Act 5, Scene 2 — Henry V — Study Shakespeare

The argument At the peace conference in France, Henry woos Katharine in a scene of comic cross-language courtship, wins her reluctant consent, and closes the Treaty of Troyes as the Epilogue reminds the audience how briefly this glory lasted.

Enter at one door, King Henry, Exeter, Bedford, Warwick, Gloucester,

Westmorland, Clarence, Huntingdon and other Lords. At another, Queen

Isabel, the French King, the Princess Katharine, Alice, and other

Ladies; the Duke of Burgundy and other French.

KING HENRY ≋ verse

Peace to this meeting, wherefore we are met!

Unto our brother France, and to our sister,

Health and fair time of day; joy and good wishes

To our most fair and princely cousin Katharine;

And, as a branch and member of this royalty,

By whom this great assembly is contriv’d,

We do salute you, Duke of Burgundy;

And, princes French, and peers, health to you all!

Peace to this meeting, wherefore we are met! Unto our brother France, and to our sister, Health and fair time of day; joy and good wishes To our most fair and princely cousin Katharine; And, as a branch and member of this royalty, By whom this great assembly is contriv’d, We do salute you, Duke of Burgundy; And, princes French, and peers, health to you all!

Peace to this meeting, wherefore we are met! Unto our brothe

FRENCH KING ≋ verse

Right joyous are we to behold your face,

Most worthy brother England; fairly met!

So are you, princes English, every one.

Right joyous are we to behold your face, Most worthy brother England; fairly met! So are you, princes English, every one.

Right joyous 're we to behold your face, Most worthy brother England; fairly met! So 're you, princes Engl'sh, every one.

right joyous are we to behold your face, most worthy brother england; fairly met

First appearance

QUEEN ISABEL

The French Queen speaks only twice but both speeches are architecturally important: she opens by expressing hope that Henry's 'fatal' eyes have lost their killing power, and closes with the prayer for the marriage. She is the only character who articulates the full meaning of the peace.

QUEEN ISABEL ≋ verse

So happy be the issue, brother England,

Of this good day and of this gracious meeting

As we are now glad to behold your eyes;

Your eyes, which hitherto have borne in them

Against the French that met them in their bent

The fatal balls of murdering basilisks.

The venom of such looks, we fairly hope,

Have lost their quality; and that this day

Shall change all griefs and quarrels into love.

So happy be the issue, brother England, Of this good day and of this gracious meeting As we are now glad to behold your eyes; Your eyes, which hitherto have borne in them Against the French that met them in their bent The fatal balls of murdering basilisks. The venom of such looks, we fairly hope, Have lost their quality; and that this day Shall change all griefs and quarrels into love.

So happy be the issue, brother England, Of this good day and

KING HENRY

To cry amen to that, thus we appear.

QUEEN ISABEL

You English princes all, I do salute you.

BURGUNDY ≋ verse

My duty to you both, on equal love,

Great Kings of France and England! That I have labour’d,

With all my wits, my pains, and strong endeavours,

To bring your most imperial Majesties

Unto this bar and royal interview,

Your mightiness on both parts best can witness.

Since then my office hath so far prevail’d

That, face to face and royal eye to eye,

You have congreeted, let it not disgrace me

If I demand, before this royal view,

What rub or what impediment there is,

Why that the naked, poor, and mangled Peace,

Dear nurse of arts, plenties, and joyful births,

Should not in this best garden of the world,

Our fertile France, put up her lovely visage?

Alas, she hath from France too long been chas’d,

And all her husbandry doth lie on heaps,

Corrupting in it own fertility.

Her vine, the merry cheerer of the heart,

Unpruned dies; her hedges even-pleach’d,

Like prisoners wildly overgrown with hair,

Put forth disorder’d twigs; her fallow leas

The darnel, hemlock, and rank fumitory,

Doth root upon, while that the coulter rusts

That should deracinate such savagery;

The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth

The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover,

Wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank,

Conceives by idleness, and nothing teems

But hateful docks, rough thistles, kecksies, burs,

Losing both beauty and utility;

And as our vineyards, fallows, meads, and hedges,

Defective in their natures, grow to wildness.

Even so our houses and ourselves and children

Have lost, or do not learn for want of time,

The sciences that should become our country;

But grow like savages,—as soldiers will

That nothing do but meditate on blood,—

To swearing and stern looks, diffus’d attire,

And everything that seems unnatural.

Which to reduce into our former favour

You are assembled; and my speech entreats

That I may know the let, why gentle Peace

Should not expel these inconveniences

And bless us with her former qualities.

My duty to you both, on equal love, Great Kings of France and England! That I have labour’d, With all my wits, my pains, and strong endeavours, To bring your most imperial Majesties Unto this bar and royal interview, Your mightiness on both parts best can witness. Since then my office has so far prevail’d That, face to face and royal eye to eye, You have congreeted, let it not disgrace me If I demand, before this royal view, What rub or what impediment there is, Why that the naked, poor, and mangled Peace, Dear nurse of arts, plenties, and joyful births, Should not in this best garden of the world, Our fertile France, put up her lovely visage? Alas, she has from France too long been chas’d, And all her husbandry does lie on heaps, Corrupting in it own fertility. Her vine, the merry cheerer of the heart, Unpruned dies; her hedges even-pleach’d, Like prisoners wildly overgrown with hair, Put forth disorder’d twigs; her fallow leas The darnel, hemlock, and rank fumitory, does root upon, while that the coulter rusts That should deracinate such savagery; The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover, Wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank, Conceives by idleness, and nothing teems But hateful docks, rough thistles, kecksies, burs, Losing both beauty and utility; And as our vineyards, fallows, meads, and hedges, Defective in their natures, grow to wildness. Even so our houses and ourselves and children Have lost, or do not learn for want of time, The sciences that should become our country; But grow like savages,—as soldiers will That nothing do but meditate on blood,— To swearing and stern looks, diffus’d attire, And everything that seems unnatural. Which to reduce into our former favour You are assembled; and my speech entreats That I may know the let, why gentle Peace Should not expel these inconveniences And bless us with her former qualities.

