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Dead March. Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by the DUKE OF BEDFORD, REGENT OF FRANCE; the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, PROTECTOR; the DUKE OF EXETER; the EARL OF WARWICK; the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER; and THE DUKE OF SOMERSET, with HERALDS and ATTENDANTS
A funeral march plays. The funeral procession for King Henry the Fifth enters. It includes the DUKE OF BEDFORD, REGENT OF FRANCE; the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, PROTECTOR; the DUKE OF EXETER; the EARL OF WARWICK; the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER; and the DUKE OF SOMERSET. They are accompanied by HERALDS and ATTENDANTS.
BEDFORD  
Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night!
Comets, importing change of times and states,
Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky,
And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
5
That have consented unto Henry’s death:
King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long.
England ne’er lost a king of so much worth.
BEDFORD
Let the sky turn black, let the day surrender to the night! Let the comets, which signal change for history and for kingdoms, show their bright tails in the sky and use them to whip the stars that have rebelled and allowed Henry to die. King Henry the Fifth was too admired to live long. England has never lost a king as great as he was.
GLOUCESTER  
England ne’er had a king until his time.
Virtue he had, deserving to command;
10
His brandished sword did blind men with his beams;
His arms spread wider than a dragon’s wings;
His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire,
More dazzled and drove back his enemies
Than midday sun fierce bent against their faces.
15
What should I say? His deeds exceed all speech.
He ne’er lift up his hand but conquerèd.
GLOUCESTER
England never had a true king until this one. He was an excellent commander and deserved the title. His drawn sword blinded men with its light. The span of his outstretched arms was greater than a dragon’s wings. His sparkling eyes were full of raging fire, dazzling and driving back his enemies more fiercely than the midday sun in their faces. What else can I say? The things he did are greater than words can express. He never lifted a hand without conquering something.
EXETER  
We mourn in black; why mourn we not in blood?
Henry is dead and never shall revive.
Upon a wooden coffin we attend,
20
And Death’s dishonorable victory
We with our stately presence glorify,
Like captives bound to a triumphant car.
What? Shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory’s overthrow?
25
Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
Conjurers and sorcerers, that, afraid of him,
By magic verses have contrived his end?
EXETER
We mourn in black clothing, but maybe we should mourn by shedding French blood. Henry is dead and won’t ever come back to life. To accompany this wooden coffin is to honor cruel Death with a grand ceremony, as if we were prisoners chained to Death’s triumphant chariot. But what else should we do? Curse the stars of misfortune that planned to overthrow our king? Or imagine that cunning magicians from France, who were afraid of him, used spells to bring about his death?
WINCHESTER
He was a king blest of the King of kings;
Unto the French the dreadful Judgment Day
30
So dreadful will not be as was his sight.
The battles of the Lord of Hosts he fought;
The Church’s prayers made him so prosperous.
WINCHESTER
He was a king blessed by God. For the French, Judgment Day will be less frightening than the sight of him was. He fought God’s battles, and the Church’s prayers helped him win.
GLOUCESTER
The Church? Where is it? Had not churchmen prayed,
His thread of life had not so soon decayed.
35
None do you like but an effeminate prince
Whom like a schoolboy you may overawe.
GLOUCESTER
The Church? Where is the Church now? Maybe if the clergy hadn’t prayed for him, the thread of Henry’s life wouldn’t have weakened so soon. You only like leaders you can impress, like a schoolboy charming a girl.
WINCHESTER Gloucester, whate’er we like, thou art Protector
And lookest to command the Prince and realm.
Thy wife is proud; she holdeth thee in awe
40
More than God or religious churchmen may.
WINCHESTER
Gloucester, whatever we clergymen may prefer, you’re the Protector and will be in charge of the Prince and his realm.

Your wife must be pleased with herself, considering how you admire her more than you do God or the clergy.

Winchester is trying to insult Gloucester for being irreligious by loving his wife more than God.

