But all are 'banished,-till their conversations EPILOGUE, Spoken by a Dancer. [Exeunt First, my 'fear; then, my 'court'sy; last, my 'speech. My fear is, your displeasure; my court'sy, my duty; and my speech, to beg your pardons. If you look for a 'good speech 'now, you undo me: for what I 'have to say is of mine own 'making; and what indeed I 'should say, will, I doubt, prove mine own 'marring. If my 'tongue cannot entreat you to acquit me, will you command me to use my 'legs? and yet that were but 'light payment, to 'dance out of your debt. But a good 'conscience will make any possible satisfaction; and so will 'I. All the 'gentlewomen here have forgiven me: if the 'gentlemen will not, then the gentlemen do not agree with the gentle-'women,—which was never seen before in such an assembly. One word more, I beseech you. If you be not too much cloyed with fat meat, our humble author will 'continue the story, with Sir John in it, and make you merry with fair Katharine of France: where, for anything I know, Falstaff shall die of a sweat, unless already he be killed with your hard opinions; for 'Oldcastle* died a 'martyr, and this is 'not the man. My tongue is weary; when my 'legs are too, I will bid you good night; and so kneel down before you; but, indeed, to pray for the Queen.† [Exit. END OF HENRY IV-PART II. Alluding to Sir John Oldcastle, a character in the old play, and the supposed origi nal of Sir John Falstaff. † Queen Elizabeth. KING HENRY V. It will be observed that the play of " The Life of Henry the Fift' is not included in Meres' list of 1598: it must have been written in 1599. Shakespeare, in this play, makes very little use of the older drama known as "The Famous Victories of Henrye the Ffyft, conteyning the Honourable Battell of Agin Court," which was performed before 1588, but not printed until 1598. It was originally performed at the Globe Theatre-the "Wooden O" of the Prologue and first printed in 1600, with the following title: "The Cronicle History of Henry the Fift. With his battell fought at Agin Court in France. Togither with Auntient Pistoll. As it hath bene sundry times played by the right honourable the Lord Chamberlaine his servants." This early edition wants the Chorus and several scenes. The play was afterwards rewritten by Shakespeare; so that, in the folio of 1623, it is almost doubled in size. The character of Henry the Fifth was evidently a public favourite : he has a prominent place in three of these Historical plays: in which he figures successively as the affectionate, ardent Youththe gay licentious Prince-and the brave high-minded King, the greatest of England's Warrior Monarchs. This last-named personage is frequently introduced. To connect historical events, unfitted for dramatic representation, each Act is introduced by a kind of prologue-speaker or Chorus, who describes events necessary for the auditor to know. These prologues, says Schlegel, unite epic pomp and solemnity with lyrical simplicity: In them the Dramatist sings as a poetical herald what he could not represent to the eye; and by them the spectators are constantly reminded that the peculiar greatness of the actions cannot be developed on a narrow stage: and that they must supply, from their imaginations, the deficiencies of the representation. The reign of Henry the Fifth extended from 1413 till 1422. The Time, therefore, occupies more than eight years. The Scene, at the beginning of the play, is in England; but, at the end, in France. Dr. Johnson remarks that Shakespeare was evidently sensible of the absurdity of representing battles within the limits of a theatre; and, dilating chiefly on this point as an apology, the Chorus comes forward: Chor. O for a Muse of 'fire, that would ascend The brightest 'heaven of invention ! A 'kingdom for a stage, 'princes to 'act, Crouch for employment. Pardon, gentles all, So let us, 'ciphers to this great account, 'Think, when we talk of horses, that you 'see them + Stage. * Demeanour of the God of War. The old Phoenix Theatre in Drury Lane had been a cockpit. This play was originally performed at the Globe, a circular wooden building. § O. R. within this Wooden O. For 'tis your 'thoughts that now must deck our kings; Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray, Exit. The Scene opens on the Presence Chamber of the Royal Palace in London. King Henry has summoned a Council to receive and reply to the French Ambassador. The young King is attended by his brothers the Dukes of Gloucester and Bedford, and by his uncle the Duke of Exeter. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the first to address the King: Cant. Heaven and the angels 'guard your sacred throne, And may you 'long become it! K. Hen. Sure, we thank you. 'Why the law Salique,* that they have in France, Or should, or should 'not, 'bar us in our claim? Cant. Then hear me, gracious King: There is 'no bar To make against your highness' claim to France, But this, which they produce from Pharamond,†"No 'woman shall succeed in Salique land." K. Hen. May I, with right and conscience, make this claim? For in the Book of Numbers‡ is it writ,- K. Hen. Call-in the Messengers sent from the Dauphin. [Ex. Atten.. Now are we 'well resolved; and, by Heaven's help, And yours, France being ours, we 'll bend it to our awe, Or break it all to pieces. The Ambassador of France—with a train of Attendants bearing a heavily laden treasure-chest-enters the Council Chamber. 'Now are we 'well prepared to know the pleasure Of our fair cousin Dauphin: for, we hear, Your greeting is from 'him,—not from the King. Amb. May 't please your majesty to give us leave 'Freely to render what we have in charge? K. Hen. We are no 'tyrant, but a 'Christian King; The old law of the Salic or Salian Franks forbade succession through female descent. The semi-fabulous first King of France. Numbers 27: viii. O. R. man. Amb. Therefore, with frank and with uncurbéd plainness, Thus, then, in few:*- You cannot revel into dukedoms 'there. He therefore sends you-meeter for your spirit,— Exe. Opening the chest.]... Tennis-balls, my liege! K. Hen.... We are glad the Dauphin is so 'pleasant with us; His 'present, and your 'pains, we thank you for: Shall this his mock mock out of their dear 'husbands; And some are yet ungotten and unborn, That shall have cause to 'curse the Dauphin's scorn. To whom I do 'appeal; and in whose name, ... So get you 'hence in 'peace; and tell the Dauphin, When thousands 'weep, more than did 'laugh at it. The Duke of Exeter says to his royal nephew: Ex. Ambess. *Brief-in few words. † A courtly dance. + Game. |