Inspiration be praised, for the gap of time, bridged. The wall of centuries, shattered. And God given Inspiration raises long passed poets from the grave. They're souls swirl, and assemble in mind, in form and in meaning to give entertainment a final stab. For like a fire we have caught this inspiration and bottled it to let it's once simmering visage glow again. And once again we look past centuries into the life of one Christian king. The 'mirror' of all Christian kings. Sweet Harry of England now clutches a new kingdom but oh say, doth life and crown last so long? For the throne of France hath been usurped by dear Harry of England and his queen Katherine. But how now? Would Harry have the whole world for his?
[Scene 1 Enter Harry, Exeter (King's Uncle), Duke of Gloucester, and Duke of Brabant]
Gloucester: Sire, England hath had ill humors and cravings for thee. I pray thee return indefinitely or then should your grace neglect; France and England both shall welcome a new king.
Exeter: Indeed.
Duke of Brabant: France; after your majesty's conquest, has blossomed with traitors, thieves, and curs.
King Henry: This hath been long noted by our person and the royal dread doth trail the very notion. Though a watchful eye doth aid, measures must still be taken. I will not watch my kingdom rot in my hands. Though my faithful peers, please record that traitors, thieves, and curs, properly refined equal overthrow. My life's passions will not be devoured by illicit Frenchmen! My friends, countrymen, and brothers I look to your enlightened heads for such a time as this. But feel the evil, the lurking feral perfidiousness of the matter. Does it not strike a chord of injustice?
Exeter: Move against the country your highness. The mettle of the French fields cannot yield an obstacle so great that it cannot be halted by an English paw.
Duke of Brabant: I believe that a lofty tax and a diet of laws would rid us of such problems.
Gloucester: I swear on all conviction that the good Duke would like to stop a comet with a 'lofty tax'. If all we have to deal with is moaning peasants I say away to the homelands.
Exeter: Nay, for moaning peasants hath been the doom of a thousand kingdoms the spill of barrels of blood. Men have laid spread on war ground for due of moaning peasants.
King: My dear gentles, I hate to interrupt but we need not bide our time and we must not waste it. We need therefore to be discussing terms of action.
[Enters Fluellen with guards]
King: Ah Fluellen, I beseech thee give us your thoughts.
Fluellen: What would you have me think on your majesty?
King: The much-feared issue of France's hostility has arisen. What say you?
Fluellen: Your studies will serve you. Think you back to the Romans and the gladiators. How the crafty Emperors did elude the fierceness of their kingdoms. You sweet king hath gave them shelter guidance such is an art with which few men are blessed with. And Dear Harry how sharper than a serpents tooth is an ungrateful child. Bearing edge more sharper than all swords. Sharp enough to bust the steel kingdoms of England. Thus we need distraction as an ally.
King: You are suggesting a war?
Fluellen: It would be most fortunate should one occur. I believe Spain could benefit from some attention.
King: We have no grounds but this about distraction must be thought on. A lure, decoy something to steal the minds of the people. Let no one sleep until this matter is sufficiently resolved. I did not expect France to be a country of warm welcomes for a English king. So let the nobles ponder the options. We shall find the path, therefore dismiss all of you and pray for the king of England.
[Exit all but the king]
King: God bless me, and curse me. Love me, and watch me. Be still and know that I am King Henry, Seditious child of England's loins. Have I fallen so far that I can no longer rise? Have I been burning too long in the fire? To neglect my father and turn to my brother only. To start a war for the profit of land and benefit of rule. God save me.
[Scene 1 Enter Harry, Exeter (King's Uncle), Duke of Gloucester, and Duke of Brabant]
Gloucester: Sire, England hath had ill humors and cravings for thee. I pray thee return indefinitely or then should your grace neglect; France and England both shall welcome a new king.
Exeter: Indeed.
Duke of Brabant: France; after your majesty's conquest, has blossomed with traitors, thieves, and curs.
King Henry: This hath been long noted by our person and the royal dread doth trail the very notion. Though a watchful eye doth aid, measures must still be taken. I will not watch my kingdom rot in my hands. Though my faithful peers, please record that traitors, thieves, and curs, properly refined equal overthrow. My life's passions will not be devoured by illicit Frenchmen! My friends, countrymen, and brothers I look to your enlightened heads for such a time as this. But feel the evil, the lurking feral perfidiousness of the matter. Does it not strike a chord of injustice?
Exeter: Move against the country your highness. The mettle of the French fields cannot yield an obstacle so great that it cannot be halted by an English paw.
Duke of Brabant: I believe that a lofty tax and a diet of laws would rid us of such problems.
Gloucester: I swear on all conviction that the good Duke would like to stop a comet with a 'lofty tax'. If all we have to deal with is moaning peasants I say away to the homelands.
Exeter: Nay, for moaning peasants hath been the doom of a thousand kingdoms the spill of barrels of blood. Men have laid spread on war ground for due of moaning peasants.
King: My dear gentles, I hate to interrupt but we need not bide our time and we must not waste it. We need therefore to be discussing terms of action.
[Enters Fluellen with guards]
King: Ah Fluellen, I beseech thee give us your thoughts.
Fluellen: What would you have me think on your majesty?
King: The much-feared issue of France's hostility has arisen. What say you?
Fluellen: Your studies will serve you. Think you back to the Romans and the gladiators. How the crafty Emperors did elude the fierceness of their kingdoms. You sweet king hath gave them shelter guidance such is an art with which few men are blessed with. And Dear Harry how sharper than a serpents tooth is an ungrateful child. Bearing edge more sharper than all swords. Sharp enough to bust the steel kingdoms of England. Thus we need distraction as an ally.
King: You are suggesting a war?
Fluellen: It would be most fortunate should one occur. I believe Spain could benefit from some attention.
King: We have no grounds but this about distraction must be thought on. A lure, decoy something to steal the minds of the people. Let no one sleep until this matter is sufficiently resolved. I did not expect France to be a country of warm welcomes for a English king. So let the nobles ponder the options. We shall find the path, therefore dismiss all of you and pray for the king of England.
[Exit all but the king]
King: God bless me, and curse me. Love me, and watch me. Be still and know that I am King Henry, Seditious child of England's loins. Have I fallen so far that I can no longer rise? Have I been burning too long in the fire? To neglect my father and turn to my brother only. To start a war for the profit of land and benefit of rule. God save me.