Page:Henry V (1918) Yale.djvu/18

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K. Hen. Where is my gracious lord of Canterbury?

Exe. Not here in presence.

K. Hen.Send for him, good uncle.

West. Shall we call in the ambassador, my liege?

K. Hen. Not yet, my cousin: we would be resolv'd,

Before we hear him, of some things of weight

That task our thoughts, concerning us and France.

Cant. God and his angels guard your sacred throne,

And make you long become it!

K. Hen.Sure, we thank you.

My learned lord, we pray you to proceed,

And justly and religiously unfold

Why the law Salique that they have in France

Or should, or should not, bar us in our claim.

And God forbid, my dear and faithful lord,

That you should fashion, wrest, or bow your reading,

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

 4 cousin: title of courtesy used by the sovereign in addressing a nobleman

4, 5 resolv'd of: satisfied about

6 task: trouble

8 become: grace

11 law Salique: Salic law; cf. n.

12 Or: either

14 wrest: pervert

15 nicely: sophistically

charge: burden

16 opening: disclosing

miscreate: dishonestly invented

19 approbation: proof 