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 ,
So , 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
bishops ,
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
To 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 .
[9]ACT 1. SC. 1
KING HENRY
Suffolk , arise . — Welcome , Queen Margaret .
Suffolk rises .
I 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
A 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 ,
In 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
Her 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 . Long 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 ,
For eighteen months concluded by consent .
He hands Gloucester a paper .
[11]ACT 1. SC. 1
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
Margaret , 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
father —
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
Uncle 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
England’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
of 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 ,
Salisbury , and Warwick ;
We thank you all for this great favor done
In entertainment to my princely queen .
[13] ACT 1. SC. 1 Come , let us in , and with all speed provide
To see her coronation be performed .
King , Queen , and Suffolk exit .
The rest remain .
GLOUCESTER
Brave 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 ?
Did 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 ?
Have 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 ,
Studied 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 ?
And 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 ,
Blotting 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 ,
[15] ACT 1. SC. 1 This 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 ,
Hath 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 .
But 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 .
Anjou 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
For 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
Large 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
For costs and charges in transporting her !
[17] ACT 1. SC. 1 She should have stayed in France and starved in
France
Before —
CARDINAL
My lord of Gloucester , now you grow too hot .
It 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
I 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 .
’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 .
Had 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 .
What 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 !’
With ‘God preserve the good Duke Humphrey !’
I fear me , lords , for all this flattering gloss ,
He will be found a dangerous Protector .
[19]ACT 1. SC. 1
BUCKINGHAM
Why should he , then , protect our sovereign ,
He being of age to govern of himself ? —
Cousin 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
Cousin 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 .
If 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 ,
Behooves 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 ,
As 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
Hath won the greatest favor of the Commons ,
Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey . —
And , brother York , thy acts in Ireland ,
[21] ACT 1. SC. 1 In bringing them to civil discipline ,
Thy late exploits done in the heart of France ,
When 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 ,
With 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
And 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
And 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
Stands 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 ?
’Tis thine they give away , and not their own .
Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their
pillage ,
[23] ACT 1. SC. 1 And purchase friends , and give to courtesans ,
Still reveling like lords till all be gone ;
Whileas 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 .
So 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
As 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 .
A 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 .
Nor 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 .
Watch 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 ,
And 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 ;
[25] ACT 1. SC. 2 And 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 ,
As frowning at the favors of the world ?
Why 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 ?
If so , gaze on and grovel on thy face
Until 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 ,
We’ll both together lift our heads to heaven
And 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 !
And may that hour when I imagine ill
Against 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
With sweet rehearsal of my morning’s dream .
[27]ACT 1. SC. 2
GLOUCESTER
Methought 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
Were placed the heads of Edmund , Duke of
Somerset ,
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
That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester’s grove
Shall 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
And in that chair where kings and queens were
crowned ,
Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneeled to me
And on my head did set the diadem .
GLOUCESTER
Nay , Eleanor , then must I chide outright .
Presumptuous dame , ill-nurtured Eleanor ,
Art 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 ?
And wilt thou still be hammering treachery
To 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
With Eleanor for telling but her dream ?
Next time I’ll keep my dreams unto myself
And not be checked .
[29]ACT 1. SC. 2
GLOUCESTER
Nay , be not angry . I am pleased again .
Enter Messenger .
MESSENGER
My Lord Protector , ’tis his Highness’ pleasure
You do prepare to ride unto Saint Albans ,
Whereas 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
While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind .
Were 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
To play my part in Fortune’s pageant . —
Where 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
But by the grace of God and Hume’s advice ,
Your 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 ?
And will they undertake to do me good ?
[31]ACT 1. SC. 2
HUME
This 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
It is enough . I’ll think upon the questions .
When 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 ,
With thy confederates in this weighty cause .
Duchess exits .
HUME
Hume 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 .
Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch ;
Gold 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 ,
Yet I do find it so . For , to be plain ,
They , 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 ,
Yet am I Suffolk and the Cardinal’s broker .
Hume , 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 ,
And her attainture will be Humphrey’s fall .
Sort how it will , I shall have gold for all .
He exits .
[33]ACT 1. SC. 3
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
Marry , the Lord protect him , for
he’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
of Suffolk , and not my Lord Protector .
SUFFOLK
How 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 . To my
Lord 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 ,
for keeping my house , and lands , and wife and all ,
from 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
the commons of Melford . How now , sir knave ?
SECOND PETITIONER
Alas , sir , I am but a poor petitioner
of our whole township .
PETER
, showing his petition
Against my master ,
[35] ACT 1. SC. 3 Thomas Horner , for saying that the Duke of York
was rightful heir to the crown .
QUEEN MARGARET
What 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
usurper .
SUFFOLK
, calling
Who 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
And as for you that love to be protected
Under 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
My lord of Suffolk , say , is this the guise ,
Is 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
Under the surly Gloucester’s governance ?
Am 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
And stol’st away the ladies’ hearts of France ,
I thought King Henry had resembled thee
In courage , courtship , and proportion .
But all his mind is bent to holiness ,
[37] ACT 1. SC. 3 To number Ave Marys on his beads ;
His champions are the prophets and apostles ,
His 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
Would choose him pope and carry him to Rome
And 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
In England work your Grace’s full content .
QUEEN MARGARET
Besides 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
And he of these that can do most of all
Cannot 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 .
She sweeps it through the court with troops of
ladies ,
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 ,
And in her heart she scorns our poverty .
Shall 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
[39] ACT 1. SC. 3 Was better worth than all my father’s lands
Till 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
And never mount to trouble you again .
So 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
Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace .
As 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
For my part , noble lords , I care not which ;
Or 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 ,
Let York be regent ; I will yield to him .
WARWICK
Whether your Grace be worthy , yea or no ,
Dispute not that . York is the worthier .
CARDINAL
Ambitious Warwick , let thy betters speak .
[41]ACT 1. SC. 3
WARWICK
The Cardinal’s not my better in the field .
BUCKINGHAM
All in this presence are thy betters , Warwick .
WARWICK
Warwick 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
Madam , the King is old enough himself
To 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 ,
And at his pleasure will resign my place .
SUFFOLK
Resign 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 ,
And all the peers and nobles of the realm
Have 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
Have cost a mass of public treasury .
BUCKINGHAM
, to Gloucester
Thy cruelty in execution
Upon offenders hath exceeded law
And left thee to the mercy of the law .
[43]ACT 1. SC. 3
QUEEN MARGARET
, to Gloucester
Thy sale of offices and towns in France ,
If they were known , as the suspect is great ,
Would 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
Was ’t I ? Yea , I it was , proud Frenchwoman .
Could 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 .
She’ll hamper thee and dandle thee like a baby .
Though 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 .
She’s tickled now ; her fume needs no spurs ;
She’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 .
As for your spiteful false objections ,
Prove them , and I lie open to the law ;
But God in mercy so deal with my soul
[45] ACT 1. SC. 3 As I in duty love my king and country !
But , to the matter that we have in hand :
I say , my sovereign , York is meetest man
To 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
I’ll tell thee , Suffolk , why I am unmeet :
First , 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
Till France be won into the Dauphin’s hands .
Last 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
Peace , headstrong Warwick !
WARWICK
Image 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
What mean’st thou , Suffolk ? Tell me , what are
these ?
[47]ACT 1. SC. 3
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 ,
Was rightful heir unto the English crown ,
And 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
am falsely accused by the villain .
PETER
By 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 ,
I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech ! —
I 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
correct him for his fault the other day , he did vow
upon 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
Uncle , what shall we say to this in law ?
GLOUCESTER
This 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
For single combat in convenient place ,
For he hath witness of his servant’s malice .
This is the law , and this Duke Humphrey’s doom .
[49]ACT 1. SC. 4
SOMERSET
I humbly thank your royal Majesty .
HORNER
And I accept the combat willingly .
PETER
Alas , my lord , I cannot fight ; for God’s sake pity
my 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
Away with them to prison ; and the day of
combat 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
Master Hume , we are therefore provided .
Will her Ladyship behold and hear our
exorcisms ?
HUME
Ay , what else ? Fear you not her courage .
BOLINGBROKE
I have heard her reported to be a
woman of an invincible spirit . But it shall be convenient ,
Master Hume , that you be by her aloft
while 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
the earth .
She lies face downward . John Southwell ,
read you ; and let us to our work .
[51]ACT 1. SC. 4
Enter Eleanor , Duchess of Gloucester ,
with Hume , aloft .
DUCHESS
Well said , my masters , and welcome all . To
this gear , the sooner the better .
BOLINGBROKE
Patience , good lady . Wizards know their times .
Deep night , dark night , the silent of the night ,
The time of night when Troy was set on fire ,
The 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 .
Madam , 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
Adsum .
JOURDAIN
Asmath ,
By the eternal God , whose name and power
Thou tremblest at , answer that I shall ask ,
For till thou speak , thou shalt not pass from hence .
SPIRIT
Ask 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 ,
But him outlive and die a violent death .
BOLINGBROKE
, reads
What fates await the Duke of Suffolk ?
SPIRIT
By water shall he die and take his end .
BOLINGBROKE
reads
What shall befall the Duke of Somerset ?
[53]ACT 1. SC. 4
SPIRIT
Let him shun castles .
Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
Than where castles mounted stand .
Have 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
Lay 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
inch .
To the Duchess , aloft .
What , madam , are you
there ? The King and commonweal
Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains .
My Lord Protector will , I doubt it not ,
See 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
True , madam , none at all . What call you this ?
He holds up the papers seized .
Away with them ! Let them be clapped up close
And kept asunder . — You , madam , shall with us . —
Stafford , take her to thee .
Stafford exits .
