Title page
KING HENRY V. By SHAKESPEARE. AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN.
Regulated by Mr. YOUNGER, Prompter of that Theatre.
An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES Critical and Illustrative, ARE ADDED BY THE AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR.
LONDON:
Printed for JOHN BELL, near Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand; and C. ETHERINGTON, at York.MDCCLXXIII.
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INTRODUCTION.
KING HENRY V.
Our Fifth Henry, notwithstanding his unpardonable levity
and dissipation, while a prince, shone with such resplendant
lustre and dignity, when a monarch, that Shakespeare,
who had shewn his foibles, was under a kind
of necessity to produce him in an improved state, and if
we judge by the outset of his prologue, he summoned all
his powers, to do the hero justice; nor has he failed;
the character is faithfully and ably drawn; it is furnished
with language and sentiments suitable; being
placed also in the most advantageous point of view.
'Tis true, the plot is irregular, and tainted with some
low quibbling comedy, which, as we think, contrary to
some idolators of Shakespeare, greatly disgrace the serious
part; however, upon the whole, we may safely
and cordially admit, that there are several passages in
this piece, equal to any other the author ever wrote;
it would be exceedingly painful to find fault, but that
we have many more agreeable opportunities to praise.
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DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
Covent-Garden.
King Henry [King Henry the Fifth],
Mr. Smith.
Gloucester [Duke of Gloucester],
Mr. Harris.
Bedford [Duke of Bedford],
Mr. Wild.
Exeter [Duke of Exeter],
Mr. Hull.
Salisbury [Earl of Salisbury],
Mr. Cushing.
Westmoreland [Earl of Westmoreland],
Mr. R. Smith.
Abp. of Canterbury [Archbishop of Canterbury],
Mr. Gardner.
Cambridge [Earl of Cambridge],
Mr. Wignell.
Scroop [Lord Scroop],
Mr. Fox.
Grey [Sir Thomas Grey],
Mr. Redman.
Gower,
Mr. Du-Bellamy.
Fluellin [Fluellen],
Mr. Shuter.
Jamy,
Mr. Dunstall.
Nym,
Mr. Stoppelaer.
Bardolph,
Mr. Wignell.
Pistol,
Mr. Dyer.
Boy,
Miss Valois.
Williams,
Mr. Morris.
King of France [Charles the Sixth],
Mr. Kniveton.
Dauphin [Lewis],
Mr. Davis,
Constable [Constable of France],
Mr. Clarke.
Burgundy [Duke of Burgundy],
Mr. Perry.
Governor,
Mr. Bates.
Montjoy,
Mr. Baker.
Queen of France [Isabel],
Mrs. Vincent.
Catherine [Katherine],
Mrs. Mattocks.
Hostess [Mrs Quickly],
Mrs. Pitt.
Lords, Messengers, French and English Soldiers, with other Attendants.
[Chorus], [Bishop of Ely], [Ambassador], [Messenger], [Macmorris], [Montjoy], [Duke of Orleans], [Rambures], [Sir Thomas Erpingham], [Bates], [French Soldier], [Bourbon], [Herald], [Lady], [Messenger], [Doorkeper]
The Scene, at the beginning of the Play, lies in England, but afterwards, wholly in France.
PROLOGUE.* [Footnote:
O For a muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention;
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act,
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
Assume the port of Mars, and at his heels,
Lasht in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire
Couch for employment. Pardon, gentles all,
The flat, unraised spirit, that hath dar'd,
On this unworthy scaffold, to bring forth
So great an object. Can this cock-pit hold
The vasty field of France? or may we cram,
Within this wooden O, the very caskes
That did affright the air at Agincourt?
O pardon, since a crooked figure may
Attest, in little place, a million;
And let us, cyphers to this great accompt,
On your imaginary forces work.
Suppose within the girdle of these walls,
Are now confin'd two mighty monarchies;
Whose high up-reared, and abutting fronts,
The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder.
Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts,
Into a thousand parts divide one man,
And make imaginary puissance:
Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them
Printing their proud hoofs i'th' receiving earth.
For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times,
Turning th' accomplishment of many years,
Into an hour glass; for the which supply,
Admit me Chorus to this history;
Who prologue like, your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.
