Page:Henry V (1918) Yale.djvu/88

76

K. Hen. Indeed, the French may lay twenty

French crowns to one, they will beat us; for

they bear them on their shoulders: but it is no

English treason to cut French crowns, and to-

morrow the king himself will be a clipper.

[Exeunt Soldiers.]

Upon the king! let us our lives, our souls,

Our debts, our careful wives,

Our children, and our sins lay on the king!

We must bear all. O hard condition!

Twin-born with greatness, subject to the breath

Of every fool, whose sense no more can feel

But his own wringing. What infinite heart's ease

Must kings neglect that private men enjoy!

And what have kings that privates have not too,

Save ceremony, save general ceremony?

And what art thou, thou idol ceremony?

What kind of god art thou, that suffer'st more

Of mortal griefs than do thy worshippers?

What are thy rents? what are thy comings-in?

O ceremony! show me but thy worth:

What is thy soul of adoration?

Art thou aught else but place, degree, and form,

Creating awe and fear in other men?

Wherein thou art less happy, being fear'd,

Than they in fearing.

What drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet,

But poison'd flattery? O! be sick, great greatness,

And bid thy ceremony give thee cure.

Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out

With titles blown from adulation?

Will it give place to flexure and low-bending?

 246 French crowns; cf. n.

251 careful: full of care

256 wringing: suffering

265 What is the essential reason men adore thee? 