O noble English! that could entertain
With half their forces the full pride of France,
And let another half stand laughing by, 113
All out of work, and cold for action.
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, 120
Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises.
Exe. Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth
Do all expect that you should rouse yourself,
As did the former lions of your blood. 124
West. 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 128
And lie pavilion'd in the fields of France.
Cant. 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 132
Will raise your highness such a mighty sum
As never did the clergy at one time
Bring in to any of your ancestors.
K. Hen. We must not only arm to invade the French, 136
But lay down our proportions to defend
Against the Scot, who will make road upon us
114 for: for want of
116 puissant: powerful
120 May-morn of his youth; cf. n.
126 So hath your highness; cf. n.
132 spiritualty: clergy
137 lay . . . proportions: estimate the requisite number of troops
138 road: inroad