Your wife must be pleased with herself, considering how you admire her more than you do God or the clergy.
GLOUCESTER  
Name not religion, for thou lov’st the flesh,
And ne’er throughout the year to church thou go’st,
Except it be to pray against thy foes.
GLOUCESTER
Don’t talk to me about religion. You love the flesh, and you don’t go to church all year unless it’s to pray against your enemies.
BEDFORD
Cease, cease these jars, and rest your minds in peace!
45
Let’s to the altar.—Heralds, wait on us.—
Instead of gold, we’ll offer up our arms,
Since arms avail not, now that Henry’s dead.
Posterity, await for wretched years
When at their mothers’ moistened eyes babes shall
50
suck,
Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears,
And none but women left to wail the dead.
Henry the Fifth, thy ghost I invocate:
Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils,
55
Combat with adverse planets in the heavens.
A far more glorious star thy soul will make
Than Julius Caesar or bright—
BEDFORD
Stop this bickering and calm yourselves! Let’s go to the altar. Heralds, we need your services. Instead of gold, we’ll offer our weapons as a sacrifice. They can no longer help us now that Henry’s dead. Future generations can expect unhappy times. Infants will feed on their mothers’ weeping eyes, our island’s soil will consist of salty tears, and only women will be left alive to cry for the dead. Henry the Fifth, I call on your spirit to make this land prosperous, to hold it back from civil war, and to fight against the stars of misfortune in the sky. Your soul will be a far more glorious star than Julius Caesar’s or bright—
Enter a MESSENGER.
A MESSENGER enters.
MESSENGER
My honorable lords, health to you all.
Sad tidings bring I to you out of France,
60
Of loss, of slaughter, and discomfiture:
Guyen, Champaigne, Rheims, Roan, Orleance,
Paris, Gisors, Poitiers, are all quite lost.
MESSENGER
My honorable lords, I hope you are well. I bring sad news of loss, slaughter, and ruin from France. We have completely lost Guyenne,

Compiègne

These cities are locations in France. Scholars think Shakespeare meant the town of Compiègne (and not Champagne) because a historical battle involving Joan of Arc took place there.

Compiègne , Reims, Rouen, Orléans, Paris, Gisors, and Poitiers.
BEDFORD
What say’st thou, man, before dead Henry’s corse?
Speak softly, or the loss of those great towns
65
Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.
BEDFORD
Why would you say that in front of Henry’s corpse? Speak quietly, or else the loss of those great towns will make him burst out of his coffin and rise from the dead.
GLOUCESTER  
Is Paris lost? Is Roan yielded up?
If Henry were recalled to life again,
These news would cause him once more yield the
ghost.
GLOUCESTER
Has Paris been lost? Has Rouen been surrendered? If Henry were brought back to life, this news would kill him all over again.
EXETER
70
How were they lost? What treachery was used?
EXETER
How were they lost? Was there some kind of betrayal?
MESSENGER
No treachery, but want of men and money.
Amongst the soldiers, this is mutterèd:
That here you maintain several factions
And, whilst a field should be dispatched and fought,
75
You are disputing of your generals.
One would have ling’ring wars with little cost;
Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings;
A third thinks, without expense at all,
By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.
80
Awake, awake, English nobility!
Let not sloth dim your honors new begot.
Cropped are the flower-de-luces in your arms;
Of England’s coat, one half is cut away.
MESSENGER
There was no betrayal. Just a lack of men and money. There’s a rumor among the soldiers that you’ve been fighting amongst yourselves. Instead of sending troops into battle, you’re arguing about what the generals should do. One side wants a slow war that won’t cost much. Another wants it to move quickly (but doesn’t have the means). A third thinks that he could achieve peace for no money at all, through cunning and elegant words. Wake up, you English nobles! Wake up! Don’t lose the respect you’ve just earned by being lazy now. The

fleur-de-lis

The fleur-de-lis was one of the symbols in England’s coat of arms at the time. It represented the victory over France that England had hoped for.

fleur-de-lis
He exits.
The MESSENGER exits.
EXETER
Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
85
These tidings would call forth her flowing tides.
EXETER
If our tears weren’t enough for this funeral, this news would bring in England’s flowing tides.
BEDFORD
Me they concern; regent I am of France.
Give me my steelèd coat, I’ll fight for France.
Away with these disgraceful wailing robes.
Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes
90
To weep their intermissive miseries.
BEDFORD
I’m the ruler of France, so this news is my concern. Give me my armor and I’ll take France myself. Get these disgraceful mourning clothes off of me. The French will be weeping from the wounds I give them instead of their eyes. Their miseries have only been briefly interrupted.
Enter to them another MESSENGER, with papers.
Another MESSENGER enters with papers.
SECOND MESSENGER
Lords, view these letters, full of bad mischance.
France is revolted from the English quite,
Except some petty towns of no import.
The Dauphin Charles is crownèd king in Rheims;
95
The Bastard of Orleance with him is joined;
Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part;
The Duke of Alanson flieth to his side.
SECOND MESSENGER
Lords, read these letters. They’re full of bad luck. The French have completely revolted against the English except in a few unimportant towns. The

Dauphin

Dauphin was the title given to the French king’s oldest son and heir to the throne.

