CANTERBURY
Show:
Original textModern textKey line
My Lord, Ile tell you, that selfe Bill is vrg'd, My lord, I'll tell you. That self bill is urgedH5 I.i.1
Which in th' eleuẽth yere of ye last Kings reign Which in th' eleventh year of the last King's reignH5 I.i.2
Was like, and had indeed against vs past, Was like, and had indeed against us passed,H5 I.i.3
But that the scambling and vnquiet time But that the scambling and unquiet timeH5 I.i.4
Did push it out of farther question. Did push it out of farther question.H5 I.i.5
   
It must be thought on: if it passe against vs, It must be thought on. If it pass against us,H5 I.i.7
We loose the better halfe of our Possession: We lose the better half of our possession;H5 I.i.8
For all the Temporall Lands, which men deuout For all the temporal lands which men devoutH5 I.i.9
By Testament haue giuen to the Church, By testament have given to the ChurchH5 I.i.10
Would they strip from vs; being valu'd thus, Would they strip from us; being valued thus – H5 I.i.11
As much as would maintaine, to the Kings honor, As much as would maintain, to the King's honour,H5 I.i.12
Full fifteene Earles, and fifteene hundred Knights, Full fifteen earls, and fifteen hundred knights,H5 I.i.13
Six thousand and two hundred good Esquires: Six thousand and two hundred good esquires;H5 I.i.14
And to reliefe of Lazars, and weake age And, to relief of lazars and weak age,H5 I.i.15
Of indigent faint Soules, past corporall toyle, Of indigent faint souls past corporal toil,H5 I.i.16
A hundred Almes-houses, right well supply'd: A hundred almshouses right well supplied;H5 I.i.17
And to the Coffers of the King beside, And, to the coffers of the King beside,H5 I.i.18
A thousand pounds by th' yeere. Thus runs the Bill. A thousand pounds by th' year. Thus runs the bill.H5 I.i.19
   
'Twould drinke the Cup and all. 'Twould drink the cup and all.H5 I.i.20.2
   
The King is full of grace, and faire regard. The King is full of grace and fair regard.H5 I.i.22
   
The courses of his youth promis'd it not. The courses of his youth promised it not.H5 I.i.24
The breath no sooner left his Fathers body, The breath no sooner left his father's bodyH5 I.i.25
But that his wildnesse, mortify'd in him, But that his wildness, mortified in him,H5 I.i.26
Seem'd to dye too: yea, at that very moment, Seemed to die too. Yea, at that very moment,H5 I.i.27
Consideration like an Angell came, Consideration like an angel cameH5 I.i.28
And whipt th'offending Adam out of him; And whipped th' offending Adam out of him,H5 I.i.29
Leauing his body as a Paradise, Leaving his body as a paradiseH5 I.i.30
T'inuelop and containe Celestiall Spirits. T' envelop and contain celestial spirits.H5 I.i.31
Neuer was such a sodaine Scholler made: Never was such a sudden scholar made;H5 I.i.32
Neuer came Reformation in a Flood, Never came reformation in a floodH5 I.i.33
With such a heady currance scowring faults: With such a heady currance scouring faults;H5 I.i.34
Nor neuer Hidra-headed Wilfulnesse Nor never Hydra-headed wilfulnessH5 I.i.35
So soone did loose his Seat; and all at once; So soon did lose his seat, and all at once,H5 I.i.36
As in this King. As in this King.H5 I.i.37.1
   
Heare him but reason in Diuinitie; Hear him but reason in divinity,H5 I.i.38
And all-admiring, with an inward wish And all-admiring, with an inward wish,H5 I.i.39
You would desire the King were made a Prelate: You would desire the King were made a prelate.H5 I.i.40
Heare him debate of Common-wealth Affaires; Hear him debate of commonwealth affairs,H5 I.i.41
You would say, it hath been all in all his study: You would say it hath been all in all his study.H5 I.i.42
List his discourse of Warre; and you shall heare List his discourse of war, and you shall hearH5 I.i.43
A fearefull Battaile rendred you in Musique. A fearful battle rendered you in music.H5 I.i.44
Turne him to any Cause of Pollicy, Turn him to any cause of policy,H5 I.i.45
The Gordian Knot of it he will vnloose, The Gordian knot of it he will unloose,H5 I.i.46
Familiar as his Garter: that when he speakes, Familiar as his garter; that, when he speaks,H5 I.i.47
The Ayre, a Charter'd Libertine, is still, The air, a chartered libertine, is still,H5 I.i.48
And the mute Wonder lurketh in mens eares, And the mute wonder lurketh in men's earsH5 I.i.49
To steale his sweet and honyed Sentences: To steal his sweet and honeyed sentences.H5 I.i.50
So that the Art and Practique part of Life, So that the art and practic part of lifeH5 I.i.51
Must be the Mistresse to this Theorique. Must be the mistress to this theoric – H5 I.i.52
Which is a wonder how his Grace should gleane it, Which is a wonder how his grace should glean it,H5 I.i.53
Since his addiction was to Courses vaine, Since his addiction was to courses vain,H5 I.i.54
His Companies vnletter'd, rude, and shallow, His companies unlettered, rude, and shallow,H5 I.i.55
His Houres fill'd vp with Ryots, Banquets, Sports; His hours filled up with riots, banquets, sports,H5 I.i.56
And neuer noted in him any studie, And never noted in him any study,H5 I.i.57
Any retyrement, any sequestration, Any retirement, any sequestration,H5 I.i.58
From open Haunts and Popularitie. From open haunts and popularity.H5 I.i.59
   
