy that was quick in us but late , By your own counsel is suppress ’ d and kill ’ d : You must not dare , for shame , to talk of mercy . See you , my princes and my noble peers , These English monsters ! My lord of Cambridge here ,— You know how apt our love was to accord To furnish him with all appertinents Belonging to his honour ; and this man Hath , for a few light crowns , lightly conspir ’ d , And sworn unto the practises of France , To kill us here in Hampton : to the which This knight , no less for bounty bound to us Than Cambridge is ,— hath likewise sworn .— But , O , What shall I say to thee , lord Scroop ? thou cruel , Ingrateful , savage , and inhuman creature ! Thou that did ’ st bear the key of all my counsels , That knew ’ st the very bottom of my soul , That almost might ’ st have coin ’ d me into gold , May it be possible , that foreign hire Could out of thee extract one spark of evil That might annoy my finger ? ’ Tis so strange , That , though the truth of it stands off as gross As black from white , my eye will scarcely see it ; For this revolt of thine , methinks , is like Another fall of man .— Their faults are open : Arrest them to the answer of the law ;— And Heaven acquit them of their practises ! Hen . Heaven quit you in its mercy ! Hear your sentence . You have conspir ’ d against our royal person , Join ’ d with an enemy proclaim ’ d , and from his coffers Receiv ’ d the golden earnest of our death ; Wherein you would have sold your king to slaughter , His princes and his peers to servitude , His subjects to oppression and contempt , And his whole kingdom into desolation . Touching our person , seek we no revenge ; But we our kingdom ’ s safety must so tender , Whose ruin you three sought , that to her laws We do deliver you . Get you , therefore , hence , Poor miserable wretches , to your death : The taste whereof , Heaven of its mercy give you Patience to endure , and true repentance Of all your dear offences ! — Bear them hence . Now , Lords , for France ; the enterprize whereof Shall be to you , as us , like glorious . We doubt not of a fair and lucky war , Since Heaven so graciously hath brought to light This dangerous treason , lurking in our way . Then , forth , dear countrymen : let us deliver Our puissance into the hand of Heaven , Putting it straight in expedition . Cheerly to sea ; the signs of war advance : No king of England , if not king of France . Hen . Once more unto the breach , dear friends , once more ; Or close the wall up with our English dead ! In peace there ’ s nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility : But when the blast of war blows in our ears , Then imitate the action of the tiger ! On , on , you noble English , Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof ! And you , good yeomen , Whose limbs were made in England , show us here The mettle of your pasture ; let us swear That you are worth your breeding : which I doubt not ; For there is none of you so mean and base , That hath not noble lustre in your eyes . I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips , Straining upon the start . The game ’ s afoot : Follow your spirit ; and , upon this charge , Cry — God for Harry ! England ! and Saint George ! Hen . How yet resolves the governour of the town ? This is the latest parle we will admit : Therefore , to our best mercy give yourselves ; Or , like to men proud of destruction , Defy us to our worst : for , as I am a soldier If I begin the battery once again , I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur Till in her ashes she lie buried . The gates of mercy shall be all shut up . What say you ? will you yield , and this avoid ? Or , guilty in defence , be thus destroy ’ d ? Hen . Come , uncle Exeter , R. Go you and enter Harfleur ; there remain , And fortify it strongly ’ gainst the French : Use mercy to them all . For us , dear uncle ,— The winter coming on , and sickness growing Upon our soldiers ,— we ’ ll retire to Calais . To-night in Harfleurwill we be your guest ; To-morrow for the march are we addrest .“ Our King , who sought peace , not war , in order that he might further arm the cause in which he was engaged with the shield of justice offered peace to the besieged , if they would open the gates to him , and restore , as was their duty , freely , without compulsion , that town , the noble hereditary portion of his Crown of England , and of his Dukedom of Normandy . “ But as they , despising and setting at nought this offer , strove to keep possession of , and to defend the town against him , our King summoned to fight , as it were , against his will , called upon God to witness his just cause * * * hegave himself no rest by day or night , until having fitted and fixed his engines and guns under the walls , he had planted them within shot of the enemy , against the front of the town , and against the walls , gates , and towers , of the same * * * so that taking aim at the place to be battered , the guns from beneath blew forth stones by the force of ignited powers , * * * and in the mean time our King , with his guns and engines , so battered the said bulwark , and the walls and towers on every side , that within a few days , by the impetuosity and fury of the stones , the same bulwark was in a great part broken down ; and the walls and towers from which the enemy had sent forth their weapons , the bastions falling in ruins , were rendered defenceless ; and very fine edifices , even in the middle of the city , either lay altogether in ruins , or threatened an inevitable fall ; or at least were so shaken as to be exceedingly damaged . * * * And although our guns had disarmed the bulwark , walls , and towers during the day , the besieged by night , with logs , faggots , and tubs on vessels full of earth , mud , and sand or stones , piled up within the shattered walls , and with other barricadoes , refortified the streets . * * * The King had caused towers and wooden bulwarks to the height of the walls , and ladders and other instruments , besides those which he had brought with him for the assault .” — We are then told that the enemy contrived to set these engines on fire ’ by means of powders , and combustibles prepared on the walls .’ The History then states that “ a fire broke out where the strength of the French was greater , and the French themselves were overcome with resisting , and in endeavouring to extinguish the fire , until at length by force of arms , darts , and flames , their strength was destroyed . Leaving the place therefore to our party , they fled and retreated beneath the walls for protection ; most carefully blocking up the entrance with timber , stones , earth , and mud , lest our people should rush in upon them through the same passage .” “ On the following day a conference was held with the Lord de Gaucort , who acted as Captain , and with the more powerful leaders , whether it was the determination of the inhabitants to surrender the town without suffering further rigour of death or war . * * * On that night they entered into a treaty with the King , that if the French King , or the Dauphin , his first-born , being informed , should not raise the seige , and deliver them by force of arms within the first hour after morn on the Sunday following , they would surrender to him the town , and themselves , and their property .” “ And neither at the aforesaid