My duty to you both, on equal love, Great Kings of France and England! That I have labour’d, With all my wits, my pains, and strong endeavours, To bring your most imperial Majesties Unto th's bar and royal interview, Your mightiness on both parts best can witness. Since then my office has so far prevail’d That, face to face and royal eye to eye, You have congreeted, let it not d'sgrace me If I demand, before th's royal view, What rub or what impediment there 's, Why that the naked, poor, and mangled Peace, Dear nurse of arts, plenties, and joyful births, Should not in th's best garden of the world, Our fertile France, put up her lovely v'sage? Alas, she has from France too long been chas’d, And all her husbandry does lie on heaps, Corrupting in it own fertility. Her vine, the merry cheerer of the heart, Unpruned dies; her hedges even-pleach’d, Like pr'soners wildly overgrown with hair, Put forth d'sorder’d twigs; her fallow leas The darnel, hemlock, and rank fumitory, does root upon, while that the coulter rusts That should deracinate such savagery; The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover, Wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank, Conceives by idleness, and nothing teems But hateful docks, rough th'stles, kecksies, burs, Losing both beauty and utility; And as our vineyards, fallows, meads, and hedges, Defective in their natures, grow to wildness. Even so our houses and ourselves and children Have lost, or do not learn for want of time, The sciences that should become our country; But grow like savages,—as soldiers will That nothing do but meditate on blood,— To swearing and stern looks, diffus’d attire, And everything that seems unnatural. Which to reduce into our former favour You 're assembled; and my speech entreats That I may know the let, why gentle Peace Should not expel these inconveniences And bless us with her former qualities.

my duty to you both, on equal love, great kings of france and england! that i ha

"naked, poor, and mangled Peace" One of the most striking personifications in the play — Peace as a wounded woman, stripped bare by war. Burgundy's speech is one of the most eloquent anti-war passages in all of Shakespeare.

Why it matters Burgundy's description of France ruined by war — fields untilled, children growing wild — is the play's most direct statement of what war costs those who aren't kings or soldiers.

↩ Callback to 4-1 Burgundy's description of France ruined by war — wild fields, children growing savage — is the cost of everything the Chorus described in 4-1 as glorious. The Chorus and Burgundy describe the same campaign from opposite ends.

KING HENRY ≋ verse

If, Duke of Burgundy, you would the peace,

Whose want gives growth to the imperfections

Which you have cited, you must buy that peace

With full accord to all our just demands;

Whose tenours and particular effects

You have enschedul’d briefly in your hands.

If, Duke of Burgundy, you would the peace, Whose want gives growth to the imperfections Which you have cited, you must buy that peace With full accord to all our just demands; Whose tenours and particular effects You have enschedul’d briefly in your hands.

If, Duke of Burgundy, you would the peace, Whose want gives

BURGUNDY ≋ verse

The King hath heard them; to the which as yet

There is no answer made.

The King has heard them; to the which as yet There is no answer made.

The King has heard them; to the which as yet There 's no answer made.

the king has heard them; to the which as yet there is no answer made.

KING HENRY ≋ verse

Well, then, the peace,

Which you before so urg’d, lies in his answer.

Well, then, the peace, Which you before so urg’d, lies in his answer.

Well, then, the peace, Which you before so urg’d, lies in hi

FRENCH KING ≋ verse

I have but with a cursorary eye

O’erglanc’d the articles. Pleaseth your Grace

To appoint some of your council presently

To sit with us once more, with better heed

To re-survey them, we will suddenly

Pass our accept and peremptory answer.

I have but with a cursorary eye O’erglanc’d the articles. Pleaseth your Grace To appoint some of your council presently To sit with us once more, with better heed To re-survey them, we will suddenly Pass our accept and peremptory answer.

I have but with a cursorary eye O’erglanc’d the articles. Pl

KING HENRY ≋ verse

Brother, we shall. Go, uncle Exeter,

And brother Clarence, and you, brother Gloucester,

Warwick, and Huntington, go with the King;

And take with you free power to ratify,

Augment, or alter, as your wisdoms best

Shall see advantageable for our dignity,

Anything in or out of our demands,

And we’ll consign thereto. Will you, fair sister,

Go with the princes, or stay here with us?

Brother, we shall. Go, uncle Exeter, And brother Clarence, and you, brother Gloucester, Warwick, and Huntington, go with the King; And take with you free power to ratify, Augment, or alter, as your wisdoms best Shall see advantageable for our dignity, Anything in or out of our demands, And we’ll consign thereto. Will you, fair sister, Go with the princes, or stay here with us?

Brother, we shall. Go, uncle Exeter, And brother Clarence, a

QUEEN ISABEL ≋ verse

Our gracious brother, I will go with them.

Haply a woman’s voice may do some good,

When articles too nicely urg’d be stood on.

Our gracious brother, I will go with them. Haply a woman’s voice may do some good, When articles too nicely urg’d be stood on.

Our gracious brother, I will go with them. Haply a woman’s v

KING HENRY ≋ verse

Yet leave our cousin Katharine here with us:

She is our capital demand, compris’d

Within the fore-rank of our articles.

