32–33. O . . . boat: Proverbial: “Venture not all in one bottom [boat].”  wot: know

  35. mickle: great

  39. My death’s revenge: i.e., revenge for my death

  42. smart: suffer

  44. On . . . shame: i.e., to gain these benefits at the cost of such shame (a response to line 41: “All these are saved if thou wilt fly away.”)

  48. like: liken, compare

  49. shame’s: i.e., object of shame’s; subject: victim

  51. An if: i.e., if

  52. boot: use

  55. Icarus: son of inventor Daedalus, who, desp’rate to escape from Crete (line 54), devised for his son and himself wings of wax and feathers with which to escape. Icarus, flying too close to the sun, which melted the wax in his wings, fell to his death in the sea (Ovid, Metamorphoses, book 8). See picture.

  Icarus. (4.6.55; 4.7.16)

  From Geoffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes . . . (1586).

  57. commendable proved: i.e., having been proved commendable; pride: honor, glory

  ACT 4

  * * *

 

  4.7  Talbot, holding his dead son, dies. Sir William Lucy comes to claim their bodies from the victorious French.

  3. Triumphant Death: See note to 1.1.22 and picture. smeared with captivity: perhaps, smeared with the blood of those taken captive (namely, the dead) See Ephesians 4.8: “He led captivity captive.”

  “Triumphant Death.” (4.7.3, 18)

  From Todten-Tantz . . . (1696).

  8. stern: fierce; impatience: irascibility

  9. guardant: protector, guardian

  10. Tend’ring: showing compassion for; taking care of; ruin: overthrow; assailed of: i.e., attacked by

  11. Dizzy-eyed: bewildered

  13. clust’ring: assembled; battle: army

  14–16. my boy . . . pride: These lines use the story of Icarus to describe John Talbot’s death. (See note to 4.6.55.)  drench: drown  over-mounting: i.e., flying too high

  18. antic: jester, grotesque (The image of Death here is of a mocking skeleton familiar in pictures of “The dance of Death.” See pictures of Death’s dishonorable victory and Triumphant Death.)

  19. Anon: immediately; soon; insulting: boasting, triumphing; tyranny: violence, cruelty

  21. lither: yielding

  22. In thy despite: in contemptuous defiance of you; scape: escape

  23. become: are appropriate to; hard-favored: ugly

  25. Brave: defy; whither . . . no: proverbial  whither: whether  will: i.e., wishes you to speak  or no: or not

  27. methinks: it seems to me; as who . . . say: i.e., like one who would say

  31. bear: (1) carry; (2) tolerate; harms: injuries

  33 SD. Alarums: calls to arms

  34. rescue: i.e., reinforcements

  36. whelp: offspring; puppy (wordplay on talbot, meaning “hound”); wood: ferocious

  37. flesh: initiate to bloodshed and warfare; puny sword: sword of a novice

  39. maiden: untried; maid: virgin, girl

  42. pillage: spoil, plunder; giglot: lascivious; wench: lewd woman

  43. rushing in: i.e., rushing into; bowels: center, heart

  44. as unworthy fight: i.e., as an unworthy combatant

  46. inhearsèd: i.e., enclosed (as if in a tomb)

  47. bloody: bloodthirsty; nurser: one who encourages; his harms: (1) the injuries he has inflicted; (2) the ones he has endured

  49. wonder: object of astonishment

  53. glory of the day: i.e., victory

  54. submissive message: business of submission to a conquering power

  55. mere: purely (i.e., exclusively)

  56. wot: know

  61. Alcides: Hercules (See picture.) field: battlefield

  71. Saint Michael: a martial archangel (an allusion to the French royal order of Saint Michel); Golden Fleece: in mythology, the object of the quest of Jason and the Argonauts; also the name of an order of knights (See picture.)

  A portrait of the 3rd earl of Southampton wearing the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. (4.7.71)

  By Simon van de Passe (1617).

