Henry V

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Flourish. Enter the French King, the Dolphin, the Flourish. Enter the French King, the Dauphin, the H5 II.iv.1.1
Dukes of Berry and Britaine.Dukes of Berri and Britaine, the Constable and othersconstable (n.)
chief officer of the royal household [in England and France]
H5 II.iv.1.2
Brittaine, Britaine, Brittayne (n.)
Brittany, NW France
King.FRENCH KING 
Thus comes the English with full power vpon vs, Thus comes the English with full power upon us, H5 II.iv.1
And more then carefully it vs concernes, And more than carefully it us concerns H5 II.iv.2
To answer Royally in our defences. To answer royally in our defences. H5 II.iv.3
Therefore the Dukes of Berry and of Britaine, Therefore the Dukes of Berri and of Britaine, H5 II.iv.4
Of Brabant and of Orleance, shall make forth, Of Brabant and of Orleans, shall make forth, H5 II.iv.5
And you Prince Dolphin, with all swift dispatch And you, Prince Dauphin, with all swift dispatch,dispatch, despatch (n.)
sending off, going, departure
H5 II.iv.6
To lyne and new repayre our Townes of Warre To line and new repair our towns of warline (v.)

old form: lyne
strengthen, support, fortify
H5 II.iv.7
With men of courage, and with meanes defendant: With men of courage and with means defendant;defendant (adj.)
defensive, protective
H5 II.iv.8
For England his approaches makes as fierce, For England his approaches makes as fierceapproach (n.)
advance, attack, offensive
H5 II.iv.9
As Waters to the sucking of a Gulfe. As waters to the sucking of a gulf.gulf (n.)

old form: Gulfe
whirlpool
H5 II.iv.10
It fits vs then to be as prouident, It fits us then to be as provident H5 II.iv.11
As feare may teach vs, out of late examples As fear may teach us, out of late examples H5 II.iv.12
Left by the fatall and neglected English, Left by the fatal and neglected Englishneglected (adj.)
underrated, underestimated, undervalued
H5 II.iv.13
fatal (adj.)

old form: fatall
death-dealing, death-boding
Vpon our fields. Upon our fields. H5 II.iv.14.1
Dolphin.DAUPHIN 
My most redoubted Father, My most redoubted father,redoubted (adj.)
feared, dreaded, revered
H5 II.iv.14.2
It is most meet we arme vs 'gainst the Foe: It is most meet we arm us 'gainst the foe;meet (adj.)
fit, suitable, right, proper
H5 II.iv.15
For Peace it selfe should not so dull a Kingdome, For peace itself should not so dull a kingdom,dull (v.)
stupefy, satisfy to the point of slothfulness
H5 II.iv.16
(Though War nor no knowne Quarrel were in question) Though war nor no known quarrel were in question, H5 II.iv.17
But that Defences, Musters, Preparations, But that defences, musters, preparations, H5 II.iv.18
Should be maintain'd, assembled, and collected, Should be maintained, assembled, and collected, H5 II.iv.19
As were a Warre in expectation. As were a war in expectation. H5 II.iv.20
Therefore I say, 'tis meet we all goe forth, Therefore, I say, 'tis meet we all go forth H5 II.iv.21
To view the sick and feeble parts of France: To view the sick and feeble parts of France: H5 II.iv.22
And let vs doe it with no shew of feare, And let us do it with no show of fear –  H5 II.iv.23
No, with no more, then if we heard that England No, with no more than if we heard that England H5 II.iv.24
Were busied with a Whitson Morris-dance: Were busied with a Whitsun morris-dance;Whitsun (n.)
in Christian tradition, the feast of Pentecost
H5 II.iv.25
For, my good Liege, shee is so idly King'd, For, my good liege, she is so idly kinged,liege (n.)
lord, sovereign
H5 II.iv.26
Her Scepter so phantastically borne, Her sceptre so fantastically bornefantastically (adv.)

old form: phantastically
fancifully, grotesquely, bizarrely
H5 II.iv.27
By a vaine giddie shallow humorous Youth, By a vain, giddy, shallow, humorous youth,giddy (adj.)