Dauphin Charles has been crowned king in Reims. And at his side are the

Bastard of Orléans

A son, born out of wedlock, to the Duke of Orléans.

Bastard of Orléans , Reignier the Duke of Anjou, and the Duke of Alanson.
He exits.
The MESSENGER exits.
EXETER  
The Dauphin crownèd king? All fly to him?
O, whither shall we fly from this reproach?
EXETER
The Dauphin’s been crowned king? Everyone’s taking his side? Oh God, where will we run from this disgrace?
GLOUCESTER  
100
We will not fly but to our enemies’ throats.—
Bedford, if thou be slack, I’ll fight it out.
GLOUCESTER
We will not run except toward our enemies’ throats. Bedford, if you’re not up for it, I’ll go fight.
BEDFORD
Gloucester, why doubt’st thou of my forwardness?
An army have I mustered in my thoughts,
Wherewith already France is overrun.
BEDFORD
Gloucester, why do you assume I’m not ready? In my mind I’ve put together an army that is already invading France.
Enter another MESSENGER.
Another MESSENGER enters.
THIRD MESSENGER
105
My gracious lords, to add to your laments,
Wherewith you now bedew King Henry’s hearse,
I must inform you of a dismal fight
Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.
THIRD MESSENGER
My kind lords, I’m sorry to add to the tears of grief you weep over King Henry’s hearse, but I must inform you of a terrible fight between the brave Lord Talbot and the French.
WINCHESTER
What? Wherein Talbot overcame, is ’t so?
WINCHESTER
What? But Talbot won, didn’t he?
THIRD MESSENGER
110
O no, wherein Lord Talbot was o’erthrown.
The circumstance I’ll tell you more at large.
The tenth of August last, this dreadful lord,
Retiring from the siege of Orleance,
Having full scarce six thousand in his troop,
115
By three and twenty thousand of the French
Was round encompassèd and set upon.
No leisure had he to enrank his men.
He wanted pikes to set before his archers,
Instead whereof, sharp stakes plucked out of hedges
120
They pitchèd in the ground confusedly
To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.
More than three hours the fight continuèd,
Where valiant Talbot, above human thought,
Enacted wonders with his sword and lance.
125
Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him;
Here, there, and everywhere, enraged, he slew.
The French exclaimed the devil was in arms;
All the whole army stood agazed on him.
His soldiers, spying his undaunted spirit,
130
“À Talbot! À Talbot!” cried out amain
And rushed into the bowels of the battle.
Here had the conquest fully been sealed up
If Sir John Fastolf had not played the coward.
He, being in the vaward, placed behind
135
With purpose to relieve and follow them,
Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
Hence grew the general wrack and massacre.
Enclosèd were they with their enemies.
A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin’s grace,
140
Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back,
Whom all France, with their chief assembled
strength,
Durst not presume to look once in the face.
THIRD MESSENGER
No, he was defeated. I’ll tell you more about the circumstances in detail.
 
On August tenth, the terrifying Lord Talbot was retreating from the attack on Orléans because he had less than six thousand soldiers left. They were then surrounded and attacked by twenty-three thousand French soldiers. He had no time to put his men in order. He also had no

pikes for his archers

Pikes are long stakes put in the ground in front of archers to protect them from attacking horses.

pikes for his archers , so they picked some sharp stakes out of the hedges and stuck them in the ground at random to hold off the horsemen.
 
The fight went on for more than three hours, and the brave Talbot did amazing things beyond human imagination with his sword and spear. He sent hundreds of soldiers to hell, and no one dared to stand up to him. Here, there, and everywhere, full of rage, he killed them.
 
The French exclaimed that they were up against the devil, and their whole army stood staring in astonishment at him. His own soldiers, seeing his fearless spirit, cried out with all their might, “This is for Talbot! This is for Talbot!” and rushed into the center of the battle.
 