Yet leave our cousin Katharine here with us: She is our capital demand, compris’d Within the fore-rank of our articles.

Yet leave our cousin Katharine here with us: She is our capi

QUEEN ISABEL

She hath good leave.

She has good leave.

she has good leave.

[_Exeunt all except Henry, Katharine and Alice._]

KING HENRY ≋ verse

Fair Katharine, and most fair,

Will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms

Such as will enter at a lady’s ear

And plead his love-suit to her gentle heart?

Fair Katharine, and most fair, Will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms Such as will enter at a lady’s ear And plead his love-suit to her gentle heart?

Fair Katharine, and most fair, Will you vouchsafe to teach a

First appearance

KATHARINE

Katharine speaks in French with fragments of accented English, and her mix of candid observation and diplomatic silence is remarkably direct under the circumstances. Watch for her method: she deflects with language confusion when she needs time, and when she finally speaks her own mind ('dat is as it shall please le roi mon père'), it reveals both her submission to her father and her quiet dignity.

KATHARINE

Your Majesty shall mock me; I cannot speak your England.

KING HENRY

O fair Katharine, if you will love me soundly with your French heart, I

will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongue.

Do you like me, Kate?

O fair Katharine, if you will love me soundly with your French heart, I will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongue. Do you like me, Kate?

O fair Katharine, if you will love me soundly with your Fren

KATHARINE

_Pardonnez-moi_, I cannot tell wat is “like me.”

KING HENRY

An angel is like you, Kate, and you are like an angel.

KATHARINE

_Que dit-il? Que je suis semblable à les anges?_

ALICE

_Oui, vraiment, sauf votre Grâce, ainsi dit-il._

KING HENRY

I said so, dear Katharine; and I must not blush to affirm it.

I said so, dear Katharine; and I must not blush to affirm it

KATHARINE

_O bon Dieu! les langues des hommes sont pleines de tromperies._

_O bon Dieu! les langues des hommes sont pleines de tromperi

KING HENRY

What says she, fair one? That the tongues of men are full of deceits?

What says she, fair one? That the tongues of men are full of

ALICE

_Oui_, dat de tongues of de mans is be full of deceits: dat is de

Princess.

_Oui_, dat de tongues of de mans is be full of deceits: dat is de Princess.

_Oui_, dat de tongues of de mans is be full of deceits: dat

KING HENRY

The Princess is the better Englishwoman. I’ faith, Kate, my wooing is

fit for thy understanding. I am glad thou canst speak no better

English; for if thou couldst, thou wouldst find me such a plain king

that thou wouldst think I had sold my farm to buy my crown. I know no

ways to mince it in love, but directly to say, “I love you”; then if

you urge me farther than to say, “Do you in faith?” I wear out my suit.

Give me your answer; i’ faith, do; and so clap hands and a bargain. How

say you, lady?

The Princess is the better Englishwoman. I’ faith, Kate, my wooing is fit for your understanding. I am glad you canst speak no better English; for if you couldst, you wouldst find me such a plain king that you wouldst think I had sold my farm to buy my crown. I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say, “I love you”; then if you urge me farther than to say, “Do you in faith?” I wear out my suit. Give me your answer; i’ faith, do; and so clap hands and a bargain. How say you, lady?

The Princess 's the better Engl'shwoman. I’ faith, Kate, my wooing 's fit for your understanding. I am glad you canst speak no better Engl'sh; for if you couldst, you wouldst find me such a plain king that you wouldst think I had sold my farm to buy my crown. I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say, “I love you”; then if you urge me farther than to say, “Do you in faith?” I wear out my suit. Give me your answer; i’ faith, do; and so clap hands and a bargain. How say you, lady?

the princess is the better englishwoman. i’ faith, kate, my wooing is fit for yo

KATHARINE

_Sauf votre honneur_, me understand well.

KING HENRY

Marry, if you would put me to verses, or to dance for your sake, Kate,

why you undid me; for the one, I have neither words nor measure, and

for the other I have no strength in measure, yet a reasonable measure

in strength. If I could win a lady at leap-frog, or by vaulting into my

saddle with my armour on my back, under the correction of bragging be

it spoken, I should quickly leap into a wife. Or if I might buffet for

my love, or bound my horse for her favours, I could lay on like a

butcher and sit like a jack-an-apes, never off. But, before God, Kate,

I cannot look greenly, nor gasp out my eloquence, nor I have no cunning

in protestation; only downright oaths, which I never use till urg’d,

nor never break for urging. If thou canst love a fellow of this temper,

Kate, whose face is not worth sunburning, that never looks in his glass

for love of anything he sees there, let thine eye be thy cook. I speak

to thee plain soldier. If thou canst love me for this, take me; if not,

to say to thee that I shall die, is true; but for thy love, by the

Lord, no; yet I love thee too. And while thou liv’st, dear Kate, take a

fellow of plain and uncoined constancy; for he perforce must do thee

right, because he hath not the gift to woo in other places; for these

fellows of infinite tongue, that can rhyme themselves into ladies’

favours, they do always reason themselves out again. What! a speaker is

but a prater: a rhyme is but a ballad. A good leg will fall; a straight

back will stoop; a black beard will turn white; a curl’d pate will grow

bald; a fair face will wither; a full eye will wax hollow; but a good

heart, Kate, is the sun and the moon; or rather the sun and not the

moon; for it shines bright and never changes, but keeps his course

truly. If thou would have such a one, take me; and take me, take a

soldier; take a soldier, take a king. And what say’st thou then to my

love? Speak, my fair, and fairly, I pray thee.