hour on the following Sunday , nor within the time , the French King , the Dauphin , nor any one else , coming forward to raise the siege . * * * The aforesaid Lord de Gaucort came from the town into the king ’ s presence , accompanied by those persons who before had sworn to keep the articles , and surrendering to him the keys of the Corporation , submitted themselves , together with the citizens , to his grace . * * * Then the banners of St. George and the King were fixed upon the gates of the town , and the King advanced his illustrious uncle , the Lord Thomas Beaufort , Earl of Dorsetto be keeper and captain of the town , having delivered to him the keys .” Thus , after a vigorous siege of about thirty-six days , one of the most important towns of Normandy fell into the hands of the invaders . The Chronicler in the text informs us , that the dysentery had carried off infinitely more of the English army than were slain in the siege ; that about five thousand men were then so dreadfully debilitated by that disease , that they were unable to proceed , and were therefore sent to England ; that three hundred men-at-arms and nine hundred archers were left to garrison Harfleur ; that great numbers had cowardly deserted the King , and returned home by stealth ; and that after all these deductions , not more than nine hundred lances and five thousand archers remained fit for service . Hume , in his History of England , relates that “ King Henry landed near Harfleur , at the head of an army of 6 , 000 men-at-arms , and 24 , 000 foot , mostly archers . He immediately began the siege of that place , which was valiantly defended by d ’ Estoüleville , and under him by de Guitri , de Gaucourt , and others of the French nobility ; but as the garrison was weak , and the fortifications in bad repair , the governor was at last obliged to capitulate , and he promised to surrender the place if he received no succour before the 18th of September . The day came , and there was no appearance of a French army to relieve him . Henry , taking possession of the town , placed a garrison in it , and expelled all the French inhabitants , with an intention of peopling it anew with English . The fatigues of this siege , and the unusual heat of the season , had so wasted the English army , that Henry could enter on no farther enterprise , and was obliged to think of returning to England . He had dismissed his transports , which could not anchor in an open road upon the enemy ’ s coasts , and he lay under a necessity of marching by land to Calais before he could reach a place of safety . A numerous French army of 14 , 000 men at-arms , and 40 , 000 foot , was by this time assembled in Normandy , under the constable d ’ Albret , a force which , if prudently conducted , was sufficient either to trample down the English in the open field , or to harass and reduce to nothing their small army before they could finish so long and difficult a march . Henry , therefore , cautiously offered to sacrifice his conquest of Harfleur for a safe passage to Calais ; but his proposal being rejected , he determined to make his way by valour and conduct through all the opposition of the enemy .”] Hen .How now , Fluellen ! cam ’ st thou from the bridge ? Hen . What men have you lost , Fluellen ? Hen . We would have all such offenders so cut off . Hen . Well , then , I know thee : What shall I know of thee ? Hen . Unfold it . Hen. What is thy name ? I know thy quality . Hen . Thou dost thy office fairly . Turn thee back , And tell thy king ,— I do not seek him now ; But could be willing to march on to Calais Without impeachment : for , to say the sooth , My people are with sickness much enfeebled ; My numbers lessen ’ d ; and those few I have , Almost no better than so many French ; Who , when they were in health , I tell thee , herald , I thought , upon one pair of English legs , Did march three Frenchmen .— Forgive me , Heaven , That I do brag thus !— this your air of France Hath blown that vice in me ; I must repent . Go , therefore , tell thy master here I am ; My ransom is this frail and worthless trunk ; My army but a weak and sickly guard : Yet , Heaven before , tell him we will come on , Though France himself , and such another neighbour , Stand in our way . There ’ s for thy labour , Montjoy . Go , bid thy master well advise himself : If we may pass , we will ; if we be hinder ’ d , We shall your tawny ground with your red blood Discolour : and so , Montjoy , fare you well . The sum of all our answer is but this : We would not seek a battle , as we are ; Nor , as we are , we say , we will not shun it : So tell your master . Hen . We are in Heaven ’ s hand , brother , not in theirs . March to the bridge ; it now draws toward night : Beyond the river we ’ ll encamp ourselves ; And on to-morrow bid them march away .March .i. e ., instead of fighting , he will offer to pay ransom . ]Ancient , a standard or flag ; also the ensign bearer , or officer , now called an ensign . ]i. e ., valour under good command , obedient to its superiors . The word is used by Spencer . ]Fortune is described by several ancient authors in the same words . ]A muffler was a sort of veil , or wrapper , worn by ladies in Shakespeare ’ s time , chiefly covering the chin and throat . ]A pix , or little chest, in which the consecrated host was used to be kept . ]Fico is fig — it was a term of reproach . ]An expression of contempt or insult , which consisted in thrusting the thumb between two of the closed fingers , or into the mouth ; whence Bite the thumb . The custom is generally regarded as being originally Spanish . — NARES . ]Cowardly braggarts were not uncommon characters with the old dramatic writers . ]From for about — concerning the fight that had taken place there . ]A corrupt word for carbuncles , or something like them . ]i. e ., stripes , marks , discolorations . ]This is the last time that any sport can be made with the red face of Bardolph . ]That is , by his herald ’ s coat . The person of a herald being inviolable , was distinguished in those times of formality by a peculiar dress , which is likewise yet worn on particular occasions . ]i. e ., our patience , moderation . ]i. e ., hindrance . Empechement , French . ]In the acting edition , the name of God is changed to Heaven . This was an expression in Shakespeare ’ s time for God being my guide . ]i. e ., though the King of France himself . ] END OF ACT THIRD . HISTORICAL NOTES TO ACT THIRD .Come you from the bridge ? ] After Henry had passed the Somme , Titus Livius asserts , that the King having been informed of a river which must be crossed , over which was a bridge , and that his progress depended in a great degree upon securing possession of it , despatched some part of his forces to defend it from any attack , or from being destroyed . They found many of the enemy ready to receive them , to whom they gave battle , and after a severe conflict , they captured the bridge , and kept it .Fortune is Bardolph ’ s foe , and frowns on him ; For he hath stol ’ n a pix , and hanged must ’ a be . It will be seen by the following extract from the anonymous Chronicler how minutely Shakespeare has adhered to history — “ There was brought to the King in that plain a certain English robber , who , contrary to the laws of God and the Royal Proclamation , had stolen from a church a pix of copper gilt , found in his sleeve , which he happened to mistake for gold , in which the Lord ’ s body was kept ; and in the next village where he passed the night , by decree of the King , he was put to death on the gallows .” Titus Livius relates that Henry commanded his army to halt until the sacrilege was expiated . He first caused the pix to be restored to the Church , and the offender was then led , bound as a thief , through the army , and afterwards hung upon a tree , that every man might behold him .Go , bid thy master well advise himself : If we may pass , we will ; if we be hinder ’ d , We shall your tawny ground with your red blood Discolour :] My desire is , that none of you be so unadvised , as to be the occasion that I in my defence shall colour and make red your tawny ground with the effusion of Christian blood . When hehad thus answered the Herald , he gave him a great reward , and licensed him to depart . — Holinshed . Hen . Gloster , ’ tis true that we are in great danger ; The greater therefore should our courage be . Enter BEDFORD , R. H . Good morrow , brother Bedford .