The First Part of Henry the Sixth: ACT V , SCENE I. London. The palace.

The First Part of Henry the Sixth: ACT V


	Introduction

	ACT I

	ACT II

	ACT III

	ACT IV

	ACT V

		SCENE I. London. The palace.

		SCENE II. France. Plains in Anjou.

		SCENE III. Before Angiers.

		SCENE IV. Camp of the YORK in Anjou.

		SCENE V. London. The palace.

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SCENE I. London. The palace.

Sennet. Enter KING HENRY VI, GLOUCESTER, and EXETER

KING HENRY VI

Have you perused the letters from the pope,
The emperor and the Earl of Armagnac?

GLOUCESTER

      I have, my lord: and their intent is this:
      They humbly sue unto your excellence
5     To have a godly peace concluded of
      Between the realms of England and of France.

KING HENRY VI

How doth your grace affect their motion?

GLOUCESTER

      Well, my good lord; and as the only means
      To stop effusion of our Christian blood
10    And 'stablish quietness on every side.

KING HENRY VI

      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.

GLOUCESTER

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

KING HENRY VI

      Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!
      And fitter is my study and my books
      Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
      Yet call the ambassador; and, as you please,
25    So let them have their answers every one:
      I shall be well content with any choice
      Tends to God's glory and my country's weal.

Enter CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER in Cardinal's habit, a Legate and two Ambassadors

EXETER

      What! is my Lord of Winchester install'd,
      And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?
30    Then I perceive that will be verified
      Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy,
      'If once he come to be a cardinal,
      He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.'

KING HENRY VI

      My lords ambassadors, your several suits
35    Have been consider'd and debated on.
      And therefore are we certainly resolved
      To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
      Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
      Shall be transported presently to France.

GLOUCESTER

40    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.

KING HENRY VI

45    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 all but CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER and Legate

CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER

50    Stay, my lord legate: you shall first receive
      The sum of money which I promised
      Should be deliver'd to his holiness
      For clothing me in these grave ornaments.

Legate

I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.

CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER

55    (Aside) Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
      Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
      Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive
      That, neither in birth or for authority,
      The bishop will be overborne by thee:
60    I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
      Or sack this country with a mutiny.

Exeunt

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