Marry, if you would put me to verses, or to dance for your sake, Kate, why you undid me; for the one, I have neither words nor measure, and for the other I have no strength in measure, yet a reasonable measure in strength. If I could win a lady at leap-frog, or by vaulting into my saddle with my armour on my back, under the correction of bragging be it spoken, I should quickly leap into a wife. Or if I might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for her favours, I could lay on like a butcher and sit like a jack-an-apes, never off. But, before God, Kate, I cannot look greenly, nor gasp out my eloquence, nor I have no cunning in protestation; only downright oaths, which I never use till urg’d, nor never break for urging. If you canst love a fellow of this temper, Kate, whose face is not worth sunburning, that never looks in his glass for love of anything he sees there, let yours eye be your cook. I speak to you plain soldier. If you canst love me for this, take me; if not, to say to you that I shall die, is true; but for your love, by the Lord, no; yet I love you too. And while you liv’st, dear Kate, take a fellow of plain and uncoined constancy; for he perforce must do you right, because he has not the gift to woo in other places; for these fellows of infinite tongue, that can rhyme themselves into ladies’ favours, they do always reason themselves out again. What! a speaker is but a prater: a rhyme is but a ballad. A good leg will fall; a straight back will stoop; a black beard will turn white; a curl’d pate will grow bald; a fair face will wither; a full eye will wax hollow; but a good heart, Kate, is the sun and the moon; or rather the sun and not the moon; for it shines bright and never changes, but keeps his course truly. If you would have such a one, take me; and take me, take a soldier; take a soldier, take a king. And what say’st you then to my love? Speak, my fair, and fairly, I pray you.

Marry, if you would put me to verses, or to dance for your sake, Kate, why you undid me; for the one, I have neither words nor measure, and for the other I have no strength in measure, yet a reasonable measure in strength. If I could win a lady at leap-frog, or by vaulting into my saddle with my armour on my back, under the correction of bragging be it spoken, I should quickly leap into a wife. Or if I might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for her favours, I could lay on like a butcher and sit like a jack-an-apes, never off. But, before God, Kate, I cannot look greenly, nor gasp out my eloquence, nor I have no cunning in protestation; only downright oaths, which I never use till urg’d, nor never break for urging. If you canst love a fellow of th's temper, Kate, whose face 's not worth sunburning, that never looks in h's glass for love of anything he sees there, let yours eye be your cook. I speak to you plain soldier. If you canst love me for th's, take me; if not, to say to you that I shall die, 's true; but for your love, by the Lord, no; yet I love you too. And while you liv’st, dear Kate, take a fellow of plain and uncoined constancy; for he perforce must do you right, because he has not the gift to woo in other places; for these fellows of infinite tongue, that can rhyme themselves into ladies’ favours, they do always reason themselves out again. What! a speaker 's but a prater: a rhyme 's but a ballad. A good leg will fall; a straight back will stoop; a black beard will turn white; a curl’d pate will grow bald; a fair face will wither; a full eye will wax hollow; but a good heart, Kate, 's the sun and the moon; or rather the sun and not the moon; for it shines bright and never changes, but keeps h's course truly. If you would have such a one, take me; and take me, take a soldier; take a soldier, take a king. And what say’st you then to my love? Speak, my fair, and fairly, I pray you.

marry, if you would put me to verses, or to dance for your sake, kate, why you u

KATHARINE

Is it possible dat I should love de enemy of France?

KING HENRY

No; it is not possible you should love the enemy of France, Kate; but,

in loving me, you should love the friend of France; for I love France

so well that I will not part with a village of it, I will have it all

mine; and, Kate, when France is mine and I am yours, then yours is

France and you are mine.

No; it is not possible you should love the enemy of France, Kate; but, in loving me, you should love the friend of France; for I love France so well that I will not part with a village of it, I will have it all mine; and, Kate, when France is mine and I am yours, then yours is France and you are mine.

No; it is not possible you should love the enemy of France,

KATHARINE

I cannot tell wat is dat.

KING HENRY

No, Kate? I will tell thee in French; which I am sure will hang upon my

tongue like a new-married wife about her husband’s neck, hardly to be

shook off. _Je quand sur le possession de France, et quand vous avez le

possession de moi_,—let me see, what then? Saint Denis be my

speed!—_donc votre est France, et vous êtes mienne._ It is as easy for

me, Kate, to conquer the kingdom as to speak so much more French. I

shall never move thee in French, unless it be to laugh at me.

No, Kate? I will tell you in French; which I am sure will hang upon my tongue like a new-married wife about her husband’s neck, hardly to be shook off. _Je quand sur le possession de France, et quand vous avez le possession de moi_,—let me see, what then? Saint Denis be my speed!—_donc votre est France, et vous êtes mienne._ It is as easy for me, Kate, to conquer the kingdom as to speak so much more French. I shall never move you in French, unless it be to laugh at me.

No, Kate? I will tell you in French; which I am sure will hang upon my tongue like a new-married wife about her husband’s neck, hardly to be shook off. _Je quand sur le possession de France, et quand vous avez le possession de moi_,—let me see, what then? Saint Den's be my speed!—_donc votre est France, et vous êtes mienne._ It 's as easy for me, Kate, to conquer the kingdom as to speak so much more French. I shall never move you in French, unless it be to laugh at me.

no, kate? i will tell you in french; which i am sure will hang upon my tongue li

KATHARINE

_Sauf votre honneur, le français que vous parlez, il est meilleur que

l’anglais lequel je parle._

_Sauf votre honneur, le français que vous parlez, il est meilleur que l’anglais lequel je parle._

_Sauf votre honneur, le français que vous parlez, il est mei

KING HENRY

No, faith, is’t not, Kate; but thy speaking of my tongue, and I thine,

most truly-falsely, must needs be granted to be much at one. But, Kate,

dost thou understand thus much English: canst thou love me?

