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Henry V - Act 5, Chorus
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Last updated: Tue, Jun 02, 2020
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Henry V - Act 5, ChorusAct 5, Chorus
Synopsis:
The Chorus describes the great welcome accorded the English army when it returns home, the visit by the Holy Roman Emperor to establish peace between England and France, and the return of Henry to France.
Enter Chorus.⌜CHORUS⌝
2834 Vouchsafe to those that have not read the story
2835 That I may prompt them; and of such as have,
2836 I humbly pray them to admit th’ excuse
2837 Of time, of numbers, and due course of things,
2838 5 Which cannot in their huge and proper life
2839 Be here presented. Now we bear the King
2840 Toward Calais. Grant him there. There seen,
2841 Heave him away upon your wingèd thoughts
2842 Athwart the sea. Behold, the English beach
2843 10 Pales in the flood with men, wives, and boys,
2844 Whose shouts and claps outvoice the deep-mouthed
2845 sea,
2846 Which, like a mighty whiffler ’fore the King
2847 Seems to prepare his way. So let him land,
2848 15 And solemnly see him set on to London.
2849 So swift a pace hath thought that even now
2850 You may imagine him upon Blackheath,
2851 Where that his lords desire him to have borne
2852 His bruisèd helmet and his bended sword
2853 20 Before him through the city. He forbids it,
2854 Being free from vainness and self-glorious pride,
2855 Giving full trophy, signal, and ostent
2856 Quite from himself, to God. But now behold,
p.
207
2857
In the quick forge and workinghouse of thought,2858 25 How London doth pour out her citizens.
2859 The Mayor and all his brethren in best sort,
2860 Like to the senators of th’ antique Rome,
2861 With the plebeians swarming at their heels,
2862 Go forth and fetch their conqu’ring Caesar in—
2863 30 As, by a lower but by loving likelihood
2864 Were now the general of our gracious empress,
2865 As in good time he may, from Ireland coming,
2866 Bringing rebellion broachèd on his sword,
2867 How many would the peaceful city quit
2868 35 To welcome him! Much more, and much more
2869 cause,
2870 Did they this Harry. Now in London place him
2871 (As yet the lamentation of the French
2872 Invites the King of England’s stay at home;
2873 40 The Emperor’s coming in behalf of France
2874 To order peace between them) and omit
2875 All the occurrences, whatever chanced,
2876 Till Harry’s back return again to France.
2877 There must we bring him, and myself have played
2878 45 The interim, by remembering you ’tis past.
2879 Then brook abridgment, and your eyes advance
2880 After your thoughts, straight back again to France.
He exits.