Henry VI, Part 2

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ACT 1

Scene 1

Flourish of trumpets, then hautboys.
Enter King Henry, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester,
Salisbury, Warwick, and Cardinal Beaufort, on the one
side; Queen Margaret, Suffolk, York, Somerset, and
Buckingham, on the other.

SUFFOLK


As by your high imperial Majesty
I had in charge at my depart for France,
As procurator to your Excellence,
To marry Princess Margaret for your Grace,
55So, in the famous ancient city Tours,
In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil,
The Dukes of Orleance, Calaber, Britaigne, and
Alanson,
Seven earls, twelve barons, and twenty reverend
1010bishops,
I have performed my task and was espoused;
He kneels.
And humbly now upon my bended knee,
In sight of England and her lordly peers,
Deliver up my title in the Queen
1515To your most gracious hands, that are the substance
Of that great shadow I did represent:
The happiest gift that ever marquess gave,
The fairest queen that ever king received.

KING HENRY


Suffolk, arise.—Welcome, Queen Margaret.
Suffolk rises.
2020I can express no kinder sign of love
Than this kind kiss.He kisses her.
O Lord, that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
For Thou hast given me in this beauteous face
2525A world of earthly blessings to my soul,
If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.

QUEEN MARGARET


Great king of England and my gracious lord,
The mutual conference that my mind hath had
By day, by night, waking and in my dreams,
3030In courtly company or at my beads,
With you, mine alderliefest sovereign,
Makes me the bolder to salute my king
With ruder terms, such as my wit affords
And overjoy of heart doth minister.

KING HENRY


3535Her sight did ravish, but her grace in speech,
Her words yclad with wisdom’s majesty,
Makes me from wond’ring fall to weeping joys,
Such is the fullness of my heart’s content.
Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love.

ALL kneel.


4040Long live Queen Margaret, England’s happiness!

QUEEN MARGARET

We thank you all.

Flourish. All rise.

SUFFOLK , to Gloucester


My Lord Protector, so it please your Grace,
Here are the articles of contracted peace
Between our sovereign and the French king Charles,
4545For eighteen months concluded by consent.

He hands Gloucester a paper.

GLOUCESTER (reads)

Imprimis, it is agreed between the
French king Charles and William de la Pole, Marquess
of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry, King of England,
that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady
5050Margaret, daughter unto Reignier, King of Naples,
Sicilia, and Jerusalem, and crown her Queen of England
ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. Item,
that the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine
shall be released and delivered to the King her
5555father—

He drops the paper.

KING HENRY


Uncle, how now?

GLOUCESTER

Pardon me, gracious lord.
Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart
And dimmed mine eyes, that I can read no further.

KING HENRY


6060Uncle of Winchester, I pray read on.

CARDINAL picks up the paper and reads

Item, it is further
agreed between them that the duchies of
Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered to
the King her father, and she sent over of the King of
6565England’s own proper cost and charges, without
having any dowry.

KING HENRY


They please us well.—Lord Marquess, kneel down.
Suffolk kneels.
We here create thee the first Duke of Suffolk
And girt thee with the sword. Suffolk rises. Cousin
7070of York,
We here discharge your Grace from being regent
I’ th’ parts of France till term of eighteen months
Be full expired.—Thanks, Uncle Winchester,
Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset,
7575Salisbury, and Warwick;
We thank you all for this great favor done
In entertainment to my princely queen.
Come, let us in, and with all speed provide
To see her coronation be performed.

King, Queen, and Suffolk exit.
The rest remain.

GLOUCESTER


8080Brave peers of England, pillars of the state,
To you Duke Humphrey must unload his grief,
Your grief, the common grief of all the land.
What, did my brother Henry spend his youth,
His valor, coin, and people in the wars?
8585Did he so often lodge in open field,
In winter’s cold and summer’s parching heat,
To conquer France, his true inheritance?
And did my brother Bedford toil his wits
To keep by policy what Henry got?
9090Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham,
Brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick,
Received deep scars in France and Normandy?
Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself,
With all the learnèd council of the realm,
9595Studied so long, sat in the Council House,
Early and late, debating to and fro
How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe,
And had his Highness in his infancy
Crowned in Paris in despite of foes?
100100And shall these labors and these honors die?
Shall Henry’s conquest, Bedford’s vigilance,
Your deeds of war, and all our counsel die?
O peers of England, shameful is this league,
Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame,
105105Blotting your names from books of memory,
Razing the characters of your renown,
Defacing monuments of conquered France,
Undoing all, as all had never been!

CARDINAL


Nephew, what means this passionate discourse,
110110This peroration with such circumstance?
For France, ’tis ours, and we will keep it still.

GLOUCESTER


Ay, uncle, we will keep it if we can,
But now it is impossible we should.
Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast,
115115Hath given the duchy of Anjou and Maine
Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large style
Agrees not with the leanness of his purse.

SALISBURY


Now, by the death of Him that died for all,
These counties were the keys of Normandy.
120120But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son?

WARWICK


For grief that they are past recovery;
For, were there hope to conquer them again,
My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes no
tears.
125125Anjou and Maine? Myself did win them both!
Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer.
And are the cities that I got with wounds
Delivered up again with peaceful words?
Mort Dieu!

YORK


130130For Suffolk’s duke, may he be suffocate
That dims the honor of this warlike isle!
France should have torn and rent my very heart
Before I would have yielded to this league.
I never read but England’s kings have had
135135Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives;
And our King Henry gives away his own
To match with her that brings no vantages.

GLOUCESTER


A proper jest, and never heard before,
That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth
140140For costs and charges in transporting her!
She should have stayed in France and starved in
France
Before—

CARDINAL


My lord of Gloucester, now you grow too hot.
145145It was the pleasure of my lord the King.

GLOUCESTER


My lord of Winchester, I know your mind.
’Tis not my speeches that you do mislike,
But ’tis my presence that doth trouble you.
Rancor will out. Proud prelate, in thy face
150150I see thy fury. If I longer stay,
We shall begin our ancient bickerings.—
Lordings, farewell; and say, when I am gone,
I prophesied France will be lost ere long.

Gloucester exits.

CARDINAL


So, there goes our Protector in a rage.
155155’Tis known to you he is mine enemy,
Nay, more, an enemy unto you all,
And no great friend, I fear me, to the King.
Consider, lords, he is the next of blood
And heir apparent to the English crown.
160160Had Henry got an empire by his marriage,
And all the wealthy kingdoms of the West,
There’s reason he should be displeased at it.
Look to it, lords. Let not his smoothing words
Bewitch your hearts; be wise and circumspect.
165165What though the common people favor him,
Calling him “Humphrey, the good Duke of
Gloucester,”
Clapping their hands and crying with loud voice
“Jesu maintain your royal Excellence!”
170170With “God preserve the good Duke Humphrey!”
I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss,
He will be found a dangerous Protector.

BUCKINGHAM


Why should he, then, protect our sovereign,
He being of age to govern of himself?—
175175Cousin of Somerset, join you with me,
And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk,
We’ll quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his seat.

CARDINAL


This weighty business will not brook delay.
I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently.

Cardinal exits.

SOMERSET


180180Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey’s pride
And greatness of his place be grief to us,
Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal.
His insolence is more intolerable
Than all the princes’ in the land besides.
185185If Gloucester be displaced, he’ll be Protector.

BUCKINGHAM


Or thou or I, Somerset, will be Protector,
Despite Duke Humphrey or the Cardinal.

Buckingham and Somerset exit.

SALISBURY


Pride went before; Ambition follows him.
While these do labor for their own preferment,
190190Behooves it us to labor for the realm.
I never saw but Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester,
Did bear him like a noble gentleman.
Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal,
More like a soldier than a man o’ th’ Church,
195195As stout and proud as he were lord of all,
Swear like a ruffian and demean himself
Unlike the ruler of a commonweal.—
Warwick, my son, the comfort of my age,
Thy deeds, thy plainness, and thy housekeeping
200200Hath won the greatest favor of the Commons,
Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey.—
And, brother York, thy acts in Ireland,
In bringing them to civil discipline,
Thy late exploits done in the heart of France,
205205When thou wert regent for our sovereign,
Have made thee feared and honored of the people.
Join we together for the public good
In what we can to bridle and suppress
The pride of Suffolk and the Cardinal,
210210With Somerset’s and Buckingham’s ambition;
And, as we may, cherish Duke Humphrey’s deeds
While they do tend the profit of the land.

WARWICK


So God help Warwick, as he loves the land
And common profit of his country!

YORK


215215And so says York—aside for he hath greatest
cause.

SALISBURY


Then let’s make haste away and look unto the main.

WARWICK


Unto the main? O father, Maine is lost!
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win
220220And would have kept so long as breath did last!
Main chance, father, you meant; but I meant Maine,
Which I will win from France or else be slain.

Warwick and Salisbury exit.
York remains.

YORK


Anjou and Maine are given to the French;
Paris is lost; the state of Normandy
225225Stands on a tickle point now they are gone.
Suffolk concluded on the articles,
The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleased
To change two dukedoms for a duke’s fair daughter.
I cannot blame them all. What is ’t to them?
230230’Tis thine they give away, and not their own.
Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their
pillage,
And purchase friends, and give to courtesans,
Still reveling like lords till all be gone;
235235Whileas the silly owner of the goods
Weeps over them, and wrings his hapless hands,
And shakes his head, and trembling stands aloof,
While all is shared and all is borne away,
Ready to starve, and dare not touch his own.
240240So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue
While his own lands are bargained for and sold.
Methinks the realms of England, France, and
Ireland
Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood
245245As did the fatal brand Althaea burnt
Unto the Prince’s heart of Calydon.
Anjou and Maine both given unto the French!
Cold news for me, for I had hope of France,
Even as I have of fertile England’s soil.
250250A day will come when York shall claim his own;
And therefore I will take the Nevilles’ parts
And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey,
And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown,
For that’s the golden mark I seek to hit.
255255Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right,
Nor hold the scepter in his childish fist,
Nor wear the diadem upon his head,
Whose churchlike humors fits not for a crown.
Then, York, be still awhile till time do serve.
260260Watch thou and wake, when others be asleep,
To pry into the secrets of the state
Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love
With his new bride and England’s dear-bought
queen,
265265And Humphrey with the peers be fall’n at jars.
Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose,
With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed,
And in my standard bear the arms of York,
To grapple with the house of Lancaster;
270270And force perforce I’ll make him yield the crown,
Whose bookish rule hath pulled fair England down.

York exits.

Scene 2

Enter Duke Humphrey of Gloucester and his wife
the Duchess Eleanor.

DUCHESS


Why droops my lord like over-ripened corn
Hanging the head at Ceres’ plenteous load?
Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows,
275As frowning at the favors of the world?
5Why are thine eyes fixed to the sullen earth,
Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight?
What seest thou there? King Henry’s diadem,
Enchased with all the honors of the world?
280If so, gaze on and grovel on thy face
10Until thy head be circled with the same.
Put forth thy hand; reach at the glorious gold.
What, is ’t too short? I’ll lengthen it with mine;
And, having both together heaved it up,
285We’ll both together lift our heads to heaven
15And never more abase our sight so low
As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground.

GLOUCESTER


O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord,
Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts!
290And may that hour when I imagine ill
20Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry,
Be my last breathing in this mortal world!
My troublous dreams this night doth make me sad.

DUCHESS


What dreamed my lord? Tell me, and I’ll requite it
295With sweet rehearsal of my morning’s dream.

GLOUCESTER


25Methought this staff, mine office badge in court,
Was broke in twain—by whom I have forgot,
But, as I think, it was by th’ Cardinal—
And on the pieces of the broken wand
300Were placed the heads of Edmund, Duke of
30Somerset,
And William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk.
This was my dream. What it doth bode God knows.

DUCHESS


Tut, this was nothing but an argument
305That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester’s grove
35Shall lose his head for his presumption.
But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke:
Methought I sat in seat of majesty,
In the cathedral church of Westminster
310And in that chair where kings and queens were
40crowned,
Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneeled to me
And on my head did set the diadem.

GLOUCESTER


Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright.
315Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured Eleanor,
45Art thou not second woman in the realm
And the Protector’s wife, beloved of him?
Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command,
Above the reach or compass of thy thought?
320And wilt thou still be hammering treachery
50To tumble down thy husband and thyself
From top of honor to disgrace’s feet?
Away from me, and let me hear no more!

DUCHESS


What, what, my lord? Are you so choleric
325With Eleanor for telling but her dream?
55Next time I’ll keep my dreams unto myself
And not be checked.

GLOUCESTER


Nay, be not angry. I am pleased again.

Enter Messenger.

MESSENGER


My Lord Protector, ’tis his Highness’ pleasure
330You do prepare to ride unto Saint Albans,
60Whereas the King and Queen do mean to hawk.

GLOUCESTER


I go.—Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us?

DUCHESS


Yes, my good lord. I’ll follow presently.
Gloucester exits, with Messenger.
Follow I must; I cannot go before
335While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind.
65Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood,
I would remove these tedious stumbling blocks
And smooth my way upon their headless necks;
And, being a woman, I will not be slack
340To play my part in Fortune’s pageant.—
70Where are you there? Sir John! Nay, fear not, man.
We are alone; here’s none but thee and I.

Enter Sir John Hume.

HUME


Jesus preserve your royal Majesty!

DUCHESS


What sayst thou? “Majesty”? I am but “Grace.”

HUME


345But by the grace of God and Hume’s advice,
75Your Grace’s title shall be multiplied.

DUCHESS


What sayst thou, man? Hast thou as yet conferred
With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch,
With Roger Bolingbroke, the conjurer?
350And will they undertake to do me good?

HUME


80This they have promisèd: to show your Highness
A spirit raised from depth of underground
That shall make answer to such questions
As by your Grace shall be propounded him.

DUCHESS


355It is enough. I’ll think upon the questions.
85When from Saint Albans we do make return,
We’ll see these things effected to the full.
Here, Hume, take this reward.
She gives him money.
Make merry, man,
360With thy confederates in this weighty cause.

Duchess exits.

HUME


90Hume must make merry with the Duchess’ gold.
Marry, and shall! But, how now, Sir John Hume?
Seal up your lips, and give no words but “mum”;
The business asketh silent secrecy.
365Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch;
95Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil.
Yet have I gold flies from another coast—
I dare not say, from the rich cardinal
And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk,
370Yet I do find it so. For, to be plain,
100They, knowing Dame Eleanor’s aspiring humor,
Have hirèd me to undermine the Duchess
And buzz these conjurations in her brain.
They say a crafty knave does need no broker,
375Yet am I Suffolk and the Cardinal’s broker.
105Hume, if you take not heed, you shall go near
To call them both a pair of crafty knaves.
Well, so it stands; and thus I fear at last
Hume’s knavery will be the Duchess’ wrack,
380And her attainture will be Humphrey’s fall.
110Sort how it will, I shall have gold for all.

He exits.

Scene 3

Enter three or four Petitioners, Peter, the
Armorer’s man, being one.

FIRST PETITIONER

My masters, let’s stand close. My
Lord Protector will come this way by and by, and
then we may deliver our supplications in the quill.

SECOND PETITIONER

385Marry, the Lord protect him, for
5he’s a good man! Jesu bless him!

Enter Suffolk, wearing the red rose,
and Queen Margaret.

FIRST PETITIONER

Here he comes, methinks, and the
Queen with him. I’ll be the first, sure.

He steps forward.

SECOND PETITIONER

Come back, fool! This is the Duke
390of Suffolk, and not my Lord Protector.

SUFFOLK

10How now, fellow? Wouldst anything with
me?

FIRST PETITIONER

I pray, my lord, pardon me. I took
you for my Lord Protector.

QUEEN MARGARET takes a petition and reads.

395To my
15Lord Protector. Are your supplications to his Lordship?
Let me see them.—What is thine?

FIRST PETITIONER

Mine is, an ’t please your Grace,
against John Goodman, my Lord Cardinal’s man,
400for keeping my house, and lands, and wife and all,
20from me.

SUFFOLK

Thy wife too? That’s some wrong indeed.—
What’s yours? Taking a petition. What’s here?
(Reads.) Against the Duke of Suffolk for enclosing
405the commons of Melford. How now, sir knave?

SECOND PETITIONER

25Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner
of our whole township.

PETER , showing his petition

Against my master,
Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York
410was rightful heir to the crown.

QUEEN MARGARET

30What sayst thou? Did the Duke of
York say he was rightful heir to the crown?

PETER

That my master was? No, forsooth. My master
said that he was and that the King was an
415usurper.

SUFFOLK , calling

35Who is there?

Enter Servant.

Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a
pursuivant presently.—We’ll hear more of your
matter before the King.

Peter exits with Servant.

QUEEN MARGARET


420And as for you that love to be protected
40Under the wings of our Protector’s grace,
Begin your suits anew, and sue to him.
Tear the supplication.
Away, base cullions.—Suffolk, let them go.

ALL

Come, let’s be gone.

They exit.