— Gracious Heaven ! There is some soul of goodness in things evil , Would men observingly distil it out ; For our bad neighbour makes us early stirrers , Which is both healthful and good husbandry . Thus may we gather honey from the weed , And make a moral of the devil himself . Enter ERPINGHAM . L. H . Good morrow , old Sir Thomas Erpingham : A good soft pillow for that good white head Were better than a churlish turf of France . Hen . Lend me thy cloak , Sir Thomas .— Brothers both , Commend me to the princes in our camp ; Do my good morrow to them ; and anon Desire them all to my pavilion . Hen . No , my good knight ; Go with my brothers to my lords of England : I and my bosom must debate a while , And then I would no other company . Hen . Gad-a-mercy , old heart ! thou speakest cheerfully . Hen . A friend . Hen . I am a gentleman of a company . Hen . Even so . What are you ? Hen . Then you are a better than the king . Hen . Harry le Roi . Hen . No , I am a Welshman . Hen . Yes . Hen . Do not you wear your dagger in your cap that day , lest he knock that about yours . Hen . And his kinsman too . Hen . I thank you : Heaven be with you ! Hen . It sortswell with your fierceness . Hen . Though it appear a little out of fashion , there is much care and valour in this Welshman . Hen . A friend . Hen . Under Sir Thomas Erpingham . Hen . Even as men wrecked upon a sand , that look to be washed off the next tide . Hen . No ; nor it is not meet he should .For , though I speak it to you , I think the king is but a man , as I am : the violet smells to him as it doth to me ; the element shows to him as it doth to me ; all his senses have but human conditions :therefore when he sees reason of fears , as we do , his fears , out of doubt , be of the same relish as ours are : Yet , in reason , no man should possess him with any appearance of fear , lest he , by showing it , should dishearten his army . Hen . By my troth , I will speak my conscience of the king : I think he would not wish himself any where but where he is . Hen . I dare say you love him not so ill , to wish him here alone , howsoever you speak this , to feel other men ’ s minds : Methinks I could not die any where so contented as in the king ’ s company ; his cause being just , and his quarrel honourable . Hen . So , if a son , that is by his father sent about merchandise , do sinfully miscarry upon the sea , the imputation of his wickedness , by your rule , should be imposed upon his father that sent him :— But this is not so : the king is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers , nor the father of his son , for they purpose not their death , when they purpose their services . Every subject ’ s duty is the king ’ s ; but every subject ’ s soul is his own . Therefore should every soldier in the wars do as every sick man in his bed , wash every mote out of his conscience : and dying so , death is to him advantage ; or not dying , the time was blessedly lost wherein such preparation was gained . Hen . I myself heard the king say he would not be ransomed . Hen . If I live to see it , I will never trust his word after . Hen . Your reproof is something too round :I should be angry with you , if the time were convenient . Hen . I embrace it . Hen . Give me any gage of thine , and I will wear it in my bonnet : then , if ever thou darest acknowledge it , I will make it my quarrel . Hen . There . Hen . If ever I live to see it , I will challenge it . Hen . Well , I will do it , though I take thee in the king ’ s company . Hen . Upon the king ! let us our lives , our souls , Our sins , lay on the king !— we must bear all . O hard condition , twin-born with greatness , Subjected to the breath of every fool . What infinite heart ’ s ease must king ’ s neglect , That private men enjoy ! And what have kings , that privates have not too , Save ceremony , save general ceremony ? And what art thou , thou idol ceremony ? Art thou aught else but place , degree , and form , Creating awe and fear in other men ? Wherein thou art less happy being fear ’ d Than they in fearing . What drink ’ st thou oft , instead of homage sweet , But poison ’ d flattery ? O , be sick , great greatness , And bid thy ceremony give thee cure ! Canst thou , when thou command ’ st the beggar ’ s knee , Command the health of it ? No , thou proud dream , That play ’ st so subtly with a king ’ s repose : I am a king that find thee ; and I know , ’ Tis not the balm , the sceptre , and the ball , The sword , the mace , the crown imperial , The throne he sits on , nor the tide of pomp That beats upon the high shore of this world , No , not all these , thrice-gorgeous ceremony , Not all these , laid in bed majestical , Can sleep so soundly as the wretched slave , Who , with a body fill ’ d and vacant mind , Gets him to rest , cramm ’ d with distressful bread ; And but for ceremony , such a wretch , Winding up days with toil and nights with sleep , Had the fore-hand and vantage of a king . Hen . Good old knight , Collect them all together at my tent : I ’ ll be before thee . Hen . O God of battles ! steel my soldier ’ s hearts ; Possess them not with fear ; take from them now The sense of reckoning , lest the opposed numbers Pluck their hearts from them !— Not to-day , O Lord , O , not to-day , think not upon the fault My father made in compassing the crown ! I Richard ’ s body have interred new ;And on it have bestow ’ d more contrite tears , Than from it issu ’ d forced drops of blood : Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay , Who twice a day their wither ’ d hands hold up Toward heaven , to pardon blood : More will I do —The day , my friends , and all things stay for me .i. e ., one of the people . ]i. e ., a better man than the king . ]A burlesque term of endearment , supposed to be derived from beau coq . ]An imp is a young shoot , but means a son in Shakespeare . In this sense the word has become obsolete , and is now only understood as a small or inferior devil . In Holingshed , p. 951 , the last words of Lord Cromwell are preserved , who says :— “—— and after him , that his son Prince Edward , that goodly imp , may long reign over you .”] Hen . What ’ s he that wishes so ? My cousin Westmoreland ?