Welcome to PhiloLogic  
   home |  the ARTFL project |  download |  documentation |  sample databases |   
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.

Previous section

Next section

SCENE II. Changes to England. Enter King Henry, Gloucester, and Exeter.

K. Henry.
Have you perus'd the letters from the Pope,
The Emperor, and the Earl of Armagnac?

Glou.
I have, my Lord; and their intent is this;
They humbly sue unto your Excellence,
To have a godly Peace concluded of,
Between the realms of England and of France.

K. Henry.
How doth your Grace affect this motion?

Glou.
Well, my good Lord; and as the only means
To stop effusion of our Christian blood,
And stablish quietness on ev'ry side.

-- 571 --

K. Henry.
Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought
It was both impious and unnatural,
That such immanity and bloody strife
Should reign among professors of one Faith.

Glou.
Beside, my Lord, the sooner to effect
And surer bind this knot of amity,
The Earl of Armagnac, near kin to Charles,
A man of great authority in France,
Proffers his only daughter to your Grace
In marriage with a large and sumptuous dowry.

K. Henry.
Marriage? alas! my years are yet too young,
And fitter is my study and my books,
Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet call th' Ambassadors; and, as you please,
So let them have their answers ev'ry one.
I shall be well content with any choice,
Tends to God's glory, and my Country's weal.
Enter Winchester, and three Ambassadors.

Exe.
What, is my Lord of Winchester install'd,
And call'd unto a Cardinal's degree?
Then I perceive, that will be verify'd,
Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy;
“If once he come to be a Cardinal,
“He'll make his Cap coequal with the Crown.”

K. Henry.
My Lords Ambassadors, your sev'ral suits
Have been consider'd and debated on;
Your purpose is both good and reasonable;
And therefore are we certainly resolv'd
To draw conditions of a friendly Peace,
Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.

Glou.
And for the proffer of my Lord your master,
I have inform'd his Highness so at large;
As, liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,
Her beauty and the value of her dower,

-- 572 --


He doth intend she shall be England's Queen.

K. Henry.
In argument and proof of which Contract,
Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.
And, so, my Lord Protector, see them guarded,
And safely brought to Dover; where, inshipp'd,
Commit them to the fortune of the sea.
[Exeunt King and Train.

Win.
Stay, my Lord Legate, you shall first receive
The sum of money which I promised
Should be deliver'd to his Holiness,
For cloathing me in these grave ornaments.

Legate.
I will attend upon your Lordship's leisure.

Win.
Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
Or be inferior to the proudest Peer.
Humphry of Glo'ster, thou shalt well perceive,
That * notenor in birth, or for authority,
The Bishop will be over-borne by thee:
I'll either make thee stoop, and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny.
[Exeunt.
Previous section

Next section


Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
Powered by PhiloLogic