Original
Modern English
Now all the youth of England are on fire, And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies: Now thrive the armourers, and honour’s thought Reigns solely in the breast of every man: They sell the pasture now to buy the horse, Following the mirror of all Christian kings, With winged heels, as English Mercuries. For now sits Expectation in the air, And hides a sword from hilts unto the point With crowns imperial, crowns and coronets, Promised to Harry and his followers. The French, advised by good intelligence Of this most dreadful preparation, Shake in their fear and with pale policy Seek to divert the English purposes. O England! model to thy inward greatness, Like little body with a mighty heart, What mightst thou do, that honour would thee do, Were all thy children kind and natural! But see thy fault! France hath in thee found out A nest of hollow bosoms, which he fills With treacherous crowns; and three corrupted men, One, Richard Earl of Cambridge, and the second, Henry Lord Scroop of Masham, and the third, Sir Thomas Grey, knight, of Northumberland, Have, for the gilt of France,--O guilt indeed! Confirm’d conspiracy with fearful France; And by their hands this grace of kings must die, If hell and treason hold their promises, Ere he take ship for France, and in Southampton. Linger your patience on; and we’ll digest The abuse of distance; force a play: The sum is paid; the traitors are agreed; The king is set from London; and the scene Is now transported, gentles, to Southampton; There is the playhouse now, there must you sit: And thence to France shall we convey you safe, And bring you back, charming the narrow seas To give you gentle pass; for, if we may, We’ll not offend one stomach with our play. But, till the king come forth, and not till then, Unto Southampton do we shift our scene.
Right now, all the young people of England are fired up, And soft, luxurious clothing is forgotten: Now the blacksmiths are doing well, and thoughts of honour Rule in the hearts of every man: They sell their land now to buy a horse, Following the example of all Christian kings, With fast feet, like English messengers of the gods. Because now Expectation is in the air, And it hides a sword from hilt to tip With royal crowns, crowns and coronets, Promised to Harry and his followers. The French, having good intelligence Of this terrifying preparation, Are shaking in fear and with weak strategies Trying to stop the English plans. Oh England! example of inner greatness, Like a small body with a mighty heart, What could you achieve, that honour would reward you for, If all your people were loyal and true! But look at your mistake! France has found in you A group of traitors, whom he fills With treacherous ambitions; and three corrupted men, One, Richard Earl of Cambridge, the second, Henry Lord Scroop of Masham, and the third, Sir Thomas Grey, knight, of Northumberland, Have, for the gold of France,--Oh, truly a crime! Confirmed a conspiracy with fearful France; And by their hands this noble king must die, If hell and treason keep their promises, Before he sails for France, and in Southampton. Wait patiently; we’ll move the scene along: The money is paid; the traitors have made their deal; The king has left London; and the scene Is now moved, my friends, to Southampton; That’s where the stage is now, that’s where you must sit: And from there, we’ll safely take you to France, And bring you back, crossing the narrow seas To give you safe passage; because, if we can, We won’t upset anyone with our play. But until the king appears, and not before, We move our scene to Southampton.