QUEEN MARGARET


425My lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise,
45Is this the fashions in the court of England?
Is this the government of Britain’s isle
And this the royalty of Albion’s king?
What, shall King Henry be a pupil still
430Under the surly Gloucester’s governance?
50Am I a queen in title and in style,
And must be made a subject to a duke?
I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours
Thou rann’st atilt in honor of my love
435And stol’st away the ladies’ hearts of France,
55I thought King Henry had resembled thee
In courage, courtship, and proportion.
But all his mind is bent to holiness,
To number Ave Marys on his beads;
440His champions are the prophets and apostles,
60His weapons holy saws of sacred writ,
His study is his tiltyard, and his loves
Are brazen images of canonized saints.
I would the College of the Cardinals
445Would choose him pope and carry him to Rome
65And set the triple crown upon his head!
That were a state fit for his holiness.

SUFFOLK


Madam, be patient. As I was cause
Your Highness came to England, so will I
450In England work your Grace’s full content.

QUEEN MARGARET


70Besides the haughty Protector, have we Beaufort
The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham,
And grumbling York; and not the least of these
But can do more in England than the King.

SUFFOLK


455And he of these that can do most of all
75Cannot do more in England than the Nevilles;
Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.

QUEEN MARGARET


Not all these lords do vex me half so much
As that proud dame, the Lord Protector’s wife.
460She sweeps it through the court with troops of
80ladies,
More like an empress than Duke Humphrey’s wife.
Strangers in court do take her for the Queen.
She bears a duke’s revenues on her back,
465And in her heart she scorns our poverty.
85Shall I not live to be avenged on her?
Contemptuous baseborn callet as she is,
She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’ other day
The very train of her worst wearing gown
470Was better worth than all my father’s lands
90Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.

SUFFOLK


Madam, myself have limed a bush for her
And placed a choir of such enticing birds
That she will light to listen to the lays
475And never mount to trouble you again.
95So let her rest. And, madam, list to me,
For I am bold to counsel you in this:
Although we fancy not the Cardinal,
Yet must we join with him and with the lords
480Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.
100As for the Duke of York, this late complaint
Will make but little for his benefit.
So, one by one, we’ll weed them all at last,
And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.

Sound a sennet. Enter King Henry, Duke Humphrey
of Gloucester, Cardinal, Somerset, wearing the red
rose, Buckingham, Salisbury; York and Warwick, both
wearing the white rose; and the Duchess of
Gloucester.

KING HENRY


485For my part, noble lords, I care not which;
105Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.

YORK


If York have ill demeaned himself in France,
Then let him be denied the regentship.

SOMERSET


If Somerset be unworthy of the place,
490Let York be regent; I will yield to him.

WARWICK


110Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no,
Dispute not that. York is the worthier.

CARDINAL


Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.

WARWICK


The Cardinal’s not my better in the field.

BUCKINGHAM


495All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick.

WARWICK


115Warwick may live to be the best of all.

SALISBURY


Peace, son.—And show some reason, Buckingham,
Why Somerset should be preferred in this.

QUEEN MARGARET


Because the King, forsooth, will have it so.

GLOUCESTER


500Madam, the King is old enough himself
120To give his censure. These are no women’s matters.

QUEEN MARGARET


If he be old enough, what needs your Grace
To be Protector of his Excellence?

GLOUCESTER


Madam, I am Protector of the realm,
505And at his pleasure will resign my place.

SUFFOLK


125Resign it, then, and leave thine insolence.
Since thou wert king—as who is king but thou?—
The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack,
The Dauphin hath prevailed beyond the seas,
510And all the peers and nobles of the realm
130Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty.

CARDINAL , to Gloucester


The Commons hast thou racked; the clergy’s bags
Are lank and lean with thy extortions.

SOMERSET , to Gloucester


Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife’s attire
515Have cost a mass of public treasury.

BUCKINGHAM , to Gloucester


135Thy cruelty in execution
Upon offenders hath exceeded law
And left thee to the mercy of the law.

QUEEN MARGARET , to Gloucester


Thy sale of offices and towns in France,
520If they were known, as the suspect is great,
140Would make thee quickly hop without thy head.
Gloucester exits.
Queen Margaret drops her fan.
To Duchess. Give me my fan. What, minion, can
you not?She gives the Duchess a box on the ear.
I cry you mercy, madam. Was it you?

DUCHESS


525Was ’t I? Yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman.
145Could I come near your beauty with my nails,
I’d set my ten commandments in your face.

KING HENRY


Sweet aunt, be quiet. ’Twas against her will.

DUCHESS


Against her will, good king? Look to ’t in time.
530She’ll hamper thee and dandle thee like a baby.
150Though in this place most master wear no breeches,
She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged.

Eleanor, the Duchess, exits.

BUCKINGHAM , aside to Cardinal


Lord Cardinal, I will follow Eleanor
And listen after Humphrey how he proceeds.
535She’s tickled now; her fume needs no spurs;
155She’ll gallop far enough to her destruction.

Buckingham exits.Enter Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER


Now, lords, my choler being overblown
With walking once about the quadrangle,
I come to talk of commonwealth affairs.
540As for your spiteful false objections,
160Prove them, and I lie open to the law;
But God in mercy so deal with my soul
As I in duty love my king and country!
But, to the matter that we have in hand:
545I say, my sovereign, York is meetest man
165To be your regent in the realm of France.

SUFFOLK


Before we make election, give me leave
To show some reason, of no little force,
That York is most unmeet of any man.

YORK


550I’ll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet:
170First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride;
Next, if I be appointed for the place,
My lord of Somerset will keep me here
Without discharge, money, or furniture
555Till France be won into the Dauphin’s hands.
175Last time I danced attendance on his will
Till Paris was besieged, famished, and lost.

WARWICK


That can I witness, and a fouler fact
Did never traitor in the land commit.

SUFFOLK

560Peace, headstrong Warwick!

WARWICK


180Image of pride, why should I hold my peace?

Enter Horner, the Armorer, and his Man
Peter, under guard.

SUFFOLK


Because here is a man accused of treason.
Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself!

YORK


Doth anyone accuse York for a traitor?

KING HENRY


565What mean’st thou, Suffolk? Tell me, what are
185these?

SUFFOLK


Please it your Majesty, this is the man
That doth accuse his master of high treason.
His words were these: that Richard, Duke of York,
570Was rightful heir unto the English crown,
190And that your Majesty was an usurper.

KING HENRY

Say, man, were these thy words?

HORNER

An ’t shall please your Majesty, I never said
nor thought any such matter. God is my witness, I
575am falsely accused by the villain.

PETER

195By these ten bones, my lords, he did speak
them to me in the garret one night as we were
scouring my lord of York’s armor.

YORK , to Horner


Base dunghill villain and mechanical,
580I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech!—
200I do beseech your royal Majesty,
Let him have all the rigor of the law.

HORNER

Alas, my lord, hang me if ever I spake the
words. My accuser is my prentice; and when I did
585correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow
205upon his knees he would be even with me. I have
good witness of this. Therefore I beseech your
Majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a
villain’s accusation!

KING HENRY


590Uncle, what shall we say to this in law?

GLOUCESTER


210This doom, my lord, if I may judge:
Let Somerset be regent o’er the French,
Because in York this breeds suspicion;
And let these have a day appointed them
595For single combat in convenient place,
215For he hath witness of his servant’s malice.
This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.

SOMERSET


I humbly thank your royal Majesty.

HORNER


And I accept the combat willingly.

PETER

600Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God’s sake pity
220my case! The spite of man prevaileth against me. O
Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to
fight a blow. O Lord, my heart!

GLOUCESTER


Sirrah, or you must fight or else be hanged.

KING HENRY

605Away with them to prison; and the day of
225combat shall be the last of the next month.—
Come, Somerset, we’ll see thee sent away.

Flourish. They exit.

Scene 4

Enter the Witch Margery Jourdain, the two Priests
Hume and Southwell, and Bolingbroke, a conjurer.

HUME

Come, my masters. The Duchess, I tell you,
expects performance of your promises.

BOLINGBROKE

610Master Hume, we are therefore provided.
Will her Ladyship behold and hear our
5exorcisms?

HUME

Ay, what else? Fear you not her courage.

BOLINGBROKE

I have heard her reported to be a
615woman of an invincible spirit. But it shall be convenient,
Master Hume, that you be by her aloft
10while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, in
God’s name, and leave us.Hume exits.
Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate and grovel on
620the earth. She lies face downward. John Southwell,
read you; and let us to our work.

Enter Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester,
with Hume, aloft.

DUCHESS

15Well said, my masters, and welcome all. To
this gear, the sooner the better.

BOLINGBROKE


Patience, good lady. Wizards know their times.
625Deep night, dark night, the silent of the night,
The time of night when Troy was set on fire,
20The time when screech owls cry and bandogs howl,
And spirits walk, and ghosts break up their graves—
That time best fits the work we have in hand.
630Madam, sit you, and fear not. Whom we raise
We will make fast within a hallowed verge.

Here they do the ceremonies belonging, and
make the circle. Bolingbroke or Southwell reads
“Conjuro te, etc.” It thunders and lightens terribly;
then the Spirit riseth.

SPIRIT

25Adsum.

JOURDAIN

Asmath,
By the eternal God, whose name and power
635Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask,
For till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence.

SPIRIT


30Ask what thou wilt. That I had said and done!

BOLINGBROKE , reading from a paper, while Southwell
writes


First of the King: What shall of him become?

SPIRIT


The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose,
640But him outlive and die a violent death.

BOLINGBROKE , reads


What fates await the Duke of Suffolk?

SPIRIT


35By water shall he die and take his end.

BOLINGBROKE reads


What shall befall the Duke of Somerset?

SPIRIT

Let him shun castles.
645Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
Than where castles mounted stand.
40Have done, for more I hardly can endure.

BOLINGBROKE


Descend to darkness and the burning lake!
False fiend, avoid!

Thunder and lightning. Spirit exits, descending.Enter the Duke of York and the Duke of Buckingham
with their Guard and Sir Humphrey Stafford, and
break in.

YORK


650Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash.
The Guard arrest Margery Jourdain and her
accomplices and seize their papers.
To Jourdain. Beldam, I think we watched you at an
45inch.
To the Duchess, aloft. What, madam, are you
there? The King and commonweal
655Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains.
My Lord Protector will, I doubt it not,
50See you well guerdoned for these good deserts.

DUCHESS


Not half so bad as thine to England’s king,
Injurious duke, that threatest where’s no cause.

BUCKINGHAM


660True, madam, none at all. What call you this?
He holds up the papers seized.
Away with them! Let them be clapped up close
55And kept asunder.—You, madam, shall with us.—
Stafford, take her to thee.Stafford exits.
We’ll see your trinkets here all forthcoming.
665All away!

Jourdain, Southwell, and Bolingbroke
exit under guard, below; Duchess and Hume
exit, under guard, aloft.

YORK


Lord Buckingham, methinks you watched her well.
60A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon!
Now, pray, my lord, let’s see the devil’s writ.
Buckingham hands him the papers.
What have we here?
670(Reads.) The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose,
But him outlive and die a violent death.
65Why, this is just Aio te, Aeacida,
Romanos vincere posse. Well, to the rest:
(Reads.) Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of
675Suffolk?
By water shall he die and take his end.
70What shall betide the Duke of Somerset?
Let him shun castles;
Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
680Than where castles mounted stand.
Come, come, my lord, these oracles
75Are hardly attained and hardly understood.
The King is now in progress towards Saint Albans;
With him the husband of this lovely lady.
685Thither goes these news as fast as horse can carry
them—
80A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector.

BUCKINGHAM


Your Grace shall give me leave, my lord of York,
To be the post, in hope of his reward.

YORK

690At your pleasure, my good lord.
Buckingham exits.
Who’s within there, ho!

Enter a Servingman.

85Invite my lords of Salisbury and Warwick
To sup with me tomorrow night. Away!

They exit.

ACT 2

Scene 1

Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Gloucester the
Lord Protector, Cardinal, and Suffolk, and
Attendants, with Falconers hallowing.

QUEEN MARGARET


Believe me, lords, for flying at the brook
695I saw not better sport these seven years’ day.
Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high,
And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out.

KING HENRY , to Gloucester


5But what a point, my lord, your falcon made,
And what a pitch she flew above the rest!
700To see how God in all his creatures works!
Yea, man and birds are fain of climbing high.

SUFFOLK


No marvel, an it like your Majesty,
10My Lord Protector’s hawks do tower so well;
They know their master loves to be aloft
705And bears his thoughts above his falcon’s pitch.

GLOUCESTER


My lord, ’tis but a base ignoble mind
That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.

CARDINAL


15I thought as much. He would be above the clouds.

GLOUCESTER


Ay, my Lord Cardinal, how think you by that?
710Were it not good your Grace could fly to heaven?

KING HENRY


The treasury of everlasting joy.

CARDINAL , to Gloucester


Thy heaven is on Earth; thine eyes and thoughts
20Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart.
Pernicious Protector, dangerous peer,
715That smooth’st it so with king and commonweal!

GLOUCESTER


What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown
peremptory?
25Tantaene animis caelestibus irae?
Churchmen so hot? Good uncle, hide such malice.
720With such holiness, can you do it?

SUFFOLK


No malice, sir, no more than well becomes
So good a quarrel and so bad a peer.

GLOUCESTER


30As who, my lord?

SUFFOLK

Why, as you, my lord,
725An ’t like your lordly Lord Protectorship.

GLOUCESTER


Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence.

QUEEN MARGARET


And thy ambition, Gloucester.

KING HENRY

35I prithee peace,
Good queen, and whet not on these furious peers,
730For blessèd are the peacemakers on Earth.

CARDINAL


Let me be blessèd for the peace I make
Against this proud Protector with my sword!

GLOUCESTER , aside to Cardinal


40Faith, holy uncle, would ’t were come to that!

CARDINAL , aside to Gloucester

Marry, when thou
735dar’st!

GLOUCESTER , aside to Cardinal


Make up no factious numbers for the matter.
In thine own person answer thy abuse.

CARDINAL , aside to Gloucester


45Ay, where thou dar’st not peep. An if thou dar’st,
This evening, on the east side of the grove.

KING HENRY


740How now, my lords?

CARDINAL

Believe me, cousin Gloucester,
Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly,
50We had had more sport. (Aside to Gloucester.)
Come with thy two-hand sword.

GLOUCESTER


745True, uncle. (Aside to Cardinal.) Are you advised?
The east side of the grove.

CARDINAL , aside to Gloucester


I am with you.

KING HENRY

55Why, how now, uncle Gloucester?

GLOUCESTER


Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord.
750(Aside to Cardinal.) Now, by God’s mother, priest,
I’ll shave your crown for this,
Or all my fence shall fail.

CARDINAL , aside to Gloucester

60Medice, teipsum;
Protector, see to ’t well; protect yourself.

KING HENRY


755The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords.
How irksome is this music to my heart!
When such strings jar, what hope of harmony?
65I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.

Enter a man from St. Albans crying “A miracle!”

GLOUCESTER

What means this noise?—
760Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?

MAN

A miracle, a miracle!

SUFFOLK


Come to the King, and tell him what miracle.

MAN


70Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine
Within this half hour hath received his sight,
765A man that ne’er saw in his life before.

KING HENRY


Now, God be praised, that to believing souls
Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair.

Enter the Mayor of Saint Albans, and his brethren,
bearing the man Simpcox between two in a chair,
followed by Simpcox’s Wife and Others.

CARDINAL


75Here comes the townsmen on procession
To present your Highness with the man.

KING HENRY


770Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,
Although by his sight his sin be multiplied.

GLOUCESTER


Stand by, my masters.—Bring him near the King.
80His Highness’ pleasure is to talk with him.

The two bearers bring the chair forward.

KING HENRY


Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance,
775That we for thee may glorify the Lord.
What, hast thou been long blind and now restored?

SIMPCOX

Born blind, an ’t please your Grace.

WIFE

85Ay, indeed, was he.

SUFFOLK

What woman is this?

WIFE

780His wife, an ’t like your Worship.

GLOUCESTER

Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst
have better told.

KING HENRY

90Where wert thou born?

SIMPCOX


At Berwick in the North, an ’t like your Grace.

KING HENRY


785Poor soul, God’s goodness hath been great to thee.
Let never day nor night unhallowed pass,
But still remember what the Lord hath done.

QUEEN MARGARET


95Tell me, good fellow, cam’st thou here by chance,
Or of devotion to this holy shrine?

SIMPCOX


790God knows, of pure devotion, being called
A hundred times and oftener in my sleep
By good Saint Alban, who said “Simon, come,
100Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.”

WIFE


Most true, forsooth, and many time and oft
795Myself have heard a voice to call him so.

CARDINAL

What, art thou lame?

SIMPCOX

Ay, God Almighty help me!

SUFFOLK

105How cam’st thou so?

SIMPCOX

A fall off of a tree.

WIFE

800A plum tree, master.

GLOUCESTER

How long hast thou been blind?

SIMPCOX

O, born so, master.

GLOUCESTER

110What, and wouldst climb a tree?

SIMPCOX

But that in all my life, when I was a youth.

WIFE

805Too true, and bought his climbing very dear.

GLOUCESTER

Mass, thou lov’dst plums well, that
wouldst venture so.

SIMPCOX

115Alas, good master, my wife desired some
damsons, and made me climb, with danger of my
810life.

GLOUCESTER


A subtle knave, but yet it shall not serve.—
Let me see thine eyes. Wink now. Now open them.
120In my opinion, yet thou seest not well.

SIMPCOX

Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God and
815Saint Alban.

GLOUCESTER


Sayst thou me so? What color is this cloak of?

