Page 1660 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

They bid us to the English dancing-schools,
And teach lavoltas high and swift corantos;
Saying our grace is only in our heels,
And that we are most lofty runaways. [35]

FRENCH 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!

Charles Delabreth, high Constable of France; [40]
You Dukes of Orleans, Bourbon, and of Berri,
Alençon, Brabant, Bar, and Burgundy;
Jacques Chatillon, Rambures, Vaudemont,
Beaumont, Grandpré, Roussi, and Faulconbridge,

Foix, Lestrale, Bouciqualt, and Charolois; [45]
High Dukes, great Princes, Barons, Lords, and Knights,
For your great seats now quit you of great shames,

Bar Harry England, that sweeps through our land
With pennons painted in the blood of Harfleur!
Rush on his host, as doth the melted snow [50]
Upon the valleys, whose low vassal seat
The Alps doth spit and void his rheum upon!

Go down upon him, you have power enough,
And in a captive chariot into Rouen
Bring him our prisoner.

CONSTABLE
This becomes the great. [55]

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. [60]

FRENCH KING
Therefore! Lord Constable, haste on Montjoy,
And let him say to England that we send