old form: giddie
frivolous, flighty, fickle, irresponsible
H5 II.iv.28
humorous (adj.)
capricious, moody, temperamental
That feare attends her not. That fear attends her not.attend (v.)
accompany, follow closely, go with
H5 II.iv.29.1
Const.CONSTABLE 
O peace, Prince Dolphin, O peace, Prince Dauphin! H5 II.iv.29.2
You are too much mistaken in this King: You are too much mistaken in this King. H5 II.iv.30
Question your Grace the late Embassadors, Question your grace the late ambassadors,late (adj.)
recently appointed
H5 II.iv.31
With what great State he heard their Embassie, With what great state he heard their embassy, H5 II.iv.32
How well supply'd with Noble Councellors, How well supplied with noble counsellors, H5 II.iv.33
How modest in exception; and withall, How modest in exception, and withalexception (n.)
(often plural) objection, dislike, disapproval
H5 II.iv.34
How terrible in constant resolution: How terrible in constant resolution, H5 II.iv.35
And you shall find, his Vanities fore-spent, And you shall find his vanities forespentforespent (adj.)

old form: fore-spent
previously shown, earlier displayed
H5 II.iv.36
Were but the out-side of the Roman Brutus, Were but the outside of the Roman Brutus,Brutus, Lucius
Lucius Junius Brutus, founder of the Roman republic in 509 BC
H5 II.iv.37
Couering Discretion with a Coat of Folly; Covering discretion with a coat of folly; H5 II.iv.38
As Gardeners doe with Ordure hide those Roots As gardeners do with ordure hide those rootsordure (n.)
filth, dirt, dung
H5 II.iv.39
That shall first spring, and be most delicate. That shall first spring and be most delicate.delicate (adj.)
fine in quality, of exquisite nature, dainty
H5 II.iv.40
Dolphin.DAUPHIN 
Well, 'tis not so, my Lord High Constable. Well, 'tis not so, my Lord High Constable; H5 II.iv.41
But though we thinke it so, it is no matter: But though we think it so, it is no matter. H5 II.iv.42
In cases of defence, 'tis best to weigh In cases of defence, 'tis best to weigh H5 II.iv.43
The Enemie more mightie then he seemes, The enemy more mighty than he seems. H5 II.iv.44
So the proportions of defence are fill'd: So the proportions of defence are filled;proportion (n.)
weighing up, appropriate measuring
H5 II.iv.45
Which of a weake and niggardly proiection, Which of a weak and niggardly projectionniggardly (adj.)
mean-minded, tight-fisted, miserly
H5 II.iv.46
projection (n.)

old form: proiection
scheme, plan, design
Doth like a Miser spoyle his Coat, with scanting Doth like a miser spoil his coat with scantingscant (v.)
neglect, stint, withhold
H5 II.iv.47
A little Cloth. A little cloth. H5 II.iv.48.1
King.FRENCH KING 
Thinke we King Harry strong: Think we King Harry strong; H5 II.iv.48.2
And Princes, looke you strongly arme to meet him. And, Princes, look you strongly arm to meet him. H5 II.iv.49
The Kindred of him hath beene flesht vpon vs: The kindred of him hath been fleshed upon us,flesh (v.)

old form: flesht
[of a sword] use for the first time in battle
H5 II.iv.50
And he is bred out of that bloodie straine, And he is bred out of that bloody strainstrain (n.)

old form: straine
quality, character, disposition
H5 II.iv.51
bloody (adj.)

old form: bloodie
bloodthirsty, warlike, ferocious
That haunted vs in our familiar Pathes: That haunted us in our familiar paths.haunt (v.)
pursue, afflict, beset
H5 II.iv.52
Witnesse our too much memorable shame, Witness our too much memorable shame H5 II.iv.53
When Cressy Battell fatally was strucke, When Crécy battle fatally was struck,strike (v.)

old form: strucke
fight, engage in fighting
H5 II.iv.54
Crécy (n.)
battle (1346) in which Edward III defeated the French
And all our Princes captiu'd, by the hand And all our princes captived by the handcaptive (v.)