No, faith, is’t not, Kate; but your speaking of my tongue, and I yours, most truly-falsely, must needs be granted to be much at one. But, Kate, dost you understand thus much English: canst you love me?

No, faith, 's’t not, Kate; but your speaking of my tongue, and I yours, most truly-falsely, must needs be granted to be much at one. But, Kate, dost you understand thus much Engl'sh: canst you love me?

no, faith, is’t not, kate; but your speaking of my tongue, and i yours, most tru

KATHARINE

I cannot tell.

KING HENRY

Can any of your neighbours tell, Kate? I’ll ask them. Come, I know thou

lovest me; and at night, when you come into your closet, you’ll

question this gentlewoman about me; and I know, Kate, you will to her

dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart. But, good

Kate, mock me mercifully; the rather, gentle princess, because I love

thee cruelly. If ever thou beest mine, Kate, as I have a saving faith

within me tells me thou shalt, I get thee with scambling, and thou must

therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder. Shall not thou and I,

between Saint Denis and Saint George, compound a boy, half French, half

English, that shall go to Constantinople and take the Turk by the

beard? Shall we not? What say’st thou, my fair flower-de-luce?

Can any of your neighbours tell, Kate? I’ll ask them. Come, I know you lovest me; and at night, when you come into your closet, you’ll question this gentlewoman about me; and I know, Kate, you will to her dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart. But, good Kate, mock me mercifully; the rather, gentle princess, because I love you cruelly. If ever you beest mine, Kate, as I have a saving faith within me tells me you shalt, I get you with scambling, and you must therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder. Shall not you and I, between Saint Denis and Saint George, compound a boy, half French, half English, that shall go to Constantinople and take the Turk by the beard? Shall we not? What say’st you, my fair flower-de-luce?

Can any of your neighbours tell, Kate? I’ll ask them. Come, I know you lovest me; and at night, when you come into your closet, you’ll question th's gentlewoman about me; and I know, Kate, you will to her d'spra'se those parts in me that you love with your heart. But, good Kate, mock me mercifully; the rather, gentle princess, because I love you cruelly. If ever you beest mine, Kate, as I have a saving faith within me tells me you shalt, I get you with scambling, and you must therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder. Shall not you and I, between Saint Den's and Saint George, compound a boy, half French, half Engl'sh, that shall go to Constantinople and take the Turk by the beard? Shall we not? What say’st you, my fair flower-de-luce?

can any of your neighbours tell, kate? i’ll ask them. come, i know you lovest me

KATHARINE

I do not know dat.

KING HENRY

No; ’tis hereafter to know, but now to promise. Do but now promise,

Kate, you will endeavour for your French part of such a boy; and for my

English moiety, take the word of a king and a bachelor. How answer you,

_la plus belle Katherine du monde, mon très cher et divin déesse?_

No; ’tis hereafter to know, but now to promise. Do but now promise, Kate, you will endeavour for your French part of such a boy; and for my English moiety, take the word of a king and a bachelor. How answer you, _la plus belle Katherine du monde, mon très cher et divin déesse?_

No; ’tis hereafter to know, but now to promise. Do but now p

KATHARINE

Your Majestee ’ave _fausse_ French enough to deceive de most _sage

demoiselle_ dat is _en France_.

Your Majestee ’ave _fausse_ French enough to deceive de most _sage demoiselle_ dat is _en France_.

Your Majestee ’ave _fausse_ French enough to deceive de most

KING HENRY

Now, fie upon my false French! By mine honour, in true English, I love

thee, Kate; by which honour I dare not swear thou lovest me; yet my

blood begins to flatter me that thou dost, notwithstanding the poor and

untempering effect of my visage. Now, beshrew my father’s ambition! He

was thinking of civil wars when he got me; therefore was I created with

a stubborn outside, with an aspect of iron, that, when I come to woo

ladies, I fright them. But, in faith, Kate, the elder I wax, the better

I shall appear. My comfort is, that old age, that ill layer up of

beauty, can do no more spoil upon my face. Thou hast me, if thou hast

me, at the worst; and thou shalt wear me, if thou wear me, better and

better; and therefore tell me, most fair Katharine, will you have me?

Put off your maiden blushes; avouch the thoughts of your heart with the

looks of an empress; take me by the hand, and say, Harry of England, I

am thine; which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal, but I

will tell thee aloud, England is thine, Ireland is thine, France is

thine, and Henry Plantagenet is thine; who, though I speak it before

his face, if he be not fellow with the best king, thou shalt find the

best king of good fellows. Come, your answer in broken music; for thy

voice is music and thy English broken; therefore, queen of all,

Katharine, break thy mind to me in broken English. Wilt thou have me?

Now, fie upon my false French! By mine honour, in true English, I love you, Kate; by which honour I dare not swear you lovest me; yet my blood begins to flatter me that you dost, notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect of my visage. Now, beshrew my father’s ambition! He was thinking of civil wars when he got me; therefore was I created with a stubborn outside, with an aspect of iron, that, when I come to woo ladies, I fright them. But, in faith, Kate, the elder I wax, the better I shall appear. My comfort is, that old age, that ill layer up of beauty, can do no more spoil upon my face. you hast me, if you hast me, at the worst; and you shalt wear me, if you wear me, better and better; and therefore tell me, most fair Katharine, will you have me? Put off your maiden blushes; avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress; take me by the hand, and say, Harry of England, I am yours; which word you shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal, but I will tell you aloud, England is yours, Ireland is yours, France is yours, and Henry Plantagenet is yours; who, though I speak it before his face, if he be not fellow with the best king, you shalt find the best king of good fellows. Come, your answer in broken music; for your voice is music and your English broken; therefore, queen of all, Katharine, break your mind to me in broken English. Wilt you have me?

