King Henry V by William Shakespeare
page 11 of 169 (06%)
page 11 of 169 (06%)
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Or nicely charge your understanding soul
With opening titles miscreate, whose right Suits not in native colours with the truth; For God doth know how many now in health Shall drop their blood in approbation Of what your reverence shall incite us to. Therefore take heed how you impawn our person, How you awake our sleeping sword of war. We charge you, in the name of God, take heed; For never two such kingdoms did contend Without much fall of blood, whose guiltless drops Are every one a woe, a sore complaint 'Gainst him whose wrongs gives edge unto the swords That makes such waste in brief mortality. Under this conjuration speak, my lord; For we will hear, note, and believe in heart That what you speak is in your conscience wash'd As pure as sin with baptism. CANTERBURY. Then hear me, gracious sovereign, and you peers, That owe yourselves, your lives, and services To this imperial throne. There is no bar To make against your Highness' claim to France But this, which they produce from Pharamond: "In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant," "No woman shall succeed in Salique land;" Which Salique land the French unjustly gloze To be the realm of France, and Pharamond The founder of this law and female bar. |
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