We’ll see your trinkets here all forthcoming .
All away !
Jourdain , Southwell , and Bolingbroke
exit under guard , below ; Duchess and Hume
exit , under guard , aloft .
[55]ACT 1. SC. 4
YORK
Lord Buckingham , methinks you watched her well .
A 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 ?
( Reads . )
The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose ,
But him outlive and die a violent death . Why , this is just
Aio te , Aeacida ,
Romanos vincere posse . Well , to the rest :
( Reads . )
Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of
Suffolk ?
By water shall he die and take his end .
What shall betide the Duke of Somerset ?
Let him shun castles ;
Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
Than where castles mounted stand . Come , come , my lord , these oracles
Are hardly attained and hardly understood .
The King is now in progress towards Saint Albans ;
With him the husband of this lovely lady .
Thither goes these news as fast as horse can carry
them —
A 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
At your pleasure , my good lord .
Buckingham exits .
Who’s within there , ho !
Enter a Servingman .
Invite 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
I 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
But what a point , my lord , your falcon made ,
And what a pitch she flew above the rest !
To 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 ,
My Lord Protector’s hawks do tower so well ;
They know their master loves to be aloft
And 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
I thought as much . He would be above the clouds .
GLOUCESTER
Ay , my Lord Cardinal , how think you by that ?
Were it not good your Grace could fly to heaven ?
[61]ACT 2. SC. 1
KING HENRY
The treasury of everlasting joy .
CARDINAL
, to Gloucester
Thy heaven is on Earth ; thine eyes and thoughts
Beat on a crown , the treasure of thy heart .
Pernicious Protector , dangerous peer ,
That smooth’st it so with king and commonweal !
GLOUCESTER
What , cardinal , is your priesthood grown
peremptory ?
Tantaene animis caelestibus irae ?
Churchmen so hot ? Good uncle , hide such malice .
With 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
As who , my lord ?
SUFFOLK
Why , as you , my lord ,
An ’t like your lordly Lord Protectorship .
GLOUCESTER
Why , Suffolk , England knows thine insolence .
QUEEN MARGARET
And thy ambition , Gloucester .
KING HENRY
I prithee peace ,
Good queen , and whet not on these furious peers ,
For 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
Faith , holy uncle , would ’t were come to that !
CARDINAL
, aside to Gloucester
Marry , when thou
dar’st !
GLOUCESTER
, aside to Cardinal
Make up no factious numbers for the matter .
In thine own person answer thy abuse .
[63]ACT 2. SC. 1
CARDINAL
, aside to Gloucester
Ay , where thou dar’st not peep . An if thou dar’st ,
This evening , on the east side of the grove .
KING HENRY
How now , my lords ?
CARDINAL
Believe me , cousin Gloucester ,
Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly ,
We had had more sport .
( Aside to Gloucester . )
Come with thy two-hand sword .
GLOUCESTER
True , uncle .
( Aside to Cardinal . )
Are you advised ?
The east side of the grove .
CARDINAL
, aside to Gloucester
I am with you .
KING HENRY
Why , how now , uncle Gloucester ?
GLOUCESTER
Talking of hawking ; nothing else , my lord .
( 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
Medice , teipsum ;
Protector , see to ’t well ; protect yourself .
KING HENRY
The winds grow high ; so do your stomachs , lords .
How irksome is this music to my heart !
When such strings jar , what hope of harmony ?
I pray , my lords , let me compound this strife .
Enter a man from St . Albans crying ‘A miracle !’
GLOUCESTER
What means this noise ? —
Fellow , what miracle dost thou proclaim ?
MAN
A miracle , a miracle !
SUFFOLK
Come to the King , and tell him what miracle .
MAN
Forsooth , a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine
[65] ACT 2. SC. 1 Within this half hour hath received his sight ,
A 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
Here comes the townsmen on procession
To present your Highness with the man .
KING HENRY
Great 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 .
His Highness’ pleasure is to talk with him .
The two bearers bring the chair forward .
KING HENRY
Good fellow , tell us here the circumstance ,
That 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
Ay , indeed , was he .
SUFFOLK
What woman is this ?
WIFE
His wife , an ’t like your Worship .
GLOUCESTER
Hadst thou been his mother , thou couldst
have better told .
KING HENRY
Where wert thou born ?
SIMPCOX
At Berwick in the North , an ’t like your Grace .
KING HENRY
Poor soul , God’s goodness hath been great to thee .
Let never day nor night unhallowed pass ,
But still remember what the Lord hath done .
[67]ACT 2. SC. 1
QUEEN MARGARET
Tell me , good fellow , cam’st thou here by chance ,
Or of devotion to this holy shrine ?
SIMPCOX
God knows , of pure devotion , being called
A hundred times and oftener in my sleep
By good Saint Alban , who said ‘Simon , come ,
Come , offer at my shrine , and I will help thee .’
WIFE
Most true , forsooth , and many time and oft
Myself have heard a voice to call him so .
CARDINAL
What , art thou lame ?
SIMPCOX
Ay , God Almighty help me !
SUFFOLK
How cam’st thou so ?
SIMPCOX
A fall off of a tree .
WIFE
A plum tree , master .
GLOUCESTER
How long hast thou been blind ?
SIMPCOX
O , born so , master .
GLOUCESTER
What , and wouldst climb a tree ?
SIMPCOX
But that in all my life , when I was a youth .
WIFE
Too true , and bought his climbing very dear .
GLOUCESTER
Mass , thou lov’dst plums well , that
wouldst venture so .
SIMPCOX
Alas , good master , my wife desired some
damsons , and made me climb , with danger of my
life .
GLOUCESTER
A subtle knave , but yet it shall not serve . —
Let me see thine eyes . Wink now . Now open them .
In my opinion , yet thou seest not well .
SIMPCOX
Yes , master , clear as day , I thank God and
Saint Alban .
GLOUCESTER
Sayst thou me so ? What color is this cloak of ?
SIMPCOX
Red , master , red as blood .
[69]ACT 2. SC. 1
GLOUCESTER
Why , that’s well said . What color is my gown of ?
SIMPCOX
Black , forsooth , coal-black as jet .
KING HENRY
Why , 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
Never , before this day , in all his life .
GLOUCESTER
Tell me , sirrah , what’s my name ?
SIMPCOX
Alas , master , I know not .
GLOUCESTER
, pointing
What’s his name ?
SIMPCOX
I know not .
GLOUCESTER
, pointing to someone else
Nor his ?
SIMPCOX
No , indeed , master .
GLOUCESTER
What’s thine own name ?
SIMPCOX
Sander Simpcox , an if it please you , master .
GLOUCESTER
Then , Sander , sit there , the lying’st knave
in Christendom . If thou hadst been born blind ,
thou mightst as well have known all our names as
thus 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
Alban here hath done a miracle ; and would you
not think his cunning to be great that could
restore this cripple to his legs again ?
SIMPCOX
O master , that you could !
GLOUCESTER
My masters of Saint Albans , have you not
beadles in your town and things called whips ?
MAYOR
Yes , my lord , if it please your Grace .
GLOUCESTER
Then send for one presently .
MAYOR
Sirrah , go fetch the beadle hither straight .
A man exits .
[71]ACT 2. SC. 1
GLOUCESTER
Now fetch me a stool hither by and by .
One brings a stool . Now , sirrah , if you mean to
save yourself from whipping , leap me over this
stool , 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
Well , sir , we must have you find your
legs . — Sirrah beadle , whip him till he leap over
that same stool .
BEADLE
I will , my lord . — Come on , sirrah , off with
your doublet quickly .
SIMPCOX
Alas , 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
O 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
Alas , sir , we did it for pure need .
GLOUCESTER
Let them be whipped through every market town
Till 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
But you have done more miracles than I .
You made in a day , my lord , whole towns to fly .
[73]ACT 2. SC. 1
Enter Buckingham .
KING HENRY
What tidings with our cousin Buckingham ?
BUCKINGHAM
Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold :
A sort of naughty persons , lewdly bent ,
Under the countenance and confederacy
Of Lady Eleanor , the Protector’s wife ,
The ringleader and head of all this rout ,
Have practiced dangerously against your state ,
Dealing with witches and with conjurers ,
Whom we have apprehended in the fact ,
Raising up wicked spirits from under ground ,
Demanding of King Henry’s life and death
And other of your Highness’ Privy Council ,
As more at large your Grace shall understand .
CARDINAL
And so , my Lord Protector , by this means
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London .
Aside to Gloucester .
This news , I think , hath turned
your weapon’s edge ;
’Tis like , my lord , you will not keep your hour .
GLOUCESTER
Ambitious churchman , leave to afflict my heart .
Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers ,
And , vanquished as I am , I yield to thee ,
Or to the meanest groom .
KING HENRY
O God , what mischiefs work the wicked ones ,
Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby !
QUEEN MARGARET
Gloucester , see here the tainture of thy nest ,
And look thyself be faultless , thou wert best .
GLOUCESTER
Madam , for myself , to heaven I do appeal
[75] ACT 2. SC. 2 How I have loved my king and commonweal ;
And , for my wife , I know not how it stands .
Sorry I am to hear what I have heard .
Noble she is ; but if she have forgot
Honor and virtue , and conversed with such
As , like to pitch , defile nobility ,
I banish her my bed and company
And give her as a prey to law and shame
That hath dishonored Gloucester’s honest name .
KING HENRY
Well , for this night we will repose us here .
Tomorrow toward London back again ,
To look into this business thoroughly ,
And call these foul offenders to their answers ,
And 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 ,
In this close walk , to satisfy myself
In craving your opinion of my title ,
Which 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 ,
The Nevilles are thy subjects to command .
