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Vouchsafe to those that have not read the story, That I may prompt them: and of such as have, I humbly pray them to admit the excuse Of time, of numbers and due course of things, Which cannot in their huge and proper life Be here presented. Now we bear the king Toward Calais: grant him there; there seen, Heave him away upon your winged thoughts Athwart the sea. Behold, the English beach Pales in the flood with men, with wives and boys, Whose shouts and claps out-voice the deep mouth’d sea, Which like a mighty whiffler ’fore the king Seems to prepare his way: so let him land, And solemnly see him set on to London. So swift a pace hath thought that even now You may imagine him upon Blackheath; Where that his lords desire him to have borne His bruised helmet and his bended sword Before him through the city: he forbids it, Being free from vainness and self-glorious pride; Giving full trophy, signal and ostent Quite from himself to God. But now behold, In the quick forge and working-house of thought, How London doth pour out her citizens! The mayor and all his brethren in best sort, Like to the senators of the antique Rome, With the plebeians swarming at their heels, Go forth and fetch their conquering Caesar in: As, by a lower but loving likelihood, Were now the general of our gracious empress, As in good time he may, from Ireland coming, Bringing rebellion broached on his sword, How many would the peaceful city quit, To welcome him! much more, and much more cause, Did they this Harry. Now in London place him; As yet the lamentation of the French Invites the King of England’s stay at home; The emperor’s coming in behalf of France, To order peace between them; and omit All the occurrences, whatever chanced, Till Harry’s back-return again to France: There must we bring him; and myself have play’d The interim, by remembering you ’tis past. Then brook abridgment, and your eyes advance, After your thoughts, straight back again to France.
Please allow me to explain to those who haven’t read the story, So I can help them understand: and for those who have, I kindly ask them to accept the excuse Of time, of numbers, and the natural order of things, Which cannot be fully shown in their vast and true form Here. Now we take the king Towards Calais: let him be there; once he’s seen there, Let your thoughts lift him over the sea. Look, the English coast Is crowded with men, women, and children, Whose cheers and claps are louder than the roaring sea, Which, like a mighty usher before the king, Seems to clear his path: so let him land, And solemnly see him journey to London. So fast a pace has thought, that right now You can picture him at Blackheath; Where his lords wish him to bring His battered helmet and his bent sword Before him through the city: but he refuses, Wanting none of pride or self-importance; Giving all glory, sign, and display Completely to God. But now look, In the quick forge and workshop of thought, How London pours out its citizens! The mayor and all his colleagues, dressed their best, Like the senators of ancient Rome, With the common people crowding behind them, Go out to bring their victorious Caesar in: As, by a humble but loving guess, Were he now the general of our gracious empress, As in due time he may be, coming from Ireland, Bringing rebellion on his sword, How many would leave the peaceful city, To welcome him! much more, and much more reason, Did they do this for Harry. Now place him in London; As yet, the sorrow of the French Calls for the King of England to stay home; The emperor comes on behalf of France, To arrange peace between them; and ignore All the events, whatever happened, Until Harry returns to France: There we must bring him; and I have played The role of intermediary, reminding you that it’s past. Then bear with the summary, and raise your eyes, After your thoughts, straight back again to France.