SIMPCOX

Red, master, red as blood.

GLOUCESTER


125Why, that’s well said. What color is my gown of?

SIMPCOX

Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet.

KING HENRY


820Why, then, thou know’st what color jet is of.

SUFFOLK


And yet, I think, jet did he never see.

GLOUCESTER


But cloaks and gowns, before this day, a many.

WIFE


130Never, before this day, in all his life.

GLOUCESTER

Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name?

SIMPCOX

825Alas, master, I know not.

GLOUCESTER , pointing

What’s his name?

SIMPCOX

I know not.

GLOUCESTER , pointing to someone else

135Nor his?

SIMPCOX

No, indeed, master.

GLOUCESTER

830What’s thine own name?

SIMPCOX

Sander Simpcox, an if it please you, master.

GLOUCESTER

Then, Sander, sit there, the lying’st knave
140in Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind,
thou mightst as well have known all our names as
835thus to name the several colors we do wear. Sight
may distinguish of colors; but suddenly to nominate
them all, it is impossible.—My lords, Saint
145Alban here hath done a miracle; and would you
not think his cunning to be great that could
840restore this cripple to his legs again?

SIMPCOX

O master, that you could!

GLOUCESTER

My masters of Saint Albans, have you not
150beadles in your town and things called whips?

MAYOR

Yes, my lord, if it please your Grace.

GLOUCESTER

845Then send for one presently.

MAYOR

Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight.

A man exits.

GLOUCESTER

Now fetch me a stool hither by and by.
155One brings a stool. Now, sirrah, if you mean to
save yourself from whipping, leap me over this
850stool, and run away.

SIMPCOX

Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone.
You go about to torture me in vain.

Enter a Beadle with whips.

GLOUCESTER

160Well, sir, we must have you find your
legs.—Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over
855that same stool.

BEADLE

I will, my lord.—Come on, sirrah, off with
your doublet quickly.

SIMPCOX

165Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to
stand.

After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps
over the stool and runs away; and they follow
and cry “A miracle!”

KING HENRY


860O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?

QUEEN MARGARET


It made me laugh to see the villain run.

GLOUCESTER , to the Beadle


Follow the knave, and take this drab away.

WIFE

170Alas, sir, we did it for pure need.

GLOUCESTER


Let them be whipped through every market town
865Till they come to Berwick, from whence they came.

The Beadle, Mayor, Wife, and the others from
Saint Albans exit.

CARDINAL


Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today.

SUFFOLK


True, made the lame to leap and fly away.

GLOUCESTER


175But you have done more miracles than I.
You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly.

Enter Buckingham.

KING HENRY


870What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?

BUCKINGHAM


Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold:
A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent,
180Under the countenance and confederacy
Of Lady Eleanor, the Protector’s wife,
875The ringleader and head of all this rout,
Have practiced dangerously against your state,
Dealing with witches and with conjurers,
185Whom we have apprehended in the fact,
Raising up wicked spirits from under ground,
880Demanding of King Henry’s life and death
And other of your Highness’ Privy Council,
As more at large your Grace shall understand.

CARDINAL


190And so, my Lord Protector, by this means
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London.
885Aside to Gloucester. This news, I think, hath turned
your weapon’s edge;
’Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.

GLOUCESTER


195Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart.
Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers,
890And, vanquished as I am, I yield to thee,
Or to the meanest groom.

KING HENRY


O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones,
200Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby!

QUEEN MARGARET


Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest,
895And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best.

GLOUCESTER


Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal
How I have loved my king and commonweal;
205And, for my wife, I know not how it stands.
Sorry I am to hear what I have heard.
900Noble she is; but if she have forgot
Honor and virtue, and conversed with such
As, like to pitch, defile nobility,
210I banish her my bed and company
And give her as a prey to law and shame
905That hath dishonored Gloucester’s honest name.

KING HENRY


Well, for this night we will repose us here.
Tomorrow toward London back again,
215To look into this business thoroughly,
And call these foul offenders to their answers,
910And poise the cause in Justice’ equal scales,
Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause
prevails.

Flourish. They exit.

Scene 2

Enter York, Salisbury, and Warwick.

YORK


Now, my good lords of Salisbury and Warwick,
Our simple supper ended, give me leave,
915In this close walk, to satisfy myself
In craving your opinion of my title,
5Which is infallible, to England’s crown.

SALISBURY


My lord, I long to hear it at full.

WARWICK


Sweet York, begin; and if thy claim be good,
920The Nevilles are thy subjects to command.

YORK

Then thus:
10Edward the Third, my lords, had seven sons:
The first, Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales;
The second, William of Hatfield; and the third,
925Lionel, Duke of Clarence; next to whom
Was John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster;
15The fifth was Edmund Langley, Duke of York;
The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of
Gloucester;
930William of Windsor was the seventh and last.
Edward the Black Prince died before his father
20And left behind him Richard, his only son,
Who, after Edward the Third’s death, reigned as
king
935Till Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster,
The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt,
25Crowned by the name of Henry the Fourth,
Seized on the realm, deposed the rightful king,
Sent his poor queen to France, from whence she
940came,
And him to Pomfret; where, as all you know,
30Harmless Richard was murdered traitorously.

WARWICK

Father, the Duke hath told the truth.
Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown.

YORK


945Which now they hold by force and not by right;
For Richard, the first son’s heir, being dead,
35The issue of the next son should have reigned.

SALISBURY


But William of Hatfield died without an heir.

YORK


The third son, Duke of Clarence, from whose line
950I claim the crown, had issue, Philippa, a daughter,
Who married Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March.
40Edmund had issue, Roger, Earl of March;
Roger had issue: Edmund, Anne, and Eleanor.

SALISBURY


This Edmund, in the reign of Bolingbroke,
955As I have read, laid claim unto the crown
And, but for Owen Glendower, had been king,
45Who kept him in captivity till he died.
But to the rest.

YORK

His eldest sister, Anne,
960My mother, being heir unto the crown,
Married Richard, Earl of Cambridge, who was son
50To Edmund Langley, Edward the Third’s fifth son.
By her I claim the kingdom. She was heir
To Roger, Earl of March, who was the son
965Of Edmund Mortimer, who married Philippa,
Sole daughter unto Lionel, Duke of Clarence.
55So, if the issue of the elder son
Succeed before the younger, I am king.

WARWICK


What plain proceedings is more plain than this?
970Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt,
The fourth son; York claims it from the third.
60Till Lionel’s issue fails, his should not reign.
It fails not yet, but flourishes in thee
And in thy sons, fair slips of such a stock.
975Then, father Salisbury, kneel we together,
And in this private plot be we the first
65That shall salute our rightful sovereign
With honor of his birthright to the crown.

SALISBURY, WARWICK , kneeling


Long live our sovereign Richard, England’s king!

YORK


980We thank you, lords. They rise. But I am not your
king
70Till I be crowned, and that my sword be stained
With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster;
And that’s not suddenly to be performed,
985But with advice and silent secrecy.
Do you as I do in these dangerous days:
75Wink at the Duke of Suffolk’s insolence,
At Beaufort’s pride, at Somerset’s ambition,
At Buckingham, and all the crew of them,
990Till they have snared the shepherd of the flock,
That virtuous prince, the good Duke Humphrey.
80’Tis that they seek; and they, in seeking that,
Shall find their deaths, if York can prophesy.

SALISBURY


My lord, break we off. We know your mind at full.

WARWICK


995My heart assures me that the Earl of Warwick
Shall one day make the Duke of York a king.

YORK


85And, Neville, this I do assure myself:
Richard shall live to make the Earl of Warwick
The greatest man in England but the King.

They exit.

Scene 3

Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry and State
(Queen Margaret, Gloucester, York, Salisbury, Suffolk,
and Others) with Guard, to banish the Duchess of
Gloucester, who is accompanied by Margery Jourdain,
Southwell, Hume, and Bolingbroke, all guarded.

KING HENRY


1000Stand forth, Dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester’s
wife.
In sight of God and us, your guilt is great.
Receive the sentence of the law for sins
5Such as by God’s book are adjudged to death.
To Jourdain, Southwell, Hume, and Bolingbroke.
1005You four, from hence to prison back again;
From thence unto the place of execution:
The witch in Smithfield shall be burnt to ashes,
And you three shall be strangled on the gallows.
10To Duchess You, madam, for you are more nobly
1010born,
Despoilèd of your honor in your life,
Shall, after three days’ open penance done,
Live in your country here in banishment
15With Sir John Stanley in the Isle of Man.

DUCHESS


1015Welcome is banishment. Welcome were my death.

GLOUCESTER


Eleanor, the law, thou seest, hath judged thee.
I cannot justify whom the law condemns.
Duchess and the other prisoners exit under guard.
Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief.
20Ah, Humphrey, this dishonor in thine age
1020Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground.—
I beseech your Majesty give me leave to go;
Sorrow would solace, and mine age would ease.

KING HENRY


Stay, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. Ere thou go,
25Give up thy staff. Henry will to himself
1025Protector be; and God shall be my hope,
My stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet.
And go in peace, Humphrey, no less beloved
Than when thou wert Protector to thy king.

QUEEN MARGARET


30I see no reason why a king of years
1030Should be to be protected like a child.
God and King Henry govern England’s realm!—
Give up your staff, sir, and the King his realm.

GLOUCESTER


My staff?—Here, noble Henry, is my staff.
He puts down his staff before Henry.
35As willingly do I the same resign
1035As e’er thy father Henry made it mine;
And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it
As others would ambitiously receive it.
Farewell, good king. When I am dead and gone,
40May honorable peace attend thy throne.

Gloucester exits.Henry picks up the staff.

QUEEN MARGARET


1040Why, now is Henry king and Margaret queen,
And Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, scarce himself,
That bears so shrewd a maim. Two pulls at once:
His lady banished and a limb lopped off.
45This staff of honor raught, there let it stand
1045Where it best fits to be, in Henry’s hand.

SUFFOLK


Thus droops this lofty pine and hangs his sprays;
Thus Eleanor’s pride dies in her youngest days.

YORK


Lords, let him go.—Please it your Majesty,
50This is the day appointed for the combat,
1050And ready are the appellant and defendant—
The armorer and his man—to enter the lists,
So please your Highness to behold the fight.

QUEEN MARGARET


Ay, good my lord, for purposely therefor
55Left I the court to see this quarrel tried.

KING HENRY


1055I’ God’s name, see the lists and all things fit.
Here let them end it, and God defend the right!

YORK


I never saw a fellow worse bestead
Or more afraid to fight than is the appellant,
60The servant of this armorer, my lords.

Enter at one door the Armorer Horner and his
Neighbors, drinking to him so much that he is drunk;
and he enters with a Drum before him and his staff with
a sandbag fastened to it; and at the other door his man
Peter, with a Drum and sandbag, and Prentices
drinking to him.

FIRST NEIGHBOR

1060Here, neighbor Horner, I drink to you
in a cup of sack; and fear not, neighbor, you shall
do well enough.

SECOND NEIGHBOR

And here, neighbor, here’s a cup of
65charneco.

THIRD NEIGHBOR

1065And here’s a pot of good double beer,
neighbor. Drink, and fear not your man.

HORNER

Let it come, i’ faith, and I’ll pledge you all.
And a fig for Peter!

They drink.

FIRST PRENTICE

70Here, Peter, I drink to thee, and be not
1070afraid.

SECOND PRENTICE

Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy
master. Fight for credit of the prentices.

PETER

I thank you all. Drink, and pray for me, I pray
75you, for I think I have taken my last draft in this
1075world. Here, Robin, an if I die, I give thee my
apron.—And, Will, thou shalt have my hammer.—
And here, Tom, take all the money that I have. He
distributes his possessions. O Lord, bless me, I
80pray God, for I am never able to deal with my
1080master. He hath learnt so much fence already.

SALISBURY

Come, leave your drinking, and fall to
blows. Sirrah, what’s thy name?

PETER

Peter, forsooth.

SALISBURY

85Peter? What more?

PETER

1085Thump.

SALISBURY

Thump? Then see thou thump thy master
well.

HORNER

Masters, I am come hither, as it were, upon
90my man’s instigation, to prove him a knave and
1090myself an honest man; and touching the Duke of
York, I will take my death I never meant him any
ill, nor the King, nor the Queen.—And therefore,
Peter, have at thee with a downright blow!

YORK

95Dispatch. This knave’s tongue begins to double.
1095Sound, trumpets. Alarum to the combatants!

Trumpet sounds.They fight, and Peter strikes him down.

HORNER

Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess treason.

He dies.

YORK

Take away his weapon.—Fellow, thank God and
the good wine in thy master’s way.

PETER

100O God, have I overcome mine enemies in this
1100presence? O Peter, thou hast prevailed in right!

KING HENRY


Go, take hence that traitor from our sight;
For by his death we do perceive his guilt.
And God in justice hath revealed to us
105The truth and innocence of this poor fellow,
1105Which he had thought to have murdered
wrongfully.—
Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward.

Sound a flourish. They exit, bearing Horner’s body.

Scene 4

Enter Duke Humphrey of Gloucester and his Men,
in mourning cloaks.

GLOUCESTER


Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud,
And after summer evermore succeeds
1110Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold;
So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.
5Sirs, what’s o’clock?

SERVANT

Ten, my lord.

GLOUCESTER


Ten is the hour that was appointed me
1115To watch the coming of my punished duchess.
Uneath may she endure the flinty streets,
10To tread them with her tender-feeling feet.
Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrook
The abject people gazing on thy face
1120With envious looks laughing at thy shame,
That erst did follow thy proud chariot wheels
15When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets.
But, soft! I think she comes, and I’ll prepare
My tearstained eyes to see her miseries.

Enter the Duchess of Gloucester, barefoot, and in a
white sheet, with papers pinned to her back and a
taper burning in her hand, with Sir John Stanley,
the Sheriff, and Officers.

SERVANT


1125So please your Grace, we’ll take her from the Sheriff.

GLOUCESTER


No, stir not for your lives. Let her pass by.

DUCHESS


20Come you, my lord, to see my open shame?
Now thou dost penance too. Look how they gaze!
See how the giddy multitude do point,
1130And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee.
Ah, Gloucester, hide thee from their hateful looks,
25And, in thy closet pent up, rue my shame,
And ban thine enemies, both mine and thine.

GLOUCESTER


Be patient, gentle Nell. Forget this grief.

DUCHESS


1135Ah, Gloucester, teach me to forget myself!
For whilst I think I am thy married wife
30And thou a prince, Protector of this land,
Methinks I should not thus be led along,
Mailed up in shame, with papers on my back,
1140And followed with a rabble that rejoice
To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans.
35The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet,
And when I start, the envious people laugh
And bid me be advisèd how I tread.
1145Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke?
Trowest thou that e’er I’ll look upon the world
40Or count them happy that enjoys the sun?
No, dark shall be my light, and night my day.
To think upon my pomp shall be my hell.
1150Sometimes I’ll say I am Duke Humphrey’s wife
And he a prince and ruler of the land;
45Yet so he ruled and such a prince he was
As he stood by whilst I, his forlorn duchess,
Was made a wonder and a pointing-stock
1155To every idle rascal follower.
But be thou mild, and blush not at my shame,
50Nor stir at nothing till the ax of death
Hang over thee, as, sure, it shortly will.
For Suffolk, he that can do all in all
1160With her that hateth thee and hates us all,
And York and impious Beaufort, that false priest,
55Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings;
And fly thou how thou canst, they’ll tangle thee.
But fear not thou until thy foot be snared,
1165Nor never seek prevention of thy foes.

GLOUCESTER


Ah, Nell, forbear. Thou aimest all awry.
60I must offend before I be attainted;
And had I twenty times so many foes,
And each of them had twenty times their power,
1170All these could not procure me any scathe
So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless.
65Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach?
Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away,
But I in danger for the breach of law.
1175Thy greatest help is quiet, gentle Nell.
I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience;
70These few days’ wonder will be quickly worn.

Enter a Herald.

HERALD


I summon your Grace to his Majesty’s Parliament
Holden at Bury the first of this next month.

GLOUCESTER


1180And my consent ne’er asked herein before?
This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.
Herald exits.
75My Nell, I take my leave.—And, master sheriff,
Let not her penance exceed the King’s commission.

SHERIFF


An ’t please your Grace, here my commission stays,
1185And Sir John Stanley is appointed now
To take her with him to the Isle of Man.

GLOUCESTER


80Must you, Sir John, protect my lady here?

STANLEY


So am I given in charge, may ’t please your Grace.

GLOUCESTER


Entreat her not the worse in that I pray
1190You use her well. The world may laugh again,
And I may live to do you kindness, if
85You do it her. And so, Sir John, farewell.

DUCHESS


What, gone, my lord, and bid me not farewell?

GLOUCESTER


Witness my tears. I cannot stay to speak.

Gloucester exits with his Men.

DUCHESS


1195Art thou gone too? All comfort go with thee,
For none abides with me. My joy is death—
90Death, at whose name I oft have been afeard,
Because I wished this world’s eternity.—
Stanley, I prithee, go, and take me hence.
1200I care not whither, for I beg no favor;
Only convey me where thou art commanded.

STANLEY


95Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man,
There to be used according to your state.

DUCHESS


That’s bad enough, for I am but reproach.
1205And shall I, then, be used reproachfully?

STANLEY


Like to a duchess and Duke Humphrey’s lady;
100According to that state you shall be used.

