» 8 Duke of Bur wostjoy, the French herald Govervor of Harfleur AMMASSADORS to England cur Le Fer, a FRENCH SOLDIER French MESSENGER Attendants, Lords, Soldiers, Citizens of Harfleur, Prisoners} Prologue Enter cuorvs.! cuones Oh, for a muse of fire that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention’ A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, And monarchs to behold the swelling? scene. Then should the warlike Harry, like himself, Assume the port? of Mars,? and at his heels, Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles® all, The flat unrais¢d? spirits that hath dared On this unworthy scaffold? to bring forth So great an object. Can this cockpit? hold The vasty fields of France? Or may we cram Within this wooden O° the very casques? That did affright the air at Agincourt? Oh, pardon, since a crooked figure may Attest? in little place a million, And let us, ciphers® to this great account,? On your imaginary forces? work. Suppose within the girdle of these walls Are now confined two mighty monarchies, Whose high, uprearéd, and abutting fronts? The perilous narrow ocean® parts asunder. Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts; Into a thousand parts divide one man And make imaginary puissance? Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them Printing their proud hooves i'th’ receiving earth. For ‘tis your thoughts that now must deck? our kings, Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times, Turning th‘accomplishment of many years Into an hourglass: for the which supply Admit me Chorus to this history, Who Prologue-like your humble patience pray, Gently to hear, kindly to judge our play.* Exit. Ld Enter the [Archbishop] of cantenbuny and [the Bishop of} exv. caxtersury My lord, I'll tell you, that self® bill is urged weet Couvest Fore short account of the role of crooked: curved. inthe shorter Quart. tee Di died egg Ce #8 i Site of Henry's mas, 4A teto, which mult I Edition TC 1 (Folio hav imous victory over the French Edition PC 's value by ten. HespyV 1.1 ¢ 791 imagination ‘expansive: splendid bearing I god of war genilefolk uninspired platform small cockfighting arena round theater / helmets Represent seroes sum: story powers of imagination frontiers (English Chanel) power equip to supplement which same horus, who is present in the Folio text but not 4. Penronwaxce Comment Different productions nterpreted the role of the Chorus in widely vary- ing ways. For a discussion of some options, see Digital LL Location: In Henry's court.