Page:Henry V (1918) Yale.djvu/17

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Henry the Fifth, I. i

Cant.He seems indifferent, 72
Or rather swaying more upon our part
Than cherishing the exhibiters against us;
For I have made an offer to his majesty,
Upon our spiritual convocation, 76
And in regard of causes now in hand,
Which I have open'd to his Grace at large,
As touching France, to give a greater sum
Than ever at one time the clergy yet 80
Did to his predecessors part withal.

Ely. How did this offer seem receiv'd, my lord?

Cant. With good acceptance of his majesty;
Save that there was not time enough to hear,— 84
As I perceiv'd his Grace would fain have done,—
The severals and unhidden passages
Of his true titles to some certain dukedoms,
And generally to the crown and seat of France,
Deriv'd from Edward, his great-grandfather. 89

Ely. What was the impediment that broke this off?

Cant. The French ambassador upon that instant
Crav'd audience; and the hour I think is come
To give him hearing: is it four o'clock? 93

Ely. It is.

Cant. Then go we in to know his embassy;
Which I could with a ready guess declare 96
Before the Frenchman speak a word of it.

Ely. I'll wait upon you, and I long to hear it.


73 upon our part: to our side
74 exhibiters: i.e., those who presented the bill in Parliament
76 Upon: upon the authority of
81 withal: with
86 severals: details
passages: lines of succession
89 Edward; cf. n.
95 embassy: message