DUCHESS


Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare,
Although thou hast been conduct of my shame.

SHERIFF


1210It is my office; and, madam, pardon me.

DUCHESS


Ay, ay, farewell. Thy office is discharged.
The Sheriff and Officers exit.
105Come, Stanley, shall we go?

STANLEY


Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet,
And go we to attire you for our journey.

DUCHESS


1215My shame will not be shifted with my sheet.
No, it will hang upon my richest robes
110And show itself, attire me how I can.
Go, lead the way. I long to see my prison.

They exit.

ACT 3

Scene 1

Sound a sennet. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret,
Cardinal, Suffolk, York, Buckingham, Salisbury, and
Warwick, and Others to the Parliament.

KING HENRY


I muse my lord of Gloucester is not come.
1220’Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man,
Whate’er occasion keeps him from us now.

QUEEN MARGARET


Can you not see, or will you not observe,
5The strangeness of his altered countenance?
With what a majesty he bears himself,
1225How insolent of late he is become,
How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself?
We know the time since he was mild and affable;
10And if we did but glance a far-off look,
Immediately he was upon his knee,
1230That all the court admired him for submission.
But meet him now, and, be it in the morn
When everyone will give the time of day,
15He knits his brow and shows an angry eye
And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee,
1235Disdaining duty that to us belongs.
Small curs are not regarded when they grin,
But great men tremble when the lion roars—
20And Humphrey is no little man in England.
First, note that he is near you in descent,
1240And, should you fall, he is the next will mount.
Meseemeth then it is no policy,
Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears
25And his advantage following your decease,
That he should come about your royal person
1245Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council.
By flattery hath he won the Commons’ hearts;
And when he please to make commotion,
30’Tis to be feared they all will follow him.
Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted;
1250Suffer them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the garden
And choke the herbs for want of husbandry.
The reverent care I bear unto my lord
35Made me collect these dangers in the Duke.
If it be fond, call it a woman’s fear,
1255Which fear, if better reasons can supplant,
I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke.
My lords of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York,
40Reprove my allegation if you can,
Or else conclude my words effectual.

SUFFOLK


1260Well hath your Highness seen into this duke,
And, had I first been put to speak my mind,
I think I should have told your Grace’s tale.
45The Duchess by his subornation,
Upon my life, began her devilish practices;
1265Or if he were not privy to those faults,
Yet, by reputing of his high descent—
As next the King he was successive heir,
50And such high vaunts of his nobility—
Did instigate the bedlam brainsick duchess
1270By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall.
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep,
And in his simple show he harbors treason.
55The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb.
No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man
1275Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.

CARDINAL


Did he not, contrary to form of law,
Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?

YORK


60And did he not, in his protectorship,
Levy great sums of money through the realm
1280For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it,
By means whereof the towns each day revolted?

BUCKINGHAM


Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown,
65Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke
Humphrey.

KING HENRY


1285My lords, at once: the care you have of us
To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot
Is worthy praise; but, shall I speak my conscience,
70Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent
From meaning treason to our royal person
1290As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove.
The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given
To dream on evil or to work my downfall.

QUEEN MARGARET


75Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance?
Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrowed,
1295For he’s disposèd as the hateful raven.
Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him,
For he’s inclined as is the ravenous wolves.
80Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit?
Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all
1300Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.

Enter Somerset.

SOMERSET


All health unto my gracious sovereign!

KING HENRY


Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?

SOMERSET


85That all your interest in those territories
Is utterly bereft you. All is lost.

KING HENRY


1305Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God’s will be done.

YORK , aside


Cold news for me, for I had hope of France
As firmly as I hope for fertile England.
90Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud,
And caterpillars eat my leaves away.
1310But I will remedy this gear ere long,
Or sell my title for a glorious grave.

Enter Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER


All happiness unto my lord the King!
95Pardon, my liege, that I have stayed so long.

SUFFOLK


Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon,
1315Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art.
I do arrest thee of high treason here.

GLOUCESTER


Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush
100Nor change my countenance for this arrest.
A heart unspotted is not easily daunted.
1320The purest spring is not so free from mud
As I am clear from treason to my sovereign.
Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?

YORK


105’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of France
And, being Protector, stayed the soldiers’ pay,
1325By means whereof his Highness hath lost France.

GLOUCESTER


Is it but thought so? What are they that think it?
I never robbed the soldiers of their pay
110Nor ever had one penny bribe from France.
So help me God as I have watched the night—
1330Ay, night by night—in studying good for England!
That doit that e’er I wrested from the King,
Or any groat I hoarded to my use,
115Be brought against me at my trial day!
No, many a pound of mine own proper store,
1335Because I would not tax the needy Commons,
Have I dispursèd to the garrisons
And never asked for restitution.

CARDINAL


120It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.

GLOUCESTER


I say no more than truth, so help me God.

YORK


1340In your protectorship, you did devise
Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of,
That England was defamed by tyranny.

GLOUCESTER


125Why, ’tis well known that whiles I was Protector,
Pity was all the fault that was in me;
1345For I should melt at an offender’s tears,
And lowly words were ransom for their fault.
Unless it were a bloody murderer
130Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers,
I never gave them condign punishment.
1350Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortured
Above the felon or what trespass else.

SUFFOLK


My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answered;
135But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge
Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.
1355I do arrest you in his Highness’ name,
And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal
To keep until your further time of trial.

KING HENRY


140My lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope
That you will clear yourself from all suspense.
1360My conscience tells me you are innocent.

GLOUCESTER


Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous.
Virtue is choked with foul ambition,
145And charity chased hence by rancor’s hand;
Foul subornation is predominant,
1365And equity exiled your Highness’ land.
I know their complot is to have my life;
And if my death might make this island happy
150And prove the period of their tyranny,
I would expend it with all willingness.
1370But mine is made the prologue to their play;
For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril,
Will not conclude their plotted tragedy.
155Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice,
And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate;
1375Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue
The envious load that lies upon his heart;
And dogged York, that reaches at the moon,
160Whose overweening arm I have plucked back,
By false accuse doth level at my life.—
1380And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest,
Causeless have laid disgraces on my head
And with your best endeavor have stirred up
165My liefest liege to be mine enemy.
Ay, all of you have laid your heads together—
1385Myself had notice of your conventicles—
And all to make away my guiltless life.
I shall not want false witness to condemn me
170Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt.
The ancient proverb will be well effected:
1390“A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.”

CARDINAL


My liege, his railing is intolerable.
If those that care to keep your royal person
175From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rage
Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at,
1395And the offender granted scope of speech,
’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.

SUFFOLK


Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here
180With ignominious words, though clerkly couched,
As if she had subornèd some to swear
1400False allegations to o’erthrow his state?

QUEEN MARGARET


But I can give the loser leave to chide.

GLOUCESTER


Far truer spoke than meant. I lose, indeed;
185Beshrew the winners, for they played me false!
And well such losers may have leave to speak.

BUCKINGHAM


1405He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day.
Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.

CARDINAL , to his Men


Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.

GLOUCESTER


190Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch
Before his legs be firm to bear his body.—
1410Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side,
And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first.
Ah, that my fear were false; ah, that it were!
195For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.

Gloucester exits, guarded by Cardinal’s Men.

KING HENRY


My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best
1415Do, or undo, as if ourself were here.

QUEEN MARGARET


What, will your Highness leave the Parliament?

KING HENRY


Ay, Margaret. My heart is drowned with grief,
200Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes,
My body round engirt with misery;
1420For what’s more miserable than discontent?
Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see
The map of honor, truth, and loyalty;
205And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come
That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith.
1425What louring star now envies thy estate
That these great lords and Margaret our queen
Do seek subversion of thy harmless life?
210Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong.
And as the butcher takes away the calf
1430And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains,
Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse,
Even so remorseless have they borne him hence;
215And as the dam runs lowing up and down,
Looking the way her harmless young one went,
1435And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss,
Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case
With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyes
220Look after him and cannot do him good,
So mighty are his vowèd enemies.
1440His fortunes I will weep and, ’twixt each groan,
Say “Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.”

He exits, with Buckingham, Salisbury, Warwick,
and Others. Somerset steps aside.

QUEEN MARGARET , to Cardinal, Suffolk, and York


Free lords, cold snow melts with the sun’s hot
225beams.
Henry my lord is cold in great affairs,
1445Too full of foolish pity; and Gloucester’s show
Beguiles him, as the mournful crocodile
With sorrow snares relenting passengers,
230Or as the snake, rolled in a flow’ring bank,
With shining checkered slough, doth sting a child
1450That for the beauty thinks it excellent.
Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I—
And yet herein I judge mine own wit good—
235This Gloucester should be quickly rid the world,
To rid us from the fear we have of him.

CARDINAL


1455That he should die is worthy policy,
But yet we want a color for his death.
’Tis meet he be condemned by course of law.

SUFFOLK


240But, in my mind, that were no policy.
The King will labor still to save his life,
1460The Commons haply rise to save his life,
And yet we have but trivial argument,
More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death.

YORK


245So that, by this, you would not have him die.

SUFFOLK


Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I!

YORK


1465’Tis York that hath more reason for his death.
But, my Lord Cardinal, and you, my lord of Suffolk,
Say as you think, and speak it from your souls:
250Were ’t not all one an empty eagle were set
To guard the chicken from a hungry kite
1470As place Duke Humphrey for the King’s Protector?

QUEEN MARGARET


So the poor chicken should be sure of death.

SUFFOLK


Madam, ’tis true; and were ’t not madness then
255To make the fox surveyor of the fold—
Who, being accused a crafty murderer,
1475His guilt should be but idly posted over
Because his purpose is not executed?
No, let him die in that he is a fox,
260By nature proved an enemy to the flock,
Before his chaps be stained with crimson blood,
1480As Humphrey, proved by reasons, to my liege.
And do not stand on quillets how to slay him—
Be it by gins, by snares, by subtlety,
265Sleeping or waking. ’Tis no matter how,
So he be dead; for that is good deceit
1485Which mates him first that first intends deceit.

QUEEN MARGARET


Thrice noble Suffolk, ’tis resolutely spoke.

SUFFOLK


Not resolute, except so much were done,
270For things are often spoke and seldom meant;
But that my heart accordeth with my tongue,
1490Seeing the deed is meritorious,
And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,
Say but the word and I will be his priest.

CARDINAL


275But I would have him dead, my lord of Suffolk,
Ere you can take due orders for a priest.
1495Say you consent and censure well the deed,
And I’ll provide his executioner.
I tender so the safety of my liege.

SUFFOLK


280Here is my hand. The deed is worthy doing.

QUEEN MARGARET

And so say I.

YORK


1500And I. And now we three have spoke it,
It skills not greatly who impugns our doom.

Enter a Post.

POST


Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain
285To signify that rebels there are up
And put the Englishmen unto the sword.
1505Send succors, lords, and stop the rage betime,
Before the wound do grow uncurable;
For, being green, there is great hope of help.

He exits.

CARDINAL


290A breach that craves a quick expedient stop!
What counsel give you in this weighty cause?

YORK


1510That Somerset be sent as regent thither.
’Tis meet that lucky ruler be employed—
Witness the fortune he hath had in France.

SOMERSET , advancing


295If York, with all his far-fet policy,
Had been the regent there instead of me,
1515He never would have stayed in France so long.

YORK


No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done.
I rather would have lost my life betimes
300Than bring a burden of dishonor home
By staying there so long till all were lost.
1520Show me one scar charactered on thy skin.
Men’s flesh preserved so whole do seldom win.

QUEEN MARGARET


Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging fire
305If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with.—
No more, good York.—Sweet Somerset, be still.—
1525Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there,
Might happily have proved far worse than his.

YORK


What, worse than naught? Nay, then, a shame take
310all!

SOMERSET


And, in the number, thee that wishest shame!

CARDINAL


1530My lord of York, try what your fortune is.
Th’ uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms
And temper clay with blood of Englishmen.
315To Ireland will you lead a band of men,
Collected choicely, from each county some,
1535And try your hap against the Irishmen?

YORK


I will, my lord, so please his Majesty.

SUFFOLK


Why, our authority is his consent,
320And what we do establish he confirms.
Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand.

YORK


1540I am content. Provide me soldiers, lords,
Whiles I take order for mine own affairs.

SUFFOLK


A charge, Lord York, that I will see performed.
325But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey.

CARDINAL


No more of him, for I will deal with him,
1545That henceforth he shall trouble us no more.
And so break off; the day is almost spent.
Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event.

YORK


330My lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days
At Bristow I expect my soldiers,
1550For there I’ll ship them all for Ireland.

SUFFOLK


I’ll see it truly done, my lord of York.

All but York exit.

YORK


Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts
335And change misdoubt to resolution.
Be that thou hop’st to be, or what thou art
1555Resign to death; it is not worth th’ enjoying.
Let pale-faced fear keep with the mean-born man
And find no harbor in a royal heart.
340Faster than springtime showers comes thought on
thought,
1560And not a thought but thinks on dignity.
My brain, more busy than the laboring spider,
Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies.
345Well, nobles, well, ’tis politicly done
To send me packing with an host of men.
1565I fear me you but warm the starvèd snake,
Who, cherished in your breasts, will sting your
hearts.
350’Twas men I lacked, and you will give them me;
I take it kindly. Yet be well assured
1570You put sharp weapons in a madman’s hands.
Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band,
I will stir up in England some black storm
355Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell;
And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage
1575Until the golden circuit on my head,
Like to the glorious sun’s transparent beams,
Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw.
360And for a minister of my intent,
I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman,
1580John Cade of Ashford,
To make commotion, as full well he can,
Under the title of John Mortimer.
365In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade
Oppose himself against a troop of kerns,
1585And fought so long till that his thighs with darts
Were almost like a sharp-quilled porpentine;
And in the end being rescued, I have seen
370Him caper upright like a wild Morisco,
Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells.
1590Full often, like a shag-haired crafty kern,
Hath he conversèd with the enemy,
And undiscovered come to me again
375And given me notice of their villainies.
This devil here shall be my substitute;
1595For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,
In face, in gait, in speech he doth resemble.
By this, I shall perceive the Commons’ mind,
380How they affect the house and claim of York.
Say he be taken, racked, and torturèd,
1600I know no pain they can inflict upon him
Will make him say I moved him to those arms.
Say that he thrive, as ’tis great like he will,
385Why then from Ireland come I with my strength
And reap the harvest which that rascal sowed.
1605For, Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,
And Henry put apart, the next for me.

He exits.

Scene 2

Enter two or three running over the stage, from the
murder of Duke Humphrey.

FIRST MURDERER


Run to my lord of Suffolk. Let him know
We have dispatched the Duke as he commanded.

SECOND MURDERER


O, that it were to do! What have we done?
1610Didst ever hear a man so penitent?

Enter Suffolk.

FIRST MURDERER

5Here comes my lord.

SUFFOLK

Now, sirs, have you dispatched this thing?

FIRST MURDERER

Ay, my good lord, he’s dead.

SUFFOLK


Why, that’s well said. Go, get you to my house;
1615I will reward you for this venturous deed.
10The King and all the peers are here at hand.
Have you laid fair the bed? Is all things well,
According as I gave directions?

FIRST MURDERER

’Tis, my good lord.

SUFFOLK

1620Away, be gone.

The Murderers exit.Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry, Queen
Margaret, Cardinal, Somerset, with Attendants.

KING HENRY


15Go, call our uncle to our presence straight.
Say we intend to try his Grace today
If he be guilty, as ’tis publishèd.

SUFFOLK


I’ll call him presently, my noble lord.

He exits.

KING HENRY


1625Lords, take your places; and, I pray you all,
20Proceed no straiter ’gainst our uncle Gloucester
Than from true evidence of good esteem
He be approved in practice culpable.

QUEEN MARGARET


God forbid any malice should prevail
1630That faultless may condemn a nobleman!
25Pray God he may acquit him of suspicion!

KING HENRY


I thank thee, Meg. These words content me much.

Enter Suffolk.

How now? Why look’st thou pale? Why tremblest
thou?
1635Where is our uncle? What’s the matter, Suffolk?

SUFFOLK


30Dead in his bed, my lord. Gloucester is dead.

QUEEN MARGARET

Marry, God forfend!

CARDINAL


God’s secret judgment. I did dream tonight
The Duke was dumb and could not speak a word.

King Henry swoons.

QUEEN MARGARET


1640How fares my lord? Help, lords, the King is dead!

SOMERSET


35Rear up his body. Wring him by the nose.

QUEEN MARGARET


Run, go, help, help! O Henry, ope thine eyes!

King Henry stirs.

SUFFOLK


He doth revive again. Madam, be patient.

KING HENRY


O heavenly God!

QUEEN MARGARET

1645How fares my gracious lord?

SUFFOLK


40Comfort, my sovereign! Gracious Henry, comfort!

KING HENRY


What, doth my lord of Suffolk comfort me?
Came he right now to sing a raven’s note,
Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers,
1650And thinks he that the chirping of a wren,
45By crying comfort from a hollow breast,
Can chase away the first-conceivèd sound?
Hide not thy poison with such sugared words.
Lay not thy hands on me. Forbear, I say!
1655Their touch affrights me as a serpent’s sting.
50Thou baleful messenger, out of my sight!
Upon thy eyeballs, murderous Tyranny
Sits in grim majesty to fright the world.
Look not upon me, for thine eyes are wounding.
1660Yet do not go away. Come, basilisk,
55And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight;
For in the shade of death I shall find joy,
In life but double death, now Gloucester’s dead.

