Page 1734 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

In their sweet bosoms, that never was advance [345]
His bleeding sword ‘twixt England and fair France.

ALL
Amen.

KING HENRY
Now welcome, Kate: and bear me witness all,
That here I kiss her as my sovereign Queen.

Flourish.

QUEEN ISABEL
God, the best maker of all marriages, [350]
Combine your hearts in one, your realms in one!
As man and wife, being two, are one in love,

So be there ‘twixt your kingdoms such a spousal
That never may ill office, or fell jealousy,
Which troubles oft the bed of blessèd marriage, [355]
Thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms,
To make divorce of their incorporate league;

That English may as French, French Englishmen,
Receive each other! God speak this “Amen”!

ALL
Amen. [360]

KING HENRY
Prepare we for our marriage: on which day,

My Lord of Burgundy, we’ll take your oath,
And all the peers’, for surety of our leagues.
Then shall I swear to Kate, and you to me;
And may our oaths well kept and prosperous be! [365]
Sennet. Exeunt.