Victory would’ve been guaranteed at this point if Sir John Fastolf hadn’t acted like a coward. He’d been put at the back of the vanguard to support and follow them, but he fled like a coward without having struck one blow. The whole disaster and massacre grew from there.
 
They were surrounded by their enemies. Then, some worthless

Walloon

A Walloon is someone from Wallonia, a French-speaking region of southern Belgium and neighboring parts of France.

Walloon , to win the favor of the Dauphin, drove a spear into Talbot’s back—Talbot, the man who all of France, with their strongest men assembled, didn’t dare to look in the face.
BEDFORD
Is Talbot slain then? I will slay myself
145
For living idly here, in pomp and ease,
Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid,
Unto his dastard foemen is betrayed.
BEDFORD
So, Talbot’s been killed? I’ll kill myself for living here in luxury and leisure, doing nothing, while such a worthy leader, unaided, is handed over to his cowardly enemies.
THIRD MESSENGER
O, no, he lives, but is took prisoner,
And Lord Scales with him, and Lord Hungerford;
150
Most of the rest slaughtered or took likewise.
THIRD MESSENGER
Oh, no, he’s alive, but he’s been taken prisoner. And Lord Scales and Lord Hungerford along with him. Most of the rest were either killed or taken prisoner as well.
BEDFORD
His ransom there is none but I shall pay.
I’ll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne;
His crown shall be the ransom of my friend.
Four of their lords I’ll change for one of ours.
155
Farewell, my masters; to my task will I.
Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make,
To keep our great Saint George’s feast withal.
Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take,
Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake.
BEDFORD
There’s no ransom I won’t pay. In fact, I’ll drag the Dauphin headfirst from his throne and pay my friend’s ransom with his crown. I’ll even give them four of their lords for our one. Farewell, men, I’ve got work to do. I’m going to make bonfires in France to celebrate

Saint George’s Day

A celebration of England’s patron saint.

Saint George’s Day . And I’m going to take ten thousand soldiers with me. Their bloody deeds will make all of Europe tremble.
THIRD MESSENGER
160
So you had need; ’fore Orleance besieged,
The English army is grown weak and faint;
The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply
And hardly keeps his men from mutiny,
Since they so few watch such a multitude.
THIRD MESSENGER
They’d better. The English army has Orléans surrounded, but the men have grown weak. The Earl of Salisbury needs supplies. And since he has so few men facing so many enemies, he can barely keep them from turning on him.
He exits.
The MESSENGER exits.
EXETER
165
Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn:
Either to quell the Dauphin utterly
Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.
EXETER
Lords, remember the promise you made to Henry: that you would either crush the Dauphin completely or make him your slave.
BEDFORD
I do remember it, and here take my leave
To go about my preparation.
BEDFORD
I remember. And now I’m going to prepare to make good on that promise.
BEDFORD exits .
BEDFORD exits.
GLOUCESTER
170
I’ll to the Tower with all the haste I can
To view th’ artillery and munition,
And then I will proclaim young Henry king.
GLOUCESTER
I’m going to hurry to the

Tower

The Tower of London was both a royal palace and a fortress.

Tower to take a look at the weapons and ammunition there. Then I’ll announce that young Henry has become king.
GLOUCESTER exits.
GLOUCESTER exits.
EXETER
To Eltham will I, where the young king is,
Being ordained his special governor;
175
And for his safety there I’ll best devise.
EXETER
I’m going to Eltham, where the young king is, since I’ve been appointed as his

governor

Someone in charge of the education and general care of a child.

governor . I’ll figure out how to make sure he’s safe there.
He exits.
EXETER exits.
WINCHESTER , aside
Each hath his place and function to attend.
I am left out; for me nothing remains.
But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office.
The King from Eltham I intend to steal,
180
And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.
WINCHESTER , aside
Everyone except me has somewhere to go and something to do. But I won’t be unemployed for long. I’m going to kidnap the young king from Eltham. Then I’ll be the real head of the kingdom.
He exits at one door; at another door, WARWICK, SOMERSET, ATTENDANTS and HERALDS exit with the coffin.
WINCHESTER exits through one door. WARWICK, SOMERSET, ATTENDANTS, and HERALDS exit with the coffin through another.