QUEEN MARGARET


Why do you rate my lord of Suffolk thus?
1665Although the Duke was enemy to him,
60Yet he most Christian-like laments his death.
And for myself, foe as he was to me,
Might liquid tears or heart-offending groans
Or blood-consuming sighs recall his life,
1670I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans,
65Look pale as primrose with blood-drinking sighs,
And all to have the noble duke alive.
What know I how the world may deem of me?
For it is known we were but hollow friends.
1675It may be judged I made the Duke away;
70So shall my name with slander’s tongue be wounded
And princes’ courts be filled with my reproach.
This get I by his death. Ay me, unhappy,
To be a queen and crowned with infamy!

KING HENRY


1680Ah, woe is me for Gloucester, wretched man!

QUEEN MARGARET


75Be woe for me, more wretched than he is.
What, dost thou turn away and hide thy face?
I am no loathsome leper. Look on me.
What, art thou, like the adder, waxen deaf?
1685Be poisonous too, and kill thy forlorn queen.
80Is all thy comfort shut in Gloucester’s tomb?
Why, then, Dame Margaret was ne’er thy joy.
Erect his statue and worship it,
And make my image but an alehouse sign.
1690Was I for this nigh-wracked upon the sea
85And twice by awkward wind from England’s bank
Drove back again unto my native clime?
What boded this, but well forewarning wind
Did seem to say “Seek not a scorpion’s nest,
1695Nor set no footing on this unkind shore”?
90What did I then but cursed the gentle gusts
And he that loosed them forth their brazen caves
And bid them blow towards England’s blessèd shore
Or turn our stern upon a dreadful rock?
1700Yet Aeolus would not be a murderer,
95But left that hateful office unto thee.
The pretty-vaulting sea refused to drown me,
Knowing that thou wouldst have me drowned on
shore
1705With tears as salt as sea, through thy unkindness.
100The splitting rocks cow’red in the sinking sands
And would not dash me with their ragged sides
Because thy flinty heart, more hard than they,
Might in thy palace perish Margaret.
1710As far as I could ken thy chalky cliffs,
105When from thy shore the tempest beat us back,
I stood upon the hatches in the storm,
And when the dusky sky began to rob
My earnest-gaping sight of thy land’s view,
1715I took a costly jewel from my neck—
110A heart it was, bound in with diamonds—
And threw it towards thy land. The sea received it,
And so I wished thy body might my heart.
And even with this I lost fair England’s view,
1720And bid mine eyes be packing with my heart,
115And called them blind and dusky spectacles
For losing ken of Albion’s wishèd coast.
How often have I tempted Suffolk’s tongue,
The agent of thy foul inconstancy,
1725To sit and watch me, as Ascanius did
120When he to madding Dido would unfold
His father’s acts commenced in burning Troy!
Am I not witched like her, or thou not false like
him?
1730Ay me, I can no more. Die, Margaret,
125For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long.

Noise within. Enter Warwick and Salisbury,
and many Commons.

WARWICK


It is reported, mighty sovereign,
That good Duke Humphrey traitorously is murdered
By Suffolk and the Cardinal Beaufort’s means.
1735The Commons, like an angry hive of bees
130That want their leader, scatter up and down
And care not who they sting in his revenge.
Myself have calmed their spleenful mutiny,
Until they hear the order of his death.

KING HENRY


1740That he is dead, good Warwick, ’tis too true;
135But how he died God knows, not Henry.
Enter his chamber, view his breathless corpse,
And comment then upon his sudden death.

WARWICK


That shall I do, my liege.—Stay, Salisbury,
1745With the rude multitude till I return.

Warwick exits through one door; Salisbury and
Commons exit through another.

KING HENRY


140O Thou that judgest all things, stay my thoughts,
My thoughts that labor to persuade my soul
Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey’s life.
If my suspect be false, forgive me, God,
1750For judgment only doth belong to Thee.
145Fain would I go to chafe his paly lips
With twenty thousand kisses, and to drain
Upon his face an ocean of salt tears,
To tell my love unto his dumb deaf trunk
1755And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling;
150But all in vain are these mean obsequies.
And to survey his dead and earthy image,
What were it but to make my sorrow greater?

Bed put forth, bearing Gloucester’s body.
Enter Warwick.

WARWICK


Come hither, gracious sovereign. View this body.

KING HENRY


1760That is to see how deep my grave is made,
155For with his soul fled all my worldly solace;
For seeing him, I see my life in death.

WARWICK


As surely as my soul intends to live
With that dread King that took our state upon Him
1765To free us from His Father’s wrathful curse,
160I do believe that violent hands were laid
Upon the life of this thrice-famèd duke.

SUFFOLK


A dreadful oath, sworn with a solemn tongue!
What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow?

WARWICK


1770See how the blood is settled in his face.
165Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost,
Of ashy semblance, meager, pale, and bloodless,
Being all descended to the laboring heart,
Who, in the conflict that it holds with death,
1775Attracts the same for aidance ’gainst the enemy,
170Which with the heart there cools and ne’er
returneth
To blush and beautify the cheek again.
But see, his face is black and full of blood;
1780His eyeballs further out than when he lived,
175Staring full ghastly, like a strangled man;
His hair upreared, his nostrils stretched with
struggling;
His hands abroad displayed, as one that grasped
1785And tugged for life and was by strength subdued.
180Look, on the sheets his hair, you see, is sticking;
His well-proportioned beard made rough and
rugged,
Like to the summer’s corn by tempest lodged.
1790It cannot be but he was murdered here.
185The least of all these signs were probable.

The bed is removed.

SUFFOLK


Why, Warwick, who should do the Duke to death?
Myself and Beaufort had him in protection,
And we, I hope, sir, are no murderers.

WARWICK


1795But both of you were vowed Duke Humphrey’s foes,
190To Cardinal. And you, forsooth, had the good duke
to keep.
’Tis like you would not feast him like a friend,
And ’tis well seen he found an enemy.

QUEEN MARGARET


1800Then you, belike, suspect these noblemen
195As guilty of Duke Humphrey’s timeless death.

WARWICK


Who finds the heifer dead and bleeding fresh,
And sees fast by a butcher with an ax,
But will suspect ’twas he that made the slaughter?
1805Who finds the partridge in the puttock’s nest
200But may imagine how the bird was dead,
Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak?
Even so suspicious is this tragedy.

QUEEN MARGARET


Are you the butcher, Suffolk? Where’s your knife?
1810Is Beaufort termed a kite? Where are his talons?

SUFFOLK


205I wear no knife to slaughter sleeping men,
But here’s a vengeful sword, rusted with ease,
That shall be scoured in his rancorous heart
That slanders me with murder’s crimson badge.—
1815Say, if thou dar’st, proud lord of Warwickshire,
210That I am faulty in Duke Humphrey’s death.

WARWICK


What dares not Warwick, if false Suffolk dare him?

QUEEN MARGARET


He dares not calm his contumelious spirit
Nor cease to be an arrogant controller,
1820Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times.

WARWICK


215Madam, be still—with reverence may I say—
For every word you speak in his behalf
Is slander to your royal dignity.

SUFFOLK


Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanor!
1825If ever lady wronged her lord so much,
220Thy mother took into her blameful bed
Some stern untutored churl, and noble stock
Was graft with crab-tree slip, whose fruit thou art
And never of the Nevilles’ noble race.

WARWICK


1830But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee
225And I should rob the deathsman of his fee,
Quitting thee thereby of ten thousand shames,
And that my sovereign’s presence makes me mild,
I would, false murd’rous coward, on thy knee
1835Make thee beg pardon for thy passèd speech
230And say it was thy mother that thou meant’st,
That thou thyself wast born in bastardy;
And after all this fearful homage done,
Give thee thy hire and send thy soul to hell,
1840Pernicious bloodsucker of sleeping men!

SUFFOLK


235Thou shalt be waking while I shed thy blood,
If from this presence thou dar’st go with me.

WARWICK


Away even now, or I will drag thee hence!
Unworthy though thou art, I’ll cope with thee
1845And do some service to Duke Humphrey’s ghost.

Warwick and Suffolk exit.

KING HENRY


240What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted?
Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just,
And he but naked, though locked up in steel,
Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

A noise within.

QUEEN MARGARET

1850What noise is this?

Enter Suffolk and Warwick, with their weapons drawn.

KING HENRY


245Why, how now, lords? Your wrathful weapons
drawn
Here in our presence? Dare you be so bold?
Why, what tumultuous clamor have we here?

SUFFOLK


1855The trait’rous Warwick, with the men of Bury,
250Set all upon me, mighty sovereign.

Enter Salisbury.

SALISBURY , to the offstage Commons


Sirs, stand apart. The King shall know your mind.—
Dread lord, the Commons send you word by me,
Unless Lord Suffolk straight be done to death
1860Or banishèd fair England’s territories,
255They will by violence tear him from your palace
And torture him with grievous ling’ring death.
They say, by him the good duke Humphrey died;
They say, in him they fear your Highness’ death;
1865And mere instinct of love and loyalty,
260Free from a stubborn opposite intent,
As being thought to contradict your liking,
Makes them thus forward in his banishment.
They say, in care of your most royal person,
1870That if your Highness should intend to sleep,
265And charge that no man should disturb your rest,
In pain of your dislike or pain of death,
Yet, notwithstanding such a strait edict,
Were there a serpent seen with forkèd tongue
1875That slyly glided towards your Majesty,
270It were but necessary you were waked,
Lest, being suffered in that harmful slumber,
The mortal worm might make the sleep eternal.
And therefore do they cry, though you forbid,
1880That they will guard you, whe’er you will or no,
275From such fell serpents as false Suffolk is,
With whose envenomèd and fatal sting
Your loving uncle, twenty times his worth,
They say, is shamefully bereft of life.

COMMONS , within


1885An answer from the King, my lord of Salisbury!

SUFFOLK


280’Tis like the Commons, rude unpolished hinds,
Could send such message to their sovereign!
To Salisbury. But you, my lord, were glad to be
employed,
1890To show how quaint an orator you are.
285But all the honor Salisbury hath won
Is that he was the lord ambassador
Sent from a sort of tinkers to the King.

COMMONS , within


An answer from the King, or we will all break in.

KING HENRY


1895Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me,
290I thank them for their tender loving care;
And, had I not been cited so by them,
Yet did I purpose as they do entreat.
For, sure, my thoughts do hourly prophesy
1900Mischance unto my state by Suffolk’s means.
295And therefore, by His Majesty I swear,
Whose far unworthy deputy I am,
He shall not breathe infection in this air
But three days longer, on the pain of death.

Salisbury exits.

QUEEN MARGARET


1905O Henry, let me plead for gentle Suffolk!

KING HENRY


300Ungentle queen to call him gentle Suffolk!
No more, I say. If thou dost plead for him,
Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath.
Had I but said, I would have kept my word;
1910But when I swear, it is irrevocable.
305To Suffolk. If, after three days’ space, thou here
be’st found
On any ground that I am ruler of,
The world shall not be ransom for thy life.—
1915Come, Warwick, come, good Warwick, go with me.
310I have great matters to impart to thee.

All but the Queen and Suffolk exit.

QUEEN MARGARET , calling after King Henry and
Warwick


Mischance and sorrow go along with you!
Heart’s discontent and sour affliction
Be playfellows to keep you company!
1920There’s two of you; the devil make a third,
315And threefold vengeance tend upon your steps!

SUFFOLK


Cease, gentle queen, these execrations,
And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave.

QUEEN MARGARET


Fie, coward woman and soft-hearted wretch!
1925Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemies?

SUFFOLK


320A plague upon them! Wherefore should I curse
them?
Could curses kill, as doth the mandrake’s groan,
I would invent as bitter searching terms,
1930As curst, as harsh, and horrible to hear,
325Delivered strongly through my fixèd teeth,
With full as many signs of deadly hate,
As lean-faced Envy in her loathsome cave.
My tongue should stumble in mine earnest words;
1935Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint;
330Mine hair be fixed on end, as one distract;
Ay, every joint should seem to curse and ban;
And even now my burdened heart would break
Should I not curse them. Poison be their drink!
1940Gall, worse than gall, the daintiest that they taste;
335Their sweetest shade, a grove of cypress trees;
Their chiefest prospect, murd’ring basilisks;
Their softest touch, as smart as lizards’ stings!
Their music, frightful as the serpent’s hiss,
1945And boding screech owls make the consort full!
340All the foul terrors in dark-seated hell—

QUEEN MARGARET


Enough, sweet Suffolk, thou torment’st thyself,
And these dread curses, like the sun ’gainst glass,
Or like an over-chargèd gun, recoil
1950And turn the force of them upon thyself.

SUFFOLK


345You bade me ban, and will you bid me leave?
Now, by the ground that I am banished from,
Well could I curse away a winter’s night,
Though standing naked on a mountain top
1955Where biting cold would never let grass grow,
350And think it but a minute spent in sport.

QUEEN MARGARET


O, let me entreat thee cease! Give me thy hand,
That I may dew it with my mournful tears;
Nor let the rain of heaven wet this place
1960To wash away my woeful monuments.
She kisses his hand.
355O, could this kiss be printed in thy hand,
That thou mightst think upon these by the seal,
Through whom a thousand sighs are breathed for
thee!
1965So, get thee gone, that I may know my grief;
360’Tis but surmised whiles thou art standing by,
As one that surfeits thinking on a want.
I will repeal thee, or, be well assured,
Adventure to be banishèd myself;
1970And banishèd I am, if but from thee.
365Go, speak not to me. Even now be gone!
O, go not yet! Even thus two friends condemned
Embrace and kiss and take ten thousand leaves,
Loather a hundred times to part than die.
They embrace.
1975Yet now farewell, and farewell life with thee.

SUFFOLK


370Thus is poor Suffolk ten times banishèd,
Once by the King, and three times thrice by thee.
’Tis not the land I care for, wert thou thence.
A wilderness is populous enough,
1980So Suffolk had thy heavenly company;
375For where thou art, there is the world itself,
With every several pleasure in the world;
And where thou art not, desolation.
I can no more. Live thou to joy thy life;
1985Myself no joy in naught but that thou liv’st.

Enter Vaux.

QUEEN MARGARET


380Whither goes Vaux so fast? What news, I prithee?

VAUX

To signify unto his Majesty,
That Cardinal Beaufort is at point of death;
For suddenly a grievous sickness took him
1990That makes him gasp and stare and catch the air,
385Blaspheming God and cursing men on Earth.
Sometimes he talks as if Duke Humphrey’s ghost
Were by his side; sometimes he calls the King
And whispers to his pillow, as to him,
1995The secrets of his overchargèd soul.
390And I am sent to tell his Majesty
That even now he cries aloud for him.

QUEEN MARGARET


Go, tell this heavy message to the King.Vaux exits.
Ay me! What is this world? What news are these!
2000But wherefore grieve I at an hour’s poor loss,
395Omitting Suffolk’s exile, my soul’s treasure?
Why only, Suffolk, mourn I not for thee,
And with the southern clouds contend in tears—
Theirs for the earth’s increase, mine for my
2005sorrows’?
400Now get thee hence. The King, thou know’st, is
coming;
If thou be found by me, thou art but dead.

SUFFOLK


If I depart from thee, I cannot live;
2010And in thy sight to die, what were it else
405But like a pleasant slumber in thy lap?
Here could I breathe my soul into the air,
As mild and gentle as the cradle babe
Dying with mother’s dug between its lips;
2015Where, from thy sight, I should be raging mad
410And cry out for thee to close up mine eyes,
To have thee with thy lips to stop my mouth.
So shouldst thou either turn my flying soul,
Or I should breathe it so into thy body,
2020And then it lived in sweet Elysium.
415To die by thee were but to die in jest;
From thee to die were torture more than death.
O, let me stay, befall what may befall!

QUEEN MARGARET


Away! Though parting be a fretful corrosive,
2025It is applièd to a deathful wound.
420To France, sweet Suffolk. Let me hear from thee,
For wheresoe’er thou art in this world’s globe,
I’ll have an Iris that shall find thee out.

SUFFOLK

I go.

QUEEN MARGARET

2030And take my heart with thee.

SUFFOLK


425A jewel locked into the woefull’st cask
That ever did contain a thing of worth!
Even as a splitted bark, so sunder we.
This way fall I to death.

QUEEN MARGARET

2035This way for me.

They exit through different doors.

Scene 3

Enter King Henry, Salisbury and Warwick, to the
Cardinal in bed, raving and staring.

KING HENRY


How fares my lord? Speak, Beaufort, to thy sovereign.

CARDINAL


If thou be’st Death, I’ll give thee England’s treasure,
Enough to purchase such another island,
So thou wilt let me live and feel no pain.

KING HENRY


52040Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,
Where Death’s approach is seen so terrible!

WARWICK


Beaufort, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee.

CARDINAL


Bring me unto my trial when you will.
Died he not in his bed? Where should he die?
102045Can I make men live, whe’er they will or no?
O, torture me no more! I will confess.
Alive again? Then show me where he is.
I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him.
He hath no eyes! The dust hath blinded them.
152050Comb down his hair. Look, look. It stands upright,
Like lime-twigs set to catch my wingèd soul.
Give me some drink, and bid the apothecary
Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.