YORK
Then thus :
Edward the Third , my lords , had seven sons :
[77] ACT 2. SC. 2 The first , Edward the Black Prince , Prince of Wales ;
The second , William of Hatfield ; and the third ,
Lionel , Duke of Clarence ; next to whom
Was John of Gaunt , the Duke of Lancaster ;
The fifth was Edmund Langley , Duke of York ;
The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock , Duke of
Gloucester ;
William of Windsor was the seventh and last .
Edward the Black Prince died before his father
And left behind him Richard , his only son ,
Who , after Edward the Third’s death , reigned as
king
Till Henry Bolingbroke , Duke of Lancaster ,
The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt ,
Crowned by the name of Henry the Fourth ,
Seized on the realm , deposed the rightful king ,
Sent his poor queen to France , from whence she
came ,
And him to Pomfret ; where , as all you know ,
Harmless Richard was murdered traitorously .
WARWICK
Father , the Duke hath told the truth .
Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown .
YORK
Which now they hold by force and not by right ;
For Richard , the first son’s heir , being dead ,
The 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
I claim the crown , had issue , Philippa , a daughter ,
Who married Edmund Mortimer , Earl of March .
Edmund had issue , Roger , Earl of March ;
Roger had issue : Edmund , Anne , and Eleanor .
SALISBURY
This Edmund , in the reign of Bolingbroke ,
[79] ACT 2. SC. 2 As I have read , laid claim unto the crown
And , but for Owen Glendower , had been king ,
Who kept him in captivity till he died .
But to the rest .
YORK
His eldest sister , Anne ,
My mother , being heir unto the crown ,
Married Richard , Earl of Cambridge , who was son
To 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
Of Edmund Mortimer , who married Philippa ,
Sole daughter unto Lionel , Duke of Clarence .
So , if the issue of the elder son
Succeed before the younger , I am king .
WARWICK
What plain proceedings is more plain than this ?
Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt ,
The fourth son ; York claims it from the third .
Till 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 .
Then , father Salisbury , kneel we together ,
And in this private plot be we the first
That 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
We thank you , lords . They rise . But I am not your
king
Till 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 ,
But with advice and silent secrecy .
Do you as I do in these dangerous days :
Wink at the Duke of Suffolk’s insolence ,
[81] ACT 2. SC. 3 At Beaufort’s pride , at Somerset’s ambition ,
At Buckingham , and all the crew of them ,
Till they have snared the shepherd of the flock ,
That virtuous prince , the good Duke Humphrey .
’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
My heart assures me that the Earl of Warwick
Shall one day make the Duke of York a king .
YORK
And , 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
Stand 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
Such as by God’s book are adjudged to death .
To Jourdain , Southwell , Hume , and Bolingbroke .
You 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 .
[83] ACT 2. SC. 3
To Duchess
You , madam , for you are more nobly
born ,
Despoilèd of your honor in your life ,
Shall , after three days’ open penance done ,
Live in your country here in banishment
With Sir John Stanley in the Isle of Man .
DUCHESS
Welcome 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 .
Ah , Humphrey , this dishonor in thine age
Will 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 ,
Give up thy staff . Henry will to himself
Protector 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
I see no reason why a king of years
Should 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 .
As willingly do I the same resign
As e’er thy father Henry made it mine ;
And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it
As others would ambitiously receive it .
[85] ACT 2. SC. 3 Farewell , good king . When I am dead and gone ,
May honorable peace attend thy throne .
Gloucester exits .
Henry picks up the staff .
QUEEN MARGARET
Why , 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 .
This staff of honor raught , there let it stand
Where 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 ,
This is the day appointed for the combat ,
And 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
Left I the court to see this quarrel tried .
KING HENRY
I’ 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 ,
The 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 .
[87]ACT 2. SC. 3
FIRST NEIGHBOR
Here , 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
charneco .
THIRD NEIGHBOR
And 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
Here , Peter , I drink to thee , and be not
afraid .
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
you , for I think I have taken my last draft in this
world . 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
pray God , for I am never able to deal with my
master . 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
Peter ? What more ?
PETER
Thump .
SALISBURY
Thump ? Then see thou thump thy master
well .
HORNER
Masters , I am come hither , as it were , upon
my man’s instigation , to prove him a knave and
myself 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
Dispatch . This knave’s tongue begins to double .
Sound , trumpets . Alarum to the combatants !
[89]ACT 2. SC. 4
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
O God , have I overcome mine enemies in this
presence ? 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
The truth and innocence of this poor fellow ,
Which 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
Barren winter , with his wrathful nipping cold ;
So cares and joys abound , as seasons fleet .
Sirs , what’s o’clock ?
SERVANT
Ten , my lord .
GLOUCESTER
Ten is the hour that was appointed me
To watch the coming of my punished duchess .
Uneath may she endure the flinty streets ,
To tread them with her tender-feeling feet .
Sweet Nell , ill can thy noble mind abrook
[91] ACT 2. SC. 4 The abject people gazing on thy face
With envious looks laughing at thy shame ,
That erst did follow thy proud chariot wheels
When 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
So please your Grace , we’ll take her from the Sheriff .
GLOUCESTER
No , stir not for your lives . Let her pass by .
DUCHESS
Come you , my lord , to see my open shame ?
Now thou dost penance too . Look how they gaze !
See how the giddy multitude do point ,
And nod their heads , and throw their eyes on thee .
Ah , Gloucester , hide thee from their hateful looks ,
And , 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
Ah , Gloucester , teach me to forget myself !
For whilst I think I am thy married wife
And thou a prince , Protector of this land ,
Methinks I should not thus be led along ,
Mailed up in shame , with papers on my back ,
And followed with a rabble that rejoice
To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans .
The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet ,
And when I start , the envious people laugh
[93] ACT 2. SC. 4 And bid me be advisèd how I tread .
Ah , Humphrey , can I bear this shameful yoke ?
Trowest thou that e’er I’ll look upon the world
Or 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 .
Sometimes I’ll say I am Duke Humphrey’s wife
And he a prince and ruler of the land ;
Yet 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
To every idle rascal follower .
But be thou mild , and blush not at my shame ,
Nor 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
With her that hateth thee and hates us all ,
And York and impious Beaufort , that false priest ,
Have 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 ,
Nor never seek prevention of thy foes .
GLOUCESTER
Ah , Nell , forbear . Thou aimest all awry .
I must offend before I be attainted ;
And had I twenty times so many foes ,
And each of them had twenty times their power ,
All these could not procure me any scathe
So long as I am loyal , true , and crimeless .
Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach ?
Why , yet thy scandal were not wiped away ,
But I in danger for the breach of law .
Thy greatest help is quiet , gentle Nell .
I pray thee , sort thy heart to patience ;
These few days’ wonder will be quickly worn .
[95]ACT 2. SC. 4
Enter a Herald .
HERALD
I summon your Grace to his Majesty’s Parliament
Holden at Bury the first of this next month .
GLOUCESTER
And my consent ne’er asked herein before ?
This is close dealing . Well , I will be there .
Herald exits .
My 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 ,
And Sir John Stanley is appointed now
To take her with him to the Isle of Man .
GLOUCESTER
Must 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
You use her well . The world may laugh again ,
And I may live to do you kindness , if
You 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
Art thou gone too ? All comfort go with thee ,
For none abides with me . My joy is death —
Death , at whose name I oft have been afeard ,
Because I wished this world’s eternity . —
Stanley , I prithee , go , and take me hence .
I care not whither , for I beg no favor ;
Only convey me where thou art commanded .
[97]ACT 2. SC. 4
STANLEY
Why , 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 .
And shall I , then , be used reproachfully ?
STANLEY
Like to a duchess and Duke Humphrey’s lady ;
According to that state you shall be used .
DUCHESS
Sheriff , farewell , and better than I fare ,
Although thou hast been conduct of my shame .
SHERIFF
It is my office ; and , madam , pardon me .
DUCHESS
Ay , ay , farewell . Thy office is discharged .
The Sheriff and Officers exit .
Come , Stanley , shall we go ?
STANLEY
Madam , your penance done , throw off this sheet ,
And go we to attire you for our journey .
DUCHESS
My shame will not be shifted with my sheet .
No , it will hang upon my richest robes
And 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 .
’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 ,
The strangeness of his altered countenance ?
With what a majesty he bears himself ,
How insolent of late he is become ,
How proud , how peremptory , and unlike himself ?
We know the time since he was mild and affable ;
And if we did but glance a far-off look ,
Immediately he was upon his knee ,
That 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 ,
He knits his brow and shows an angry eye
And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee ,
Disdaining duty that to us belongs .
Small curs are not regarded when they grin ,
But great men tremble when the lion roars —
And Humphrey is no little man in England .
[103] ACT 3. SC. 1 First , note that he is near you in descent ,
And , should you fall , he is the next will mount .
Meseemeth then it is no policy ,
Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears
And his advantage following your decease ,
That he should come about your royal person
Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council .
By flattery hath he won the Commons’ hearts ;
And when he please to make commotion ,
’Tis to be feared they all will follow him .
Now ’tis the spring , and weeds are shallow-rooted ;
Suffer 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
Made me collect these dangers in the Duke .
If it be fond , call it a woman’s fear ,
Which fear , if better reasons can supplant ,
I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke .
My lords of Suffolk , Buckingham , and York ,
Reprove my allegation if you can ,
Or else conclude my words effectual .
SUFFOLK
Well 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 .
The Duchess by his subornation ,
Upon my life , began her devilish practices ;
Or if he were not privy to those faults ,
Yet , by reputing of his high descent —
As next the King he was successive heir ,
And such high vaunts of his nobility —
Did instigate the bedlam brainsick duchess
By 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 .
