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Shakespeare plays HENRY V on stage


A view of the stage, with a sign telling us that we are in a French palace.  Shakespeare is centre-stage, performing as Henry dressed in medieval style.  He looks very keen as he cuddles up to the Princess Katherine.  Katherine's maid looks on with shocked amazement

HENRY It is not a fashion for the maids in France to kiss before they are married?

KATHERINE Oui, vraiment.

HENRY O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings; we are the makers of manners, Kate.

[Kisses her]

You have witchcraft in your lips, Kate: there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them, than in the tongues of the French council, and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs.

Henry V, Act 5 Scene 2


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