KING HENRY


O, Thou eternal mover of the heavens,
202055Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch!
O, beat away the busy meddling fiend
That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul,
And from his bosom purge this black despair!

WARWICK


See how the pangs of death do make him grin!

SALISBURY


252060Disturb him not. Let him pass peaceably.

KING HENRY


Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be!—
Lord Card’nal, if thou think’st on heaven’s bliss,
Hold up thy hand; make signal of thy hope.
The Cardinal dies.
He dies and makes no sign. O, God forgive him!

WARWICK


302065So bad a death argues a monstrous life.

KING HENRY


Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.
Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close,
And let us all to meditation.

After the curtains are closed around
the bed, they exit. The bed is removed.

ACT 4

Scene 1

Alarum. Offstage fight at sea. Ordnance goes off.
Enter Lieutenant, Suffolk, captive and in disguise,
and Others, including a Master, a Master’s Mate,
Walter Whitmore, and Prisoners.

LIEUTENANT


The gaudy, blabbing, and remorseful day
2070Is crept into the bosom of the sea,
And now loud-howling wolves arouse the jades
That drag the tragic melancholy night,
5Who, with their drowsy, slow, and flagging wings
Clip dead men’s graves, and from their misty jaws
2075Breathe foul contagious darkness in the air.
Therefore bring forth the soldiers of our prize;
For, whilst our pinnace anchors in the Downs,
10Here shall they make their ransom on the sand,
Or with their blood stain this discolored shore.—
2080Master, this prisoner freely give I thee.—
And, thou that art his mate, make boot of this.—
The other, Walter Whitmore, is thy share.

Three gentlemen prisoners, including Suffolk,
are handed over.

FIRST GENTLEMAN


15What is my ransom, master? Let me know.

MASTER


A thousand crowns, or else lay down your head.

MATE , to the Second Gentleman


2085And so much shall you give, or off goes yours.

LIEUTENANT


What, think you much to pay two thousand crowns,
And bear the name and port of gentlemen?—
20Cut both the villains’ throats—for die you shall;
The lives of those which we have lost in fight
2090Be counterpoised with such a petty sum!

FIRST GENTLEMAN


I’ll give it, sir, and therefore spare my life.

SECOND GENTLEMAN


And so will I, and write home for it straight.

WHITMORE , to Suffolk


25I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboard,
And therefore to revenge it shalt thou die;
2095And so should these, if I might have my will.

LIEUTENANT


Be not so rash. Take ransom; let him live.

SUFFOLK


Look on my George; I am a gentleman.
30Rate me at what thou wilt, thou shalt be paid.

WHITMORE


And so am I. My name is Walter Whitmore.
Suffolk starts.
2100How now, why starts thou? What, doth death
affright?

SUFFOLK


Thy name affrights me, in whose sound is death.
35A cunning man did calculate my birth
And told me that by water I should die.
2105Yet let not this make thee be bloody-minded;
Thy name is Gualtier, being rightly sounded.

WHITMORE


Gualtier or Walter, which it is, I care not.
40Never yet did base dishonor blur our name
But with our sword we wiped away the blot.
2110Therefore, when merchantlike I sell revenge,
Broke be my sword, my arms torn and defaced,
And I proclaimed a coward through the world!

SUFFOLK


45Stay, Whitmore, for thy prisoner is a prince,
The Duke of Suffolk, William de la Pole.

WHITMORE


2115The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags?

SUFFOLK


Ay, but these rags are no part of the Duke.
Jove sometimes went disguised, and why not I?

LIEUTENANT


50But Jove was never slain, as thou shalt be.

SUFFOLK


Obscure and lousy swain, King Henry’s blood,
2120The honorable blood of Lancaster,
Must not be shed by such a jaded groom.
Hast thou not kissed thy hand and held my stirrup?
55Bareheaded plodded by my footcloth mule,
And thought thee happy when I shook my head?
2125How often hast thou waited at my cup,
Fed from my trencher, kneeled down at the board,
When I have feasted with Queen Margaret?
60Remember it, and let it make thee crestfall’n,
Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride.
2130How in our voiding lobby hast thou stood
And duly waited for my coming forth?
This hand of mine hath writ in thy behalf,
65And therefore shall it charm thy riotous tongue.

WHITMORE


Speak, captain, shall I stab the forlorn swain?

LIEUTENANT


2135First let my words stab him as he hath me.

SUFFOLK


Base slave, thy words are blunt, and so art thou.

LIEUTENANT


Convey him hence, and on our longboat’s side,
70Strike off his head.

SUFFOLK

Thou dar’st not for thy own.

LIEUTENANT


2140Yes, Pole.

SUFFOLK

Pole!

LIEUTENANT

Pole! Sir Pole! Lord!
75Ay, kennel, puddle, sink, whose filth and dirt
Troubles the silver spring where England drinks!
2145Now will I dam up this thy yawning mouth
For swallowing the treasure of the realm.
Thy lips that kissed the Queen shall sweep the
80ground,
And thou that smiledst at good Duke Humphrey’s
2150death
Against the senseless winds shall grin in vain,
Who in contempt shall hiss at thee again.
85And wedded be thou to the hags of hell
For daring to affy a mighty lord
2155Unto the daughter of a worthless king,
Having neither subject, wealth, nor diadem.
By devilish policy art thou grown great,
90And, like ambitious Sylla, overgorged
With gobbets of thy mother’s bleeding heart.
2160By thee Anjou and Maine were sold to France.
The false revolting Normans thorough thee
Disdain to call us lord, and Picardy
95Hath slain their governors, surprised our forts,
And sent the ragged soldiers wounded home.
2165The princely Warwick, and the Nevilles all,
Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in vain,
As hating thee, are rising up in arms.
100And now the house of York, thrust from the crown
By shameful murder of a guiltless king
2170And lofty, proud, encroaching tyranny,
Burns with revenging fire, whose hopeful colors
Advance our half-faced sun, striving to shine,
105Under the which is writ “Invitis nubibus.”
The commons here in Kent are up in arms,
2175And, to conclude, reproach and beggary
Is crept into the palace of our king,
And all by thee.—Away! Convey him hence.

SUFFOLK


110O, that I were a god, to shoot forth thunder
Upon these paltry, servile, abject drudges!
2180Small things make base men proud. This villain
here,
Being captain of a pinnace, threatens more
115Than Bargulus, the strong Illyrian pirate.
Drones suck not eagles’ blood, but rob beehives.
2185It is impossible that I should die
By such a lowly vassal as thyself.
Thy words move rage and not remorse in me.
120I go of message from the Queen to France.
I charge thee waft me safely cross the Channel.

LIEUTENANT

2190Walter.

WHITMORE


Come, Suffolk, I must waft thee to thy death.

SUFFOLK


Paene gelidus timor occupat artus.
125It is thee I fear.

WHITMORE


Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee.
2195What, are you daunted now? Now will you stoop?

FIRST GENTLEMAN


My gracious lord, entreat him; speak him fair.

SUFFOLK


Suffolk’s imperial tongue is stern and rough,
130Used to command, untaught to plead for favor.
Far be it we should honor such as these
2200With humble suit. No, rather let my head
Stoop to the block than these knees bow to any
Save to the God of heaven and to my king;
135And sooner dance upon a bloody pole
Than stand uncovered to the vulgar groom.
2205True nobility is exempt from fear.—
More can I bear than you dare execute.

LIEUTENANT


Hale him away, and let him talk no more.

SUFFOLK


140Come, soldiers, show what cruelty you can,
That this my death may never be forgot!
2210Great men oft die by vile bezonians:
A Roman sworder and banditto slave
Murdered sweet Tully; Brutus’ bastard hand
145Stabbed Julius Caesar; savage islanders
Pompey the Great, and Suffolk dies by pirates.

Walter Whitmore exits with
Suffolk and Others.

LIEUTENANT


2215And as for these whose ransom we have set,
It is our pleasure one of them depart.
To Second Gentleman. Therefore come you with us,
150and let him go.

Lieutenant and the rest exit.
The First Gentleman remains.Enter Walter Whitmore with the body
and severed head of Suffolk.

WHITMORE


There let his head and lifeless body lie,
2220Until the Queen his mistress bury it.

Walter Whitmore exits.

FIRST GENTLEMAN


O, barbarous and bloody spectacle!
His body will I bear unto the King.
155If he revenge it not, yet will his friends.
So will the Queen, that living held him dear.

He exits with the head and body.

Scene 2

Enter Bevis and John Holland with staves.

BEVIS

2225Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a
lath. They have been up these two days.

HOLLAND

They have the more need to sleep now, then.

BEVIS

I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dress
5the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap
2230upon it.

HOLLAND

So he had need, for ’tis threadbare. Well, I
say, it was never merry world in England since
gentlemen came up.

BEVIS

10O miserable age! Virtue is not regarded in
2235handicraftsmen.

HOLLAND

The nobility think scorn to go in leather
aprons.

BEVIS

Nay, more, the King’s Council are no good
15workmen.

HOLLAND

2240True, and yet it is said “Labor in thy vocation,”
which is as much to say as “Let the magistrates
be laboring men.” And therefore should we
be magistrates.

BEVIS

20Thou hast hit it, for there’s no better sign of a
2245brave mind than a hard hand.

HOLLAND

I see them, I see them! There’s Best’s son, the
tanner of Wingham—

BEVIS

He shall have the skins of our enemies to make
25dog’s leather of.

HOLLAND

2250And Dick the butcher—

BEVIS

Then is sin struck down like an ox, and iniquity’s
throat cut like a calf.

HOLLAND

And Smith the weaver.

BEVIS

30Argo, their thread of life is spun.

HOLLAND

2255Come, come, let’s fall in with them.

Drum. Enter Cade, Dick the butcher, Smith the
weaver, and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers,
all with staves.

CADE

We, John Cade, so termed of our supposed
father—

DICK , aside

Or rather of stealing a cade of herrings.

CADE

35For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired
2260with the spirit of putting down kings and princes—
command silence.

DICK

Silence!

CADE

My father was a Mortimer—

DICK , aside

40He was an honest man and a good
2265bricklayer.

CADE

My mother a Plantagenet—

DICK , aside

I knew her well; she was a midwife.

CADE

My wife descended of the Lacys.

DICK , aside

45She was indeed a peddler’s daughter, and
2270sold many laces.

SMITH , aside

But now of late, not able to travel with
her furred pack, she washes bucks here at home.

CADE

Therefore am I of an honorable house.

DICK , aside

50Ay, by my faith, the field is honorable;
2275and there was he born, under a hedge, for his
father had never a house but the cage.

CADE

Valiant I am—

SMITH , aside

He must needs, for beggary is valiant.

CADE

55I am able to endure much—

DICK , aside

2280No question of that; for I have seen him
whipped three market-days together.

CADE

I fear neither sword nor fire.

SMITH , aside

He need not fear the sword, for his coat
60is of proof.

DICK , aside

2285But methinks he should stand in fear of
fire, being burnt i’ th’ hand for stealing of sheep.

CADE

Be brave, then, for your captain is brave and
vows reformation. There shall be in England seven
65halfpenny loaves sold for a penny. The three-hooped
2290pot shall have ten hoops, and I will make it
felony to drink small beer. All the realm shall be in
common, and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to
grass. And when I am king, as king I will be—

ALL

70God save your Majesty!

CADE

2295I thank you, good people.—There shall be no
money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I
will apparel them all in one livery, that they may
agree like brothers and worship me their lord.

DICK

75The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.

CADE

2300Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable
thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should
be made parchment? That parchment, being scribbled
o’er, should undo a man? Some say the bee
80stings, but I say, ’tis the beeswax; for I did but seal
2305once to a thing, and I was never mine own man
since. How now? Who’s there?

Enter a Clerk of Chartham, under guard.

SMITH

The clerk of Chartham. He can write and read
and cast account.

CADE

85O, monstrous!

SMITH

2310We took him setting of boys’ copies.

CADE

Here’s a villain!

SMITH

H’as a book in his pocket with red letters in ’t.

CADE

Nay, then, he is a conjurer.

DICK

90Nay, he can make obligations and write court
2315hand.

CADE

I am sorry for ’t. The man is a proper man, of
mine honor. Unless I find him guilty, he shall not
die.—Come hither, sirrah; I must examine thee.
95What is thy name?

CLERK

2320Emmanuel.

DICK

They use to write it on the top of letters.—’Twill
go hard with you.

CADE

Let me alone.—Dost thou use to write thy
100name? Or hast thou a mark to thyself, like an
2325honest, plain-dealing man?

CLERK

Sir, I thank God, I have been so well brought
up that I can write my name.

ALL

He hath confessed. Away with him! He’s a villain
105and a traitor.

CADE

2330Away with him, I say! Hang him with his pen
and inkhorn about his neck.

One exits with the Clerk.Enter Michael.

MICHAEL

Where’s our general?

CADE

Here I am, thou particular fellow.

MICHAEL

110Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his
2335brother are hard by, with the King’s forces.

CADE

Stand, villain, stand, or I’ll fell thee down. He
shall be encountered with a man as good as himself.
He is but a knight, is he?

MICHAEL

115No.

CADE

2340To equal him I will make myself a knight
presently. He kneels. Rise up Sir John Mortimer.
He rises. Now have at him!

Enter Sir Humphrey Stafford and his Brother, with
a Herald, Drum, and Soldiers.

STAFFORD


Rebellious hinds, the filth and scum of Kent,
120Marked for the gallows, lay your weapons down!
2345Home to your cottages; forsake this groom.
The King is merciful, if you revolt.

BROTHER


But angry, wrathful, and inclined to blood,
If you go forward. Therefore yield, or die.

CADE


125As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not.
2350It is to you, good people, that I speak,
Over whom, in time to come, I hope to reign,
For I am rightful heir unto the crown.

STAFFORD


Villain, thy father was a plasterer,
130And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not?

CADE


2355And Adam was a gardener.

BROTHER

And what of that?

CADE


Marry, this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March,
Married the Duke of Clarence’ daughter, did he not?

STAFFORD

135Ay, sir.

CADE


2360By her he had two children at one birth.

BROTHER

That’s false.

CADE


Ay, there’s the question. But I say ’tis true.
The elder of them, being put to nurse,
140Was by a beggar-woman stol’n away,
2365And, ignorant of his birth and parentage,
Became a bricklayer when he came to age.
His son am I. Deny it if you can.

DICK


Nay, ’tis too true. Therefore he shall be king.

SMITH

145Sir, he made a chimney in my father’s house,
2370and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it.
Therefore deny it not.

STAFFORD


And will you credit this base drudge’s words,
That speaks he knows not what?

ALL


150Ay, marry, will we. Therefore get you gone.

BROTHER


2375Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this.

CADE

He lies, aside for I invented it myself.—Go to,
sirrah. Tell the King from me that, for his father’s
sake, Henry the Fifth, in whose time boys went to
155span-counter for French crowns, I am content he
2380shall reign, but I’ll be Protector over him.

DICK

And, furthermore, we’ll have the Lord Saye’s
head for selling the dukedom of Maine.

CADE

And good reason: for thereby is England mained
160and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance
2385holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that that Lord
Saye hath gelded the commonwealth and made it
an eunuch; and, more than that, he can speak
French, and therefore he is a traitor.

STAFFORD


165O, gross and miserable ignorance!

CADE

2390Nay, answer if you can. The Frenchmen are our
enemies. Go to, then, I ask but this: can he that
speaks with the tongue of an enemy be a good
counselor, or no?

ALL

170No, no, and therefore we’ll have his head!

BROTHER , to Stafford


2395Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail,
Assail them with the army of the King.

STAFFORD


Herald, away, and throughout every town
Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade,
175That those which fly before the battle ends
2400May, even in their wives’ and children’s sight
Be hanged up for example at their doors.—
And you that be the King’s friends, follow me.

The Staffords, Soldiers, and Herald exit.

CADE


And you that love the Commons, follow me.
180Now show yourselves men. ’Tis for liberty!
2405We will not leave one lord, one gentleman;
Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon,
For they are thrifty, honest men and such
As would, but that they dare not, take our parts.

DICK

185They are all in order and march toward us.

CADE

2410But then are we in order when we are most out
of order. Come, march forward.

They exit.

Scene 3

Alarums to the fight, wherein both the Staffords are
slain. Enter Cade and the rest.

CADE

Where’s Dick, the butcher of Ashford?

DICK

Here, sir.

CADE

They fell before thee like sheep and oxen, and
2415thou behaved’st thyself as if thou hadst been in
5thine own slaughterhouse. Therefore, thus will I
reward thee: the Lent shall be as long again as it is,
and thou shalt have a license to kill for a hundred
lacking one.

DICK

2420I desire no more.

CADE

10And to speak truth, thou deserv’st no less. This
monument of the victory will I bear. He puts on
Sir Humphrey Stafford’s armor and helmet, or sallet.
And the bodies shall be dragged at my horse
heels till I do come to London, where we will have
2425the Mayor’s sword borne before us.

DICK

15If we mean to thrive and do good, break open
the jails and let out the prisoners.

CADE

Fear not that, I warrant thee. Come, let’s march
towards London.

They exit with the bodies of the Staffords.

Scene 4

Enter King Henry, with a supplication, and
Queen Margaret with Suffolk’s head, the Duke
of Buckingham, and the Lord Saye.