  72. Great Marshal: chief commander

  74. style: title

  75. Turk: sultan of Turkey

  76. Writes . . . style: i.e., does not employ so tedious a title in designating himself

  79. only: peerless

  80. black: deadly, malignant; Nemesis: in mythology, the goddess of justice, who punishes pride (See picture.)

  Nemesis. (4.7.80)

  From Geoffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes . . . (1586).

  84. fright: frighten

  86. amaze: terrify, alarm

  88. beseems: is in accordance with

  96. phoenix: a mythological creature that is unique and that consumes itself in fire, from the ashes of which another phoenix is born (See picture.) afeard: afraid

  A phoenix. (4.7.96)

  From Geoffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes . . . (1586).

  ACT 5

  * * *

 

  5.1  Henry follows Gloucester’s advice to make peace with France and to agree to marry the daughter of the earl of Armagnac.

  0 SD. Sennet: trumpet fanfare to mark the ceremonial entrance

  2. Emperor: Holy Roman Emperor

  3. intent: desire; or, import

  4. sue: petition

  5. concluded of: i.e., concluded

  7. affect: like; motion: proposal

  9. effusion: spilling, shedding

  10. stablish: set up securely; quietness: tranquility

  11. marry: indeed

  13. immanity: atrocious savagery

  14. professors of: those professing belief in

  16. surer: i.e., the more surely to

  17. near knit to Charles: closely united to the Dauphin

  22. fitter: i.e., more appropriate to my age

  23. dalliance: flirtation; paramour: lover

  26. choice: i.e., choice that

  27. weal: welfare, prosperity

  28. What: an interjection to introduce a question

  29. degree: rank

  30. that will be verified: that will be proved true

  31. Henry . . . prophesy: i.e., which Henry the Fifth did once prophesy

  32. he: i.e., my Lord of Winchester (line 28)

  33. cap: i.e., cardinal’s red hat, or biretta

  34. several: individual; various; suits: petitions

  37. certainly: fixedly

  38. draw: write out, draw up

  40. presently: immediately

  42. at large: in full

  43. As, liking of: i.e., that, liking

  46. In argument: i.e., as a token

  47. jewel: ornament made of gold, silver, or precious stones

  49. inshipped: put into a ship

  54. these grave ornaments: i.e., this respected attire

  55. attend upon: await; leisure: i.e., convenience

  56. trow: feel sure

  62. sack: plunder; mutiny: revolt

  ACT 5

  * * *

 

  5.2  Charles is informed that the divided English army has united and is advancing toward him.

  1. These news: i.e., this news

  2. stout: proud, fierce, valiant, resolute

  5. powers: military forces; dalliance: delay

  7. Else: otherwise; ruin: destruction

  9. happiness: good fortune; accomplices: associates

  12. parties: parts

  13. presently: immediately

  ACT 5

  * * *

 

  5.3  As the French face likely defeat, Pucelle conjures up devils, but they refuse to help, and she is captured by York. Then Suffolk captures Margaret, daughter of Reignier, who, though poor, is both King of Naples and Duke of Anjou and Maine. Suffolk falls in love with her. He offers to marry her to Henry, if her father will agree.

  1. Regent: i.e., York; fly: flee

  2–3. Now . . . me: For the image of Pucelle in this scene and the next, see the appendix “Joan la Pucelle, or Joan of Arc.”  charming: magical  periapts: things worn on one’s person to ward off evil or misfortune  admonish me: give me authoritative warning

  4. accidents: events

  5. substitutes: those delegated authority

  6. lordly monarch of the north: perhaps, Lucifer (See longer note.); perhaps, the demon named Zimimar, also called the king of the North (Reginald Scot, Discoverie of Witchcraft, 1584)