old form: captiu'd
capture, take captive
H5 II.iv.55
Of that black Name, Edward, black Prince of Wales: Of that black name, Edward, Black Prince of Wales; H5 II.iv.56
Whiles that his Mountaine Sire, on Mountaine standing Whiles that his mountain sire, on mountain standing,mountain (adj.)

old form: Mountaine
pre-eminent, larger than life
H5 II.iv.57
Vp in the Ayre, crown'd with the Golden Sunne, Up in the air, crowned with the golden sun, H5 II.iv.58
Saw his Heroicall Seed, and smil'd to see him Saw his heroical seed, and smiled to see him,heroical (adj.)

old form: Heroicall
heroic
H5 II.iv.59
Mangle the Worke of Nature, and deface Mangle the work of nature, and deface H5 II.iv.60
The Patternes, that by God and by French Fathers The patterns that by God and by French fathers H5 II.iv.61
Had twentie yeeres been made. This is a Stem Had twenty years been made. This is a stem H5 II.iv.62
Of that Victorious Stock: and let vs feare Of that victorious stock; and let us fear H5 II.iv.63
The Natiue mightinesse and fate of him. The native mightiness and fate of him. H5 II.iv.64
Enter a Messenger. Enter a Messenger H5 II.iv.65
Mess.MESSENGER 
Embassadors from Harry King of England, Ambassadors from Harry King of England H5 II.iv.65
Doe craue admittance to your Maiestie. Do crave admittance to your majesty.crave (v.)

old form: craue
beg, entreat, request
H5 II.iv.66
King.FRENCH KING 
Weele giue them present audience. Goe, and bring them. We'll give them present audience. Go and bring them. H5 II.iv.67
Exeunt Messenger and certain lords H5 II.iv.67
You see this Chase is hotly followed, friends. You see this chase is hotly followed, friends. H5 II.iv.68
Dolphin.DAUPHIN 
Turne head, and stop pursuit: for coward Dogs Turn head, and stop pursuit, for coward dogsturn head

old form: Turne
turn and face the enemy, make a bold front
H5 II.iv.69
Most spend their mouths, whẽ what they seem to threaten Most spend their mouths when what they seem to threatenspend one's mouth
[hunting] bark, bay, give tongue
H5 II.iv.70
Runs farre before them. Good my Soueraigne Runs far before them. Good my sovereign, H5 II.iv.71
Take vp the English short, and let them know Take up the English short, and let them know H5 II.iv.72
Of what a Monarchie you are the Head: Of what a monarchy you are the head. H5 II.iv.73
Selfe-loue, my Liege, is not so vile a sinne, Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin H5 II.iv.74
As selfe-neglecting. As self-neglecting. H5 II.iv.75.1
Enter Exeter.Enter lords, with Exeter and train H5 II.iv.75
King.FRENCH KING 
From our Brother of England? From our brother of England? H5 II.iv.75.2
Exe.EXETER 
From him, and thus he greets your Maiestie: From him; and thus he greets your majesty: H5 II.iv.76
He wills you in the Name of God Almightie, He wills you, in the name of God Almighty, H5 II.iv.77
That you deuest your selfe, and lay apart That you divest yourself, and lay apart H5 II.iv.78
The borrowed Glories, that by gift of Heauen, The borrowed glories that by gift of heaven,borrowed (adj.)
assumed, pretended, feigned
H5 II.iv.79
By Law of Nature, and of Nations, longs By law of nature and of nations, 'longslong (v.)
belong, pertain, relate
H5 II.iv.80
To him and to his Heires, namely, the Crowne, To him and to his heirs – namely, the crown, H5 II.iv.81
And all wide-stretched Honors, that pertaine And all wide-stretched honours that pertainwide-stretched (adj.)
widely extended, extensive, sweeping
H5 II.iv.82
By Custome, and the Ordinance of Times, By custom and the ordinance of timesordinance (n.)
usage, practice, course
H5 II.iv.83
time (n.)
past time, history
Vnto the Crowne of France: that you may know Unto the crown of France. That you may know H5 II.iv.84
'Tis no sinister, nor no awk-ward Clayme, 'Tis no sinister nor no awkward claimsinister (adj.)
illegitimate, erroneous, irregular
H5 II.iv.85
awkward (adj.)