Now, fie upon my false French! By mine honour, in true Engl'sh, I love you, Kate; by which honour I d're not swear you lovest me; yet my blood begins to flatter me that you dost, notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect of my v'sage. Now, beshrew my father’s ambition! He was thinking of civil wars when he got me; therefore was I created with a stubborn outside, with an aspect of iron, that, when I come to woo ladies, I fright them. But, in faith, Kate, the elder I wax, the better I shall appear. My comfort 's, that old age, that ill layer up of beauty, can do no more spoil upon my face. you hast me, if you hast me, at the worst; and you shalt wear me, if you wear me, better and better; and therefore tell me, most fair Katharine, will you have me? Put off your maiden blushes; avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress; take me by the hand, and say, Harry of England, I am yours; which word you shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal, but I will tell you aloud, England 's yours, Ireland 's yours, France 's yours, and Henry Plantagenet 's yours; who, though I speak it before h's face, if he be not fellow with the best king, you shalt find the best king of good fellows. Come, your answer in broken music; for your voice 's music and your Engl'sh broken; therefore, queen of all, Katharine, break your mind to me in broken Engl'sh. Wilt you have me?

now, fie upon my false french! by mine honour, in true english, i love you, kate

KATHARINE

Dat is as it shall please _le roi mon père_.

Why it matters Katharine's answer is both diplomatic and honest — and a quiet reminder that this entire wooing scene, charming as it is, is happening inside a political negotiation she doesn't control.

KING HENRY

Nay, it will please him well, Kate; it shall please him, Kate.

Nay, it will please him well, Kate; it shall please him, Kat

KATHARINE

Den it sall also content me.

KING HENRY

Upon that I kiss your hand, and call you my queen.

KATHARINE

_Laissez, mon seigneur, laissez, laissez! Ma foi, je ne veux point que

vous abaissiez votre grandeur en baisant la main d’une—Notre

Seigneur!—indigne serviteur. Excusez-moi, je vous supplie, mon

très-puissant seigneur._

_Laissez, mon seigneur, laissez, laissez! Ma foi, je ne veux point que vous abaissiez votre grandeur en baisant la main d’une—Notre Seigneur!—indigne serviteur. Excusez-moi, je vous supplie, mon très-puissant seigneur._

_Laissez, mon seigneur, laissez, laissez! Ma foi, je ne veux

KING HENRY

Then I will kiss your lips, Kate.

KATHARINE

_Les dames et demoiselles pour être baisées devant leurs noces, il

n’est pas la coutume de France._

_Les dames et demoiselles pour être baisées devant leurs noces, il n’est pas la coutume de France._

_Les dames et demoiselles pour être baisées devant leurs noc

KING HENRY

Madame my interpreter, what says she?

ALICE

Dat it is not be de fashion _pour les_ ladies of France,—I cannot tell

wat is _baiser en_ Anglish.

Dat it is not be de fashion _pour les_ ladies of France,—I cannot tell wat is _baiser en_ Anglish.

Dat it is not be de fashion _pour les_ ladies of France,—I c

KING HENRY

To kiss.

ALICE

Your Majestee _entend_ bettre _que moi_.

KING HENRY

It is not a fashion for the maids in France to kiss before they are

married, would she say?

It is not a fashion for the maids in France to kiss before they are married, would she say?

It is not a fashion for the maids in France to kiss before t

ALICE

_Oui, vraiment._

KING HENRY

O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot

be confined within the weak list of a country’s fashion. We are the

makers of manners, Kate; and the liberty that follows our places stops

the mouth of all find-faults, as I will do yours, for upholding the

nice fashion of your country in denying me a kiss; therefore, patiently

and yielding. [_Kissing her._] You have witchcraft in your lips, Kate;

there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of

the French council; and they should sooner persuade Harry of England

than a general petition of monarchs. Here comes your father.

O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country’s fashion. We are the makers of manners, Kate; and the liberty that follows our places stops the mouth of all find-faults, as I will do yours, for upholding the nice fashion of your country in denying me a kiss; therefore, patiently and yielding. [_Kissing her._] You have witchcraft in your lips, Kate; there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of the French council; and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs. Here comes your father.

O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. Dear Kate, you a

Enter the French Power and the English Lords.

BURGUNDY

God save your Majesty! My royal cousin, teach you our princess English?

God save your Majesty! My royal cousin, teach you our prince

KING HENRY

I would have her learn, my fair cousin, how perfectly I love her; and

that is good English.

I would have her learn, my fair cousin, how perfectly I love her; and that is good English.

I would have her learn, my fair cousin, how perfectly I love

BURGUNDY

Is she not apt?

KING HENRY

Our tongue is rough, coz, and my condition is not smooth; so that,

having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me, I cannot

so conjure up the spirit of love in her, that he will appear in his

true likeness.

Our tongue is rough, coz, and my condition is not smooth; so that, having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me, I cannot so conjure up the spirit of love in her, that he will appear in his true likeness.