The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb .
[105] ACT 3. SC. 1 No , no , my sovereign , Gloucester is a man
Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit .
CARDINAL
Did he not , contrary to form of law ,
Devise strange deaths for small offenses done ?
YORK
And did he not , in his protectorship ,
Levy great sums of money through the realm
For 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 ,
Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke
Humphrey .
KING HENRY
My 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 ,
Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent
From meaning treason to our royal person
As 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
Ah , what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance ?
Seems he a dove ? His feathers are but borrowed ,
For 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 .
Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit ?
Take heed , my lord ; the welfare of us all
Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man .
Enter Somerset .
SOMERSET
All health unto my gracious sovereign !
[107]ACT 3. SC. 1
KING HENRY
Welcome , Lord Somerset . What news from France ?
SOMERSET
That all your interest in those territories
Is utterly bereft you . All is lost .
KING HENRY
Cold 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 .
Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud ,
And caterpillars eat my leaves away .
But 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 !
Pardon , my liege , that I have stayed so long .
SUFFOLK
Nay , Gloucester , know that thou art come too soon ,
Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art .
I do arrest thee of high treason here .
GLOUCESTER
Well , Suffolk , thou shalt not see me blush
Nor change my countenance for this arrest .
A heart unspotted is not easily daunted .
The 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
’Tis thought , my lord , that you took bribes of France
And , being Protector , stayed the soldiers’ pay ,
By means whereof his Highness hath lost France .
GLOUCESTER
Is it but thought so ? What are they that think it ?
[109] ACT 3. SC. 1 I never robbed the soldiers of their pay
Nor ever had one penny bribe from France .
So help me God as I have watched the night —
Ay , 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 ,
Be brought against me at my trial day !
No , many a pound of mine own proper store ,
Because I would not tax the needy Commons ,
Have I dispursèd to the garrisons
And never asked for restitution .
CARDINAL
It serves you well , my lord , to say so much .
GLOUCESTER
I say no more than truth , so help me God .
YORK
In your protectorship , you did devise
Strange tortures for offenders , never heard of ,
That England was defamed by tyranny .
GLOUCESTER
Why , ’tis well known that whiles I was Protector ,
Pity was all the fault that was in me ;
For I should melt at an offender’s tears ,
And lowly words were ransom for their fault .
Unless it were a bloody murderer
Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers ,
I never gave them condign punishment .
Murder indeed , that bloody sin , I tortured
Above the felon or what trespass else .
SUFFOLK
My lord , these faults are easy , quickly answered ;
But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge
Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself .
I do arrest you in his Highness’ name ,
And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal
To keep until your further time of trial .
[111]ACT 3. SC. 1
KING HENRY
My lord of Gloucester , ’tis my special hope
That you will clear yourself from all suspense .
My conscience tells me you are innocent .
GLOUCESTER
Ah , gracious lord , these days are dangerous .
Virtue is choked with foul ambition ,
And charity chased hence by rancor’s hand ;
Foul subornation is predominant ,
And equity exiled your Highness’ land .
I know their complot is to have my life ;
And if my death might make this island happy
And prove the period of their tyranny ,
I would expend it with all willingness .
But mine is made the prologue to their play ;
For thousands more , that yet suspect no peril ,
Will not conclude their plotted tragedy .
Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice ,
And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate ;
Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue
The envious load that lies upon his heart ;
And dogged York , that reaches at the moon ,
Whose overweening arm I have plucked back ,
By false accuse doth level at my life . —
And you , my sovereign lady , with the rest ,
Causeless have laid disgraces on my head
And with your best endeavor have stirred up
My liefest liege to be mine enemy .
Ay , all of you have laid your heads together —
Myself had notice of your conventicles —
And all to make away my guiltless life .
I shall not want false witness to condemn me
Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt .
The ancient proverb will be well effected :
‘A staff is quickly found to beat a dog .’
[113]ACT 3. SC. 1
CARDINAL
My liege , his railing is intolerable .
If those that care to keep your royal person
From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rage
Be thus upbraided , chid , and rated at ,
And the offender granted scope of speech ,
’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace .
SUFFOLK
Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here
With ignominious words , though clerkly couched ,
As if she had subornèd some to swear
False 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 ;
Beshrew the winners , for they played me false !
And well such losers may have leave to speak .
BUCKINGHAM
He’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
Ah , thus King Henry throws away his crutch
Before his legs be firm to bear his body . —
Thus 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 !
For , good King Henry , thy decay I fear .
Gloucester exits , guarded by Cardinal’s Men .
KING HENRY
My lords , what to your wisdoms seemeth best
Do , or undo , as if ourself were here .
QUEEN MARGARET
What , will your Highness leave the Parliament ?
[115]ACT 3. SC. 1
KING HENRY
Ay , Margaret . My heart is drowned with grief ,
Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes ,
My body round engirt with misery ;
For what’s more miserable than discontent ?
Ah , uncle Humphrey , in thy face I see
The map of honor , truth , and loyalty ;
And yet , good Humphrey , is the hour to come
That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith .
What louring star now envies thy estate
That these great lords and Margaret our queen
Do seek subversion of thy harmless life ?
Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong .
And as the butcher takes away the calf
And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains ,
Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse ,
Even so remorseless have they borne him hence ;
And as the dam runs lowing up and down ,
Looking the way her harmless young one went ,
And 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
Look after him and cannot do him good ,
So mighty are his vowèd enemies .
His 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
beams .
Henry my lord is cold in great affairs ,
Too full of foolish pity ; and Gloucester’s show
Beguiles him , as the mournful crocodile
With sorrow snares relenting passengers ,
Or as the snake , rolled in a flow’ring bank ,
[117] ACT 3. SC. 1 With shining checkered slough , doth sting a child
That for the beauty thinks it excellent .
Believe me , lords , were none more wise than I —
And yet herein I judge mine own wit good —
This Gloucester should be quickly rid the world ,
To rid us from the fear we have of him .
CARDINAL
That 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
But , in my mind , that were no policy .
The King will labor still to save his life ,
The Commons haply rise to save his life ,
And yet we have but trivial argument ,
More than mistrust , that shows him worthy death .
YORK
So that , by this , you would not have him die .
SUFFOLK
Ah , York , no man alive so fain as I !
YORK
’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 :
Were ’t not all one an empty eagle were set
To guard the chicken from a hungry kite
As 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
To make the fox surveyor of the fold —
Who , being accused a crafty murderer ,
His guilt should be but idly posted over
Because his purpose is not executed ?
No , let him die in that he is a fox ,
[119] ACT 3. SC. 1 By nature proved an enemy to the flock ,
Before his chaps be stained with crimson blood ,
As 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 ,
Sleeping or waking . ’Tis no matter how ,
So he be dead ; for that is good deceit
Which mates him first that first intends deceit .
QUEEN MARGARET
Thrice noble Suffolk , ’tis resolutely spoke .
SUFFOLK
Not resolute , except so much were done ,
For things are often spoke and seldom meant ;
But that my heart accordeth with my tongue ,
Seeing the deed is meritorious ,
And to preserve my sovereign from his foe ,
Say but the word and I will be his priest .
CARDINAL
But I would have him dead , my lord of Suffolk ,
Ere you can take due orders for a priest .
Say you consent and censure well the deed ,
And I’ll provide his executioner .
I tender so the safety of my liege .
SUFFOLK
Here is my hand . The deed is worthy doing .
QUEEN MARGARET
And so say I .
YORK
And 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
To signify that rebels there are up
And put the Englishmen unto the sword .
Send succors , lords , and stop the rage betime ,
[121] ACT 3. SC. 1 Before the wound do grow uncurable ;
For , being green , there is great hope of help .
He exits .
CARDINAL
A breach that craves a quick expedient stop !
What counsel give you in this weighty cause ?
YORK
That Somerset be sent as regent thither .
’Tis meet that lucky ruler be employed —
Witness the fortune he hath had in France .
SOMERSET
, advancing
If York , with all his far-fet policy ,
Had been the regent there instead of me ,
He 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
Than bring a burden of dishonor home
By staying there so long till all were lost .
Show 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
If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with . —
No more , good York . — Sweet Somerset , be still . —
Thy 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
all !
SOMERSET
And , in the number , thee that wishest shame !
CARDINAL
My lord of York , try what your fortune is .
Th’ uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms
And temper clay with blood of Englishmen .
[123] ACT 3. SC. 1 To Ireland will you lead a band of men ,
Collected choicely , from each county some ,
And try your hap against the Irishmen ?
YORK
I will , my lord , so please his Majesty .
SUFFOLK
Why , our authority is his consent ,
And what we do establish he confirms .
Then , noble York , take thou this task in hand .
YORK
I am content . Provide me soldiers , lords ,
Whiles I take order for mine own affairs .
SUFFOLK
A charge , Lord York , that I will see performed .
But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey .
CARDINAL
No more of him , for I will deal with him ,
That 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
My lord of Suffolk , within fourteen days
At Bristow I expect my soldiers ,
For 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
And change misdoubt to resolution .
Be that thou hop’st to be , or what thou art
Resign 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 .
Faster than springtime showers comes thought on
thought ,
[125] ACT 3. SC. 1 And not a thought but thinks on dignity .
My brain , more busy than the laboring spider ,
Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies .
Well , nobles , well , ’tis politicly done
To send me packing with an host of men .
I fear me you but warm the starvèd snake ,
Who , cherished in your breasts , will sting your
hearts .
’Twas men I lacked , and you will give them me ;
I take it kindly . Yet be well assured
You 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
Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell ;
And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage
Until the golden circuit on my head ,
Like to the glorious sun’s transparent beams ,
Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw .
