KING HENRY THE FIFTH. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. THE transactions comprised in this play commencedowed with every chivalrous and kingly virtue; open, about the latter end of the first, and terminate in the eighth year of this king's reign: when he married Katharine, princess of France, and closed up the differ ences betwixt England and that crown. sincere, affable, yet still disposed to innocent raillery, as a sort of reminiscence of his youth, in the intervals between his dangerous and renowned achievements. stage was, however, attended with great difficulty. The To bring his life after his ascent to the crown on the conquests in France were the only distinguished event of his reign and war is much more an epic than a dramatic object.-If we would have dramatic interest war must only be the means by which something else is accomplished, and not the last aim and substance of the dramatic; but he has availed himself of other circum whole. In King Henry the Fifth, no opportunity was afforded Shakspeare of rendering the issue of the war It is evident that a play on this subject had been per-battle of Agincourt he paints in the most lively colours formed before the year 1592. Nash, in his Pierce Pen- the light-minded impatience of the French leaders for stances attending it with peculiar care. 'Before the niless, dated in that year, says, What a glorious thing the moment of battle, which to them seemed infallibly is to have Henry the Fift represented on the stage, leading the French king prisoner, and forcing both him the uneasiness of the English king and his army, from and the Dolphin to sweare fealtie. Perhaps this same the moment of victory; on the other hand, he paints play was thus entered on the books of the Stationers' mination, if they are to fall, at least to fall with honour. Company:Thomas Strode] May 2. 1594. A booke He applies this as a general contrast between the French their desperate situation, coupled with the firm deterentituled The famous Victories of Henry the Fift, con- and English national characters; a contrast which betaining the honourable Battle of Agincourt. There are two more entries of a play of King Henry V. viz. trays a partiality for his own nation, certainly excusable between 1596 and 1615, and one August 14, 1600. Ma.in a poet, especially when he is backed with such a gloJone had an edition printed in 1598, and Steevens had rious document as that of the memorable battle in questwo copies of this play, one without date, and the other tion. He has surrounded the general events of the war dated 1617, both printed by Bernard Alsop; from one of with a fulness of individual characteristic, and even these it was reprinted in 1778, among six old plays on Irishman, a well-meaning, honourable, pedantic Welshwhich Shakspeare founded, &c. published by Mr. Nisometimes comic features. A heavy Scotchman, a hot chols. It is thought that this piece is prior to Shak-man, all speaking in their peculiar dialects. But all speare's King Henry V. and that it is the very ' displeas- this variety still seemed to the poet insufficient to aniing play' alluded to in the epilogue to the Second Part of King Henry IV. for Oldcastle died a martyr, &c. thing but a conquest. He has therefore tacked a promate a play of which the object was a conquest, and noble, and full of ribaldry and impiety. Shakspeare unite epic pomp and solemnity with lyrical sublimity, Oldcastle is the Falstaff of the piece, which is despica-logue (in the technical language of that day, a chorus) seems to have taken not a few hints from it; for it com- and among which the description of the two camps beto the beginning of each act. prehends, in some measure, the story of the two parts fore the battle of Agincourt forms a most admirable These prologues, which of King Henry IV, as well as of King Henry V. and no night piece, are intended to keep the spectators conignorance could debase the gold of Shakspeare into such dross, though no chemistry, but that of Shak-stantly in mind that the peculiar grandeur of the actions speare, could exalt such base metal into gold. This piece must have been performed before the year 1588, Tarlton, the comedian, who played both the parts of the Chief Justice and the Clown in it, having died in that year. This play, in the quarto edition of 1608, is styled The Chronicle History of Henry, &c. which seems to have been the title appropriated to all Shakspeare's historical dramas. Thus in The Antipodes, a