Our tongue is rough, coz, and my condition is not smooth; so

BURGUNDY

Pardon the frankness of my mirth, if I answer you for that. If you

would conjure in her, you must make a circle; if conjure up Love in her

in his true likeness, he must appear naked and blind. Can you blame her

then, being a maid yet ros’d over with the virgin crimson of modesty,

if she deny the appearance of a naked blind boy in her naked seeing

self? It were, my lord, a hard condition for a maid to consign to.

Pardon the frankness of my mirth, if I answer you for that. If you would conjure in her, you must make a circle; if conjure up Love in her in his true likeness, he must appear naked and blind. Can you blame her then, being a maid yet ros’d over with the virgin crimson of modesty, if she deny the appearance of a naked blind boy in her naked seeing self? It were, my lord, a hard condition for a maid to consign to.

Pardon the frankness of my mirth, if I answer you for that.

"you must make a circle" An extended double entendre: magicians drew circles to conjure spirits, but 'circle' also had sexual connotations in Elizabethan English. Burgundy's speech is bawdy beneath the polished surface.

KING HENRY

Yet they do wink and yield, as love is blind and enforces.

BURGUNDY

They are then excus’d, my lord, when they see not what they do.

They are then excus’d, my lord, when they see not what they

KING HENRY

Then, good my lord, teach your cousin to consent winking.

BURGUNDY

I will wink on her to consent, my lord, if you will teach her to know

my meaning; for maids, well summer’d and warm kept, are like flies at

Bartholomew-tide, blind, though they have their eyes; and then they

will endure handling, which before would not abide looking on.

I will wink on her to consent, my lord, if you will teach her to know my meaning; for maids, well summer’d and warm kept, are like flies at Bartholomew-tide, blind, though they have their eyes; and then they will endure handling, which before would not abide looking on.

I will wink on her to consent, my lord, if you will teach her to know my meaning; for maids, well summer’d and warm kept, 're like flies at Bartholomew-tide, blind, though they have their eyes; and then they will endure handling, which before would not abide looking on.

i will wink on her to consent, my lord, if you will teach her to know my meaning

KING HENRY

This moral ties me over to time and a hot summer; and so I shall catch

the fly, your cousin, in the latter end, and she must be blind too.

This moral ties me over to time and a hot summer; and so I shall catch the fly, your cousin, in the latter end, and she must be blind too.

This moral ties me over to time and a hot summer; and so I s

BURGUNDY

As love is, my lord, before it loves.

KING HENRY

It is so; and you may, some of you, thank love for my blindness, who

cannot see many a fair French city for one fair French maid that stands

in my way.

It is so; and you may, some of you, thank love for my blindness, who cannot see many a fair French city for one fair French maid that stands in my way.

It is so; and you may, some of you, thank love for my blindn

FRENCH KING

Yes, my lord, you see them perspectively, the cities turn’d into a

maid; for they are all girdled with maiden walls that no war hath

entered.

Yes, my lord, you see them perspectively, the cities turn’d into a maid; for they are all girdled with maiden walls that no war has entered.

Yes, my lord, you see them perspectively, the cities turn’d into a maid; for they 're all girdled with maiden walls that no war has entered.

yes, my lord, you see them perspectively, the cities turn’d into a maid; for the

KING HENRY

Shall Kate be my wife?

FRENCH KING

So please you.

KING HENRY

I am content, so the maiden cities you talk of may wait on her; so the

maid that stood in the way for my wish shall show me the way to my

will.

I am content, so the maiden cities you talk of may wait on her; so the maid that stood in the way for my wish shall show me the way to my will.

I am content, so the maiden cities you talk of may wait on h

FRENCH KING

We have consented to all terms of reason.

KING HENRY

Is’t so, my lords of England?

WESTMORLAND ≋ verse

The king hath granted every article;

His daughter first, and then in sequel all,

According to their firm proposed natures.

The king has granted every article; His daughter first, and then in sequel all, According to their firm proposed natures.

The king has granted every article; H's daughter first, and then in sequel all, According to their firm proposed natures.

the king has granted every article; his daughter first, and then in sequel all,

EXETER

Only he hath not yet subscribed this: where your Majesty demands, that

the King of France, having any occasion to write for matter of grant,

shall name your Highness in this form and with this addition, in

French, _Notre très-cher fils Henri, Roi d’Angleterre, Héritier de

France_; and thus in Latin, _Praeclarissimus filius noster Henricus,

rex Angliae et haeres Franciae._

Only he has not yet subscribed this: where your Majesty demands, that the King of France, having any occasion to write for matter of grant, shall name your Highness in this form and with this addition, in French, _Notre très-cher fils Henri, Roi d’Angleterre, Héritier de France_; and thus in Latin, _Praeclarissimus filius noster Henricus, rex Angliae et haeres Franciae._

Only he has not yet subscribed th's: where your Majesty demands, that the King of France, having any occasion to write for matter of grant, shall name your Highness in th's form and with th's addition, in French, _Notre très-cher fils Henri, Roi d’Angleterre, Héritier de France_; and thus in Latin, _Praeclar'ssimus filius noster Henricus, rex Angliae et haeres Franciae._

only he has not yet subscribed this: where your majesty demands, that the king o

FRENCH KING ≋ verse

Nor this I have not, brother, so denied

But our request shall make me let it pass.

Nor this I have not, brother, so denied But our request shall make me let it pass.

Nor this I have not, brother, so denied But our request shal

KING HENRY ≋ verse

I pray you then, in love and dear alliance,

Let that one article rank with the rest;

And thereupon give me your daughter.

I pray you then, in love and dear alliance, Let that one article rank with the rest; And thereupon give me your daughter.