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Original Text

Modern Text
Dead March. Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by the DUKE OF BEDFORD, REGENT OF FRANCE; the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, PROTECTOR; the DUKE OF EXETER; the EARL OF WARWICK; the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER; and THE DUKE OF SOMERSET, with HERALDS and ATTENDANTS
A funeral march plays. The funeral procession for King Henry the Fifth enters. It includes the DUKE OF BEDFORD, REGENT OF FRANCE; the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, PROTECTOR; the DUKE OF EXETER; the EARL OF WARWICK; the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER; and the DUKE OF SOMERSET. They are accompanied by HERALDS and ATTENDANTS.
BEDFORD  
Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night!
Comets, importing change of times and states,
Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky,
And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
5
That have consented unto Henry’s death:
King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long.
England ne’er lost a king of so much worth.
BEDFORD
Let the sky turn black, let the day surrender to the night! Let the comets, which signal change for history and for kingdoms, show their bright tails in the sky and use them to whip the stars that have rebelled and allowed Henry to die. King Henry the Fifth was too admired to live long. England has never lost a king as great as he was.
GLOUCESTER  
England ne’er had a king until his time.
Virtue he had, deserving to command;
10
His brandished sword did blind men with his beams;
His arms spread wider than a dragon’s wings;
His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire,
More dazzled and drove back his enemies
Than midday sun fierce bent against their faces.
15
What should I say? His deeds exceed all speech.
He ne’er lift up his hand but conquerèd.
GLOUCESTER
England never had a true king until this one. He was an excellent commander and deserved the title. His drawn sword blinded men with its light. The span of his outstretched arms was greater than a dragon’s wings. His sparkling eyes were full of raging fire, dazzling and driving back his enemies more fiercely than the midday sun in their faces. What else can I say? The things he did are greater than words can express. He never lifted a hand without conquering something.
EXETER  
We mourn in black; why mourn we not in blood?
Henry is dead and never shall revive.
Upon a wooden coffin we attend,
20
And Death’s dishonorable victory
We with our stately presence glorify,
Like captives bound to a triumphant car.
What? Shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory’s overthrow?
25
Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
Conjurers and sorcerers, that, afraid of him,
By magic verses have contrived his end?
EXETER
We mourn in black clothing, but maybe we should mourn by shedding French blood. Henry is dead and won’t ever come back to life. To accompany this wooden coffin is to honor cruel Death with a grand ceremony, as if we were prisoners chained to Death’s triumphant chariot. But what else should we do? Curse the stars of misfortune that planned to overthrow our king? Or imagine that cunning magicians from France, who were afraid of him, used spells to bring about his death?
WINCHESTER
He was a king blest of the King of kings;
Unto the French the dreadful Judgment Day
30
So dreadful will not be as was his sight.
The battles of the Lord of Hosts he fought;
The Church’s prayers made him so prosperous.
WINCHESTER
He was a king blessed by God. For the French, Judgment Day will be less frightening than the sight of him was. He fought God’s battles, and the Church’s prayers helped him win.
GLOUCESTER
The Church? Where is it? Had not churchmen prayed,
His thread of life had not so soon decayed.
35
None do you like but an effeminate prince
Whom like a schoolboy you may overawe.
GLOUCESTER
The Church? Where is the Church now? Maybe if the clergy hadn’t prayed for him, the thread of Henry’s life wouldn’t have weakened so soon. You only like leaders you can impress, like a schoolboy charming a girl.
WINCHESTER Gloucester, whate’er we like, thou art Protector
And lookest to command the Prince and realm.
Thy wife is proud; she holdeth thee in awe
40
More than God or religious churchmen may.
WINCHESTER
Gloucester, whatever we clergymen may prefer, you’re the Protector and will be in charge of the Prince and his realm.

Your wife must be pleased with herself, considering how you admire her more than you do God or the clergy.

Winchester is trying to insult Gloucester for being irreligious by loving his wife more than God.

