Page 1729 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

you will endeavour for your French part of such a boy, and for my English
[210] moiety take the word of a king and a bachelor. How answer you, la
plus belle Katharine du monde, mon très cher et divin déesse?

KATHARINE
Your majesté ’ave faus French enough to deceive de most sage damoiselle
dat is en France. [215]

KING HENRY
Now, fie upon my false French. By mine honour, in true English, I love thee,
Kate: by which honour I dare not swear thou lovest me; yet my blood begins
to flatter me that thou dost, notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect
of my visage. Now beshrew [220] my father’s ambition! he was thinking of

civil wars when he got me: therefore was I created with a stubborn outside,
with an aspect of iron, that when I come to woo ladies I fright them. But, in
faith, Kate, the elder I wax the better I shall appear: my comfort is, that old
age, [225] that ill layer-up of beauty, can do no more spoil upon my face:

thou hast me, if thou hast me, at the worst; and thou shalt wear me, if thou
wear me, better and better. And therefore tell me, most fair Katharine, will
you have me? Put off your maiden blushes; avouch the thoughts [230] of your
heart with the looks of an empress; take me by the hand, and say, “Harry of

England, I am thine”: which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal,
but I will tell thee aloud, “England is thine, Ireland is thine, France is thine,
and Henry Plantagenet is thine” − [235] who, though I speak it before his
face, if he be not fellow with the best king, thou shalt find the best king of

good fellows. Come, your answer in broken music − for thy voice is music,
and thy English broken; therefore, queen of all, Katharine, break thy mind to
me in broken English: [240] wilt thou have me?

KATHARINE
Dat is as it shall please de Roi mon père.

KING HENRY
Nay, it will please him well, Kate; it shall please him, Kate.

KATHARINE

Den it sall also content me. [245]