And for a minister of my intent ,
I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman ,
John Cade of Ashford ,
To make commotion , as full well he can ,
Under the title of John Mortimer .
In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade
Oppose himself against a troop of kerns ,
And 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
Him caper upright like a wild Morisco ,
Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells .
Full often , like a shag-haired crafty kern ,
Hath he conversèd with the enemy ,
And undiscovered come to me again
And given me notice of their villainies .
This devil here shall be my substitute ;
For that John Mortimer , which now is dead ,
[127] ACT 3. SC. 2 In face , in gait , in speech he doth resemble .
By this , I shall perceive the Commons’ mind ,
How they affect the house and claim of York .
Say he be taken , racked , and torturèd ,
I 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 ,
Why then from Ireland come I with my strength
And reap the harvest which that rascal sowed .
For , 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 ?
Didst ever hear a man so penitent ?
Enter Suffolk .
FIRST MURDERER
Here 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 ;
I will reward you for this venturous deed .
The 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
Away , be gone .
The Murderers exit .
[129]ACT 3. SC. 2
Sound trumpets . Enter King Henry , Queen
Margaret , Cardinal , Somerset , with Attendants .
KING HENRY
Go , 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
Lords , take your places ; and , I pray you all ,
Proceed 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
That faultless may condemn a nobleman !
Pray 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 ?
Where is our uncle ? What’s the matter , Suffolk ?
SUFFOLK
Dead 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
How fares my lord ? Help , lords , the King is dead !
SOMERSET
Rear up his body . Wring him by the nose .
[131]ACT 3. SC. 2
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
How fares my gracious lord ?
SUFFOLK
Comfort , 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 ,
And thinks he that the chirping of a wren ,
By 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 !
Their touch affrights me as a serpent’s sting .
Thou 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 .
Yet do not go away . Come , basilisk ,
And 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 ?
Although the Duke was enemy to him ,
Yet 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 ,
I would be blind with weeping , sick with groans ,
[133] ACT 3. SC. 2 Look 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 .
It may be judged I made the Duke away ;
So 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
Ah , woe is me for Gloucester , wretched man !
QUEEN MARGARET
Be 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 ?
Be poisonous too , and kill thy forlorn queen .
Is 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 .
Was I for this nigh-wracked upon the sea
And 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 ,
Nor set no footing on this unkind shore’ ?
What 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 ?
Yet Aeolus would not be a murderer ,
But left that hateful office unto thee .
The pretty-vaulting sea refused to drown me ,
Knowing that thou wouldst have me drowned on
shore
[135] ACT 3. SC. 2 With tears as salt as sea , through thy unkindness .
The 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 .
As far as I could ken thy chalky cliffs ,
When 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 ,
I took a costly jewel from my neck —
A 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 ,
And bid mine eyes be packing with my heart ,
And 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 ,
To sit and watch me , as Ascanius did
When 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 ?
Ay me , I can no more . Die , Margaret ,
For 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 .
The Commons , like an angry hive of bees
That want their leader , scatter up and down
[137] ACT 3. SC. 2 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
That he is dead , good Warwick , ’tis too true ;
But 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 ,
With the rude multitude till I return .
Warwick exits through one door ; Salisbury and
Commons exit through another .
KING HENRY
O 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 ,
For judgment only doth belong to Thee .
Fain 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
And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling ;
But 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
That is to see how deep my grave is made ,
For with his soul fled all my worldly solace ;
For seeing him , I see my life in death .
[139]ACT 3. SC. 2
WARWICK
As surely as my soul intends to live
With that dread King that took our state upon Him
To free us from His Father’s wrathful curse ,
I 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
See how the blood is settled in his face .
Oft 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 ,
Attracts the same for aidance ’gainst the enemy ,
Which 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 ;
His eyeballs further out than when he lived ,
Staring full ghastly , like a strangled man ;
His hair upreared , his nostrils stretched with
struggling ;
His hands abroad displayed , as one that grasped
And tugged for life and was by strength subdued .
Look , 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 .
It cannot be but he was murdered here .
The least of all these signs were probable .
The bed is removed .
SUFFOLK
Why , Warwick , who should do the Duke to death ?
[141] ACT 3. SC. 2 Myself and Beaufort had him in protection ,
And we , I hope , sir , are no murderers .
WARWICK
But both of you were vowed Duke Humphrey’s foes ,
To 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
Then you , belike , suspect these noblemen
As 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 ?
Who finds the partridge in the puttock’s nest
But 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 ?
Is Beaufort termed a kite ? Where are his talons ?
SUFFOLK
I 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 . —
Say , if thou dar’st , proud lord of Warwickshire ,
That 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 ,
Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times .
[143]ACT 3. SC. 2
WARWICK
Madam , 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 !
If ever lady wronged her lord so much ,
Thy 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
But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee
And 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
Make thee beg pardon for thy passèd speech
And 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 ,
Pernicious bloodsucker of sleeping men !
SUFFOLK
Thou 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
And do some service to Duke Humphrey’s ghost .
Warwick and Suffolk exit .
KING HENRY
What 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 .
[145]ACT 3. SC. 2
A noise within .
QUEEN MARGARET
What noise is this ?
Enter Suffolk and Warwick , with their weapons drawn .
KING HENRY
Why , how now , lords ? Your wrathful weapons
drawn
Here in our presence ? Dare you be so bold ?
Why , what tumultuous clamor have we here ?
SUFFOLK
The trait’rous Warwick , with the men of Bury ,
Set 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
Or banishèd fair England’s territories ,
They 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 ;
And mere instinct of love and loyalty ,
Free 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 ,
That if your Highness should intend to sleep ,
And 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
That slyly glided towards your Majesty ,
It were but necessary you were waked ,
Lest , being suffered in that harmful slumber ,
[147] ACT 3. SC. 2 The mortal worm might make the sleep eternal .
And therefore do they cry , though you forbid ,
That they will guard you , whe’er you will or no ,
From 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
An answer from the King , my lord of Salisbury !
SUFFOLK
’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 ,
To show how quaint an orator you are .
But 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
Go , Salisbury , and tell them all from me ,
I 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
Mischance unto my state by Suffolk’s means .
And 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
O Henry , let me plead for gentle Suffolk !
KING HENRY
Ungentle queen to call him gentle Suffolk !
[149] ACT 3. SC. 2 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 ;
But when I swear , it is irrevocable .
To 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 . —
Come , Warwick , come , good Warwick , go with me .
I 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 !
There’s two of you ; the devil make a third ,
And 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 !
Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemies ?
SUFFOLK
A plague upon them ! Wherefore should I curse
them ?
Could curses kill , as doth the mandrake’s groan ,
I would invent as bitter searching terms ,
As curst , as harsh , and horrible to hear ,
Delivered 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 ;
Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint ;
Mine hair be fixed on end , as one distract ;
[151] ACT 3. SC. 2 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 !
Gall , worse than gall , the daintiest that they taste ;
Their 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 ,
And boding screech owls make the consort full !
All 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
And turn the force of them upon thyself .
SUFFOLK
You 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
Where biting cold would never let grass grow ,
And 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
To wash away my woeful monuments .
She kisses his hand .
O , 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 !
So , get thee gone , that I may know my grief ;
’Tis but surmised whiles thou art standing by ,
As one that surfeits thinking on a want .
I will repeal thee , or , be well assured ,
[153] ACT 3. SC. 2 Adventure to be banishèd myself ;
And banishèd I am , if but from thee .
Go , 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 .
Yet now farewell , and farewell life with thee .
SUFFOLK
Thus 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 ,
So Suffolk had thy heavenly company ;
For 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 ;
Myself no joy in naught but that thou liv’st .
Enter Vaux .
QUEEN MARGARET
Whither 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
That makes him gasp and stare and catch the air ,
Blaspheming 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 ,
The secrets of his overchargèd soul .
And 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 .
[155] ACT 3. SC. 2 Ay me ! What is this world ? What news are these !
But wherefore grieve I at an hour’s poor loss ,
Omitting 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
sorrows’ ?
Now 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 ;
And in thy sight to die , what were it else
But 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 ;
Where , from thy sight , I should be raging mad
And 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 ,
And then it lived in sweet Elysium .
To 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 ,
It is applièd to a deathful wound .
To 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
And take my heart with thee .
SUFFOLK
A jewel locked into the woefull’st cask
[157] ACT 3. SC. 3 That ever did contain a thing of worth !
Even as a splitted bark , so sunder we .
This way fall I to death .
QUEEN MARGARET
This 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
Ah , 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 ?
Can 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 .
Comb 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 ,
[159] ACT 3. SC. 3 Look 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
Disturb 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
So 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
Is crept into the bosom of the sea ,
And now loud-howling wolves arouse the jades
That drag the tragic melancholy night ,
Who , with their drowsy , slow , and flagging wings
Clip dead men’s graves , and from their misty jaws
Breathe foul contagious darkness in the air .
Therefore bring forth the soldiers of our prize ;
For , whilst our pinnace anchors in the Downs ,
Here shall they make their ransom on the sand ,
Or with their blood stain this discolored shore . —
Master , 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
What is my ransom , master ? Let me know .
[165]ACT 4. SC. 1
MASTER
A thousand crowns , or else lay down your head .
MATE
, to the Second Gentleman
And 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 ? —
Cut both the villains’ throats — for die you shall ;
The lives of those which we have lost in fight
Be 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
I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboard ,
And therefore to revenge it shalt thou die ;
And 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 .
Rate me at what thou wilt , thou shalt be paid .
WHITMORE
And so am I . My name is Walter Whitmore .
Suffolk starts .