Your wife must be pleased with herself, considering how you admire her more than you do God or the clergy.
GLOUCESTER  
Name not religion, for thou lov’st the flesh,
And ne’er throughout the year to church thou go’st,
Except it be to pray against thy foes.
GLOUCESTER
Don’t talk to me about religion. You love the flesh, and you don’t go to church all year unless it’s to pray against your enemies.
BEDFORD
Cease, cease these jars, and rest your minds in peace!
45
Let’s to the altar.—Heralds, wait on us.—
Instead of gold, we’ll offer up our arms,
Since arms avail not, now that Henry’s dead.
Posterity, await for wretched years
When at their mothers’ moistened eyes babes shall
50
suck,
Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears,
And none but women left to wail the dead.
Henry the Fifth, thy ghost I invocate:
Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils,
55
Combat with adverse planets in the heavens.
A far more glorious star thy soul will make
Than Julius Caesar or bright—
BEDFORD
Stop this bickering and calm yourselves! Let’s go to the altar. Heralds, we need your services. Instead of gold, we’ll offer our weapons as a sacrifice. They can no longer help us now that Henry’s dead. Future generations can expect unhappy times. Infants will feed on their mothers’ weeping eyes, our island’s soil will consist of salty tears, and only women will be left alive to cry for the dead. Henry the Fifth, I call on your spirit to make this land prosperous, to hold it back from civil war, and to fight against the stars of misfortune in the sky. Your soul will be a far more glorious star than Julius Caesar’s or bright—
Enter a MESSENGER.
A MESSENGER enters.
MESSENGER
My honorable lords, health to you all.
Sad tidings bring I to you out of France,
60
Of loss, of slaughter, and discomfiture:
Guyen, Champaigne, Rheims, Roan, Orleance,
Paris, Gisors, Poitiers, are all quite lost.
MESSENGER
My honorable lords, I hope you are well. I bring sad news of loss, slaughter, and ruin from France. We have completely lost Guyenne,

Compiègne

These cities are locations in France. Scholars think Shakespeare meant the town of Compiègne (and not Champagne) because a historical battle involving Joan of Arc took place there.

Compiègne , Reims, Rouen, Orléans, Paris, Gisors, and Poitiers.
BEDFORD
What say’st thou, man, before dead Henry’s corse?
Speak softly, or the loss of those great towns
65
Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.
BEDFORD
Why would you say that in front of Henry’s corpse? Speak quietly, or else the loss of those great towns will make him burst out of his coffin and rise from the dead.
GLOUCESTER  
Is Paris lost? Is Roan yielded up?
If Henry were recalled to life again,
These news would cause him once more yield the
ghost.
GLOUCESTER
Has Paris been lost? Has Rouen been surrendered? If Henry were brought back to life, this news would kill him all over again.
EXETER
70
How were they lost? What treachery was used?
EXETER
How were they lost? Was there some kind of betrayal?
MESSENGER
No treachery, but want of men and money.
Amongst the soldiers, this is mutterèd:
That here you maintain several factions
And, whilst a field should be dispatched and fought,
75
You are disputing of your generals.
One would have ling’ring wars with little cost;
Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings;
A third thinks, without expense at all,
By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.
80
Awake, awake, English nobility!
Let not sloth dim your honors new begot.
Cropped are the flower-de-luces in your arms;
Of England’s coat, one half is cut away.
MESSENGER
There was no betrayal. Just a lack of men and money. There’s a rumor among the soldiers that you’ve been fighting amongst yourselves. Instead of sending troops into battle, you’re arguing about what the generals should do. One side wants a slow war that won’t cost much. Another wants it to move quickly (but doesn’t have the means). A third thinks that he could achieve peace for no money at all, through cunning and elegant words. Wake up, you English nobles! Wake up! Don’t lose the respect you’ve just earned by being lazy now. The

fleur-de-lis

The fleur-de-lis was one of the symbols in England’s coat of arms at the time. It represented the victory over France that England had hoped for.

fleur-de-lis
He exits.
The MESSENGER exits.
EXETER
Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
85
These tidings would call forth her flowing tides.
EXETER
If our tears weren’t enough for this funeral, this news would bring in England’s flowing tides.
BEDFORD
Me they concern; regent I am of France.
Give me my steelèd coat, I’ll fight for France.
Away with these disgraceful wailing robes.
Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes
90
To weep their intermissive miseries.
BEDFORD
I’m the ruler of France, so this news is my concern. Give me my armor and I’ll take France myself. Get these disgraceful mourning clothes off of me. The French will be weeping from the wounds I give them instead of their eyes. Their miseries have only been briefly interrupted.
Enter to them another MESSENGER, with papers.
Another MESSENGER enters with papers.
SECOND MESSENGER
Lords, view these letters, full of bad mischance.
France is revolted from the English quite,
Except some petty towns of no import.
The Dauphin Charles is crownèd king in Rheims;
95
The Bastard of Orleance with him is joined;
Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part;
The Duke of Alanson flieth to his side.
SECOND MESSENGER
Lords, read these letters. They’re full of bad luck. The French have completely revolted against the English except in a few unimportant towns. The

Dauphin

Dauphin was the title given to the French king’s oldest son and heir to the throne.