— No , my fair cousin : If we are mark ’ d to die , we are enough To do our country loss ; and if to live , The fewer men , the greater share of honour . I pray thee , wish not one man more . Rather proclaim it , Westmoreland , through my host , That he who hath no stomach to this fight . Let him depart ; his passport shall be made , And crowns for convoy put into his purse : We would not die in that man ’ s company , That fears his fellowship to die with us . This day is call ’ d — the feast of Crispian : He , that outlives this day , and comes safe home , Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam ’ d , And rouse him at the name of Crispian . He that shall live this day , and see old age , Will yearly on the vigil feast his friends , And say — to-morrow is Saint Crispian : Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars , And say , those wounds I had on Crispin ’ s day . Old men forget ; yet all shall be forgot , But he ’ ll remember with advantages What feats he did that day : Then shall our names , Familiar in their mouths as household words ,— Harry the King , Bedford and Exeter , Warwick and Talbot , Salisbury and Gloster ,— Be in their flowing cups freshly remember ’ d . This story shall the good man teach his son ; And Crispin Crispian shall ne ’ er go by , From this day to the ending of the world , But we in it shall be remembered . We few , we happy few , we band of brothers ; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother ; be he ne ’ er so vile , This day shall gentle his condition : And gentlemen in England , now a-bed , Shall think themselves accurs ’ d they were not here ; And hold their manhoods cheap while any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin ’ s day . Hen .All things are ready , if our minds be so . Hen . Thou dost not wish more help from England , cousin ? Hen .Who hath sent thee now ? Hen . I pray thee , bear my former answer back : Bid them achieve me , and then sell my bones . Good Heaven ! Why should they mock poor fellows thus ? The man , that once did sell the lion ’ s skin While the beast liv ’ d , was kill ’ d with hunting him . Let me speak proudly :— Tell the Constable , We are but warriors for the working-day : Our gayness and our guilt are all besmirch ’ d With rainy marching in the painful field , And time hath worn us into slovenry . But , by the mass , our hearts are in the trim ; And my poor soldiers tell me — yet ere night They ’ ll be in fresher robes ; or they will pluck The gay new coats o ’ er the French soldiers ’ heads , And turn them out of service . Come thou no more for ransom , gentle herald : They shall have none , I swear , but these my joints , Which if they have as I will leave ’ em to them , Shall yield them little , tell the Constable . Hen . Now , soldiers , march away :— And how thou pleasest , Heaven , dispose the day !Trumpet March .The king is reported to have dismounted before the battle commenced , and to have fought on foot . ]i. e ., the evening before the festival . ]Old men , notwithstanding the natural forgetfulness of age , shall remember their feats of this day , and remember to tell them with advantage . Age is commonly boastful , and inclined to magnify past acts and past times . — JOHNSON . ]It may be observed that we are apt to promise to ourselves a more lasting memory than the changing state of human things admits . This prediction is not verified ; the feast of Crispin passes by without any mention of Agincourt . Late events obliterate the former : the civil wars have left in this nation scarcely any tradition of more ancient history . — JOHNSON . ]This day shall advance him to the rank of a gentleman . King Henry V. inhibited any person but such as had a right by inheritance , or grant , to assume coats of arms , except those who fought with him at the battle of Agincourt ; and , I think , these last were allowed the chief seats of honour at all feasts and publick meetings . — TOLLET . ] Hen . I was not angry since I came to France , Until this instant .— Take a trumpet , herald ; Ride thou unto the horsemen on yon hill : If they will fight with us , bid them come down , Or void the field ; they do offend our sight : If they ’ ll do neither , we will come to them ; And make them skirr away , as swift as stones Enforced from the old Assyrian slings . Go , and tell them so . Hen . Lives he , good uncle ? thrice within this hour , I saw him down ; thrice up again and fighting ; From helmet to the spur , all blood he was . Hen . I blame you not : For , hearing this , I must perforce compound With mistful eyes , or they will issue too . Hen . How now ! what means this , herald ? Com ’ st thou again for ransom ? Hen . I tell thee truly , herald , I know not if the day be ours or no ; For yet a many of your horsemen peer And gallop o ’ er the field . Hen . Praised be Heaven , and not our strength , for it !— What is this castle call ’ d that stands hard by ? Hen . Then call we this — the field of Agincourt , Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus . Hen .They did , Fluellen . Hen . I wear it for a memorable honour ; For I am Welsh , you know , good countryman . Hen . Thanks , good my countryman . Hen . Heaven keep me so !— Our herald go with him : Bring me just notice of the numbers dead On both our parts .— Call yonder fellow hither . Hen .Soldier , why wear ’ st thou that glove in thy cap ? Hen . An Englishman ? Hen . What think you , Captain Fluellen ? is it fit this soldier keep his oath ? Hen . It may be his enemy is a gentleman of great sort ,quite from the answer of his degree . Hen . Then keep thy vow , sirrah , when thou meet ’ st the fellow . Hen . Who servest thou under ? Hen . Call him hither to me , soldier . Hen . Here , Fluellen ; wear thou this favour for me , and stick it in thy cap : When Alençon and myself were down together ,I plucked this glove from his helm : if any man challenge this , he is a friend to Alençon and an enemy to our person ; if thou encounter any such , apprehend him , an thou dost love me . Hen . Knowest thou Gower ? Hen . Pray thee , go seek him , and bring him to my tent . Hen .My lord of Warwick ,— and my brother Gloster ,Follow Fluellen closely at the heels : The glove which I have given him for a favour May haply purchase him a box o ’ the ear ; It is the soldier ’ s ; I , by bargain , should Wear it myself . Follow , good cousin Warwick :If that the soldier strike himSome sudden mischief may arise of it ; For I do know Fluellen valiant , And , touch ’ d with choler , hot as gunpowder , And quickly will return an injury : Follow ,and see there be no harm between them .—Go you with me , Uncle of Exeter .Trumpets sound . Hen .How now ! what ’ s the matter ? Hen . Give me thy glove , soldier : Look , here is the fellow of it . ’ Twas I , indeed , thou promised ’ st to strike ; and thou hast given me most bitter terms . Hen . How can ’ st thou make me satisfaction ? Hen . It was ourself thou didst abuse . Hen . Here , uncle Exeter , fill this glove with crowns , And give it to this fellow .— Keep it , fellow ; And wear it for an honour in thy cap Till I do challenge it .