ACT FIFTH SCENE I London. The palace. Sennet. Enter King, Gloucester, and Exeter. King. Have you perused the letters from the pope, The emperor, and the Earl of Armagnac? Glou. I have, my lord: and their intent is this: They humbly sue unto your excellence To have a godly peace concluded of 10 Between the realms of England and of France. King. How doth your grace affect their motion? Glou. Well, my good lord; and as the only means To stop effusion of our Christian blood And stablish quietness on every side. King. Aye, marry, uncle; for I always thought It was both impious and unnatural That such immanity and bloody strife Should reign among professors of one faith. Glou. Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect And surer bind this knct of amity, The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles, 17. "Knit," the reading of the Ff.; Pope first suggested "kin," which was also adopted by Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson; Capell restored "knit," which was adopted by Steevens and Malone. The Cambridge editions see in "knit," "a conceit suggested by the 'Knot of amity' in the preceding line."—I. G. A man of great authority in France, Proffers his only daughter to your grace In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry. 20 King. Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young! Than wanton dalliance with a paramour. Enter Winchester in Cardinal's habit, a Legate and two Ambassadors. Exe. What! is my Lord of Winchester install'd, And call'd unto a cardinal's degree? Then I perceive that will be verified 30 21. "Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!" Pope reads, "Marriage, alas! my years are yet too young"; Capell, "Marriage, good uncle! alas, my years are young"; Walker, "Marriage, uncle, 'las my years are young."-I. G. "My years are young"; "His majesty was, however, twenty-four years old."-Malone. 29. Beaufort's preferment to "a cardinal's degree" having happened about fifteen years back, it may seem strange that Exeter should now for the first time wonder at it as something new. This, however, is quite in keeping with other things in the same scene, such as the alleged youth of the king, who was at this time twentythree years old; and was, no doubt, done knowingly and upon principle, the later and earlier events being thus drawn nearer together for the convenience of the drama, and to preserve a more sensible unity in the representation. The point is well stated by Coleridge: "The history of our ancient kings, the events of their reigns, I mean,-are like stars in the sky;-whatever the real interspaces may be, and however great, they seem close to each other. The stars-the events-strike us and remain in our eye, little modified by the difference of dates."-H. N. H. Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy, He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.' I have inform'd his highness so at large, 40 Her beauty and the value of her dower, He doth intend she shall be England's queen. King. In argument and proof of which contract, Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection. And so, my lord protector, see them guarded And safely brought to Dover; where inshipp'd Commit them to the fortune of the sea. 50 [Exeunt all but Winchester and Legate. Win. Stay my lord legate: you shall first receive The sum of money which I promised Should be deliver'd to his holiness For clothing me in these grave ornaments. Leg. I will attend upon your lordship's leisure. Win. [Aside] Now Winchester will not submit, I trow, 46. "argument," evidence.-C. H. H. 49. “where inshipp'd"; the reading of F. 4; Ff. 1, 2, wherein ship'd"; F. 3, "wherein shipp'd.”—I. G. Or be inferior to the proudest peer. ceive That, neither in birth or for authority, 60 I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee, [Exeunt. SCENE II France. Plains in Anjou. Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alençon, Bastard, Reignier, La Pucelle, and forces. Char. These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits: 'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt 62. The negotiation, of which we here have a showing, took place in 1442. The matter is thus related by Holinshed: "In this yeare died in Guien the countesse of Comings, to whome the French king and also the earle of Arminacke pretended to be heire, insomuch that the earle entred into all the lands of the said ladie. And bicause he knew the French king would not take the matter well, to have a Roulard for an Oliver he sent ambassadours to the king of England, offering him his daughter in mariage, with promise to deliver all such castels and townes as he or his ancestors deteined from him within anie part of the duchie of Aquitaine. This offer seemed so profitable and honorable, that the ambassadours were well heard, honorably received, and with rewards sent home. After whome were sent sir Edward Hull, sir Robert Ros, and John Gralton, the which both concluded the mariage, and by proxie affied the yoong ladie. The French king, not a little offended herewith, sent his eldest sonne, with a puissant armie, which tooke the earle and his yoongest sonne, with both his daughters; and so by reason hereof the concluded mariage was deferred, and that so long that it never tooke effect."-H. N. H. And turn again unto the warlike French. Alen. Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France, And keep not back your powers in dalliance. Puc. Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us; Else, ruin combat with their palaces! Enter Scout. Scout. Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices! Char. What tidings send our scouts? I prithee, speak. Scout. The English army, that divided was 10 Into two parties, is now conjoin'd in one, And means to give you battle presently. Char. Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is; But we will presently provide for them. Bur. I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there: Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear. Puc. Of all base passions, fear is most accursed. Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine, 20 Let Henry fret and all the world repine. Char. Then on, my lords; and France be for tunate! [Exeunt. |