Dauphin Charles has been crowned king in Reims. And at his side are the

Bastard of Orléans

A son, born out of wedlock, to the Duke of Orléans.

Bastard of Orléans , Reignier the Duke of Anjou, and the Duke of Alanson.
He exits.
The MESSENGER exits.
EXETER  
The Dauphin crownèd king? All fly to him?
O, whither shall we fly from this reproach?
EXETER
The Dauphin’s been crowned king? Everyone’s taking his side? Oh God, where will we run from this disgrace?
GLOUCESTER  
100
We will not fly but to our enemies’ throats.—
Bedford, if thou be slack, I’ll fight it out.
GLOUCESTER
We will not run except toward our enemies’ throats. Bedford, if you’re not up for it, I’ll go fight.
BEDFORD
Gloucester, why doubt’st thou of my forwardness?
An army have I mustered in my thoughts,
Wherewith already France is overrun.
BEDFORD
Gloucester, why do you assume I’m not ready? In my mind I’ve put together an army that is already invading France.
Enter another MESSENGER.
Another MESSENGER enters.
THIRD MESSENGER
105
My gracious lords, to add to your laments,
Wherewith you now bedew King Henry’s hearse,
I must inform you of a dismal fight
Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.
THIRD MESSENGER
My kind lords, I’m sorry to add to the tears of grief you weep over King Henry’s hearse, but I must inform you of a terrible fight between the brave Lord Talbot and the French.
WINCHESTER
What? Wherein Talbot overcame, is ’t so?
WINCHESTER
What? But Talbot won, didn’t he?
THIRD MESSENGER
110
O no, wherein Lord Talbot was o’erthrown.
The circumstance I’ll tell you more at large.
The tenth of August last, this dreadful lord,
Retiring from the siege of Orleance,
Having full scarce six thousand in his troop,
115
By three and twenty thousand of the French
Was round encompassèd and set upon.
No leisure had he to enrank his men.
He wanted pikes to set before his archers,
Instead whereof, sharp stakes plucked out of hedges
120
They pitchèd in the ground confusedly
To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.
More than three hours the fight continuèd,
Where valiant Talbot, above human thought,
Enacted wonders with his sword and lance.
125
Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him;
Here, there, and everywhere, enraged, he slew.
The French exclaimed the devil was in arms;
All the whole army stood agazed on him.
His soldiers, spying his undaunted spirit,
130
“À Talbot! À Talbot!” cried out amain
And rushed into the bowels of the battle.
Here had the conquest fully been sealed up
If Sir John Fastolf had not played the coward.
He, being in the vaward, placed behind
135
With purpose to relieve and follow them,
Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
Hence grew the general wrack and massacre.
Enclosèd were they with their enemies.
A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin’s grace,
140
Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back,
Whom all France, with their chief assembled
strength,
Durst not presume to look once in the face.
THIRD MESSENGER
No, he was defeated. I’ll tell you more about the circumstances in detail.
 
On August tenth, the terrifying Lord Talbot was retreating from the attack on Orléans because he had less than six thousand soldiers left. They were then surrounded and attacked by twenty-three thousand French soldiers. He had no time to put his men in order. He also had no

pikes for his archers

Pikes are long stakes put in the ground in front of archers to protect them from attacking horses.

pikes for his archers , so they picked some sharp stakes out of the hedges and stuck them in the ground at random to hold off the horsemen.
 
The fight went on for more than three hours, and the brave Talbot did amazing things beyond human imagination with his sword and spear. He sent hundreds of soldiers to hell, and no one dared to stand up to him. Here, there, and everywhere, full of rage, he killed them.
 
The French exclaimed that they were up against the devil, and their whole army stood staring in astonishment at him. His own soldiers, seeing his fearless spirit, cried out with all their might, “This is for Talbot! This is for Talbot!” and rushed into the center of the battle.
 