How now , why starts thou ? What , doth death
affright ?
SUFFOLK
Thy name affrights me , in whose sound is death .
A cunning man did calculate my birth
And told me that by water I should die .
Yet 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 .
[167] ACT 4. SC. 1 Never yet did base dishonor blur our name
But with our sword we wiped away the blot .
Therefore , when merchantlike I sell revenge ,
Broke be my sword , my arms torn and defaced ,
And I proclaimed a coward through the world !
SUFFOLK
Stay , Whitmore , for thy prisoner is a prince ,
The Duke of Suffolk , William de la Pole .
WHITMORE
The 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
But Jove was never slain , as thou shalt be .
SUFFOLK
Obscure and lousy swain , King Henry’s blood ,
The honorable blood of Lancaster ,
Must not be shed by such a jaded groom .
Hast thou not kissed thy hand and held my stirrup ?
Bareheaded plodded by my footcloth mule ,
And thought thee happy when I shook my head ?
How often hast thou waited at my cup ,
Fed from my trencher , kneeled down at the board ,
When I have feasted with Queen Margaret ?
Remember it , and let it make thee crestfall’n ,
Ay , and allay this thy abortive pride .
How in our voiding lobby hast thou stood
And duly waited for my coming forth ?
This hand of mine hath writ in thy behalf ,
And therefore shall it charm thy riotous tongue .
WHITMORE
Speak , captain , shall I stab the forlorn swain ?
LIEUTENANT
First let my words stab him as he hath me .
[169]ACT 4. SC. 1
SUFFOLK
Base slave , thy words are blunt , and so art thou .
LIEUTENANT
Convey him hence , and on our longboat’s side ,
Strike off his head .
SUFFOLK
Thou dar’st not for thy own .
LIEUTENANT
Yes , Pole .
SUFFOLK
Pole !
LIEUTENANT
Pole ! Sir Pole ! Lord !
Ay , kennel , puddle , sink , whose filth and dirt
Troubles the silver spring where England drinks !
Now will I dam up this thy yawning mouth
For swallowing the treasure of the realm .
Thy lips that kissed the Queen shall sweep the
ground ,
And thou that smiledst at good Duke Humphrey’s
death
Against the senseless winds shall grin in vain ,
Who in contempt shall hiss at thee again .
And wedded be thou to the hags of hell
For daring to affy a mighty lord
Unto the daughter of a worthless king ,
Having neither subject , wealth , nor diadem .
By devilish policy art thou grown great ,
And , like ambitious Sylla , overgorged
With gobbets of thy mother’s bleeding heart .
By thee Anjou and Maine were sold to France .
The false revolting Normans thorough thee
Disdain to call us lord , and Picardy
Hath slain their governors , surprised our forts ,
And sent the ragged soldiers wounded home .
The princely Warwick , and the Nevilles all ,
Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in vain ,
As hating thee , are rising up in arms .
And now the house of York , thrust from the crown
[171] ACT 4. SC. 1 By shameful murder of a guiltless king
And lofty , proud , encroaching tyranny ,
Burns with revenging fire , whose hopeful colors
Advance our half-faced sun , striving to shine ,
Under the which is writ ‘Invitis nubibus .’
The commons here in Kent are up in arms ,
And , to conclude , reproach and beggary
Is crept into the palace of our king ,
And all by thee . — Away ! Convey him hence .
SUFFOLK
O , that I were a god , to shoot forth thunder
Upon these paltry , servile , abject drudges !
Small things make base men proud . This villain
here ,
Being captain of a pinnace , threatens more
Than Bargulus , the strong Illyrian pirate .
Drones suck not eagles’ blood , but rob beehives .
It is impossible that I should die
By such a lowly vassal as thyself .
Thy words move rage and not remorse in me .
I go of message from the Queen to France .
I charge thee waft me safely cross the Channel .
LIEUTENANT
Walter .
WHITMORE
Come , Suffolk , I must waft thee to thy death .
SUFFOLK
Paene gelidus timor occupat artus .
It is thee I fear .
WHITMORE
Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee .
What , 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 ,
Used to command , untaught to plead for favor .
[173] ACT 4. SC. 1 Far be it we should honor such as these
With 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 ;
And sooner dance upon a bloody pole
Than stand uncovered to the vulgar groom .
True nobility is exempt from fear . —
More can I bear than you dare execute .
LIEUTENANT
Hale him away , and let him talk no more .
SUFFOLK
Come , soldiers , show what cruelty you can ,
That this my death may never be forgot !
Great men oft die by vile bezonians :
A Roman sworder and banditto slave
Murdered sweet Tully ; Brutus’ bastard hand
Stabbed Julius Caesar ; savage islanders
Pompey the Great , and Suffolk dies by pirates .
Walter Whitmore exits with
Suffolk and Others .
LIEUTENANT
And as for these whose ransom we have set ,
It is our pleasure one of them depart .
To Second Gentleman .
Therefore come you with us ,
and 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 ,
Until the Queen his mistress bury it .
Walter Whitmore exits .
FIRST GENTLEMAN
O , barbarous and bloody spectacle !
His body will I bear unto the King .
[175] ACT 4. SC. 2 If 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
Come , 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
the commonwealth , and turn it , and set a new nap
upon it .
HOLLAND
So he had need , for ’tis threadbare . Well , I
say , it was never merry world in England since
gentlemen came up .
BEVIS
O miserable age ! Virtue is not regarded in
handicraftsmen .
HOLLAND
The nobility think scorn to go in leather
aprons .
BEVIS
Nay , more , the King’s Council are no good
workmen .
HOLLAND
True , 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
Thou hast hit it , for there’s no better sign of a
brave 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
dog’s leather of .
HOLLAND
And Dick the butcher —
BEVIS
Then is sin struck down like an ox , and iniquity’s
throat cut like a calf .
[177]ACT 4. SC. 2
HOLLAND
And Smith the weaver .
BEVIS
Argo , their thread of life is spun .
HOLLAND
Come , 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
For our enemies shall fall before us , inspired
with the spirit of putting down kings and princes —
command silence .
DICK
Silence !
CADE
My father was a Mortimer —
DICK
, aside
He was an honest man and a good
bricklayer .
CADE
My mother a Plantagenet —
DICK
, aside
I knew her well ; she was a midwife .
CADE
My wife descended of the Lacys .
DICK
, aside
She was indeed a peddler’s daughter , and
sold 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
Ay , by my faith , the field is honorable ;
and 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
I am able to endure much —
DICK
, aside
No 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
is of proof .
[179]ACT 4. SC. 2
DICK
, aside
But 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
halfpenny loaves sold for a penny . The three-hooped
pot 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
God save your Majesty !
CADE
I 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
The first thing we do , let’s kill all the lawyers .
CADE
Nay , 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
stings , but I say , ’tis the beeswax ; for I did but seal
once 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
O , monstrous !
SMITH
We 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
Nay , he can make obligations and write court
hand .
CADE
I am sorry for ’t . The man is a proper man , of
mine honor . Unless I find him guilty , he shall not
[181] ACT 4. SC. 2 die . — Come hither , sirrah ; I must examine thee .
What is thy name ?
CLERK
Emmanuel .
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
name ? Or hast thou a mark to thyself , like an
honest , 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
and a traitor .
CADE
Away 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
Fly , fly , fly ! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his
brother 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
No .
CADE
To 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 ,
Marked for the gallows , lay your weapons down !
Home to your cottages ; forsake this groom .
The King is merciful , if you revolt .
[183]ACT 4. SC. 2
BROTHER
But angry , wrathful , and inclined to blood ,
If you go forward . Therefore yield , or die .
CADE
As for these silken-coated slaves , I pass not .
It 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 ,
And thou thyself a shearman , art thou not ?
CADE
And 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
Ay , sir .
CADE
By 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 ,
Was by a beggar-woman stol’n away ,
And , 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
Sir , he made a chimney in my father’s house ,
and 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 ?
[185]ACT 4. SC. 2
ALL
Ay , marry , will we . Therefore get you gone .
BROTHER
Jack 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
span-counter for French crowns , I am content he
shall 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
and fain to go with a staff , but that my puissance
holds 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
O , gross and miserable ignorance !
CADE
Nay , 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
No , no , and therefore we’ll have his head !
BROTHER
, to Stafford
Well , 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 ,
That those which fly before the battle ends
May , 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 .
[187]ACT 4. SC. 3
CADE
And you that love the Commons , follow me .
Now show yourselves men . ’Tis for liberty !
We 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
They are all in order and march toward us .
CADE
But 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
thou behaved’st thyself as if thou hadst been in
thine 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
I desire no more .
CADE
And 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
the Mayor’s sword borne before us .
DICK
If 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 .
[189]ACT 4. SC. 4
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
Oft 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 ?
Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast ,
But 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 ,
For God forbid so many simple souls
Should 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
Ah , barbarous villains ! Hath this lovely face
Ruled , 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
Ay , but I hope your Highness shall have his .
KING HENRY
How 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 .
[191]ACT 4. SC. 4
QUEEN MARGARET
No , my love , I should not mourn , but die for thee .
Enter a Messenger .
KING HENRY
How 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 ,
Descended from the Duke of Clarence’ house ,
And 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 .
Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother’s death
Hath 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
My gracious lord , retire to Killingworth
Until 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 ;
Therefore away with us to Killingworth .
SAYE
So 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 .
[193]ACT 4. SC. 5
SECOND MESSENGER
Jack Cade hath gotten London Bridge .
The 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
Then linger not , my lord . Away ! Take horse !
KING HENRY
Come , 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
The trust I have is in mine innocence ,
And 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
your 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 .
[195] ACT 4. SC. 6 But 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
upon 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 .