comedy by R. Brome: These lads can act the emperors' lives all over, And Shakspeare's Chronicled Histories to boot." The players, likewise, in the folio of 1623, rank these pieces under the title of Histories. This anonymous play of King Henry V. is neither di. vided into acts or scenes, is uncommonly short, and has all the appearance of having been imperfectly taken down during the representation. There is a play called Sir John Oldcastle, published in 1600, with the name of William Shakspeare prefixed to it. The prologue of which serves to show that a former piece, in which the character of Oldcastle was introduced, had given great offence : The doubtful title (gentlemen) prefixt the second scene. King Henry the Fifth is visibly the favourite hero of Shakspeare in English history: he portrays him en there described cannot be developed on a narrow stage; sentation from their own imaginations. As the subject and that they must supply the deficiencies of the reprechose rather to wander beyond the bounds of the spewas not properly dramatic, in the form also Shakspeare cies, and to sing as a poetic herald, what he could not represent to the eye, than to cripple the progress of the action by putting long speeches in the mouths of the persons of the drama. conquest of King Henry, still he has not omitted to hint 'However much Shakspeare celebrates the French self on the throne; the clergy also wished to keep him to us, after his way, the secret springs of this undertaking. Henry was in want of foreign wars to secure himemployed abroad, and made an offer of rich contributions to prevent the passing of a law which would have deprived them of the half of their revenues. His learned bishops are consequently as ready to prove to him his undisputed right to the crown of France, as he is to allow his conscience to be tranquillized by them. They prove that the Salic law is not, and never was, applicable to France; and the matter is treated in a more succinct and convincing manner than such subjects usually are in manifestoes. After his renowned battles Henry wished to secure his conquests by marriage with a French princess; all that has reference to this is intended for irony in the play. The fruit of this union, from which two nations promised to themselves the Sixth, under whom every thing was so miserably such happiness in future, was that very feeble Henry lost. It must not, therefore, be imagined that it was without the knowledge and will of the poet that an heroic drama turns out a comedy in his hands; and ends, in the manner of comedy, with a marriage of conve nience."* * Schlegel. Enter CHORUS. O, FOR a muse of fire, that would ascend Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles all, Suppose, within the girdle of these walls Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them Carry them here and there; jumping o'er times; Who, prologue like, your humble patience pray ACT I. CHARLES THE SIXTH, King of France. Dukes of Burgundy, Orleans, and Bourbon. RAMBURES, GRANDPREE, French Lords Governor of Harfleur. MONTJOY, a French Herald. Ambassadors to the King of England. ISABEL, Queen of France. KATHARINE, Daughter of Charles and Isabel. ALICE, a Lady attending on the Princess Katharine. QUICKLY, Pistol's Wife, an Hostess. Lords, Ladies, Officers, French and English Soldiers, Messengers, and Attendants. The SCENE, at the beginning of the Play, lies in England; but afterwards wholly in France. Which in the eleventh year o' the last king's reiga Eli. But how, my lord, shall we resist it now? A thousand pounds by the year: Thus runs the bill. Ely. This would drink deep. Cant. "Twould drink the cup and all. Ely. But what prevention? Cant. The king is full of grace, and fair regard. Never was such a sudden scholar made : We are blessed in the change. SCENE I. London. An Antechamber in the from Hall and Holinshed that the events passed at LeKing's Palace. Enter the Archbishop of Canter-cester, where King Henry V. held a parliament in the bury, and Bishop of Ely.4 Canterbury. My lord, I'll tell you,-that self bill is urg'd, 10 for circle, alluding to the circular form of the theatre. The very casques does not mean the identical casques, but the casques alone, or merely the casques. Imaginary forces.' Imaginary for imaginative, or your powers of fancy. The active and passive are of ten confounded by old writers. 