— Give him the crowns :— And , captain , you must needs be friends with him . Hen .Now , herald , are the dead number ’ d ? Hen .What prisoners of good sort are taken , uncle ? Hen . This note doth tell me of ten thousand French That in the field lie slain : of princes , in this number , And nobles bearing banners , there lie dead One hundred twenty-six : added to these , Of knights , esquires , and gallant gentlemen , Eight thousand and four hundred ; of the which , Five hundred were but yesterday dubb ’ d knights : So that , in these ten thousand they have lost , There are but sixteen hundred mercenaries : The rest are — princes , barons , lords , knights , ’ squires , And gentlemen of blood and quality . Here was a royal fellowship of death !—— What is the number of our English dead ? Hen . O Heaven , thy arm was here ; And not to us , but to thy arm alone , Ascribe we all ! When , without stratagem , But in plain shock and even play of battle , Was ever known so great and little loss On one part and on the other ?— Take it , Heaven , For it is only thine ! Hen . Come , go we in procession to the village : And be it death proclaimed through our host To boast of this , or take that praise from Heaven Which is his only . Hen . Yes , captain ; but with this acknowledgment , That Heaven fought for us . Hen . Do we all holy rites :Let there be sung Non nobis and Te Deum ; The dead with charity enclos ’ d in clay : We ’ ll then to Calais ; and to England then ; Where ne ’ er from France arriv ’ d more happy men .END OF ACT FOUR .In ancient times , the distribution of this honor appears to have been customary on the eve of a battle . ]i. e ., common soldiers , hired soldiers . ] HISTORICAL NOTES TO ACT FOURTH .The English Camp at Agincourt . ] The French were about a quarter of a mile from them at Agincourt and Ruisseauville , and both armies proceeded to light their fires , and to make the usual arrangements for a bivouack . The night was very rainy , and much inconvenience is said to have been experienced in each camp from wet and cold , accompanied , among the English , by hunger and fatigue . It was passed in a manner strictly consistent with their relative situations . The French , confident in their numbers , occupied the hours not appropriated to sleep in calculating upon their success ; and in full security of a complete victory , played at dice with each other for the disposal of their prisoners , an archer being valued at a blank , and the more important persons in proportion ; whilst the English were engaged in preparing their weapons , and in the most solemn acts of religion . * * * The Chronicler in the text states , that from the great stillness which prevailed throughout the English camp , the enemy imagined they were panic-struck , and intended to decamp . Monstrelet relates that the English “ were much fatigued and oppressed by cold , hunger , and other annoyances ; that they made their peace with God , by confessing their sins with tears , and numbers of them taking the sacrament ; for , as it was related by some prisoners , they looked for certain death on the morrow .”Enter Erpingham . ] Sir Thomas Erpingham came over with Bolingbroke from Bretagne , and was one of the commissioners to receive King Richard ’ s abdication . In Henry the Fifth ’ s time Sir Thomas was warden of Dover Castle , and at the battle of Agincourt , was commander of the Archers . This venerable knight is described by Monstrelet to have grown grey with age and honour ; and when orders were given for the English army to march toward the enemy , by Henry crying aloud , “ Advance banners ,” Sir Thomas threw his truncheon in the air as a signal to the whole field , exclaiming , “ Now strike ;” and loud and repeated shouts testified the readiness with which they obeyed the command .I Richard ’ s body have interred new ;] Henry was anxious not only to repair his own misconduct , but also to make amends for those iniquities into which policy or the necessity of affairs had betrayed his father . He expressed the deepest sorrow for the fate of the unhappy Richard , did justice to the memory of that unfortunate prince , even performed his funeral obsequies with pomp and solemnity , and cherished all those who had distinguished themselves by their loyalty and attachment towards him . — Hume ’ s History of England .Enter Orleans . ] Charles Duke of Orleans was wounded and taken prisoner at Agincourt . Henry refused all ransom for him , and he remained in captivity twenty-three years . This prince was a celebrated poet , and some of his most beautiful verses were composed during his confinement in the Tower of London . He married Isabella of Valois , daughter of Charles VI . and Isabeau of Bavaria , eldest sister to the Princess Katharine , Queen of Henry V . Isabella was the widow of our Richard the Second when she married the Duke of Orleans . After the victory of Agincourt , the following anecdote is related by Remy :— “ During their journey to Calais , at a place where they rested , Henry caused bread and wine to be brought to him , which he sent to the Duke of Orleans ; but the French Prince would neither eat nor drink . This being reported to the King , he imagined that it arose from dissatisfaction , and , therefore , went to the duke . ‘ Noble cousin ,’ said Henry , ‘ how are you ?’ ‘ Well , my lord ,’ answered the duke . ‘ Why , then , is it ,’ added the King , ‘ that you will neither eat nor drink ?’ To which Orleans replied , ‘ that truly he had no inclination for food .’ ‘ Noble cousin ,’ rejoined Henry , ‘ be of good heart . I know that God gave me the victory over the French , not that I deserved it , but I fully believe that he wished to punish them ; and if what I have heard is true , it is not to be wondered at , for never were there greater disorder , sensuality , sins , and vices seen than now prevail in France ; which it is horrible to hear described ; and if God is provoked , it is not a subject of surprise , and no one can be astonished .’ Many more conversations are said to have passed between the King and the Duke of Orleans , and the commisseration and courtesy of the former to his prisoners is mentioned by every writer in terms of just praise .”The English army , drawn up for battle ;] The victory gained at Agincourt , in the year 1415 , is , in a great measure , ascribed to the English Archers , and that there might be no want of arrows , Henry V. ordered the sheriffs of several counties to procure feathers from the wings of geese , plucking six from each goose . An archer of this time was clad in a cuirass , or a hauberk of chain-mail , with a salade on his head , which was a kind of bacinet . Every man had a good bow , a sheaf of arrows , and a sword . Fabian describes the archer ’ s dress at the battle of Agincourt . “ The yeomen had their limbs at liberty , for their hose was fastened with one point , and their jackets were easy to shoot in , so that they might draw bows of great strength , and shoot arrows a yard long .” Some are described as without hats or caps , others with caps of boiled leather , or wicker work , crossed over with iron ; some without shoes , and all in a very dilapidated condition . Each bore on his shoulder a long stake , sharpened at both extremities , which he was instructed to fix obliquely before him in the ground , and thus oppose a rampart of pikes to the charge of the French Cavalry .O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to day ! ] A certain lord Walter Hungerford , knight , was regretting in the king ’ s presence that he had not , in addition to the small retinue which he had there , ten thousand of the best English Archers , who would be desirous