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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)

    1630Enters King of England, Lord of Oxford and Exeter, then
    the King of France, Prince Dolphin, and the Duke of
    Burgondie, and attendants.
    Hen.5. Now my good brother of France,
    I hope by this time you haue deliberated of your answere?
    1635Fr. King. I my welbeloued brother of England,
    We haue viewed it ouer with our learned Councell,
    But cannnot finde that you should be crowned
    King of France.
    Hen.5. What not King of France, then nothing,
    1640I must be King: but my louing brother of France,
    I can hardly forget the late iniuries offered me,
    When I came last to parley,
    The French men had better a raked
    The bowels out of their fathers carkasses,
    1645Then to haue fiered my Tentes,
    And if I knew thy sonne Prince Dolphin for one,
    I would so rowse him, as he was neuer so rowsed.
    Fr. King. I dare sweare for my sonnes innocencie
    In this matter.
    1650But if this please you, that immediately you be
    Proclaimed and crowned heire and Regent of France,
    Not King, because I my selfe was once crowned King.
    Hen.5. Heire and Regent of France, that is well,
    But that is not all that I must haue.
    1655Fr. King. The rest my Secretary hath in writing.
    Secret. Item, that Henry King of England,
    Be Crowned heire and Regent of France,
    During the life of King Charles, and after his death,
    The
    of Henry the fifth.
    The Crowne with all rights, to remaine to King Henry
    1660Of England, and to his heires for euer.
    Hen.5. Well my good brother of France,
    There is one thing I must needs desire.
    Fr. King. What is that my good brother of England?
    Hen.5. That all your Nobles must be sworne to be true to me.
    1665Fr. King. Whereas they haue not stucke with greater
    Matters, I know they wil not sticke with such a trifle,
    Begin you my Lord Duke of Burgondie.
    Hen.5. Come my Lord of Burgondie,
    Take your oath vpon my sword.
    1670Burgon. I Philip Duke of Burgondie,
    Sweare to Henry King of England,
    To be true to him, and to become his league-man,
    And that if I Philip, heare of any forraigne power
    Comming to inuade the said Henry or his heires,
    1675 Then I the saide Philip to send him word,
    And aide him with all the power I can make,
    And thereunto I take my oath.
    He kisseth the sword.
    Hen.5. Come Prince Dolphin, you must sweare too.
    1680He kisseth the sword.
    Hen.5. Well my brother of France,
    There is one thing more I must needs require of you.
    Fr. King. Wherein is it that we may satisfie your (Maiestie?
    Hen.5. A trifle my good brother of France.
    1685I meane to make your daughter Queene of England,
    If she be willing, and you therewith content:
    How saist thou Kate, canst thou loue the King of England?
    Kate. How should I loue thee, which is my fathers enemy?
    Hen.5. Tut stand not vpon these points,
    1690Tis you must make vs friends:
    I know Kate, thou art not a litle proud, that I loue thee:
    What wench, the King of England?
    French
    The famous victories
    French King. Daughter let nothing stand betwixt the
    King of England and thee, agree to it.
    1695 Kate. I had best whilst he is willing,
    Least when I would, he will not:
    I rest at your Maiesties commaund.
    Hen.5. Welcome sweet Kate, but my brother of France,
    What say you to it?
    1700 French king. With all my heart I like it,
    But when shall be your wedding day?
    Hen.5. The first Sunday of the next moneth,
    God willing.
    Sound Trumpets.
    1705Exeunt omnes.
    FINIS.