France; and thus in Latin, Præclarissimus filius K. Hen. I pray you then, in love and dear Let that one article rank with the rest; And thereupon give me your daughter. Fr. King. Take her, fair son, and from her blood raise up Issue to me; that the contending kingdoms Of France and England, whose very shores look pale With envy of each other's happiness, 370 May cease their hatred, and this dear conjunction 380 In their sweet bosoms, that never war advance K. Hen. Now, welcome, Kate: and bear me witness all, That here I kiss her as my sovereign queen. [Flourish. Q. Isa. God, the best maker of all marriages, Combine your hearts in one, your realms in one! As man and wife, being two, are one in love, So be there 'twixt your kingdoms such a spousal, That never may ill office, or fell jealousy, Which troubles oft the bed of blessed marriage, Thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms, To make divorce of their incorporate league; That English may as French, French Englishmen, Receive each other. God speak this Amen! 369. Præclarissimus. Shakespeare took this word from Holinshed, the original treaty 390 naturally having præcaris 393. paction, compact. All. Amen! K. Hen. Prepare we for our marriage on which day, My Lord of Burgundy, we'll take your oath, 400 EPILOGUE. Enter Chorus Chor. Thus far, with rough and all-unable pen, Mangling by starts the full course of their glory. This star of England: Fortune made his sword; By which the world's best garden he achieved, And of it left his son imperial lord. Henry the Sixth, in infant bands crown'd King Of France and England, did this king succeed; 10 Whose state so many had the managing, That they lost France and made his England bleed: Which oft our stage hath shown; and, for their sake, In your fair minds let this acceptance take. 2. bending, i.e. under the weight of his task. 4. by starts, i.e. by breaks of [Exit. continuity, involved in the scenic method of drama. |