And now henceforward it shall be treason for any
that calls me other than Lord Mortimer .
Enter a Soldier running .
SOLDIER
Jack Cade , Jack Cade !
CADE
Knock him down there .
They kill him .
DICK
If this fellow be wise , he’ll never call you Jack
Cade 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
Smithfield .
CADE
Come , then , let’s go fight with them . But first , go
and set London Bridge on fire , and , if you can ,
burn down the Tower too . Come , let’s away .
All exit .
[197]ACT 4. SC. 7
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 ;
others 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
Only that the laws of England may come out of
your mouth .
HOLLAND
, aside
Mass , ’twill be sore law , then , for he
was thrust in the mouth with a spear , and ’tis not
whole yet .
SMITH
, aside
Nay , John , it will be stinking law , for
his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese .
CADE
I 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
Then we are like to have biting
statutes — unless his teeth be pulled out .
CADE
And henceforward all things shall be in
common .
Enter a Messenger .
MESSENGER
My lord , a prize , a prize ! Here’s the Lord
Saye , which sold the towns in France , he that
made us pay one-and-twenty fifteens , and one
shilling 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
art thou within point-blank of our jurisdiction
regal . What canst thou answer to my Majesty for
giving up of Normandy unto Monsieur Basimecu ,
the Dauphin of France ? Be it known unto thee by
[199] ACT 4. SC. 7 these presence , even the presence of Lord Mortimer ,
that I am the besom that must sweep the
court clean of such filth as thou art . Thou hast
most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm
in erecting a grammar school ; and whereas ,
before , our forefathers had no other books but the
score and the tally , thou hast caused printing to be
used , and , contrary to the King his crown and dignity ,
thou 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
words as no Christian ear can endure to hear .
Thou hast appointed justices of peace to call poor
men 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
hanged them , when indeed only for that cause
they have been most worthy to live . Thou dost ride
on a footcloth , dost thou not ?
SAYE
What of that ?
CADE
Marry , thou oughtst not to let thy horse wear a
cloak when honester men than thou go in their
hose and doublets .
DICK
And work in their shirt too — as myself , for example ,
that am a butcher .
SAYE
You men of Kent —
DICK
What say you of Kent ?
SAYE
Nothing but this : ’tis bona terra , mala gens .
CADE
Away with him , away with him ! He speaks
Latin .
SAYE
Hear me but speak , and bear me where you will .
Kent , in the commentaries Caesar writ ,
Is termed the civil’st place of all this isle .
Sweet is the country , because full of riches ;
The people liberal , valiant , active , wealthy ;
[201] ACT 4. SC. 7 Which makes me hope you are not void of pity .
I sold not Maine ; I lost not Normandy ;
Yet to recover them would lose my life .
Justice with favor have I always done ;
Prayers and tears have moved me ; gifts could never .
When have I aught exacted at your hands
Kent to maintain , the King , the realm , and you ?
Large gifts have I bestowed on learnèd clerks ,
Because my book preferred me to the King .
And seeing ignorance is the curse of God ,
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven ,
Unless you be possessed with devilish spirits ,
You cannot but forbear to murder me .
This tongue hath parleyed unto foreign kings
For your behoof —
CADE
Tut , when struck’st thou one blow in the field ?
SAYE
Great men have reaching hands . Oft have I struck
Those that I never saw , and struck them dead .
GEORGE
O monstrous coward ! What , to come behind
folks ?
SAYE
These cheeks are pale for watching for your good .
CADE
Give him a box o’ th’ ear , and that will make ’em
red again .
SAYE
Long sitting to determine poor men’s causes
Hath made me full of sickness and diseases .
CADE
You shall have a hempen caudle , then , and
the help of hatchet .
DICK
Why dost thou quiver , man ?
SAYE
The 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
on a pole , or no . Take him away , and behead
him .
[203]ACT 4. SC. 7
SAYE
Tell me , wherein have I offended most ?
Have I affected wealth or honor ? Speak .
Are my chests filled up with extorted gold ?
Is my apparel sumptuous to behold ?
Whom have I injured , that you seek my death ?
These hands are free from guiltless blood-shedding ,
This breast from harboring foul deceitful thoughts .
O , let me live !
CADE
I feel remorse in myself with his words , but I’ll
bridle it . He shall die , an it be but for pleading so
well 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
presently ; and then break into his son-in-law’s
house , Sir James Cromer , and strike off his head ;
and bring them both upon two poles hither .
ALL
It shall be done .
SAYE
Ah , countrymen , if when you make your prayers ,
God should be so obdurate as yourselves ,
How would it fare with your departed souls ?
And 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
head on his shoulders unless he pay me tribute .
There shall not a maid be married but she shall
pay 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
or tongue can tell .
DICK
My lord , when shall we go to Cheapside and take
up commodities upon our bills ?
CADE
Marry , presently .
ALL
O , brave !
[205]ACT 4. SC. 8
Enter one with the heads of Lord Saye and Sir James
Cromer on poles .
CADE
But is not this braver ? Let them kiss one another ,
for they loved well when they were alive . The
heads are brought together . Now part them again ,
lest they consult about the giving up of some more
towns in France . Soldiers , defer the spoil of the
city until night , for , with these borne before us
instead of maces , will we ride through the streets
and 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
kill ?
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
That 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 ?
[207] ACT 4. SC. 8 Who loves the King and will embrace his pardon ,
Fling 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
What , 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
the 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
burdens , 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
Is 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 ,
Nor 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 ?
Methinks 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
[209] ACT 4. SC. 9 Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman’s mercy .
To 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
Clifford !
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
together 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
ignominious 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 .
Follow 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 ? [211] ACT 4. SC. 9
No sooner was I crept out of my cradle
But I was made a king at nine months old .
Was 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 ,
Or is he but retired to make him strong ?
Enter below multitudes with halters about their necks .
CLIFFORD
He 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
To entertain my vows of thanks and praise !
Soldiers , 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 ,
And Henry , though he be infortunate ,
Assure 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
Please it your Grace to be advertisèd
The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland
And , with a puissant and a mighty power
[213] ACT 4. SC. 9 Of gallowglasses and stout kerns ,
Is marching hitherward in proud array ,
And still proclaimeth , as he comes along ,
His 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 ,
Like to a ship that , having scaped a tempest ,
Is 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 ,
And ask him what’s the reason of these arms .
Tell 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 ,
I’ll yield myself to prison willingly ,
Or 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
As all things shall redound unto your good .
KING HENRY
Come , wife , let’s in , and learn to govern better ,
For yet may England curse my wretched reign .
Flourish . They exit .
[215]ACT 4. SC. 10
Scene 10
Enter Cade .
CADE
Fie on ambitions ! Fie on myself , that have a
sword and yet am ready to famish ! These five days
have I hid me in these woods and durst not peep
out , for all the country is laid for me . But now am
I 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
this garden , to see if I can eat grass , or pick a sallet
another while , which is not amiss to cool a man’s
stomach 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
brown bill ; and many a time , when I have been dry
and bravely marching , it hath served me instead of
a 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
And may enjoy such quiet walks as these ?
This small inheritance my father left me
Contenteth me , and worth a monarchy .
I seek not to wax great by others’ waning ,
Or gather wealth , I care not with what envy .
Sufficeth that I have maintains my state
And sends the poor well pleasèd from my gate .
CADE
, aside
Here’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
thousand crowns of the King by carrying my head
to him ; but I’ll make thee eat iron like an ostrich
[217] ACT 4. SC. 10 and swallow my sword like a great pin , ere thou
and I part .
He draws his sword .
IDEN
Why , rude companion , whatsoe’er thou be ,
I know thee not . Why , then , should I betray thee ?
Is ’t not enough to break into my garden
And , 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
Brave thee ? Ay , by the best blood that ever was
broached , and beard thee too . Look on me well : I
have 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
grass more .
IDEN
Nay , it shall ne’er be said , while England stands ,
That Alexander Iden , an esquire of Kent ,
Took odds to combat a poor famished man .
Oppose thy steadfast gazing eyes to mine ;
See if thou canst outface me with thy looks .
Set limb to limb , and thou art far the lesser ;
Thy 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 ;
And if mine arm be heavèd in the air ,
Thy grave is digged already in the earth .
As 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
ever I heard ! Steel , if thou turn the edge or cut not
out the burly-boned clown in chines of beef ere
thou sleep in thy sheath , I beseech God on my
knees thou mayst be turned to hobnails .
( Here they fight , and Cade falls . )
[219] ACT 4. SC. 10 O , I am slain ! Famine , and no other , hath slain me .
Let ten thousand devils come against me , and give
me but the ten meals I have lost , and I’d defy them
all . 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
Is ’t Cade that I have slain , that monstrous traitor ?
Sword , I will hallow thee for this thy deed ,
And 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
To emblaze the honor that thy master got .
CADE
Iden , farewell , and be proud of thy victory . Tell
Kent 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
How much thou wrong’st me , heaven be my judge !
Die , damnèd wretch , the curse of her that bare thee !
And 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
Unto a dunghill , which shall be thy grave ,
And there cut off thy most ungracious head ,
Which 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
And pluck the crown from feeble Henry’s head .
Ring , bells , aloud ! Burn , bonfires , clear and bright
To entertain great England’s lawful king !
Ah ,
sancta maiestas , who would not buy thee dear ?
Let them obey that knows not how to rule .
This hand was made to handle naught but gold .
I cannot give due action to my words
Except a sword or scepter balance it .
A 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 .
Aside .
Whom have we here ? Buckingham , to
disturb me ?
The King hath sent him , sure . I must dissemble .
BUCKINGHAM
York , if thou meanest well , I greet thee well .