QUEEN MARGARET , aside


2430Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind
And makes it fearful and degenerate.
Think therefore on revenge, and cease to weep.
But who can cease to weep and look on this?
5Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast,
2435But where’s the body that I should embrace?

BUCKINGHAM , to King Henry


What answer makes your Grace to the rebels’
supplication?

KING HENRY


I’ll send some holy bishop to entreat,
10For God forbid so many simple souls
2440Should perish by the sword! And I myself,
Rather than bloody war shall cut them short,
Will parley with Jack Cade, their general.
But stay, I’ll read it over once again.

He reads.

QUEEN MARGARET , aside


15Ah, barbarous villains! Hath this lovely face
2445Ruled, like a wandering planet, over me,
And could it not enforce them to relent
That were unworthy to behold the same?

KING HENRY


Lord Saye, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.

SAYE


20Ay, but I hope your Highness shall have his.

KING HENRY

2450How now, madam?
Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk’s death?
I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,
Thou wouldst not have mourned so much for me.

QUEEN MARGARET


25No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.

Enter a Messenger.

KING HENRY


2455How now, what news? Why com’st thou in such
haste?

MESSENGER


The rebels are in Southwark. Fly, my lord!
Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,
30Descended from the Duke of Clarence’ house,
2460And calls your Grace usurper, openly,
And vows to crown himself in Westminster.
His army is a ragged multitude
Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless.
35Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother’s death
2465Hath given them heart and courage to proceed.
All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen
They call false caterpillars and intend their death.

KING HENRY


O, graceless men, they know not what they do!

BUCKINGHAM


40My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth
2470Until a power be raised to put them down.

QUEEN MARGARET


Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,
These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased!

KING HENRY

Lord Saye, the traitors hateth thee;
45Therefore away with us to Killingworth.

SAYE


2475So might your Grace’s person be in danger.
The sight of me is odious in their eyes;
And therefore in this city will I stay
And live alone as secret as I may.

Enter another Messenger.

SECOND MESSENGER


50Jack Cade hath gotten London Bridge.
2480The citizens fly and forsake their houses.
The rascal people, thirsting after prey,
Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear
To spoil the city and your royal court.

BUCKINGHAM


55Then linger not, my lord. Away! Take horse!

KING HENRY


2485Come, Margaret. God, our hope, will succor us.

QUEEN MARGARET


My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceased.

KING HENRY , to Saye


Farewell, my lord. Trust not the Kentish rebels.

BUCKINGHAM


Trust nobody, for fear you be betrayed.

SAYE


60The trust I have is in mine innocence,
2490And therefore am I bold and resolute.

They exit.

Scene 5

Enter Lord Scales upon the Tower, walking. Then enters
two or three Citizens below.

SCALES

How now? Is Jack Cade slain?

FIRST CITIZEN

No, my lord, nor likely to be slain; for
they have won the Bridge, killing all those that
withstand them. The Lord Mayor craves aid of
52495your Honor from the Tower to defend the city
from the rebels.

SCALES


Such aid as I can spare you shall command;
But I am troubled here with them myself:
The rebels have essayed to win the Tower.
102500But get you to Smithfield and gather head,
And thither I will send you Matthew Gough.
Fight for your king, your country, and your lives.
And so farewell, for I must hence again.

They exit.

Scene 6

Enter Jack Cade and the rest, and strikes his staff on
London Stone.

CADE

Now is Mortimer lord of this city. And here, sitting
2505upon London Stone, I charge and command
that, of the city’s cost, the Pissing Conduit run
nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign.
5And now henceforward it shall be treason for any
that calls me other than Lord Mortimer.

Enter a Soldier running.

SOLDIER

2510Jack Cade, Jack Cade!

CADE

Knock him down there.

They kill him.

DICK

If this fellow be wise, he’ll never call you Jack
10Cade more. I think he hath a very fair warning.
Takes a paper from the dead Soldier and
reads the message.
My lord, there’s an army gathered together in
2515Smithfield.

CADE

Come, then, let’s go fight with them. But first, go
and set London Bridge on fire, and, if you can,
15burn down the Tower too. Come, let’s away.

All exit.

Scene 7

Alarums. Matthew Gough is slain, and all the rest.
Then enter Jack Cade with his company.

CADE

So, sirs. Now go some and pull down the Savoy;
2520others to th’ Inns of Court. Down with them all!

DICK

I have a suit unto your Lordship.

CADE

Be it a lordship, thou shalt have it for that word.

DICK

5Only that the laws of England may come out of
your mouth.

HOLLAND , aside

2525Mass, ’twill be sore law, then, for he
was thrust in the mouth with a spear, and ’tis not
whole yet.

SMITH , aside

10Nay, John, it will be stinking law, for
his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese.

CADE

2530I have thought upon it; it shall be so. Away!
Burn all the records of the realm. My mouth shall
be the Parliament of England.

HOLLAND , aside

15Then we are like to have biting
statutes—unless his teeth be pulled out.

CADE

2535And henceforward all things shall be in
common.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER

My lord, a prize, a prize! Here’s the Lord
20Saye, which sold the towns in France, he that
made us pay one-and-twenty fifteens, and one
2540shilling to the pound, the last subsidy.

Enter George with the Lord Saye.

CADE

Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times.—Ah,
thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord, now
25art thou within point-blank of our jurisdiction
regal. What canst thou answer to my Majesty for
2545giving up of Normandy unto Monsieur Basimecu,
the Dauphin of France? Be it known unto thee by
these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer,
30that I am the besom that must sweep the
court clean of such filth as thou art. Thou hast
2550most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm
in erecting a grammar school; and whereas,
before, our forefathers had no other books but the
35score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be
used, and, contrary to the King his crown and dignity,
2555thou hast built a paper mill. It will be proved
to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually
talk of a noun and a verb and such abominable
40words as no Christian ear can endure to hear.
Thou hast appointed justices of peace to call poor
2560men before them about matters they were not able
to answer. Moreover, thou hast put them in prison;
and, because they could not read, thou hast
45hanged them, when indeed only for that cause
they have been most worthy to live. Thou dost ride
2565on a footcloth, dost thou not?

SAYE

What of that?

CADE

Marry, thou oughtst not to let thy horse wear a
50cloak when honester men than thou go in their
hose and doublets.

DICK

2570And work in their shirt too—as myself, for example,
that am a butcher.

SAYE

You men of Kent—

DICK

55What say you of Kent?

SAYE

Nothing but this: ’tis bona terra, mala gens.

CADE

2575Away with him, away with him! He speaks
Latin.

SAYE


Hear me but speak, and bear me where you will.
60Kent, in the commentaries Caesar writ,
Is termed the civil’st place of all this isle.
2580Sweet is the country, because full of riches;
The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy;
Which makes me hope you are not void of pity.
65I sold not Maine; I lost not Normandy;
Yet to recover them would lose my life.
2585Justice with favor have I always done;
Prayers and tears have moved me; gifts could never.
When have I aught exacted at your hands
70Kent to maintain, the King, the realm, and you?
Large gifts have I bestowed on learnèd clerks,
2590Because my book preferred me to the King.
And seeing ignorance is the curse of God,
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven,
75Unless you be possessed with devilish spirits,
You cannot but forbear to murder me.
2595This tongue hath parleyed unto foreign kings
For your behoof—

CADE

Tut, when struck’st thou one blow in the field?

SAYE


80Great men have reaching hands. Oft have I struck
Those that I never saw, and struck them dead.

GEORGE

2600O monstrous coward! What, to come behind
folks?

SAYE


These cheeks are pale for watching for your good.

CADE

85Give him a box o’ th’ ear, and that will make ’em
red again.

SAYE


2605Long sitting to determine poor men’s causes
Hath made me full of sickness and diseases.

CADE

You shall have a hempen caudle, then, and
90the help of hatchet.

DICK

Why dost thou quiver, man?

SAYE

2610The palsy, and not fear, provokes me.

CADE

Nay, he nods at us, as who should say “I’ll be
even with you.” I’ll see if his head will stand steadier
95on a pole, or no. Take him away, and behead
him.

SAYE


2615Tell me, wherein have I offended most?
Have I affected wealth or honor? Speak.
Are my chests filled up with extorted gold?
100Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?
Whom have I injured, that you seek my death?
2620These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding,
This breast from harboring foul deceitful thoughts.
O, let me live!

CADE

105I feel remorse in myself with his words, but I’ll
bridle it. He shall die, an it be but for pleading so
2625well for his life. Away with him! He has a familiar
under his tongue; he speaks not i’ God’s name. Go,
take him away, I say, and strike off his head
110presently; and then break into his son-in-law’s
house, Sir James Cromer, and strike off his head;
2630and bring them both upon two poles hither.

ALL

It shall be done.

SAYE


Ah, countrymen, if when you make your prayers,
115God should be so obdurate as yourselves,
How would it fare with your departed souls?
2635And therefore yet relent, and save my life.

CADE

Away with him, and do as I command you.
Some exit with Lord Saye.
The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a
120head on his shoulders unless he pay me tribute.
There shall not a maid be married but she shall
2640pay to me her maidenhead ere they have it. Men
shall hold of me in capite; and we charge and command
that their wives be as free as heart can wish
125or tongue can tell.

DICK

My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside and take
2645up commodities upon our bills?

CADE

Marry, presently.

ALL

O, brave!

Enter one with the heads of Lord Saye and Sir James
Cromer on poles.

CADE

130But is not this braver? Let them kiss one another,
for they loved well when they were alive. The
heads are brought together. 2650Now part them again,
lest they consult about the giving up of some more
towns in France. Soldiers, defer the spoil of the
135city until night, for, with these borne before us
instead of maces, will we ride through the streets
2655and at every corner have them kiss. Away!

He exits with his company.

Scene 8

Alarum, and retreat. Enter again Cade and
all his rabblement.

CADE

Up Fish Street! Down Saint Magnus’ Corner!
Kill and knock down! Throw them into Thames!
Sound a parley.
What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to
sound retreat or parley when I command them
52660kill?

Enter Buckingham and old Clifford with Attendants.

BUCKINGHAM


Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee.
Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the King
Unto the Commons, whom thou hast misled,
And here pronounce free pardon to them all
102665That will forsake thee and go home in peace.

CLIFFORD


What say you, countrymen? Will you relent
And yield to mercy whil’st ’tis offered you,
Or let a rabble lead you to your deaths?
Who loves the King and will embrace his pardon,
152670Fling up his cap and say “God save his Majesty!”
Who hateth him and honors not his father,
Henry the Fifth, that made all France to quake,
Shake he his weapon at us and pass by.

ALL

God save the King! God save the King!

They fling their caps in the air.

CADE

202675What, Buckingham and Clifford, are you so
brave?—And, you base peasants, do you believe
him? Will you needs be hanged with your pardons
about your necks? Hath my sword therefore broke
through London gates, that you should leave me at
252680the White Hart in Southwark? I thought you
would never have given out these arms till you had
recovered your ancient freedom. But you are all
recreants and dastards, and delight to live in slavery
to the nobility. Let them break your backs with
302685burdens, take your houses over your heads, ravish
your wives and daughters before your faces. For
me, I will make shift for one, and so God’s curse
light upon you all!

ALL

We’ll follow Cade! We’ll follow Cade!

CLIFFORD

352690Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth,
That thus you do exclaim you’ll go with him?
Will he conduct you through the heart of France
And make the meanest of you earls and dukes?
Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to,
402695Nor knows he how to live but by the spoil,
Unless by robbing of your friends and us.
Were ’t not a shame that, whilst you live at jar,
The fearful French, whom you late vanquishèd,
Should make a start o’er seas and vanquish you?
452700Methinks already in this civil broil
I see them lording it in London streets,
Crying “Villiago!” unto all they meet.
Better ten thousand baseborn Cades miscarry
Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman’s mercy.
502705To France, to France, and get what you have lost!
Spare England, for it is your native coast.
Henry hath money; you are strong and manly.
God on our side, doubt not of victory.

ALL


À Clifford! À Clifford! We’ll follow the King and
552710Clifford!

CADE , aside

Was ever feather so lightly blown to and
fro as this multitude? The name of Henry the Fifth
hales them to an hundred mischiefs and makes
them leave me desolate. I see them lay their heads
602715together to surprise me. My sword make way for
me, for here is no staying!—In despite of the devils
and hell, have through the very middest of you!
And heavens and honor be witness that no want of
resolution in me, but only my followers’ base and
652720ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my
heels.

He exits, running.

BUCKINGHAM


What, is he fled? Go, some, and follow him;
And he that brings his head unto the King
Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward.
Some of them exit.
702725Follow me, soldiers. We’ll devise a means
To reconcile you all unto the King.

All exit.

Scene 9

Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret,
and Somerset on the terrace, aloft.

KING HENRY


Was ever king that joyed an earthly throne
And could command no more content than I?
No sooner was I crept out of my cradle
2730But I was made a king at nine months old.
5Was never subject longed to be a king
As I do long and wish to be a subject!

Enter Buckingham and old Clifford.

BUCKINGHAM


Health and glad tidings to your Majesty!

KING HENRY


Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surprised,
2735Or is he but retired to make him strong?

Enter below multitudes with halters about their necks.

CLIFFORD


10He is fled, my lord, and all his powers do yield
And, humbly thus, with halters on their necks,
Expect your Highness’ doom of life or death.

KING HENRY


Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates
2740To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!
15Soldiers, this day have you redeemed your lives
And showed how well you love your prince and
country.
Continue still in this so good a mind,
2745And Henry, though he be infortunate,
20Assure yourselves, will never be unkind.
And so with thanks and pardon to you all,
I do dismiss you to your several countries.

ALL

God save the King! God save the King!

The multitudes exit.Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER


2750Please it your Grace to be advertisèd
25The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland
And, with a puissant and a mighty power
Of gallowglasses and stout kerns,
Is marching hitherward in proud array,
2755And still proclaimeth, as he comes along,
30His arms are only to remove from thee
The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor.

KING HENRY


Thus stands my state, ’twixt Cade and York
distressed,
2760Like to a ship that, having scaped a tempest,
35Is straightway calmed and boarded with a pirate.
But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed,
And now is York in arms to second him.
I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him,
2765And ask him what’s the reason of these arms.
40Tell him I’ll send Duke Edmund to the Tower.—
And, Somerset, we will commit thee thither
Until his army be dismissed from him.

SOMERSET

My lord,
2770I’ll yield myself to prison willingly,
45Or unto death, to do my country good.

KING HENRY , to Buckingham


In any case, be not too rough in terms,
For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language.

BUCKINGHAM


I will, my lord, and doubt not so to deal
2775As all things shall redound unto your good.

KING HENRY


50Come, wife, let’s in, and learn to govern better,
For yet may England curse my wretched reign.

Flourish. They exit.

Scene 10

Enter Cade.

CADE

Fie on ambitions! Fie on myself, that have a
sword and yet am ready to famish! These five days
2780have I hid me in these woods and durst not peep
out, for all the country is laid for me. But now am
5I so hungry that, if I might have a lease of my life
for a thousand years, I could stay no longer.
Wherefore, o’er a brick wall have I climbed into
2785this garden, to see if I can eat grass, or pick a sallet
another while, which is not amiss to cool a man’s
10stomach this hot weather. And I think this word
sallet was born to do me good; for many a time,
but for a sallet, my brainpan had been cleft with a
2790brown bill; and many a time, when I have been dry
and bravely marching, it hath served me instead of
15a quart pot to drink in; and now the word sallet
must serve me to feed on.

Enter Iden and his Men.

IDEN


Lord, who would live turmoilèd in the court
2795And may enjoy such quiet walks as these?
This small inheritance my father left me
20Contenteth me, and worth a monarchy.
I seek not to wax great by others’ waning,
Or gather wealth, I care not with what envy.
2800Sufficeth that I have maintains my state
And sends the poor well pleasèd from my gate.

CADE , aside

25Here’s the lord of the soil come to seize
me for a stray, for entering his fee-simple without
leave.—Ah, villain, thou wilt betray me and get a
2805thousand crowns of the King by carrying my head
to him; but I’ll make thee eat iron like an ostrich
30and swallow my sword like a great pin, ere thou
and I part.

He draws his sword.

IDEN


Why, rude companion, whatsoe’er thou be,
2810I know thee not. Why, then, should I betray thee?
Is ’t not enough to break into my garden
35And, like a thief, to come to rob my grounds,
Climbing my walls in spite of me the owner,
But thou wilt brave me with these saucy terms?

CADE

2815Brave thee? Ay, by the best blood that ever was
broached, and beard thee too. Look on me well: I
40have eat no meat these five days, yet come thou
and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all as
dead as a doornail, I pray God I may never eat
2820grass more.

IDEN


Nay, it shall ne’er be said, while England stands,
45That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent,
Took odds to combat a poor famished man.
Oppose thy steadfast gazing eyes to mine;
2825See if thou canst outface me with thy looks.
Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser;
50Thy hand is but a finger to my fist,
Thy leg a stick comparèd with this truncheon.
My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast;
2830And if mine arm be heavèd in the air,
Thy grave is digged already in the earth.
55As for words, whose greatness answers words,
Let this my sword report what speech forbears.

He draws his sword.

