HENRY
And to the English court assemble now,
From every region, apes of idleness!
Now, neighbour confines, purge you of your scum.
Have you a ruffian that will swear, drink, dance,
Revel the night, rob, murder, and commit
The oldest sins the newest kinds of ways?
Be happy, he will trouble you no more.
England shall double gild his treble guilt,
England shall give him office, honour, might;
For the fifth Harry from curbed license plucks
The muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent.
O my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows!

In this passage from "Henry IV, Part II," King Henry IV voices his deep concern about the future of England under his son, Prince Hal. Fearing Hal's irresponsible past will lead to disorder, he envisions a court filled with "apes of idleness," where the worst of society is welcomed. The phrase "commit the oldest sins the newest kinds of ways" suggests a corruption as old as time but reinvented with novel audacity. The king dreads that these ruffians will be rewarded with "office, honour, might" rather than restrained. This projection of chaos reflects the king's anxieties about Hal's ability to rule wisely. Henry IV's fears manifest his belief that England will slide into moral decay, losing its dignity and integrity under a king who might relinquish control and allow chaos to reign.