Act 3 — Scene I.—FRANCE. ROOM IN THE FRENCH KING’S PALACE.
Reading edition
Trumpets sound.
Enter the French King, the Dauphin, Duke of Bourbon, the Constable of France, and others, L.H.
Fr. King. (C.) ’Tis certain he hath pass’d the river Somme.
Con. (R.C.) And if he be not fought withal, my lord, Let us not live in France; let us quit all, And give our vineyards to a barbarous people.
Dau. (R.) By faith and honour, Our madams mock at us; They bid us—to the English dancing-schools, And teach lavoltas high1 and swift corantos;2 Saying our grace is only in our heels, And that we are most lofty runaways.
Fr. King. Where is Montjoy the herald? speed him hence: Let him greet England with our sharp defiance.— Up, princes! and, with spirit of honour edg’d More sharper than your swords, hie to the field: Bar Harry England, that sweeps through our land With pennons3 painted in the blood of Harfleur: Go down upon him,—you have power enough,— And in a captive chariot into Rouen Bring him our prisoner.
Con. This becomes the great. Sorry am I his numbers are so few, His soldiers sick, and famish’d in their march; For, I am sure, when he shall see our army, He’ll drop his heart into the sink of fear, And, for achievement offer us his ransom.4
Fr. King. Therefore, lord constable, haste on Montjoy; Constable crosses to L. And let him say to England, that we send To know what willing ransom he will give.— Prince Dauphin, you shall stay with us in Rouen.
Dau. Not so, I do beseech your majesty.
Fr. King. Be patient; for you shall remain with us.— Now, forth, lord constable (Exit Constable, L.H.), and princes all, And quickly bring us word of England’s fall.
Exeunt L.H.
Trumpets sound.