old form: awk-ward
perverse, inept, wrong-headed
Pickt from the worme-holes of long-vanisht dayes, Picked from the worm-holes of long-vanished days, H5 II.iv.86
Nor from the dust of old Obliuion rakt, Nor from the dust of old oblivion raked, H5 II.iv.87
He sends you this most memorable Lyne, He sends you this most memorable line,line (n.)

old form: Lyne
line of descent, lineage, pedigree
H5 II.iv.88
In euery Branch truly demonstratiue; In every branch truly demonstrative, H5 II.iv.89
Willing you ouer-looke this Pedigree: Willing you overlook this pedigree;overlook (v.)

old form: ouer-looke
look over, peruse, read through
H5 II.iv.90
And when you find him euenly deriu'd And when you find him evenly derivedevenly (adv.)

old form: euenly
directly, in a straight line
H5 II.iv.91
From his most fam'd, of famous Ancestors, From his most famed of famous ancestors, H5 II.iv.92
Edward the third; he bids you then resigne Edward the Third, he bids you then resign H5 II.iv.93
Your Crowne and Kingdome, indirectly held Your crown and kingdom, indirectly heldindirectly (adv.)
wrongfully, unjustly, illegitimately
H5 II.iv.94
From him, the Natiue and true Challenger. From him, the native and true challenger.challenger (n.)
claimant
H5 II.iv.95
King.FRENCH KING 
Or else what followes? Or else what follows? H5 II.iv.96
Exe.EXETER 
Bloody constraint: for if you hide the Crowne Bloody constraint; for if you hide the crown H5 II.iv.97
Euen in your hearts, there will he rake for it. Even in your hearts, there will he rake for it. H5 II.iv.98
Therefore in fierce Tempest is he comming, Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming, H5 II.iv.99
In Thunder and in Earth-quake, like a Ioue: In thunder and in earthquake, like a Jove,Jove (n.)
[pron: johv] alternative name for Jupiter, the Roman supreme god
H5 II.iv.100
That if requiring faile, he will compell. That, if requiring fail, he will compel;requiring (n.)
demanding, requesting as a right
H5 II.iv.101
And bids you, in the Bowels of the Lord, And bids you, in the bowels of the Lord, H5 II.iv.102
Deliuer vp the Crowne, and to take mercie Deliver up the crown, and to take mercydeliver up (v.)

old form: Deliuer vp
surrender, yield, give up totally
H5 II.iv.103
On the poore Soules, for whom this hungry Warre On the poor souls for whom this hungry war H5 II.iv.104
Opens his vastie Iawes: and on your head Opens his vasty jaws; and on your headvasty (adj.)

old form: vastie
vast, immense, spacious
H5 II.iv.105
Turning the Widdowes Teares, the Orphans Cryes, Turning the widows' tears, the orphans' cries, H5 II.iv.106
The dead-mens Blood, the priuy Maidens Groanes, The dead men's blood, the prived maidens' groans,prived (adj.)

old form: priuy
bereaved, deprived of loved ones
H5 II.iv.107
For Husbands, Fathers, and betrothed Louers, For husbands, fathers and betrothed lovers H5 II.iv.108
That shall be swallowed in this Controuersie. That shall be swallowed in this controversy. H5 II.iv.109
This is his Clayme, his Threatning, and my Message: This is his claim, his threatening, and my message –  H5 II.iv.110
Vnlesse the Dolphin be in presence here; Unless the Dauphin be in presence here, H5 II.iv.111
To whom expressely I bring greeting to. To whom expressly I bring greeting too. H5 II.iv.112
King.FRENCH KING 
For vs, we will consider of this further: For us, we will consider of this further. H5 II.iv.113
To morrow shall you beare our full intent Tomorrow shall you bear our full intentintent (n.)
intention, purpose, aim
H5 II.iv.114
Back to our Brother of England. Back to our brother of England. H5 II.iv.115.1
Dolph.DAUPHIN 
For the Dolphin, For the Dauphin, H5 II.iv.115.2
I stand here for him: what to him from England? I stand here for him. What to him from England? H5 II.iv.116
Exe.EXETER 
Scorne and defiance, sleight regard, contempt, Scorn and defiance, slight regard, contempt,regard (n.)
respect, repute, esteem
H5 II.iv.117
And any thing that may not mis-become And anything that may not misbecomemisbecome (v.)