of being with him ; when the King said , Thou speaketh foolishly , for , by the God of Heaven , on whose grace I have relied , and in whom I have a firm hope of victory , I would not , even if I could , increase my number by one ; for those whom I have are the people of God , whom He thinks me worthy to have at this time . Dost thou not believe the Almighty , with these his humble few , is able to conquer the haughty opposition of the French , who pride themselves on their numbers , and their own strength , as if it might be said they would do as they liked ? And in my opinion , God , of his true justice , would not bring any disaster upon one of so great confidence , as neither fell out to Judas Maccabeus until he became distrustful , and thence deservedly fell into ruin . — Nicolas ’ s History of Agincourt .Enter King Henry , attended . ] Henry rose with the earliest dawn , and immediately heard three masses . He was habited in his “ cote d ’ armes ,” containing the arms of France and England quarterly , and wore on his bacinet a very rich crown of gold and jewels , circled like an imperial crown , that is , arched over . The earliest instance of an arched crown worn by an English monarch . — Vide Planché ’ s History of British Costume . King Henry had at Agincourt for his person five banners ; that is , the banner of the Trinity , the banner of St. George , the banner of St. Edward , the banner of St. Edmund , and the banner of his own arms . “ When the King of England had drawn up his order of battle he made a fine address to his troops , exhorting them to act well ; saying , that he was come into France to recover his lawful inheritance , and that he had good and just cause to claim it ; that in that quarrel they might freely and surely fight ; that they should remember that they were born in the kingdom where their fathers and mothers , wives and children , now dwelt , and therefore they ought to strive to return there with great glory and fame ; that the kings of England , his predecessors , had gained many noble battles and successes over the French ; that on that day every one should endeavour to preserve his own person and the honor of the crown of the King of England . He moreover reminded them that the French boasted they would cut off three fingers from the right hand of every archer they should take , so that their shot should never again kill man nor horse . The army cried out loudly , saying , ‘ Sir , we pray God give you a good life , and the victory over your enemies .’” — Nicolas ’ s History of Agincourt . The banner of the Oriflamme is said to have been unfurled by the French for the last time at Agincourt .The feast of Crispian . ] The battle of Agincourt was fought upon the 25th of October , 1415 , St. Crispin ’ s day . The legend upon which this is founded , is as follows :— “ Crispinus and Crispianus were brethren , born at Rome ; from whence they travelled to Soissons in France , about the year 303 , to propagate the Christian religion ; but because they would not be chargeable to others for their maintenance , they exercised the trade of shoemakers ; but the Governor of the town , discovering them to be Christians , ordered them to be beheaded about the year 303 . From which time , the shoemakers made choice of them for their tutelar saints .” — See Hall ’ s Chronicle .Bedford and Exeter , Warwick and Talbot , Salisbury and Gloster . ] Although Shakespeare has adhered very closely to history in many parts of Henry V ., he has deviated very much from it in the Dramatis Personæ . He makes the Duke of Bedford accompany Henry to Harfleur and Agincourt when he was Regent of England . The Earl of Exeter , or , more properly speaking , the Earl of Dorset , was left to command Harfleur ; the Earl of Westmoreland , so far from quitting England , was appointed to defend the marches of Scotland , nor does it appear that the Earl of Salisbury was either at Harfleur or Agincourt . The Earl of Warwickhad returned to England ill from Harfleur . The characters introduced in the play who really were at Agincourt , are the Dukes of Gloucester and York , and Sir Thomas Erpingham . Holinshed states that the English army consisted of 15 , 000 , and the French of 60 , 000 horse and 40 , 000 infantry — in all , 100 , 000 . Walsingham and Harding represent the English as but 9 , 000 , and other authors say that the number of French amounted to 150 , 000 . Fabian says the French were 40 , 000 , and the English only 7 , 000 . The battle lasted only three hours .How thou pleasest , Heaven , dispose the day . ] At the battle of Agincourt , having chosen a convenient spot on which to martial his men , the king sent privately two hundred archers into a low meadow , which was on one of his flanks , where they were so well secured by a deep ditch and a marsh , that the enemy could not come near them . Then he divided his infantry into three squadrons , or battles ; the van-warde , or avant-guard , composed entirely of archers ; the middle-warde , of bill-men only ; and the rerewarde , of bill-men and archers mixed together ; the horse-men , as wings , went on the flanks of each of the battles . He also caused stakes to be made of wood about five or six feet long , headed with sharp iron ; these were fixed in the ground , and the archers so placed before them that they were entirely hid from the sight of the enemy . When , therefore , the heavy cavalry of the French charged , which was done with the utmost impetuosity , under the idea of cutting down and riding over the archers , they shrunk at once behind the stakes , and the Frenchmen , unable to stop their horses , rode full upon them , so that they overthrew their riders , and caused the utmost confusion . The infantry , who were to follow up and support this charge , were so struck with amazement that they hesitated , and by this were lost , for during the panic the English archers threw back their bows , and with axes , bills , glaives , and swords , slew the French , till they met the middle-warde . The king himself , according to Speed , rode in the main battle completely armed , his shield quartering the achievements of France and England ; upon his helm he wore a coronet encircled with pearls and precious stones , and after the victory , although it had been cut and bruised , he would not suffer it to be ostentatiously exhibited to the people , but ordered all his men to give the glory to God alone . His horse was one of fierce courage , and had a bridle and furniture of goldsmiths ’ work , and the caparisons were most richly embroidered with the victorious ensigns of the English monarchy . Thus is he represented on his great seal , with the substitution of a knights ’ cap , and the crest , for the chaplet . Elmham ’ s account , from which this is amplified , is more particular in some of the details ; he relates , that the king appeared on a palfrey , followed by a train of led horses , ornamented with the most gorgeous trappings ; his helmet was of polished steel , surmounted with a coronet sparkling with jewels , and on his surcoat , or rather jupon , were emblazoned the arms of France and England , azure , three fleurs-de-lis or , and gules , three lion ’ s passant guardant or . The nobles , in like manner , were decorated with their proper armorial bearings . Before him was borne the royal standard , which was ornamented