  8. argues: indicates

  9. diligence: assiduous service; heedfulness

  10. familiar spirits: demons who serve a human being

  12. get the field: win the battle

  13. hold me not with: i.e., do not keep me in

  14. Where: whereas

  15. member: limb

  16. In earnest: as a foretaste or pledge

  17. condescend: agree

  18. redress: help, aid

  19. suit: petition

  20. Cannot my: i.e., can neither my

  21. Entreat: induce, persuade; furtherance: assistance

  23. Before: rather than; foil: defeat

  25. vail: lower

  27. ancient: former

  28. buckle with: engage, fight with

  31. spelling charms: magical incantations

  33. the devil’s grace: i.e., his Grace the devil; or, the devil’s favor

  35. with: in the same way as; Circe: in Homer, a beautiful magician who transformed Odysseus’s men into swine (See picture.)

  Circe. (5.3.35)

  From Geoffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes . . . (1586).

  36. worser: worse

  37. proper: handsome

  39. plaguing mischief: pestilent calamity

  40. surprised: captured

  41. in sleeping: i.e., as you sleep

  42. Fell: fierce, terrible; banning: cursing; Enchantress: witch

  43. prithee: pray you

  44 SD. Margaret . . . hand: i.e., holding Margaret’s hand

  45. Be what thou wilt: i.e., whoever you are

  48. for eternal peace: i.e., as a pledge of eternal peace

  52. whosoe’er: whoever

  55. allotted: destined; ta’en: taken, captured

  58. servile: ignoble; once: ever

  60. pass: go

  62–63. As . . . beam: i.e., as when the sun reflects off the surface of streams, thus seemingly doubling each beam

  65. Fain: gladly

  67. de la Pole: Suffolk’s family name; disable . . . thyself: i.e., do not deprive yourself of speech

  71. Confounds: i.e., that it silences; rough: agitated; dull

  75. suit: wooing, courtship

  79. She . . . won: Proverbial: “All women may be won.”

  80. accept of: i.e., accept

  81. Fond: foolish

  82. paramour: beloved, sweetheart

  84. cooling card: proverbial for something that cools one’s passion or enthusiasm

  85. mad: insane

  86. dispensation: license granted by a high official of the church to exempt one from keeping a solemn oath (here, marriage vows)

  87. I would: i.e., I wish

  89. Tush: an exclamation of impatient contempt; that’s a wooden thing: referring perhaps to Suffolk’s plan, or perhaps to the king

  91. fancy: love

  93. scruple: difficulty

  96. match: marriage

  97. captain: military commander

  101. enthralled: held captive

  103. vouchsafe to listen: i.e., I beg you to listen to

  107. captivate: made captive

  108. wherefore: why

  109. cry you mercy: beg your pardon; quid for quo: i.e., quid pro quo, one thing in exchange for another; tit for tat (proverbial)

  110. gentle: noble

  111. happy: fortunate; to be: i.e., if you were to be

  113. Than is: i.e., than to be

  116. happy: fortunate

  117. what . . . me: i.e., how is his freedom my concern

  125. gentle: noble

  126. fair: beautiful; dame: woman of rank, lady

  127. portion: share

  129. An if . . . please: i.e., if it is agreeable to my father

  130. captains: military leaders; colors: regiments

  137. unapt: not prone

  138. exclaim on: protest against; Fortune’s fickleness: See note to 3.3.34, and picture.

  140. for . . . consent: in return for your giving consent

  142. Whom: i.e., thy daughter (line 141)

  143. easy-held: i.e., lightly enforced

  147. face: show a false face

  148. Upon . . . warrant: i.e., relying on the royal safeguard you provide  princely: royal

  149. answer of: i.e., answer to

  150. expect: await

  153. happy for: i.e., fortunate in having

  155. suit: (1) petition; (2) courtship (on behalf of Henry)

  156. her little worth: i.e., her (despite) her unworthiness

  159. Enjoy: have the use or benefit of; the country Maine and Anjou: i.e., the land composed of Maine and Anjou

  163. those two counties: i.e., Maine and Anjou; undertake: promise, venture to assert

