The English camp in Picardy.
[Tucket. Enter MONTJOY]
MONTJOY You know me by my habit.
KING HENRY V Well then
I know thee: what shall I know of thee?
MONTJOY My master’s mind.
KING HENRY V Unfold it.
MONTJOY Thus says my king:
Say thou to Harry of England:
Though we seemed dead, we did but sleep. Tell him we
could have rebuked him at Harfleur, but that we
thought not good to bruise an injury till it were
full ripe: now we speak upon our cue, and our voice
is imperial: England shall repent his folly, see
his weakness, and admire our sufferance. Bid him
therefore consider of his ransom; which must
proportion the losses we have borne, the subjects we
have lost, the disgrace we have digested.
For our losses, his exchequer is too poor; for the
effusion of our blood, the muster of his kingdom too
faint a number; and for our disgrace, his own
person, kneeling at our feet, but a weak and
worthless satisfaction. To this add defiance: and
tell him, for conclusion, he hath betrayed his
followers, whose condemnation is pronounced. So far
my king and master; so much my office.
KING HENRY V What is thy name? I know thy quality.
MONTJOY Montjoy.
KING HENRY V Thou dost thy office fairly.
Turn thee back.
And tell thy king I do not seek him now;
But could be willing to march on to Calais
Without impeachment: for, to say the sooth,
My people are with sickness much enfeebled,
My numbers lessened,
Go therefore, tell thy master here I am;
My ransom is this frail and worthless trunk,
My army but a weak and sickly guard;
Yet, God before, tell him we will come on,
Though France himself and such another neighbour
Stand in our way.
If we may pass, we will; if we be hinder’d,
We shall your tawny ground with your red blood
Discolour: and so Montjoy, fare you well.
We would not seek a battle, as we are;
Nor, as we are, we say we will not shun it:
So tell your master.
MONTJOY I shall deliver so. Thanks to your highness.
[Exit]
KING HENRY V March to the bridge;
it now draws toward night:
Beyond the river we’ll encamp ourselves,
And on to-morrow, bid them march away.
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