with gold and splendid colours . An account of the memorable battle of Azincourt , or Agincourt , fought on the 25th of October , 1415 , is thus related by Mr. Turner :— “ At dawn the King of England had matins and the mass chaunted in his army . He stationed all the horses and baggage in the village , under such small guard as he could spare , having resolved to fight the battle on foot . He sagaciously perceived that his only chance of victory rested in the superiority of the personal fortitude and activity of his countrymen , and to bring them face to face , and arm to arm , with their opponents , was the simple object of his tactical dispositions . He formed his troops into three divisions , with two wings . The centre , in which he stationed himself , he planted to act against the main body of the French , and he placed the right and left divisions , with their wings , at a small distance only from himself . He so chose his ground that the village protected his rear , and hedges and briars defended his flanks . Determined to shun no danger , but to be a conspicuous example to his troops on a day when no individual exertions could be spared , he put on a neat and shining armour , with a large and brilliant helmet , and on this he placed a crown , radiant with its jewels , and he put over him a tunic adorned with the arms of France and England . He mounted his horse , and proceeded to address his troops . The French were commanded by the Constable of France , and with him were the Dukes of Orleans , Burgundy , Berry , and Alençon , the Marshal and Admiral of France , and a great assemblage of French nobility . Their force was divided into three great battalions , and continued formed till ten o ’ clock , not advancing to the attack . They were so numerous as to be able to draw up thirty deep , the English but four . A thousand speared horsemen skirmished from each of the horns of the enemy ’ s line , and it appeared crowded with balistae for the projection of stones of all sizes on Henry ’ s little army . Henry sent a part of his force behind the village of Agincourt , where the French had placed no men at arms . He moved from the rear of his army , unperceived , two hundred archers , to hide themselves in a meadow on the flank of the French advanced line . An old and experienced knight , Sir Thomas Erpingham , formed the rest into battle array for an attack , putting the archers in front , and the men at arms behind . The archers had each a sharp stake pointed at both ends , to use against the French horse . Sir Thomas having completed his formation , threw up his truncheon in the air , and dismounted . The English began the attack , which the French had awaited , not choosing to give the advantage as at Poictiers ; but when they saw them advance , they put themselves in motion , and their cavalry charged ; these were destroyed by the English archers . The French , frightened by the effect of the arrows , bent their heads to prevent them from entering the vizors of their helmets , and , pressing forward , became so wedged together as to be unable to strike . The archers threw back their bows , and , grasping their swords , battle-axes , and other weapons , cut their way to the second line . At this period the ambushed archers rushed out , and poured their impetuous and irresistable arrows into the centre of the assailed force , which fell in like manner with the first line . In short , every part successively gave way , and the English had only to kill and take prisoners .”The Duke of York commanded the van guard of the English army , and was slain in the battle . This personage is the same who appears in Shakespeare ’ s play of King Richard the Second by the title of Duke of Aumerle . His Christian name was Edward . He was the eldest son of Edmund Langley , Duke of York , who is introduced in the same play , and who was the fifth son of King Edward III . Richard , Earl of Cambridge , who appears in the second act of this play , was younger brother to this Edward , Duke of York .Ride thou unto the horsemen on yon hill :] After the battle , “ there were small bodies of the French on different parts of the plain , but they were soon routed , slain , or taken .”Enter MONTJOY . ] Heasked Montjoye to whom the victory belonged , to him or to the King of France ? Montjoye replied that the victory was his , and could not be claimed by the King of France . The king said to the French and English heralds , “ It is not we who have made this great slaughter , but the omnipotent God , as we believe , for a punishment of the sins of the French . The king then asked the name of the castle he saw near him . He was told it was Agincourt . Well , then , said he , since all battles should bear the name of the fortress nearest to the spot where they were fought , this battle shall from henceforth bear the ever durable name of Agincourt .” — Nicolas ’ s History of Agincourt .When Alençon and myself were down together . ] During the battle , the Duke of Alençon most valiantly broke through the English line , and advanced , fighting , near to the king , insomuch that he wounded and struck down the Duke of York . King Henry , seeing this , stepped forth to his aid , and as he was leaning down to raise him , the Duke of Alençon gave him a blow on the helmet that struck off part of his crown . The king ’ s guard on this surrounded him , when , seeing he could no way escape death but by surrendering , he lifted up his arm , and said to the king , “ I am the Duke of Alençon , and yield myself to you ;” but as the king was holding out his hand to receive his pledge , he was put to death by the guards . — Nicolas ’ s History of Agincourt .Enter WARWICK and GLOSTER . ] The noble Duke of Gloucester , the king ’ s brother , pushing himself too vigorously on his horse into the conflict , was grievously wounded , and cast down to the earth by the blows of the French , for whose protection the king being interested , he bravely leapt against his enemies in defence of his brother , defended him with his own body , and plucked and guarded him from the raging malice of the enemy ’ s , sustaining perils of war scarcely possible to be borne . — Nicolas ’ s History of Agincourt .Here was a royal fellowship of death !—] There is not much difficulty in forming a correct estimate of the numbers of the French slain at Agincourt , for if those writers who only state that from three to five thousand were killed , merely meant the men-at-arms and persons of superior rank , and which is exceedingly probable , we may at once adopt the calculation of Monstrelet , Elmham , & c ., and estimate the whole loss on the field at from ten to eleven thousand men . It is worthy of remark how very nearly the different statements on the subject approach to each other , and which can only be explained by the fact that the dead had been carefully numbered . Among the most illustrious persons slain were the Dukes of Brabant , Barré , and Alençon , five counts , and a still greater proportion of distinguished knights ; and the Duke of Orleans , the Count of Vendôsme , who was taken by Sir John Cornwall , the Marshall Bouciqualt , and numerous other individuals of distinction , whose names are minutely recorded by Monstrelet , were made prisoners . The loss of the English army has been variously estimated . The discrepancies respecting the number slain on the part of the victors , form a striking contrast to the accuracy of the account of the loss of their enemies . The English writers vary in their statements from seventeen to one hundred , whilst the French chroniclers assert that from three hundred to sixteen hundred individuals fell on that occasion . St. Remy and Monstrelet assert that sixteen hundred were slain . — Nicolas ’ s History of Agincourt . Hen . Peace to this meeting , wherefore we are met ! Unto our brother France ,— and to our sister , Health and fair time of day ;— joy and good wishes To our most fair and princely cousin Katharine ; And We do salute you , duke of Burgundy ;— And , princes French , and peers , health to you all ! Hen . To cry amen to that , thus we appear . Hen . If , duke of Burgundy , you would the peace , Which you have cited , you must buy that peace With full accord to all our just demands ; Whose tenours and particular effects You have , enschedul ’ d briefly , in your hands . Hen . Brother , we shall .