keep the spectators constantly in mind that the peculiar grandeur of the actions there described cannot be developed on a narrow stage; and that they must supply the deficiencies of the representation from their own imaginations. As the subject was not properly dramatic, in the form, also, Shakspeare chose rather to wander beyond the bounds of the species, and to sing as a poetic herald, what he could not represent to the eye, than to cripple the progress of the action by putting long speeches in the mouths of the persons of the drama. "However much Shakspeare celebrates the French conquest of king Henry, still he has not omitted to hint to us, after his way, the secret springs of this undertaking. Henry was in want of foreign wars to secure himself on the throne; the clergy also wished to keep him employed abroad, and made an offer of rich contributions to prevent the passing of a law which would have deprived them of the half of their revenues. His learned bishops are consequently as ready to prove to him his undisputed right to the crown of France, as he is to allow his conscience to be tranquillized by them. They prove that the Salic law is not, and never was, applicable to France; and the matter is treated in a more succinct and convincing manner than such subjects usually are in manifestoes. After his renowned battles, Henry wished to secure his conquests by marriage with a French princess; all that has reference to this is intended for irony in the play. The fruit of this union, from which two nations promised to themselves such happiness in future, was that very feeble Henry the Sixth, under whom every thing was so miserably lost. It must not therefore, be imagined that it was without the knowledge and will of the Poet that an heroic drama turns out a comedy in his hands; and ends, in the manner of comedy, with a marriage of convenience." * Schlegel. PERSONS REPRESENTED. KING HENRY THE FIFTH. Duke of Gloster, Brothers to the King. Duke of Bedford, Duke of Exeter, Uncle to the King. Duke of York, Cousin to the King. Earls of Salisbury, Westmoreland, and Warwick. Archbishop of Canterbury. Bishop of Ely. Earl of Cambridge, LORD SCROOP, Conspirators against the King. Officers in King Henry's COURT, Soldiers in the same. WILLIAMS, ISABEL, Queen of France. KATHARINE, Daughter of Charles and Isabel. ALICE, a Lady attending on the Princess Katharine. QUICKLY, Pistol's Wife, an IIostess. Lords, Ladies, Officers, French and English Soldiers, Messengers, and Attendants. The SCENE, at the beginning of the Play, lies in England; but afterwards wholly in France. KING HENRY THE FIFTH. Enter CHORUS. O, FOR a muse of fire, that would ascend A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire, Suppose, within the girdle of these walls Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them 1 O, for circle, alluding to the circular form of the theatre. 2 "Imaginary forces." Imaginary for imaginative, or your powers of fancy. Printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth; Who, prologue like, your humble patience pray ACT I. SCENE I. London.1 An Antechamber in the Enter the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop of Ely.2 Canterbury. My lord, I'll tell you,-that self bill is urged, Which in the eleventh year o' the last king's reign But that the scambling and unquiet time Did push it out of further question. Ely. But how, my lord, shall we resist it now? Cant. It must be thought on. If it pass against us, We lose the better half of our possession; For all the temporal lands, which men devout 1 This first scene was added in the folio, together with the choruses and other amplifications. It appears from Hall and Holinshed, that the events passed at Leicester, where king Henry V. held a parliament in the second year of his reign. But the chorus at the beginning of the second act shows that the Poet intended to make London the place of his first scene. 2 "Canterbury and Ely." Henry Chicheley, a Carthusian monk, recently promoted to the see of Canterbury John Fordham, bishop of Ely consecrated 1388, died 1426. As much as would maintain, to the king's honor, Thus runs the bill. "Twould drink the cup and all Ely. But what prevention ? Cant. The king is full of grace, and fair regard. And whipped the offending Adam out of him; To envelop and contain celestial spirits. With such a heady current, scouring faults; So soon did lose his seat, and all at once, Ely. And, all admiring, with an inward wish You would desire, the king were made a prelate : You would say,-it hath been all in all his study: Turn him to any cause of policy, 1 The same thought occurs in the preceding play, where king Henry V. says:— "My father is gone wild into his grave, For in his tomb lie my affections." |