Act 1, Scene 2

Original Text

*The presence chamber. Enter King Henry, Gloucester, Bedford, Clarence, Warwick, Westmorland, Exeter and Attendants.* KING HENRY. Where is my gracious Lord of Canterbury? EXETER. Not here in presence. KING HENRY. Send for him, good uncle. WESTMORLAND. Shall we call in th' ambassador, my liege? KING HENRY. Not yet, my cousin. We would be resolved, Before we hear him, of some things of weight That task our thoughts concerning us and France.

Modern English

*The throne room. King Henry enters with Gloucester, Bedford, Clarence, Warwick, Westmorland, Exeter, and attendants.* KING HENRY. Where is the Archbishop of Canterbury? EXETER. He is not here yet, my lord. KING HENRY. Send for him, uncle. WESTMORLAND. Shall we bring in the French ambassador, your Majesty? KING HENRY. Not yet, cousin. Before we hear him, I want to settle some important questions that weigh on my mind regarding France.

Original Text

*Enter the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely.* CANTERBURY. God and his angels guard your sacred throne And make you long become it! KING HENRY. Sure, we thank you. My learned lord, we pray you to proceed And justly and religiously unfold Why the law Salic that they have in France Or should or should not bar us in our claim. And God forbid, my dear and faithful lord, That you should fashion, wrest, or bow your reading, Or nicely charge your understanding soul With opening titles miscreate, whose right Suits not in native colours with the truth.

Modern English

*The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely enter.* CANTERBURY. God and his angels protect your sacred throne and grant you a long and worthy reign! KING HENRY. Thank you indeed. My learned lord, please proceed and explain honestly and faithfully whether the Salic law they have in France should or should not prevent me from claiming the throne. And God forbid, my dear and trusted lord, that you should twist, distort, or bend your interpretation, or burden your conscience with presenting false claims as legitimate ones that do not truly hold up under scrutiny.

Original Text

For God doth know how many now in health Shall drop their blood in approbation Of what your reverence shall incite us to. Therefore take heed how you impawn our person, How you awake our sleeping sword of war. We charge you in the name of God, take heed; For never two such kingdoms did contend Without much fall of blood, whose guiltless drops Are every one a woe, a sore complaint 'Gainst him whose wrongs gives edge unto the swords That makes such waste in brief mortality. Under this conjuration speak, my lord, For we will hear, note, and believe in heart That what you speak is in your conscience washed As pure as sin with baptism.

Modern English

Because God knows how many healthy men will shed their blood to support whatever your reverence urges me toward. So be careful how you pledge my life, how you awaken our sleeping sword of war. I charge you in the name of God, be careful -- because two kingdoms of this size have never fought without enormous bloodshed, and every innocent drop is a grief, a bitter accusation against the man whose wrongful cause sharpens the swords that cut so many lives short. With that solemn charge, speak, my lord, for I will listen, take note, and believe in my heart that what you say has been washed in your conscience as thoroughly as sin is washed away by baptism.

Original Text

CANTERBURY. Then hear me, gracious sovereign, and you peers, That owe yourselves, your lives, and services To this imperial throne. There is no bar To make against your Highness' claim to France But this, which they produce from Pharamond: "No woman shall succeed in Salic land;" Which Salic land the French unjustly gloze To be the realm of France, and Pharamond The founder of this law and female bar. Yet their own authors faithfully affirm That the land Salic is in Germany, Between the floods of Sala and of Elbe.

Modern English

CANTERBURY. Then hear me, gracious sovereign, and you lords who owe your lives and service to this imperial throne. There is no obstacle to your Highness's claim to France except this, which they cite from Pharamond: "No woman shall inherit in Salic land." The French wrongly interpret Salic land to mean the kingdom of France, and Pharamond as the founder of this law barring female inheritance. But their own historians clearly state that Salic land is actually in Germany, between the rivers Sala and Elbe.