— Go , uncle Exeter ,— And brother Bedford ,— and you , brother Gloster ,— Warwick ,— and Huntingdon ,— go with the king ; And take with you free power , to ratify , Augment , or alter , as your wisdoms best Shall see advantageable for our dignity , And we ’ ll consign thereto .—Will you , fair sister , Go with the princes , or stay here with us ? Hen . Yet leave our cousin Katharine here with us : She is our capital demand , compris ’ d Within the fore rank of our articles . Hen . Fair Katharine , and most fair ! Will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms , Such as will enter at a lady ’ s ear , And plead his love-suit to her gentle heart ? Hen . O fair Katharine , if you will love me soundly with your French heart , I will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongue . Do you like me , Kate ? Hen . An angel is like you , Kate , and you are like an angel . Hen . I said so , dear Katharine ; and I must not blush to affirm it . Hen . What say you , fair one ? Hen . I ’ faith , Kate . I know no ways to mince it in love , but directly to say — I love you : then , if you urge me further than to say — Do you in faith ? I wear out my suit . Give me your answer ; i ’ faith , do ; and so clap hands and a bargain : How say you , lady ? Hen . Marry , if you would put me to verses or to dance for your sake , Kate , why you undid me . If I could win a lady at leap-frog , or by vaulting into my saddle with my armour on my back , under the correction of bragging , be it spoken , I should quickly leap into a wife . But , before Heaven , I cannot look greenly ,nor gasp out my eloquence , nor I have no cunning in protestation ; only downright oaths , which I never use till urged , nor never break for urging . If thou canst love a fellow of this temper , Kate , whose face is not worth sun-burning , that never looks in his glass for love of any thing he sees there , let thine eye be thy cook . I speak to thee plain soldier : If thou canst love me for this , take me ; if not , to say to thee — that I shall die , is true , but — for thy love , by the lord , no ; yet I love thee too . And while thou livest , dear Kate , take a fellow of plain and uncoined constancy ;for a good leg will fall ;a straight back will stoop ; a black beard will turn white ; a curled pate will grow bald ; a fair face will wither ; a full eye will wax hollow : but a good heart , Kate , is the sun and moon ; or , rather , the sun , and not the moon , for it shines bright , and never changes , but keeps his course truly . If thou would have such a one , take me : And take me , take a soldier ; take a soldier , take a king : And what sayest thou , then , to my love ? speak , my fair , and fairly , I pray thee . Hen . No ; it is not possible you should love the enemy of France , Kate : but , in loving me , you should love the friend of France ; for I love France so well , that I will not part with a village of it ; I will have it all mine : and , Kate , when France is mine , and I am yours , then yours is France , and you are mine . Hen . Kate , dost thou understand thus much English ? Canst thou love me ? Hen . Can any of your neighbours tell , Kate ? I ’ ll ask them . Come , I know thou lovest me : and at night , when you come into your closet , you ’ ll question this gentlewoman about me ; and I know , Kate , you will to her dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart . If ever thou be ’ st mine , Kate ,shall there not be a boy compounded between Saint Dennis and Saint George , half French , half English , that shall go to Constantinopleand take the Turk by the beard ? shall he not ? what sayest thou , my fair flower-de-luce ? How answer you , la plus belle Katharine du monde , mon très chère et divine déesse ? Hen . Now , fie upon my false French ! By mine honour , in true English , I love thee , Kate : by which honour I dare not swear thou lovest me ; yet my blood begins to flatter me that thou dost , notwithstanding the poor and untempting effect of my visage . But , in faith , Kate , the elder I wax , the better I shall appear : my comfort is , that old age , that ill layer-up of beauty , can do no more spoil upon my face : thou hast me , if thou hast me , at the worst ; and thou shalt wear me , if thou wear me , better and better : And therefore tell me , most fair Katharine , will you have me ? Put off your maiden blushes ; avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress ; take me by the hand , and say — Harry of England , I am thine : which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal , but I will tell thee aloud — England is thine , Ireland is thine , France is thine , and Henry Plantagenet is thine ; who , though I speak it before his face , if he be not fellow with the best king , thou shalt find the best king of good fellows . Come , your answer in broken musick , for thy voice is musick , and thy English broken ; therefore , queen of all , Katharine , break thy mind to me in broken English , Wilt thou have me ? Hen . Nay , it will please him well , Kate ; it shall please him , Kate . Hen . Upon that I will kiss your hand , and I call you — my queen . Hen . Then I will kiss your lips , Kate . Hen . O Kate , nice customs curt ’ sy to great kings . We are the makers of manners , Kate ; therefore , patiently , and yielding .You have witchcraft in your lips , Kate : there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of the French council ; and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs .Here comes your father .Re-enter the FRENCH KING and QUEEN , BURGUNDY , BEDFORD , GLOSTER , EXETER , WESTMORELAND . The other French and English Lords as before , U. E. R . and L . Hen .I would have her learn , my fair cousin , how perfectly I love her ; and that is good English . Hen . Our tongue is rough , coz , and my condition is not smooth ;so that , having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me , I cannot so conjure up the spirit of love in her , that he will appear in his true likeness . Shall Kate be my wife ? Hen . Now , welcome , Kate :— and bear me witness all , That here I take her as my sovereign queen . Prepare we for our marriage :— on which day , My lord of Burgundy , we ’ ll take your oath , And all the peers ’, for surety of our leagues .— Then shall I swear to Kate , and you to me ; And may our oaths well kept and prosp ’ rous be !