old form: mis-become
appear unbecoming to, be unseemly to
H5 II.iv.118
The mightie Sender, doth he prize you at. The mighty sender, doth he prize you at. H5 II.iv.119
Thus sayes my King: and if your Fathers Highnesse Thus says my King: an if your father's highnessan if (conj.)
if
H5 II.iv.120
Doe not, in graunt of all demands at large, Do not, in grant of all demands at large, H5 II.iv.121
Sweeten the bitter Mock you sent his Maiestie; Sweeten the bitter mock you sent his majesty,mock (n.)
act of mockery, mocking remark, derisive action, scornful irony
H5 II.iv.122
Hee'le call you to so hot an Answer of it, He'll call you to so hot an answer of it, H5 II.iv.123
That Caues and Wombie Vaultages of France That caves and womby vaultages of Francevaultage (n.)
vault, cavern, chamber
H5 II.iv.124
womby (adj.)

old form: Wombie
womb-like, hollow, cavernous
Shall chide your Trespas, and returne your Mock Shall chide your trespass, and return your mockchide (v.), past form chid
scold, rebuke, reprove
H5 II.iv.125
In second Accent of his Ordinance. In second accent of his ordinance.ordnance, ordinance (n.)
cannon, artillery
H5 II.iv.126
accent, second
echo, reverberation
Dolph.DAUPHIN 
Say: if my Father render faire returne, Say, if my father render fair return, H5 II.iv.127
It is against my will: for I desire It is against my will, for I desire H5 II.iv.128
Nothing but Oddes with England. Nothing but odds with England. To that end, H5 II.iv.129
To that end, as matching to his Youth and Vanitie, As matching to his youth and vanity, H5 II.iv.130
I did present him with the Paris-Balls. I did present him with the Paris balls. H5 II.iv.131
Exe.EXETER 
Hee'le make your Paris Louer shake for it, He'll make your Paris Louvre shake for it,Louvre (n.)
[pron: 'loovr] palace of the French Kings, Paris
H5 II.iv.132
Were it the Mistresse Court of mightie Europe: Were it the mistress court of mighty Europe: H5 II.iv.133
And be assur'd, you'le find a diff'rence, And, be assured, you'll find a difference, H5 II.iv.134
As we his Subiects haue in wonder found, As we his subjects have in wonder found, H5 II.iv.135
Betweene the promise of his greener dayes, Between the promise of his greener daysgreen (adj.)
youthful, inexperienced, immature
H5 II.iv.136
And these he masters now: now he weighes Time And these he masters now. Now he weighs time H5 II.iv.137
Euen to the vtmost Graine: that you shall reade Even to the utmost grain; that you shall read H5 II.iv.138
In your owne Losses, if he stay in France. In your own losses, if he stay in France. H5 II.iv.139
King.FRENCH KING 
To morrow shall you know our mind at full. Tomorrow shall you know our mind at full. H5 II.iv.140
Flourish.Flourish H5 II.iv.141.1
Exe.EXETER 
Dispatch vs with all speed, least that our King Dispatch us with all speed, lest that our Kingdispatch, despatch (v.)
send away, send off
H5 II.iv.141
Come here himselfe to question our delay; Come here himself to question our delay, H5 II.iv.142
For he is footed in this Land already. For he is footed in this land already.foot (v.)
gain a foothold, land
H5 II.iv.143
King.FRENCH KING 
You shalbe soone dispatcht, with faire conditions. You shall be soon dispatched with fair conditions. H5 II.iv.144
A Night is but small breathe, and little pawse, A night is but small breath and little pause H5 II.iv.145
To answer matters of this consequence.To answer matters of this consequence. H5 II.iv.146
Exeunt.Exeunt H5 II.iv.146
 Previous Act II, Scene IV Next  
x

Jump directly to