Original Text

Where Charles the Great, having subdu'd the Saxons, There left behind and settled certain French; Who, holding in disdain the German women For some dishonest manners of their life, Establish'd then this law, to wit, no female Should be inheritrix in Salic land; Which Salic, as I said, 'twixt Elbe and Sala, Is at this day in Germany call'd Meissen. Then doth it well appear the Salic law Was not devised for the realm of France; Nor did the French possess the Salic land Until four hundred one and twenty years After defunction of King Pharamond.

Modern English

Charlemagne, after conquering the Saxons, settled certain Frenchmen in that region. These Frenchmen, looking down on German women for their supposedly loose behavior, established this law: that no woman could inherit land in the Salic territory. And that territory, as I said, between the Elbe and Sala, is today called Meissen, in Germany. So it is perfectly clear that the Salic law was never meant for France. The French did not even control the Salic territory until four hundred and twenty-one years after King Pharamond's death.

Original Text

So that, as clear as is the summer's sun, King Pepin's title and Hugh Capet's claim, King Lewis his satisfaction, all appear To hold in right and title of the female. So do the kings of France unto this day, Howbeit they would hold up this Salic law To bar your Highness claiming from the female, And rather choose to hide them in a net Than amply to imbar their crooked titles Usurp'd from you and your progenitors. KING HENRY. May I with right and conscience make this claim? CANTERBURY. The sin upon my head, dread sovereign!

Modern English

So, as clear as the summer sun, King Pepin's right, Hugh Capet's claim, and King Louis's own actions all prove that French kings have inherited through women. The kings of France do so to this very day -- yet they insist on using this Salic law to block your Highness from claiming through the female line, choosing to hide behind a web of technicalities rather than honestly admit that their own titles were stolen from you and your ancestors. KING HENRY. Can I make this claim with a clear conscience? CANTERBURY. If there is sin in it, let it fall on my head, dread sovereign!

Original Text

For in the Book of Numbers is it writ, "When the man dies, let the inheritance Descend unto the daughter." Gracious lord, Stand for your own! Unwind your bloody flag! Look back into your mighty ancestors! Go, my dread lord, to your great-grandsire's tomb, From whom you claim; invoke his warlike spirit, And your great-uncle's, Edward the Black Prince, Who on the French ground play'd a tragedy, Making defeat on the full power of France, Whiles his most mighty father on a hill Stood smiling to behold his lion's whelp Forage in blood of French nobility.

Modern English

The Book of Numbers itself says, "When the man dies, let the inheritance pass to the daughter." My gracious lord, stand up for what is yours! Unfurl your battle flag! Look to your mighty ancestors for inspiration! Go to the tomb of your great-grandfather, from whom your claim descends, and invoke his warrior spirit, and that of your great-uncle, Edward the Black Prince, who waged devastating war on French soil and defeated the full might of France while his powerful father stood on a hill, smiling as he watched his young lion hunt through the blood of French nobility.

Original Text

ELY. Awake remembrance of these valiant dead, And with your puissant arm renew their feats. You are their heir; you sit upon their throne; The blood and courage that renowned them Runs in your veins; and my thrice-puissant liege Is in the very May-morn of his youth, Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises. EXETER. Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth Do all expect that you should rouse yourself, As did the former lions of your blood.

Modern English

ELY. Revive the memory of these brave dead, and with your mighty arm repeat their victories. You are their heir. You sit on their throne. The blood and courage that made them famous runs in your veins, and your Majesty is in the very springtime of youth, ripe for great deeds and bold ventures. EXETER. The kings and rulers of the world all expect you to rise to the occasion as the previous lions of your bloodline did.

Original Text

WESTMORLAND. They know your Grace hath cause and means and might; So hath your Highness. Never King of England Had nobles richer, and more loyal subjects, Whose hearts have left their bodies here in England And lie pavilion'd in the fields of France. CANTERBURY. O, let their bodies follow, my dear liege, With blood and sword and fire to win your right; In aid whereof we of the spiritualty Will raise your Highness such a mighty sum As never did the clergy at one time Bring in to any of your ancestors.