It must be so; for Miracles are ceast: It must be so, for miracles are ceased;H5 I.i.67
And therefore we must needes admit the meanes, And therefore we must needs admit the meansH5 I.i.68
How things are perfected. How things are perfected.H5 I.i.69.1
   
He seemes indifferent: He seems indifferent,H5 I.i.72.2
Or rather swaying more vpon our part, Or rather swaying more upon our partH5 I.i.73
Then cherishing th'exhibiters against vs: Than cherishing th' exhibiters against us;H5 I.i.74
For I haue made an offer to his Maiestie, For I have made an offer to his majesty – H5 I.i.75
Vpon our Spirituall Conuocation, Upon our spiritual Convocation,H5 I.i.76
And in regard of Causes now in hand, And in regard of causes now in hand,H5 I.i.77
Which I haue open'd to his Grace at large, Which I have opened to his grace at largeH5 I.i.78
As touching France, to giue a greater Summe, As touching France – to give a greater sumH5 I.i.79
Then euer at one time the Clergie yet Than ever at one time the clergy yetH5 I.i.80
Did to his Predecessors part withall. Did to his predecessors part withal.H5 I.i.81
   
With good acceptance of his Maiestie: With good acceptance of his majesty,H5 I.i.83
Saue that there was not time enough to heare, Save that there was not time enough to hear,H5 I.i.84
As I perceiu'd his Grace would faine haue done, As I perceived his grace would fain have done,H5 I.i.85
The seueralls and vnhidden passages The severals and unhidden passagesH5 I.i.86
Of his true Titles to some certaine Dukedomes, Of his true titles to some certain dukedoms,H5 I.i.87
And generally, to the Crowne and Seat of France, And generally to the crown and seat of France,H5 I.i.88
Deriu'd from Edward, his great Grandfather. Derived from Edward, his great-grandfather.H5 I.i.89
   
The French Embassador vpon that instant The French ambassador upon that instantH5 I.i.91
Crau'd audience; and the howre I thinke is come, Craved audience, and the hour, I think, is comeH5 I.i.92
To giue him hearing: Is it foure a Clock? To give him hearing. Is it four o'clock?H5 I.i.93
   
Then goe we in, to know his Embassie: Then go we in to know his embassy;H5 I.i.95
Which I could with a ready guesse declare, Which I could with a ready guess declareH5 I.i.96
Before the Frenchman speake a word of it. Before the Frenchman speak a word of it.H5 I.i.97
   
God and his Angels guard your sacred Throne, God and His angels guard your sacred throne,H5 I.ii.7
And make you long become it. And make you long become it!H5 I.ii.8.1
   
