K. Henry.
Have you perus'd the letters from the Pope,
The Emperor, and 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 of ev'ry side.

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 prophesie.
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,
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.

Win.
Stay, my lord Legate, you shall first receive
The sum of mony 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.
Humphrey of Glo'ster, thou shalt well perceive
That nor in birth, or for authority,
The Bishop will be over-born by thee;
I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny. [Exeunt.

Previous section

Next section