neither the vivacity of Hal, nor the grandeur of Henry. The humour of Pistol is very happily continued: his character has perhaps been the model of all the bullies that have yet appeared on the English ftage. The lines given to the Chorus have many admirers; but the truth is, that in them a little may be praised, and much must be forgiven; nor can it be eafily difcovered why the intelligence given by the Chorus is more neceffary in this play than in many others where it is omitted. The great defect of this play is the emptinefs and narrowness of the laft act, which a very little diligence might have easily avoided. JOHNSON. CHORUS. O, for a mufe of fire, that would afcend Think, when we talk of horses, that you fee them Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray, King HENRY the Fifth. MEN. Dukes of Glofter, and Bedford, Brothers to the King. Dukes of York, and Exeter, Uncles to the King. Earls of Salisbury, Weftmoreland, and Warwick. Archbishop of Canterbury. Bishop of Ely. Earl of Cambridge, Lord Scroop, and Sir THOMAS GREY, Confpirators against the King. Sir THOMAS ERPINGHAM, GOWER, FLUELLEN, BATES, COURT, WILLIAMS, Soldiers. The DAUPHIN. Duke of Burgundy. CONSTABLE, ORLEANS, RAMBURES, BOURBON, GRANDPRE E, French Lords. Governor of Harfleur. MONTJOY, a Herald. Ambaffadors to the King of England. WOMEN. ISABEL, Queen of France. KATHARINE, Daughter to the King of France. ALICE, a Lady attending on the Princess Katharine, QUICKLY, Piflol's Wife, an Hoflefs. Chorus. Lords, Meffengers, French and English Soldiers, with other Attendants. The SCENE, at the beginning of the Play, lies in England; but afterwards, wholly in France. |