Then heare me gracious Soueraign, & you Peers, Then hear me, gracious sovereign, and you peers,H5 I.ii.33
That owe your selues, your liues, and seruices, That owe yourselves, your lives, and servicesH5 I.ii.34
To this Imperiall Throne. There is no barre To this imperial throne. There is no barH5 I.ii.35
To make against your Highnesse Clayme to France, To make against your highness' claim to FranceH5 I.ii.36
But this which they produce from Pharamond, But this, which they produce from Pharamond:H5 I.ii.37
In terram Salicam Mulieres ne succedant, ‘ In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant ’ – H5 I.ii.38
No Woman shall succeed in Salike Land: ‘ No woman shall succeed in Salic land;’H5 I.ii.39
Which Salike Land, the French vniustly gloze Which Salic land the French unjustly glozeH5 I.ii.40
To be the Realme of France, and Pharamond To be the realm of France, and PharamondH5 I.ii.41
The founder of this Law, and Female Barre. The founder of this law and female bar.H5 I.ii.42
Yet their owne Authors faithfully affirme, Yet their own authors faithfully affirmH5 I.ii.43
That the Land Salike is in Germanie, That the land Salic is in Germany,H5 I.ii.44
Betweene the Flouds of Sala and of Elue: Between the floods of Sala and of Elbe;H5 I.ii.45
Where Charles the Great hauing subdu'd the Saxons, Where Charles the Great, having subdued the Saxons,H5 I.ii.46
There left behind and settled certaine French: There left behind and settled certain French,H5 I.ii.47
Who holding in disdaine the German Women, Who, holding in disdain the German womenH5 I.ii.48
For some dishonest manners of their life, For some dishonest manners of their life,H5 I.ii.49
Establisht then this Law; to wit, No Female Established then this law: to wit, no femaleH5 I.ii.50
Should be Inheritrix in Salike Land: Should be inheritrix in Salic land;H5 I.ii.51
Which Salike (as I said) 'twixt Elue and Sala, Which Salic, as I said, 'twixt Elbe and Sala,H5 I.ii.52
Is at this day in Germanie, call'd Meisen. Is at this day in Germany called Meisen.H5 I.ii.53
Then doth it well appeare, the Salike Law Then doth it well appear the Salic lawH5 I.ii.54
Was not deuised for the Realme of France: Was not devised for the realm of France;H5 I.ii.55
Nor did the French possesse the Salike Land, Nor did the French possess the Salic landH5 I.ii.56
Vntill foure hundred one and twentie yeeres Until four hundred one-and-twenty yearsH5 I.ii.57
After defunction of King Pharamond, After defunction of King Pharamond,H5 I.ii.58
Idly suppos'd the founder of this Law, Idly supposed the founder of this law,H5 I.ii.59
Who died within the yeere of our Redemption, Who died within the year of our redemptionH5 I.ii.60
Foure hundred twentie six: and Charles the Great Four hundred twenty-six; and Charles the GreatH5 I.ii.61
Subdu'd the Saxons, and did seat the French Subdued the Saxons, and did seat the FrenchH5 I.ii.62
Beyond the Riuer Sala, in the yeere Beyond the river Sala, in the yearH5 I.ii.63
Eight hundred fiue. Besides, their Writers say, Eight hundred five. Besides, their writers say,H5 I.ii.64
King Pepin, which deposed Childerike, King Pepin, which deposed Childeric,H5 I.ii.65
Did as Heire Generall, being descended Did, as heir general, being descendedH5 I.ii.66
Of Blithild, which was Daughter to King Clothair, Of Blithild, which was daughter to King Clothair,H5 I.ii.67
Make Clayme and Title to the Crowne of France. Make claim and title to the crown of France.H5 I.ii.68
Hugh Capet also, who vsurpt the Crowne Hugh Capet also – who usurped the crownH5 I.ii.69
Of Charles the Duke of Loraine, sole Heire male Of Charles the Duke of Lorraine, sole heir maleH5 I.ii.70
Of the true Line and Stock of Charles the Great: Of the true line and stock of Charles the Great – H5 I.ii.71
To find his Title with some shewes of truth, To find his title with some shows of truth,H5 I.ii.72
Though in pure truth it was corrupt and naught, Though in pure truth it was corrupt and naught,H5 I.ii.73
Conuey'd himselfe as th' Heire to th' Lady Lingare, Conveyed himself as th' heir to th' Lady Lingare,H5 I.ii.74
Daughter to Charlemaine, who was the Sonne Daughter to Charlemain, who was the sonH5 I.ii.75
To Lewes the Emperour, and Lewes the Sonne To Lewis the Emperor, and Lewis the sonH5 I.ii.76
Of Charles the Great: also King Lewes the Tenth, Of Charles the Great. Also King Lewis the Tenth,H5 I.ii.77
Who was sole Heire to the Vsurper Capet, Who was sole heir to the usurper Capet,H5 I.ii.78
Could not keepe quiet in his conscience, Could not keep quiet in his conscience,H5 I.ii.79
Wearing the Crowne of France, 'till satisfied, Wearing the crown of France, till satisfiedH5 I.ii.80
That faire Queene Isabel, his Grandmother, That fair Queen Isabel, his grandmother,H5 I.ii.81
Was Lineall of the Lady Ermengare, Was lineal of the Lady Ermengare,H5 I.ii.82
Daughter to Charles the foresaid Duke of Loraine: Daughter to Charles the foresaid Duke of Lorraine:H5 I.ii.83
By the which Marriage, the Lyne of Charles the Great By the which marriage the line of Charles the GreatH5 I.ii.84
Was re-vnited to the Crowne of France. Was re-united to the crown of France.H5 I.ii.85
So, that as cleare as is the Summers Sunne, So that, as clear as is the summer's sun,H5 I.ii.86
King Pepins Title, and Hugh Capets Clayme, King Pepin's title, and Hugh Capet's claim,H5 I.ii.87
King Lewes his satisfaction, all appeare King Lewis his satisfaction, all appearH5 I.ii.88
To hold in Right and Title of the Female: To hold in right and title of the female;H5 I.ii.89
So doe the Kings of France vnto this day. So do the kings of France unto this day,H5 I.ii.90
Howbeit, they would hold vp this Salique Law, Howbeit they would hold up this Salic lawH5 I.ii.91
To barre your Highnesse clayming from the Female, To bar your highness claiming from the female,H5 I.ii.92
And rather chuse to hide them in a Net, And rather choose to hide them in a netH5 I.ii.93
Then amply to imbarre their crooked Titles, Than amply to imbare their crooked titlesH5 I.ii.94
Vsurpt from you and your Progenitors. Usurped from you and your progenitors.H5 I.ii.95
   