3 This first scene was added in the folio, together with the choruses, and other amplifications. It appears second year of his reign. But the chorus at the beginning of the second act shows that the poet intended to make London the place of his first scene. 4 'Canterbury and Ely. Henry Chicheley, a Carthu sian monk, recently promoted to the see of Canterbury. John Fordham, bishop of Ely, consecrated 1388, died 1426. You would desire, the king were made a prelate : And the mute wonder lurketh in men's ears, Before we hear of him, of some things of weight, Which is a wonder, how his grace should glean it, Enter the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop Since his addiction was to courses vain : His companies3 unletter'd, rude, and shallow; Ely. The strawberry grows underneath the nettle; Cant. It must be so: for miracles are ceased; Ely. But, my good lord, Cant. He seems indifferent; Ely. How did this offer seem receiv'd, my lord? Of his true titles to some certain dukedoms; Cant. The French ambassador upon that instant It is. 1 Johnson has noticed the exquisite beauty of this line. 2 of Ely. Cant. God, and his angels, guard your sacred throne, And make you long become it! K. Hen. Sure, we thank you. swords That make such waste in brief mortality. Cant. Then hear me, gracious sovereign,—and you peers, That owe your lives, your faith, and services, ons, There left behind and settled certain French; He discourses with so much skill on all subjects, that 4 Popularity meant familiarity with the common 7 Send for him, good uncle.' The person here addressed was Thomas Beaufort, half brother to King Henry IV. being one of the sons of John of Gaunt by 8 i. e. keep our thoughts busied. 9 Or burthen your knowing or conscious soul with displaying false titles in a specious manner or opening pretensions, which, if shown in their native colours, would appear to be false. Appro 10 Shall drop their blood in approbation.' bation is used by Shakspeare for proving or establishing by proof. 11 Therefore take heed how you impann our person. To impawn was to engage or pledge. 12 There is no bar,' &c. The whole speech is taken from Holinshed. 13 To gloze is to expound or explain, and sometimes to comment upon. For some dishonest manners of their life, Eight hundred five. Besides, their writers say, Of Blithild, which was daughter to King Clothair, Daughter to Charles the foresaid duke of Lorain : Was reunited to the crown of France. K. Hen. May1, with right and conscience, make Cant. The sin upon my head, dread sovereign! For in the book of Numbers is it writ,When the son dies, let the inheritance Descend unto the daughter. Gracious lord, Stand for your own; unwind your bloody flag; Look back unto your mighty ancestors; Go, my dread lord, to your great grandsire's tomb, From whom you claim: invoke his warlike spirit, And your great uncle's, Edward the Black Prince; Who on the French ground play'd a tragedy, Making defeat on the full power of France; Whiles his most mighty father on a hill Stood smiling; to behold his lion's whelp Forage in blood of French nobility." O noble English, that could entertain With half their forces the full pride of France; And let another half stand laughing by, All out of work, and cold for action! 1 To fine his title with some show of truth. To fine is to embellish, to trim, to make showy or specious: Limare. 2 Convey'd himself as heir to the Lady Lingare. Shakspeare found this expression in Holished; and, though it sounds odd to modern cars, it is classical. 3 Lewis the Tenth. This should be Lewis the Ninth, as it stands in Hall's Chronicle. Shakspeare has been led into the error by Holinshed, whose Chroni cle he followed. 4 Than amply to imbare their crooked titles. The folio reads imbarre; the quarto imbace. As there is no other example of such a word, I cannot but think that this is an error of the press for unbare. 5 This alludes to the battle of Cressy as described by Holinshed, rol. ii. p. 372. Ely. Awake remembrance of these valiant dead, And with your puissant arm renew their feats: You are their heir, you sit upon their throne; The blood and courage that renowned them, Runs in your veins; and my thrice-puissant liege Is in the very May-morn of his youth, Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises. Exe. Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth, Do all expect that you should rouse yourself, West. They know, your grace hath cause, and means, and might; So hath your highness; never king of England Had nobles richer, and more loyal subjects; Whose hearts have left their bodies here in Eng land, And lie pavilion'd in the fields of France. Cant. O, let their bodies follow, my dear liege, With blood, and sword, and fire, to win your right: In aid whereof, we of the spirituality Will raise your highness such a mighty sum, As never did the clergy at sne time Bring in to any of your ancestors. K. Hen. We must not only arm to invade the But lay down our proportions to defend Cant. They of those marches, gracious sovereign, Shall be a wall sufficient to defend Our inland from the pilfering borderers, K. Hen. We do not mean the coursing snatchers only, But fear the main intendment of the Scot, For hear her but exampled by herself,- Then with Scotland first begin: 6 Cold for action,' want of action being the cause of their being cold. 7 i. e. your highness hath indeed what they think and know you have. 8They of those marches.' The marches are the borders. 9 But fear the main intendment of the Scot, Who hath been still a giddy neighbour to us The main intendment is the principal purpose, that he will bend his whole force against us: the Bellum in aliquem intendere, of Livy. A giddy neighbour is an unstable, inconstant one. 10 The quarto reads at the bruit thereof.' 11 Feard here means frightened. reading of the folio. The editors of late editions have 12 Yet that is but a crush'd necessity. This is the adopted the reading of the quarto copy, 'curs'd neces Since we have locks to safeguard necessaries, Cant. Either our history shall, with full mouth, Speak freely of our acts; or else our grave, Enter Ambassadors of France. Now are we well prepar'd to know the pleasure True: therefore doth heaven divide Your greeting is from him, not from the king. The state of man in divers functions, The lazy yawning drone. I this infer,- As many several ways meet in one town; you [Exit an Attendant. The King ascends his Throne. Now are we well resolv'd: and by God's help; sity,' and by so doing have certainly not rendered the 1 Concent is connected harmony in general, and not confined to any specific consonance. Concentio and concentus are both used by Cicero for the union of voices or instruments, in what we should now call a chorus or concert. Amb. May it 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; your great predecessor, King Edward the Third. Exe. Tennis-balls, my liege.10 K. Hen. We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us; His present, and your pains, we thank you for: That all the courts of France will be disturb'd 8 Not worship'd with a waren epitaph.' The quartos read with a paper epitaph. Either a paper or a waren epitaph is an epitaph easily destroyed; one that can confer no lasting honour on the dead. Steevens thinks that the allusion is to waxen tablets, as any thing written upon them was easily effaced. Mr. Gifford says that a waxen epitaph was an epitaph affixed to the hearse or grave with wax. But it appears to me that the expression may be merely metaphorical, and not allusive to either. 2 The act of order' is the statute or law of order; as appears from the reading of the quarto. 'Creatures 9 A galliard was an ancient spritely dance, as its name that by awe ordain an act of order to a peopled king-implies. dom.' 3 i. e. of different degrees: if it be not an error of the press for sort, i. e. rank. is 4 The civil citizens kneading up the honey. Civil grave. See Twelfth Night, Act iii. Sc. 4. Johnson observes, to knead the honey is not physically true. The bees do, in fact, knead the wax more than the honey. 10 In the old play of King Henry V. this present consists of a gilded tun of tennis balls, and a carpet. 11 The hazard is a place in the tennis-court, into which the ball is sometimes struck. 12 A chace at tennis is that spot where a ball falls, beyond which the adversary must strike his ball to gain a point or chace. At long temis it is the spot where the ball leaves off rolling. We see therefore why the king has called himself a wrangler. 13 i. e. the throne, 5 Executors' for executioners. Thus also Burton, in his Anatomy of Melancholy, p. 38, ed. 1632:"Tremble at an executor, and yet not feare hell-fire.' 6 Without defeat. The quartos read, 'Without de-away from this seat or throne. fect.' 14 And therefore living hence;' that is from hence, 7'Empery. This word, which signifies dominion, is now obsolete, though once in general use. 15 For that I have laid by my majesty. To qualify myself for this undertaking, I have descended from my İstation, and studied the arts of life in a lower character. |