Victory would’ve been guaranteed at this point if Sir John Fastolf hadn’t acted like a coward. He’d been put at the back of the vanguard to support and follow them, but he fled like a coward without having struck one blow. The whole disaster and massacre grew from there.
 
They were surrounded by their enemies. Then, some worthless

Walloon

A Walloon is someone from Wallonia, a French-speaking region of southern Belgium and neighboring parts of France.

Walloon , to win the favor of the Dauphin, drove a spear into Talbot’s back—Talbot, the man who all of France, with their strongest men assembled, didn’t dare to look in the face.
BEDFORD
Is Talbot slain then? I will slay myself
145
For living idly here, in pomp and ease,
Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid,
Unto his dastard foemen is betrayed.
BEDFORD
So, Talbot’s been killed? I’ll kill myself for living here in luxury and leisure, doing nothing, while such a worthy leader, unaided, is handed over to his cowardly enemies.
THIRD MESSENGER
O, no, he lives, but is took prisoner,
And Lord Scales with him, and Lord Hungerford;
150
Most of the rest slaughtered or took likewise.
THIRD MESSENGER
Oh, no, he’s alive, but he’s been taken prisoner. And Lord Scales and Lord Hungerford along with him. Most of the rest were either killed or taken prisoner as well.
BEDFORD
His ransom there is none but I shall pay.
I’ll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne;
His crown shall be the ransom of my friend.
Four of their lords I’ll change for one of ours.
155
Farewell, my masters; to my task will I.
Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make,
To keep our great Saint George’s feast withal.
Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take,
Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake.
BEDFORD
There’s no ransom I won’t pay. In fact, I’ll drag the Dauphin headfirst from his throne and pay my friend’s ransom with his crown. I’ll even give them four of their lords for our one. Farewell, men, I’ve got work to do. I’m going to make bonfires in France to celebrate

Saint George’s Day

A celebration of England’s patron saint.

Saint George’s Day . And I’m going to take ten thousand soldiers with me. Their bloody deeds will make all of Europe tremble.
THIRD MESSENGER
160
So you had need; ’fore Orleance besieged,
The English army is grown weak and faint;
The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply
And hardly keeps his men from mutiny,
Since they so few watch such a multitude.
THIRD MESSENGER
They’d better. The English army has Orléans surrounded, but the men have grown weak. The Earl of Salisbury needs supplies. And since he has so few men facing so many enemies, he can barely keep them from turning on him.
He exits.
The MESSENGER exits.
EXETER
165
Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn:
Either to quell the Dauphin utterly
Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.
EXETER
Lords, remember the promise you made to Henry: that you would either crush the Dauphin completely or make him your slave.
BEDFORD
I do remember it, and here take my leave
To go about my preparation.
BEDFORD
I remember. And now I’m going to prepare to make good on that promise.
BEDFORD exits .
BEDFORD exits.
GLOUCESTER
170
I’ll to the Tower with all the haste I can
To view th’ artillery and munition,
And then I will proclaim young Henry king.
GLOUCESTER
I’m going to hurry to the

Tower

The Tower of London was both a royal palace and a fortress.

Tower to take a look at the weapons and ammunition there. Then I’ll announce that young Henry has become king.
GLOUCESTER exits.
GLOUCESTER exits.
EXETER
To Eltham will I, where the young king is,
Being ordained his special governor;
175
And for his safety there I’ll best devise.
EXETER
I’m going to Eltham, where the young king is, since I’ve been appointed as his

governor

Someone in charge of the education and general care of a child.

governor . I’ll figure out how to make sure he’s safe there.
He exits.
EXETER exits.
WINCHESTER , aside
Each hath his place and function to attend.
I am left out; for me nothing remains.
But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office.
The King from Eltham I intend to steal,
180
And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.
WINCHESTER , aside
Everyone except me has somewhere to go and something to do. But I won’t be unemployed for long. I’m going to kidnap the young king from Eltham. Then I’ll be the real head of the kingdom.
He exits at one door; at another door, WARWICK, SOMERSET, ATTENDANTS and HERALDS exit with the coffin.
WINCHESTER exits through one door. WARWICK, SOMERSET, ATTENDANTS, and HERALDS exit with the coffin through another.

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