Modern English

WESTMORLAND. They know your Grace has the cause, the means, and the power. No King of England has ever had wealthier nobles or more loyal subjects -- men whose hearts have already left their bodies in England and are camped in the fields of France. CANTERBURY. Then let their bodies follow, my dear lord! With blood and sword and fire, go win your right! And to support you, the clergy will raise a sum of money greater than the Church has ever given to any of your ancestors at one time.

Original Text

KING HENRY. We must not only arm to invade the French, But lay down our proportions to defend Against the Scot, who will make road upon us With all advantages. CANTERBURY. They of those marches, gracious sovereign, Shall be a wall sufficient to defend Our inland from the pilfering borderers.

Modern English

KING HENRY. We must prepare not only to invade France, but also to set up defenses against the Scots, who will take every opportunity to strike while we are away. CANTERBURY. The border lords, gracious sovereign, will serve as a strong enough wall to protect our homeland from Scottish raiders.

Original Text

KING HENRY. Call in the messengers sent from the Dauphin. *Exeunt some Attendants.* Now are we well resolv'd; and, by God's help, And yours, the noble sinews of our power, France being ours, we'll bend it to our awe, Or break it all to pieces. Or there we'll sit, Ruling in large and ample empery O'er France and all her almost kingly dukedoms, Or lay these bones in an unworthy urn, Tombless, with no remembrance over them.

Modern English

KING HENRY. Bring in the messengers from the Dauphin. *Some attendants exit.* My mind is made up. With God's help and yours -- the sinews of our power -- we will make France submit to our authority or shatter it entirely. Either we will sit there, ruling over France and all its great dukedoms in a vast and splendid empire, or we will lay our bones in unmarked graves, tombless, with no monument above them.

Original Text

Either our history shall with full mouth Speak freely of our acts, or else our grave, Like Turkish mute, shall have a tongueless mouth, Not worshipp'd with a waxen epitaph. *Enter Ambassadors of France.* Now are we well prepar'd to know the pleasure Of our fair cousin Dauphin; for we hear Your greeting is from him, not from the King.

Modern English

Either history will speak proudly and freely of our deeds, or else our grave will be silent as a mute, without even a wax inscription to mark it. *French ambassadors enter.* Now then, we are ready to hear what message our fair cousin the Dauphin sends -- for we understand this greeting comes from him, not from the French King.

Original Text

FIRST AMBASSADOR. May't please your Majesty to give us leave Freely to render what we have in charge, Or shall we sparingly show you far off The Dauphin's meaning and our embassy? KING HENRY. We are no tyrant, but a Christian king, Unto whose grace our passion is as subject As is our wretches fett'red in our prisons; Therefore with frank and with uncurbed plainness Tell us the Dauphin's mind.

Modern English

FIRST AMBASSADOR. May it please your Majesty to let us speak freely and deliver our full message? Or would you prefer we soften it and hint at the Dauphin's meaning from a distance? KING HENRY. I am no tyrant, but a Christian king whose passions are as tightly controlled as the prisoners chained in my dungeons. So speak with complete honesty and frankness. Tell me the Dauphin's mind.

Original Text

AMBASSADOR. Thus, then, in few. Your Highness, lately sending into France, Did claim some certain dukedoms, in the right Of your great predecessor, King Edward the Third. In answer of which claim, the prince our master Says that you savour too much of your youth, And bids you be advis'd there's nought in France That can be with a nimble galliard won. You cannot revel into dukedoms there. He therefore sends you, meeter for your spirit, This tun of treasure; and, in lieu of this, Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim Hear no more of you. This the Dauphin speaks. KING HENRY. What treasure, uncle? EXETER. Tennis-balls, my liege.

