The ambassador brings a gift from the Dauphin. It was a gift of tennis balls, this gift, instead of being a friendly gesture, was an insult. In giving this gift, they are suggesting that Henry is immature, foolish and weak. This gives the audience the impression that the French are petty and rude and the audience, in turn, dislikes the French. Upon receiving the gift, Henry says .
"We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us.
His present and your pains we thank you for".
(1.2.259).
Henry is saying that he is glad that they make jokes at his expense and thanks the ambassador for the present and the effort it took to deliver it. Henry is being sarcastic.
Henry then manages to "twist" the joke onto the French. He says:.
"When we have match"d our rackets to these balls.
We will in France, by Gods grace, play a set.
Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard.".
(1.2.261-263).
Henry has turned the insult that suggests he is immature, and used the gift of tennis balls to suggest a conflict. He tells the Dauphin that this joke will cost thousands of lives and the blame will be placed on his frivolity and irresponsibility. This shows Harry's strength of character and his obvious ability to rule well.
The French king bribes 3 English Lords to betray and murder the king; this shows the French side as being sly and treacherous. .
In scene4 the Dauphin speaks scornfully of King Henry and of England:.
"No, more than if we heard that England.
Were busied with a Whitsun morris dance.
For, my good liege, she is so idly king"d,.
Her scepter so fantastically borne, .
By a vain, giddy, shallow, humorous youth,.
That fear attends her not.".
(2.4.25-29).
The Dauphin is talking about the traditional morris dance which sometimes featured a comic king and queen who were attended by the dancers with bells and wooden swords. The Dauphin is comparing England to the Morris queen, and Henry as her comic king.
He personifies England as a woman, suggesting that she is powerless and vulnerable.