  166. As deputy: referring to Suffolk

  167. for sign: i.e., as an indication; plighted faith: engagement of Henry and Margaret

  169. in traffic: i.e., in the business or dealings

  170. methinks: it seems to me

  171. be mine own attorney: be my own agent (i.e., act for myself, not the king)

  173. make . . . solemnized: i.e., have this marriage solemnized

  179. of Margaret: i.e., from Margaret

  181. commendations: greetings

  182. maid: young unmarried woman

  188. taint with: i.e., affected by

  189. withal: in addition

  191. peevish: silly, foolish

  192. stay: i.e., wait a minute, pause

  193–94. Thou . . . lurk: an allusion to the labyrinth (shown in picture below) built by Daedalus for King Minos of Crete to house the Minotaur, a flesh-eating monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull (Young men who “wandered” in the labyrinth were usually eaten.)

  The Labyrinth with the Minotaur. (5.3.193–94)

  From Gabriele Simeoni, L’art des emblemes . . . (1684).

  195. Solicit: allure, incite

  196. Bethink thee: meditate; surmount: excel

  197. extinguish art: i.e., obscure art through superior brilliance

  198. Repeat their semblance: reiterate the image of her virtues (line 196) and graces (line 197)

  199. That: i.e., so that

  200. bereave: rob

  ACT 5

  * * *

 

  5.4  Pucelle, on her way to be executed by the English, is visited by her shepherd father, whom she scorns and who curses her. She pleads for a stay of execution on the grounds that she is pregnant, but her plea is denied. Cardinal Winchester enters to announce the peace between England and France, news that at first displeases both York and Charles.

  3. every country: i.e., in every district; far and near: proverbial

  4. chance: luck, fortune

  5. timeless: untimely, premature

  7. miser: miserable creature

  8. of a gentler blood: from more noble parentage or lineage

  9. friend: relative

  10. Out: an exclamation of indignant reproach; an please you: i.e., if it please you (a conventionally polite formula)

  12. mother: i.e., mother who

  13. fruit: offspring, progeny

  14. Graceless: i.e., wicked one

  15. argues: indicates

  16. concludes: sums (it) up

  17. obstacle: i.e., obstinate (dialect form)

  18. collop of my flesh: proverbial  collop: piece; child

  22. Of purpose: i.e., on purpose

  23. noble: English gold coin worth six shillings in 1550

  27. would: wish

  31. keep: guard, preserve

  36. To fill: i.e., filling

  38. swain: country laborer

  41. celestial: heavenly

  47. want: lack

  48. straight: straightaway, immediately

  49. compass: accomplish; but by: except through

  50. misconceivèd: having a misconception or wrong idea

  53. rigorously: severely, unmercifully; effused: spilled, shed

  56. maid: virgin

  57. Spare for no faggots: i.e., use plenty of wood; enow: enough

  58. upon the fatal stake: i.e., close by the stake to which she will be tied (The purpose of the barrels of pitch is to make the fire smoke so that the victim dies quickly of asphyxiation.)

  59. That so: i.e., so that

  60. turn: change

  61. discover: reveal (See note to 5.3.2–3.)

  62. warranteth: promises as certain; privilege: exemption from the death penalty

  63. bloody: bloodthirsty

  65. hale: drag

  66. forfend: forbid; maid: virgin

  68. preciseness: austere morality

  69. juggling: playing tricks (with obvious sexual reference)

  70. her refuge: the excuse in which she would take refuge

  71. go to: an expression of moral condemnation

  72. must father it: i.e., must be the father

  75. Machiavel: schemer, intriguer (Niccolò Machiavelli’s book The Prince [1513] counseled ruthless deceptiveness as the way to power.)

  76. It dies an if: i.e., the child dies even if

  77. give me leave: i.e., let me (speak), allow me (to speak)

  83. liberal: licentious; free: ready in giving, lavish

  85. brat: term of contempt for a child