CADE

By my valor, the most complete champion that
2835ever I heard! Steel, if thou turn the edge or cut not
out the burly-boned clown in chines of beef ere
60thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech God on my
knees thou mayst be turned to hobnails.
(Here they fight, and Cade falls.)
O, I am slain! Famine, and no other, hath slain me.
2840Let ten thousand devils come against me, and give
me but the ten meals I have lost, and I’d defy them
65all. Wither, garden, and be henceforth a burying
place to all that do dwell in this house, because the
unconquered soul of Cade is fled.

IDEN


2845Is ’t Cade that I have slain, that monstrous traitor?
Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed,
70And hang thee o’er my tomb when I am dead.
Ne’er shall this blood be wipèd from thy point,
But thou shalt wear it as a herald’s coat
2850To emblaze the honor that thy master got.

CADE

Iden, farewell, and be proud of thy victory. Tell
75Kent from me she hath lost her best man, and
exhort all the world to be cowards; for I, that never
feared any, am vanquished by famine, not by valor.

Dies.

IDEN


2855How much thou wrong’st me, heaven be my judge!
Die, damnèd wretch, the curse of her that bare thee!
80And as I thrust thy body in with my sword,
So wish I, I might thrust thy soul to hell.
Hence will I drag thee headlong by the heels
2860Unto a dunghill, which shall be thy grave,
And there cut off thy most ungracious head,
85Which I will bear in triumph to the King,
Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon.

He exits with his Men, dragging Cade’s body.

ACT 5

Scene 1

Enter York, wearing the white rose, and his army of
Irish, with Attendants, Drum and Colors.

YORK


From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right
2865And pluck the crown from feeble Henry’s head.
Ring, bells, aloud! Burn, bonfires, clear and bright
To entertain great England’s lawful king!
5Ah, sancta maiestas, who would not buy thee dear?
Let them obey that knows not how to rule.
2870This hand was made to handle naught but gold.
I cannot give due action to my words
Except a sword or scepter balance it.
10A scepter shall it have, have I a soul,
On which I’ll toss the fleur-de-luce of France.

Enter Buckingham, wearing the red rose.

2875Aside. Whom have we here? Buckingham, to
disturb me?
The King hath sent him, sure. I must dissemble.

BUCKINGHAM


15York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well.

YORK


Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting.
2880Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure?

BUCKINGHAM


A messenger from Henry, our dread liege,
To know the reason of these arms in peace;
20Or why thou, being a subject as I am,
Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn,
2885Should raise so great a power without his leave,
Or dare to bring thy force so near the court.

YORK , aside


Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great.
25O, I could hew up rocks and fight with flint,
I am so angry at these abject terms!
2890And now, like Ajax Telamonius,
On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury.
I am far better born than is the King,
30More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts.
But I must make fair weather yet awhile,
2895Till Henry be more weak and I more strong.—
Buckingham, I prithee, pardon me,
That I have given no answer all this while.
35My mind was troubled with deep melancholy.
The cause why I have brought this army hither
2900Is to remove proud Somerset from the King,
Seditious to his Grace and to the state.

BUCKINGHAM


That is too much presumption on thy part.
40But if thy arms be to no other end,
The King hath yielded unto thy demand:
2905The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower.

YORK


Upon thine honor, is he prisoner?

BUCKINGHAM


Upon mine honor, he is prisoner.

YORK


45Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.—
Soldiers, I thank you all. Disperse yourselves.
2910Meet me tomorrow in Saint George’s field;
You shall have pay and everything you wish.
Soldiers exit.
And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry,
50Command my eldest son, nay, all my sons,
As pledges of my fealty and love;
2915I’ll send them all as willing as I live.
Lands, goods, horse, armor, anything I have
Is his to use, so Somerset may die.

BUCKINGHAM


55York, I commend this kind submission.
We twain will go into his Highness’ tent.

They walk arm in arm.Enter King Henry and Attendants.

KING HENRY


2920Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us
That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?

YORK


In all submission and humility
60York doth present himself unto your Highness.

KING HENRY


Then what intends these forces thou dost bring?

YORK


2925To heave the traitor Somerset from hence
And fight against that monstrous rebel Cade,
Who since I heard to be discomfited.

Enter Iden, with Cade’s head.

IDEN


65If one so rude and of so mean condition
May pass into the presence of a king,
2930Lo, I present your Grace a traitor’s head,
The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew.

KING HENRY


The head of Cade? Great God, how just art Thou!
70O, let me view his visage, being dead,
That living wrought me such exceeding trouble.
2935Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him?

IDEN

I was, an ’t like your Majesty.

KING HENRY


How art thou called? And what is thy degree?

IDEN


75Alexander Iden, that’s my name,
A poor esquire of Kent that loves his king.

BUCKINGHAM


2940So please it you, my lord, ’twere not amiss
He were created knight for his good service.

KING HENRY


Iden, kneel down. He kneels. Rise up a knight. He
rises.
80We give thee for reward a thousand marks,
And will that thou henceforth attend on us.

IDEN


2945May Iden live to merit such a bounty,
And never live but true unto his liege!

Enter Queen Margaret and Somerset,
wearing the red rose.

KING HENRY , aside to Buckingham


See, Buckingham, Somerset comes with th’ Queen.
85Go bid her hide him quickly from the Duke.

Buckingham whispers to the Queen.

QUEEN MARGARET


For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head,
2950But boldly stand and front him to his face.

YORK , aside


How now? Is Somerset at liberty?
Then, York, unloose thy long-imprisoned thoughts,
90And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart.
Shall I endure the sight of Somerset?—
2955False king, why hast thou broken faith with me,
Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse?
“King” did I call thee? No, thou art not king,
95Not fit to govern and rule multitudes,
Which dar’st not—no, nor canst not—rule a traitor.
2960That head of thine doth not become a crown;
Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer’s staff,
And not to grace an awful princely scepter.
100That gold must round engirt these brows of mine,
Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles’ spear,
2965Is able with the change to kill and cure.
Here is a hand to hold a scepter up
And with the same to act controlling laws.
105Give place. By heaven, thou shalt rule no more
O’er him whom heaven created for thy ruler.

SOMERSET


2970O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York,
Of capital treason ’gainst the King and crown.
Obey, audacious traitor. Kneel for grace.

YORK


110Wouldst have me kneel? First let me ask of these
If they can brook I bow a knee to man.
2975To an Attendant. Sirrah, call in my sons to be my
bail.Attendant exits.
I know, ere they will have me go to ward,
115They’ll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement.

QUEEN MARGARET , to Buckingham


Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain,
2980To say if that the bastard boys of York
Shall be the surety for their traitor father.

Buckingham exits.

YORK , to Queen Margaret


O, blood-bespotted Neapolitan,
120Outcast of Naples, England’s bloody scourge!
The sons of York, thy betters in their birth,
2985Shall be their father’s bail, and bane to those
That for my surety will refuse the boys.
Enter York’s sons Edward and Richard,
wearing the white rose.

See where they come; I’ll warrant they’ll make it
125good.

Enter old Clifford and his Son, wearing the red rose.

QUEEN MARGARET


And here comes Clifford to deny their bail.

CLIFFORD , kneeling before King Henry


2990Health and all happiness to my lord the King.

He rises.

YORK


I thank thee, Clifford. Say, what news with thee?
Nay, do not fright us with an angry look.
130We are thy sovereign, Clifford; kneel again.
For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee.

CLIFFORD


2995This is my king, York; I do not mistake,
But thou mistakes me much to think I do.—
To Bedlam with him! Is the man grown mad?

KING HENRY


135Ay, Clifford, a bedlam and ambitious humor
Makes him oppose himself against his king.

CLIFFORD


3000He is a traitor. Let him to the Tower,
And chop away that factious pate of his.

QUEEN MARGARET


He is arrested, but will not obey.
140His sons, he says, shall give their words for him.

YORK

Will you not, sons?

EDWARD


3005Ay, noble father, if our words will serve.

RICHARD


And if words will not, then our weapons shall.

CLIFFORD


Why, what a brood of traitors have we here!

YORK


145Look in a glass, and call thy image so.
I am thy king and thou a false-heart traitor.
3010Call hither to the stake my two brave bears,
That, with the very shaking of their chains,
They may astonish these fell-lurking curs.
150To an Attendant. Bid Salisbury and Warwick come
to me.

Attendant exits.Enter the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury, wearing the
white rose.

CLIFFORD


3015Are these thy bears? We’ll bait thy bears to death
And manacle the bearherd in their chains,
If thou dar’st bring them to the baiting place.

RICHARD


155Oft have I seen a hot o’erweening cur
Run back and bite because he was withheld,
3020Who, being suffered with the bear’s fell paw,
Hath clapped his tail between his legs and cried;
And such a piece of service will you do
160If you oppose yourselves to match Lord Warwick.

CLIFFORD


Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump,
3025As crooked in thy manners as thy shape!

YORK


Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon.

CLIFFORD


Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves.

KING HENRY


165Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow?—
Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair,
3030Thou mad misleader of thy brainsick son!
What, wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian
And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?
170O, where is faith? O, where is loyalty?
If it be banished from the frosty head,
3035Where shall it find a harbor in the earth?
Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war,
And shame thine honorable age with blood?
175Why art thou old and want’st experience?
Or wherefore dost abuse it, if thou hast it?
3040For shame! In duty bend thy knee to me
That bows unto the grave with mickle age.

SALISBURY


My lord, I have considered with myself
180The title of this most renownèd duke,
And in my conscience do repute his Grace
3045The rightful heir to England’s royal seat.

KING HENRY


Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me?

SALISBURY

I have.

KING HENRY


185Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath?

SALISBURY


It is great sin to swear unto a sin,
3050But greater sin to keep a sinful oath.
Who can be bound by any solemn vow
To do a murd’rous deed, to rob a man,
190To force a spotless virgin’s chastity,
To reave the orphan of his patrimony,
3055To wring the widow from her customed right,
And have no other reason for this wrong
But that he was bound by a solemn oath?

QUEEN MARGARET


195A subtle traitor needs no sophister.

KING HENRY , to an Attendant


Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself.

Attendant exits.

YORK , to King Henry


3060Call Buckingham and all the friends thou hast,
I am resolved for death or dignity.

CLIFFORD


The first, I warrant thee, if dreams prove true.

WARWICK


200You were best to go to bed and dream again,
To keep thee from the tempest of the field.

CLIFFORD


3065I am resolved to bear a greater storm
Than any thou canst conjure up today;
And that I’ll write upon thy burgonet,
205Might I but know thee by thy house’s badge.

WARWICK


Now, by my father’s badge, old Neville’s crest,
3070The rampant bear chained to the ragged staff,
This day I’ll wear aloft my burgonet—
As on a mountaintop the cedar shows
210That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm—
Even to affright thee with the view thereof.

CLIFFORD


3075And from thy burgonet I’ll rend thy bear
And tread it under foot with all contempt,
Despite the bearherd that protects the bear.

YOUNG CLIFFORD


215And so to arms, victorious father,
To quell the rebels and their complices.

RICHARD


3080Fie! Charity, for shame! Speak not in spite,
For you shall sup with Jesu Christ tonight.

YOUNG CLIFFORD


Foul stigmatic, that’s more than thou canst tell!

RICHARD


220If not in heaven, you’ll surely sup in hell.

They exit separately.

Scene 2

The sign of the Castle Inn is displayed. Alarms.
Enter Warwick, wearing the white rose.

WARWICK


Clifford of Cumberland, ’tis Warwick calls!
3085An if thou dost not hide thee from the bear,
Now, when the angry trumpet sounds alarum
And dead men’s cries do fill the empty air,
5Clifford, I say, come forth and fight with me;
Proud northern lord, Clifford of Cumberland,
3090Warwick is hoarse with calling thee to arms.

Enter York, wearing the white rose.

How now, my noble lord? What, all afoot?

YORK


The deadly-handed Clifford slew my steed,
10But match to match I have encountered him
And made a prey for carrion kites and crows
3095Even of the bonny beast he loved so well.

Enter old Clifford, wearing the red rose.

WARWICK


Of one or both of us the time is come.

YORK


Hold, Warwick! Seek thee out some other chase,
15For I myself must hunt this deer to death.

WARWICK


Then, nobly, York! ’Tis for a crown thou fight’st.—
3100As I intend, Clifford, to thrive today,
It grieves my soul to leave thee unassailed.

Warwick exits.

CLIFFORD


What seest thou in me, York? Why dost thou pause?

YORK


20With thy brave bearing should I be in love,
But that thou art so fast mine enemy.

CLIFFORD


3105Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem,
But that ’tis shown ignobly and in treason.

YORK


So let it help me now against thy sword
25As I in justice and true right express it!

CLIFFORD


My soul and body on the action both!

YORK


3110A dreadful lay! Address thee instantly.

They fight and Clifford falls.

CLIFFORD


La fin courrone les oeuvres.

He dies.

YORK


Thus war hath given thee peace, for thou art still.
30Peace with his soul, heaven, if it be thy will!

He exits.Enter young Clifford, wearing the red rose.

YOUNG CLIFFORD


Shame and confusion! All is on the rout.
3115Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds
Where it should guard. O war, thou son of hell,
Whom angry heavens do make their minister,
35Throw in the frozen bosoms of our part
Hot coals of vengeance! Let no soldier fly.
3120He that is truly dedicate to war
Hath no self-love; nor he that loves himself
Hath not essentially, but by circumstance,
40The name of valor. He sees his father, lying dead. O,
let the vile world end
3125And the premised flames of the last day
Knit Earth and heaven together!
Now let the general trumpet blow his blast,
45Particularities and petty sounds
To cease! Wast thou ordained, dear father,
3130To lose thy youth in peace, and to achieve
The silver livery of advisèd age,
And, in thy reverence and thy chair-days, thus
50To die in ruffian battle? Even at this sight
My heart is turned to stone, and while ’tis mine,
3135It shall be stony. York not our old men spares;
No more will I their babes. Tears virginal
Shall be to me even as the dew to fire;
55And beauty, that the tyrant oft reclaims,
Shall to my flaming wrath be oil and flax.
3140Henceforth I will not have to do with pity.
Meet I an infant of the house of York,
Into as many gobbets will I cut it
60As wild Medea young Absyrtis did.
In cruelty will I seek out my fame.
He takes his father’s body onto his back.
3145Come, thou new ruin of old Clifford’s house;
As did Aeneas old Anchises bear,
So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders.
65But then Aeneas bare a living load,
Nothing so heavy as these woes of mine.

He exits.Enter Richard, wearing the white rose, and Somerset,
wearing the red rose, to fight.Richard kills Somerset under the sign of Castle Inn.

RICHARD

3150So lie thou there.
For underneath an alehouse’ paltry sign,
The Castle in Saint Albans, Somerset
70Hath made the wizard famous in his death.
Sword, hold thy temper! Heart, be wrathful still!
3155Priests pray for enemies, but princes kill.

He exits.Fight. Excursions. Enter King Henry, Queen
Margaret, both wearing the red rose, and Others.

QUEEN MARGARET


Away, my lord! You are slow. For shame, away!

KING HENRY


Can we outrun the heavens? Good Margaret, stay!

QUEEN MARGARET


75What are you made of? You’ll nor fight nor fly.
Now is it manhood, wisdom, and defense
3160To give the enemy way, and to secure us
By what we can, which can no more but fly.
Alarum afar off.
If you be ta’en, we then should see the bottom
80Of all our fortunes; but if we haply scape,
As well we may—if not through your neglect—
3165We shall to London get, where you are loved
And where this breach now in our fortunes made
May readily be stopped.

Enter Young Clifford, wearing the red rose.

YOUNG CLIFFORD


85But that my heart’s on future mischief set,
I would speak blasphemy ere bid you fly;
3170But fly you must. Uncurable discomfit
Reigns in the hearts of all our present parts.
Away, for your relief! And we will live
90To see their day and them our fortune give.
Away, my lord, away!

They exit.

Scene 3

Alarum. Retreat. Enter York, Edward, Richard,
Warwick, and Soldiers, all wearing the white rose,
with Drum and Colors.

YORK


3175Of Salisbury, who can report of him,
That winter lion, who in rage forgets
Agèd contusions and all brush of time,
And, like a gallant in the brow of youth,
5Repairs him with occasion? This happy day
3180Is not itself, nor have we won one foot,
If Salisbury be lost.

RICHARD

My noble father,
Three times today I holp him to his horse,
10Three times bestrid him. Thrice I led him off,
3185Persuaded him from any further act;
But still, where danger was, still there I met him,
And, like rich hangings in a homely house,
So was his will in his old feeble body.
15But, noble as he is, look where he comes.

Enter Salisbury, wearing the white rose.

3190Now, by my sword, well hast thou fought today!

SALISBURY


By th’ Mass, so did we all. I thank you, Richard.
God knows how long it is I have to live,
And it hath pleased Him that three times today
20You have defended me from imminent death.
3195Well, lords, we have not got that which we have;
’Tis not enough our foes are this time fled,
Being opposites of such repairing nature.

YORK


I know our safety is to follow them;
25For, as I hear, the King is fled to London
3200To call a present court of Parliament.
Let us pursue him ere the writs go forth.—
What says Lord Warwick? Shall we after them?

WARWICK


After them? Nay, before them, if we can.
30Now, by my hand, lords, ’twas a glorious day.
3205Saint Albans battle won by famous York
Shall be eternized in all age to come.—
Sound drum and trumpets, and to London all;
And more such days as these to us befall!

Flourish. They exit.