Page:Henry V (1918) Yale.djvu/70

58

K. Hen. Well then I know thee: what shall I

know of thee?

Mont. My master's mind.

K. Hen. Unfold it.

Mont. Thus says my king: Say thou to Harry

of England: Though we seemed dead, we did but

sleep: advantage is a better soldier than rash-

ness. Tell him, we could have rebuked him at

Harfleur, but that we thought not good to bruise

an injury till it were full ripe: now we speak

upon our cue, and our voice is imperial: England

shall repent his folly, see his weakness, and ad-

mire our sufferance. Bid him therefore consider

of his ransom; which must proportion the losses

we have borne, the subjects we have lost, the

disgrace we have digested; which, in weight to

re-answer, his pettiness would bow under. For

our losses, his exchequer is too poor; for the

effusion of our blood, the muster of his kingdom

too faint a number; and for our disgrace, his

own person, kneeling at our feet, but a weak and

worthless satisfaction. To this add defiance: and

tell him, for conclusion, he hath betrayed his

followers, whose condemnation is pronounced.

So far my king and master, so much my office.

K. Hen. What is thy name? I know thy quality.

Mont. Montjoy.

K. Hen. Thou dost thy office fairly. Turn thee back,

And tell thy king I do not seek him now,

But could be willing to march on to Calais

 125 of: from

134 upon our cue: in proper time

140 re-answer: atone for

149 quality: profession 