The sinne vpon my head, dread Soueraigne: The sin upon my head, dread sovereign!H5 I.ii.97
For in the Booke of Numbers is it writ, For in the book of Numbers is it writ,H5 I.ii.98
When the man dyes, let the Inheritance When the man dies, let the inheritanceH5 I.ii.99
Descend vnto the Daughter. Gracious Lord, Descend unto the daughter. Gracious lord,H5 I.ii.100
Stand for your owne, vnwind your bloody Flagge, Stand for your own, unwind your bloody flag,H5 I.ii.101
Looke back into your mightie Ancestors: Look back into your mighty ancestors.H5 I.ii.102
Goe my dread Lord, to your great Grandsires Tombe, Go, my dread lord, to your great-grandsire's tomb,H5 I.ii.103
From whom you clayme; inuoke his Warlike Spirit, From whom you claim; invoke his warlike spirit,H5 I.ii.104
And your Great Vnckles, Edward the Black Prince, And your great-uncle's, Edward the Black Prince,H5 I.ii.105
Who on the French ground play'd a Tragedie, Who on the French ground played a tragedy,H5 I.ii.106
Making defeat on the full Power of France: Making defeat on the full power of France,H5 I.ii.107
Whiles his most mightie Father on a Hill Whiles his most mighty father on a hillH5 I.ii.108
Stood smiling, to behold his Lyons Whelpe Stood smiling to behold his lion's whelpH5 I.ii.109
Forrage in blood of French Nobilitie. Forage in blood of French nobility.H5 I.ii.110
O Noble English, that could entertaine O noble English, that could entertainH5 I.ii.111
With halfe their Forces, the full pride of France, With half their forces the full pride of France,H5 I.ii.112
And let another halfe stand laughing by, And let another half stand laughing by,H5 I.ii.113
All out of worke, and cold for action. All out of work and cold for action!H5 I.ii.114
   
O let their bodyes follow my deare Liege O, let their bodies follow, my dear liege,H5 I.ii.130
With Bloods, and Sword and Fire, to win your Right: With blood and sword and fire to win your right!H5 I.ii.131
In ayde whereof, we of the Spiritualtie In aid whereof we of the spiritualtyH5 I.ii.132
Will rayse your Highnesse such a mightie Summe, Will raise your highness such a mighty sumH5 I.ii.133
As neuer did the Clergie at one time As never did the clergy at one timeH5 I.ii.134
Bring in to any of your Ancestors. Bring in to any of your ancestors.H5 I.ii.135
   
They of those Marches, gracious Soueraign, They of those marches, gracious sovereign,H5 I.ii.140
Shall be a Wall sufficient to defend Shall be a wall sufficient to defendH5 I.ii.141
Our in-land from the pilfering Borderers. Our inland from the pilfering borderers.H5 I.ii.142
   
