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About this text

  • Title: The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (Quarto, 1598)
  • Editors: Karen Sawyer Marsalek, Mathew Martin
  • Coordinating editor: Janelle Jenstad

  • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Editors: Karen Sawyer Marsalek, Mathew Martin
    Peer Reviewed

    The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth (Quarto, 1598)

    of Henry the fifth.
    Were it harder then brasse or bollion.
    755Hen.4. Nobly spoken, and like a King.
    Now trust me my Lords, I feare not but my sonne
    Will be as warlike and victorious a Prince,
    As euer raigned in England.
    L.Ambo. His former life shewes no lesse.
    760Hen.4. Wel my lords, I know not whether it be for sleep,
    Or drawing neare of drowsie summer of death,
    But I am verie much giuen to sleepe,
    Therefore good my Lords and my sonne,
    Draw the Curtains, depart my Chamber,
    765And cause some Musicke to rocke me a sleepe.
    Exeunt omnes.
    The King dieth.
    Enter the Theefe.
    Theefe Ah God, I am now much like to a Bird
    770Which hath escaped out of the Cage,
    For so soone as my Lord chiefe stustice heard
    That the old King was dead, he was glad to let me go,
    For feare of my Lord the yong Prince:
    But here comes some of his companions,
    775I wil see and I can get any thing of them,
    For old acquaintance.
    Enter Knights raunging.
    Tom. Gogs wounds, the King is dead.
    Ioc. Dead, then gogs blood, we shall be all kings.
    780Ned. Gogs wounds, I shall be Lord chiefe Iustice
    Of England.
    Tom. Why how, are you broken out of prison?
    Ned. Gogs wounds, how the villaine stinkes.
    Ioc. Why what wil become of thee now?
    785Fie vpon him, how the rascall stinkes.
    Theefe. Marry I wil go and serue my maister againe.
    Tom. Gogs blood, doost think that he wil haue any such
    Scabd knaue as thou art? what man he is a king now.
    D Ned.