Page 1666 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

My master’s mind.

KING HENRY
Unfold it. [120]

MONTJOY
Thus says my King: Say thou to Harry of England: Though we seemed dead,
we did but sleep: advantage is a better soldier than rashness. 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 [125] 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; [130] which in weight to re-answer, his pettiness would bow under.
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. [135] 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
What is thy name? I know thy quality. [140]

MONTJOY
Montjoy.

KING HENRY

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, [145]
Though ‘tis no wisdom to confess so much

Unto an enemy of craft and vantage,
My people are with sickness much enfeebled,
My numbers lessen’d, and those few I have

Almost no better than so many French; [150]