She hath bin thẽ more fear'd thẽ harm'd, my Liege: She hath been then more feared than harmed, my liege;H5 I.ii.155
For heare her but exampl'd by her selfe, For hear her but exampled by herself:H5 I.ii.156
When all her Cheualrie hath been in France, When all her chivalry hath been in France,H5 I.ii.157
And shee a mourning Widdow of her Nobles, And she a mourning widow of her nobles,H5 I.ii.158
Shee hath her selfe not onely well defended, She hath herself not only well defendedH5 I.ii.159
But taken and impounded as a Stray, But taken and impounded as a strayH5 I.ii.160
The King of Scots: whom shee did send to France, The King of Scots, whom she did send to FranceH5 I.ii.161
To fill King Edwards fame with prisoner Kings, To fill King Edward's fame with prisoner kings,H5 I.ii.162
And make their Chronicle as rich with prayse, And make her chronicle as rich with praiseH5 I.ii.163
As is the Owse and bottome of the Sea As is the ooze and bottom of the seaH5 I.ii.164
With sunken Wrack, and sum-lesse Treasuries. With sunken wrack and sunless treasuries.H5 I.ii.165
   
Therefore doth heauen diuide True: therefore doth heaven divideH5 I.ii.183.2
The state of man in diuers functions, The state of man in divers functions,H5 I.ii.184
Setting endeuour in continual motion: Setting endeavour in continual motion;H5 I.ii.185
To which is fixed as an ayme or butt, To which is fixed as an aim or butt,H5 I.ii.186
Obedience: for so worke the Hony Bees, Obedience; for so work the honey-bees,H5 I.ii.187
Creatures that by a rule in Nature teach Creatures that by a rule in nature teachH5 I.ii.188
The Act of Order to a peopled Kingdome. The act of order to a peopled kingdom.H5 I.ii.189
They haue a King, and Officers of sorts, They have a king, and officers of sorts,H5 I.ii.190
Where some like Magistrates correct at home: Where some, like magistrates, correct at home;H5 I.ii.191
Others, like Merchants venter Trade abroad: Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad;H5 I.ii.192
Others, like Souldiers armed in their stings, Others, like soldiers, armed in their stings,H5 I.ii.193
Make boote vpon the Summers Veluet buddes: Make boot upon the summer's velvet buds;H5 I.ii.194
Which pillage, they with merry march bring home Which pillage they with merry march bring homeH5 I.ii.195
To the Tent-royal of their Emperor: To the tent-royal of their emperor;H5 I.ii.196
Who busied in his Maiesties surueyes Who, busied in his majesty, surveysH5 I.ii.197
The singing Masons building roofes of Gold, The singing masons building roofs of gold,H5 I.ii.198
The ciuil Citizens kneading vp the hony; The civil citizens kneading up the honey,H5 I.ii.199
The poore Mechanicke Porters, crowding in The poor mechanic porters crowding inH5 I.ii.200
Their heauy burthens at his narrow gate: Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate,H5 I.ii.201
The sad-ey'd Iustice with his surly humme, The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum,H5 I.ii.202
Deliuering ore to Executors pale Delivering o'er to executors paleH5 I.ii.203
The lazie yawning Drone: I this inferre, The lazy yawning drone. I this infer,H5 I.ii.204
That many things hauing full reference That many things, having full referenceH5 I.ii.205
To one consent, may worke contrariously, To one consent, may work contrariously,H5 I.ii.206
As many Arrowes loosed seuerall wayes As many arrows loosed several waysH5 I.ii.207
Come to one marke: Come to one mark,H5 I.ii.208
as many wayes meet in one towne, As many several ways meet in one town,H5 I.ii.209
As many fresh streames meet in one salt sea; As many fresh streams meet in one salt sea,H5 I.ii.210
As many Lynes close in the Dials center: As many lines close in the dial's centre;H5 I.ii.211
So may a thousand actions once a foote, So may a thousand actions, once afoot,H5 I.ii.212
And in one purpose, and be all well borne End in one purpose, and be all well borne H5 I.ii.213
Without defeat. Therefore to France, my Liege, Without defeat. Therefore to France, my liege!H5 I.ii.214
Diuide your happy England into foure, Divide your happy England into four;H5 I.ii.215
Whereof, take you one quarter into France, Whereof take you one quarter into France,H5 I.ii.216
And you withall shall make all Gallia shake. And you withal shall make all Gallia shake.H5 I.ii.217
If we with thrice such powers left at home, If we, with thrice such powers left at home,H5 I.ii.218
Cannot defend our owne doores from the dogge, Cannot defend our own doors from the dog,H5 I.ii.219
Let vs be worried, and our Nation lose Let us be worried, and our nation loseH5 I.ii.220
The name of hardinesse and policie. The name of hardiness and policy.H5 I.ii.221
x

Jump directly to