I pray you then, in love and dear alliance, Let that one art

FRENCH KING ≋ verse

Take her, fair son, and from her blood raise up

Issue to me; that the contending kingdoms

Of France and England, whose very shores look pale

With envy of each other’s happiness,

May cease their hatred; and this dear conjunction

Plant neighbourhood and Christian-like accord

In their sweet bosoms, that never war advance

His bleeding sword ’twixt England and fair France.

Take her, fair son, and from her blood raise up Issue to me; that the contending kingdoms Of France and England, whose very shores look pale With envy of each other’s happiness, May cease their hatred; and this dear conjunction Plant neighbourhood and Christian-like accord In their sweet bosoms, that never war advance His bleeding sword ’twixt England and fair France.

Take her, fair son, and from her blood raise up Issue to me;

🎭 Dramatic irony The French King prays that 'never war advance his bleeding sword 'twixt England and fair France' — a prayer the audience (and Shakespeare) knows will not be answered. Henry VI will lose everything within a generation.

LORDS

Amen!

KING HENRY ≋ verse

Now, welcome, Kate; and bear me witness all,

That here I kiss her as my sovereign queen.

Now, welcome, Kate; and bear me witness all, That here I kiss her as my sovereign queen.

Now, welcome, Kate; and bear me witness all, That here I kis

[_Flourish._]

QUEEN ISABEL ≋ verse

God, the best maker of all marriages,

Combine your hearts in one, your realms in one!

As man and wife, being two, are one in love,

So be there ’twixt your kingdoms such a spousal,

That never may ill office, or fell jealousy,

Which troubles oft the bed of blessed marriage,

Thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms,

To make divorce of their incorporate league;

That English may as French, French Englishmen,

Receive each other. God speak this Amen!

God, the best maker of all marriages, Combine your hearts in one, your realms in one! As man and wife, being two, are one in love, So be there ’twixt your kingdoms such a spousal, That never may ill office, or fell jealousy, Which troubles oft the bed of blessed marriage, Thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms, To make divorce of their incorporate league; That English may as French, French Englishmen, Receive each other. God speak this Amen!

God, the best maker of all marriages, Combine your hearts in

ALL

Amen!

KING HENRY ≋ verse

Prepare we for our marriage; on which day,

My Lord of Burgundy, we’ll take your oath,

And all the peers’, for surety of our leagues,

Then shall I swear to Kate, and you to me;

And may our oaths well kept and prosperous be!

Prepare we for our marriage; on which day, My Lord of Burgundy, we’ll take your oath, And all the peers’, for surety of our leagues, Then shall I swear to Kate, and you to me; And may our oaths well kept and prosperous be!

Prepare we for our marriage; on which day, My Lord of Burgun

[_Sennet. Exeunt._]

Enter Chorus.

CHORUS ≋ verse

Thus far, with rough and all-unable pen,

Our bending author hath pursu’d the story,

In little room confining mighty men,

Mangling by starts the full course of their glory.

Small time, but in that small most greatly lived

This star of England. Fortune made his sword,

By which the world’s best garden he achieved,

And of it left his son imperial lord.

Henry the Sixth, in infant bands crown’d King

Of France and England, did this king succeed;

Whose state so many had the managing,

That they lost France and made his England bleed:

Which oft our stage hath shown; and, for their sake,

In your fair minds let this acceptance take.

Thus far, with rough and all-unable pen, Our bending author has pursu’d the story, In little room confining mighty men, Mangling by starts the full course of their glory. Small time, but in that small most greatly lived This star of England. Fortune made his sword, By which the world’s best garden he achieved, And of it left his son imperial lord. Henry the Sixth, in infant bands crown’d King Of France and England, did this king succeed; Whose state so many had the managing, That they lost France and made his England bleed: Which oft our stage has shown; and, for their sake, In your fair minds let this acceptance take.

Thus far, with rough and all-unable pen, Our bending author has pursu’d the story, In little room confining mighty men, Mangling by starts the full course of their glory. Small time, but in that small most greatly lived Th's star of England. Fortune made h's sword, By which the world’s best garden he achieved, And of it left h's son imperial lord. Henry the Sixth, in infant bands crown’d King Of France and England, did th's king succeed; Whose state so many had the managing, That they lost France and made h's England bleed: Which oft our stage has shown; and, for their sake, In your fair minds let th's acceptance take.

thus far, with rough and all-unable pen, our bending author has pursu’d the stor

"Henry the Sixth, in infant bands crown'd King" The Epilogue tells the audience that everything this play celebrated is about to be undone — Henry VI (1422) lost the English claim to France within decades. Shakespeare had already written the Henry VI plays when he wrote Henry V, so the shadow of what comes next was deliberate.

Why it matters The Epilogue is the play's most honest moment — Shakespeare telling the audience that the triumph they just watched will not last. 'Small time, but in that small most greatly lived' is one of his finest epitaphs.

[_Exit._]

The Reckoning

The play ends where it has been heading: a king who conquered France with an army must now conquer one French princess with the only weapon he admits to not having — eloquence. The wooing scene is funny and charming, and also slightly unsettling: Henry gets everything he wants, and Katharine's consent is given only when her father consents. The Epilogue then gently demolishes everything by telling us Henry VI lost France and 'made his England bleed.' The triumphant ending is not the ending. Shakespeare is too honest to pretend otherwise.

If this happened today…

After a hostile acquisition, the CEO has to sit in a room and personally charm the daughter of the company he just took over into agreeing to become his CFO — knowing perfectly well the merger is already signed and she doesn't really have a choice. He's actually quite charming about it. She's actually quite amused. The deal closes. Then the annual report notes that his successor ran the company into the ground within a decade.