Modern English

AMBASSADOR. Briefly, then. Your Highness recently sent to France claiming certain dukedoms as your right, through your great ancestor King Edward the Third. In answer to that claim, the prince our master says you still smell too much of youth and advises you that nothing in France can be won by dancing a lively jig. You cannot party your way to dukedoms. He therefore sends you this barrel of treasure, more suited to your temperament, and asks that you drop your claims and let France hear no more of them. That is the Dauphin's message. KING HENRY. What treasure is it, uncle? EXETER. Tennis balls, my lord.

Original Text

KING HENRY. We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us. His present and your pains we thank you for. When we have match'd our rackets to these balls, We will, in France, by God's grace, play a set Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard. Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler That all the courts of France will be disturb'd With chaces. And we understand him well, How he comes o'er us with our wilder days, Not measuring what use we made of them.

Modern English

KING HENRY. How kind of the Dauphin to send us such a witty gift. We thank you for his present and for your trouble. When we have matched our rackets to these balls, we will play a match in France, God willing, that will knock his father's crown into the hazard. Tell him he has picked a fight with such a player that every court in France will be shaken by our volleys. We understand his insult perfectly -- how he mocks us with our wilder days, not realizing what use we made of them.

Original Text

We never valu'd this poor seat of England; And therefore, living hence, did give ourself To barbarous licence; as 'tis ever common That men are merriest when they are from home. But tell the Dauphin I will keep my state, Be like a king, and show my sail of greatness When I do rouse me in my throne of France. For that I have laid by my majesty And plodded like a man for working days, But I will rise there with so full a glory That I will dazzle all the eyes of France, Yea, strike the Dauphin blind to look on us.

Modern English

We never placed much value on this modest throne of England, and so, living far from its responsibilities, we gave ourselves to reckless pleasures -- as men are always most carefree when away from home. But tell the Dauphin I will assume my full authority, stand tall as a king, and display my greatness when I take my rightful throne in France. I may have set aside my majesty for a time and lived like an ordinary working man, but I will rise with such blinding glory that I will dazzle every eye in France -- yes, strike the Dauphin blind just by looking at me.

Original Text

And tell the pleasant prince this mock of his Hath turn'd his balls to gun-stones, and his soul Shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance That shall fly with them; for many a thousand widows Shall this his mock mock out of their dear husbands, Mock mothers from their sons, mock castles down; And some are yet ungotten and unborn That shall have cause to curse the Dauphin's scorn. But this lies all within the will of God, To whom I do appeal; and in whose name Tell you the Dauphin I am coming on To venge me as I may, and to put forth My rightful hand in a well-hallow'd cause. So get you hence in peace; and tell the Dauphin His jest will savour but of shallow wit, When thousands weep more than did laugh at it.— Convey them with safe conduct.—Fare you well.

Modern English

And tell the amusing prince that his little joke has turned his tennis balls into cannonballs, and his soul will bear a heavy charge for the devastating violence that will fly with them. This mockery of his will mock thousands of widows out of their dear husbands, mock mothers out of their sons, mock castles to the ground. Children not yet conceived, not yet born, will have cause to curse the Dauphin's scorn. But all of this lies within God's will, to whom I make my appeal, and in whose name I tell the Dauphin: I am coming to take my vengeance as I can, and to extend my rightful hand in a holy cause. So go in peace, and tell the Dauphin his joke will taste of shallow wit when thousands weep more than ever laughed at it. See them safely out. Farewell.

Original Text

*Exeunt Ambassadors.* EXETER. This was a merry message. KING HENRY. We hope to make the sender blush at it. Therefore, my lords, omit no happy hour That may give furtherance to our expedition; For we have now no thought in us but France, Save those to God, that run before our business. Therefore let every man now task his thought, That this fair action may on foot be brought. *Exeunt.*

Modern English

*The ambassadors exit.* EXETER. That was quite a cheerful message. KING HENRY. We intend to make the sender blush over it. So, my lords, do not waste a single hour that could speed our preparations for war. We have no thought in us now but France -- except our prayers to God, which go before everything. Let every man put his mind to work so that this great enterprise may be set in motion. *They exit.*

Henry V

Act 1, Scene 2

Act 1, Scene 2