YORK
Humphrey of Buckingham , I accept thy greeting .
Art thou a messenger , or come of pleasure ?
[225]ACT 5. SC. 1
BUCKINGHAM
A messenger from Henry , our dread liege ,
To know the reason of these arms in peace ;
Or why thou , being a subject as I am ,
Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn ,
Should 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 .
O , I could hew up rocks and fight with flint ,
I am so angry at these abject terms !
And now , like Ajax Telamonius ,
On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury .
I am far better born than is the King ,
More like a king , more kingly in my thoughts .
But I must make fair weather yet awhile ,
Till Henry be more weak and I more strong . —
Buckingham , I prithee , pardon me ,
That I have given no answer all this while .
My mind was troubled with deep melancholy .
The cause why I have brought this army hither
Is to remove proud Somerset from the King ,
Seditious to his Grace and to the state .
BUCKINGHAM
That is too much presumption on thy part .
But if thy arms be to no other end ,
The King hath yielded unto thy demand :
The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower .
YORK
Upon thine honor , is he prisoner ?
BUCKINGHAM
Upon mine honor , he is prisoner .
YORK
Then , Buckingham , I do dismiss my powers . —
Soldiers , I thank you all . Disperse yourselves .
[227] ACT 5. SC. 1 Meet me tomorrow in Saint George’s field ;
You shall have pay and everything you wish .
Soldiers exit .
And let my sovereign , virtuous Henry ,
Command my eldest son , nay , all my sons ,
As pledges of my fealty and love ;
I’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
York , 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
Buckingham , doth York intend no harm to us
That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm ?
YORK
In all submission and humility
York doth present himself unto your Highness .
KING HENRY
Then what intends these forces thou dost bring ?
YORK
To 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
If one so rude and of so mean condition
May pass into the presence of a king ,
Lo , 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 !
[229] ACT 5. SC. 1 O , let me view his visage , being dead ,
That living wrought me such exceeding trouble .
Tell 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
Alexander Iden , that’s my name ,
A poor esquire of Kent that loves his king .
BUCKINGHAM
So 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 .
We give thee for reward a thousand marks ,
And will that thou henceforth attend on us .
IDEN
May 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 .
Go bid her hide him quickly from the Duke .
Buckingham whispers to the Queen .
QUEEN MARGARET
For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head ,
But boldly stand and front him to his face .
YORK
, aside
How now ? Is Somerset at liberty ?
Then , York , unloose thy long-imprisoned thoughts ,
And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart .
Shall I endure the sight of Somerset ? —
False king , why hast thou broken faith with me ,
[231] ACT 5. SC. 1 Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse ?
‘King’ did I call thee ? No , thou art not king ,
Not fit to govern and rule multitudes ,
Which dar’st not — no , nor canst not — rule a traitor .
That 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 .
That gold must round engirt these brows of mine ,
Whose smile and frown , like to Achilles’ spear ,
Is 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 .
Give place . By heaven , thou shalt rule no more
O’er him whom heaven created for thy ruler .
SOMERSET
O monstrous traitor ! I arrest thee , York ,
Of capital treason ’gainst the King and crown .
Obey , audacious traitor . Kneel for grace .
YORK
Wouldst have me kneel ? First let me ask of these
If they can brook I bow a knee to man .
To an Attendant .
Sirrah , call in my sons to be my
bail .
Attendant exits .
I know , ere they will have me go to ward ,
They’ll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement .
QUEEN MARGARET
, to Buckingham
Call hither Clifford ; bid him come amain ,
To 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 ,
Outcast of Naples , England’s bloody scourge !
The sons of York , thy betters in their birth ,
Shall be their father’s bail , and bane to those
That for my surety will refuse the boys .
[233] ACT 5. SC. 1
Enter York’s sons Edward and Richard ,
wearing the white rose .
See where they come ; I’ll warrant they’ll make it
good .
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
Health 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 .
We are thy sovereign , Clifford ; kneel again .
For thy mistaking so , we pardon thee .
CLIFFORD
This 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
Ay , Clifford , a bedlam and ambitious humor
Makes him oppose himself against his king .
CLIFFORD
He 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 .
His sons , he says , shall give their words for him .
YORK
Will you not , sons ?
EDWARD
Ay , 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 !
[235]ACT 5. SC. 1
YORK
Look in a glass , and call thy image so .
I am thy king and thou a false-heart traitor .
Call hither to the stake my two brave bears ,
That , with the very shaking of their chains ,
They may astonish these fell-lurking curs .
To an Attendant .
Bid Salisbury and Warwick come
to me .
Attendant exits .
Enter the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury , wearing the
white rose .
CLIFFORD
Are 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
Oft have I seen a hot o’erweening cur
Run back and bite because he was withheld ,
Who , 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
If you oppose yourselves to match Lord Warwick .
CLIFFORD
Hence , heap of wrath , foul indigested lump ,
As 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
Why , Warwick , hath thy knee forgot to bow ? —
Old Salisbury , shame to thy silver hair ,
Thou mad misleader of thy brainsick son !
What , wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian
And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles ?
O , where is faith ? O , where is loyalty ? [237]
If it be banished from the frosty head ,
Where 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 ?
Why art thou old and want’st experience ?
Or wherefore dost abuse it , if thou hast it ?
For shame ! In duty bend thy knee to me
That bows unto the grave with mickle age .
SALISBURY
My lord , I have considered with myself
The title of this most renownèd duke ,
And in my conscience do repute his Grace
The rightful heir to England’s royal seat .
KING HENRY
Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me ?
SALISBURY
I have .
KING HENRY
Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath ?
SALISBURY
It is great sin to swear unto a sin ,
But 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 ,
To force a spotless virgin’s chastity ,
To reave the orphan of his patrimony ,
To 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
A subtle traitor needs no sophister .
KING HENRY
, to an Attendant
Call Buckingham , and bid him arm himself .
Attendant exits .
YORK
, to King Henry
Call Buckingham and all the friends thou hast ,
I am resolved for death or dignity .
[239]ACT 5. SC. 1
CLIFFORD
The first , I warrant thee , if dreams prove true .
WARWICK
You were best to go to bed and dream again ,
To keep thee from the tempest of the field .
CLIFFORD
I am resolved to bear a greater storm
Than any thou canst conjure up today ;
And that I’ll write upon thy burgonet ,
Might I but know thee by thy house’s badge .
WARWICK
Now , by my father’s badge , old Neville’s crest ,
The rampant bear chained to the ragged staff ,
This day I’ll wear aloft my burgonet —
As on a mountaintop the cedar shows
That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm —
Even to affright thee with the view thereof .
CLIFFORD
And 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
And so to arms , victorious father ,
To quell the rebels and their complices .
RICHARD
Fie ! 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
If not in heaven , you’ll surely sup in hell .
They exit separately .
[241]ACT 5. SC. 2
Scene 2
The sign of the Castle Inn is displayed . Alarms .
Enter Warwick , wearing the white rose .
WARWICK
Clifford of Cumberland , ’tis Warwick calls !
An 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 ,
Clifford , I say , come forth and fight with me ;
Proud northern lord , Clifford of Cumberland ,
Warwick 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 ,
But match to match I have encountered him
And made a prey for carrion kites and crows
Even 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 ,
For I myself must hunt this deer to death .
WARWICK
Then , nobly , York ! ’Tis for a crown thou fight’st . —
As 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
With thy brave bearing should I be in love ,
But that thou art so fast mine enemy .
[243]ACT 5. SC. 2
CLIFFORD
Nor 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
As I in justice and true right express it !
CLIFFORD
My soul and body on the action both !
YORK
A 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 .
Peace 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 .
Fear frames disorder , and disorder wounds
Where it should guard . O war , thou son of hell ,
Whom angry heavens do make their minister ,
Throw in the frozen bosoms of our part
Hot coals of vengeance ! Let no soldier fly .
He that is truly dedicate to war
Hath no self-love ; nor he that loves himself
Hath not essentially , but by circumstance ,
The name of valor .
He sees his father , lying dead . O ,
let the vile world end
And the premised flames of the last day
Knit Earth and heaven together !
Now let the general trumpet blow his blast ,
Particularities and petty sounds
To cease ! Wast thou ordained , dear father ,
[245] ACT 5. SC. 2 To lose thy youth in peace , and to achieve
The silver livery of advisèd age ,
And , in thy reverence and thy chair-days , thus
To die in ruffian battle ? Even at this sight
My heart is turned to stone , and while ’tis mine ,
It 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 ;
And beauty , that the tyrant oft reclaims ,
Shall to my flaming wrath be oil and flax .
Henceforth 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
As wild Medea young Absyrtis did .
In cruelty will I seek out my fame .
He takes his father’s body onto his back .
Come , thou new ruin of old Clifford’s house ;
As did Aeneas old Anchises bear ,
So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders .
But 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
So lie thou there .
For underneath an alehouse’ paltry sign ,
The Castle in Saint Albans , Somerset
Hath made the wizard famous in his death .
Sword , hold thy temper ! Heart , be wrathful still !
Priests 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 !
[247]ACT 5. SC. 3
KING HENRY
Can we outrun the heavens ? Good Margaret , stay !
QUEEN MARGARET
What are you made of ? You’ll nor fight nor fly .
Now is it manhood , wisdom , and defense
To 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
Of all our fortunes ; but if we haply scape ,
As well we may — if not through your neglect —
We 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
But that my heart’s on future mischief set ,
I would speak blasphemy ere bid you fly ;
But fly you must . Uncurable discomfit
Reigns in the hearts of all our present parts .
Away , for your relief ! And we will live
To 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
Of 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 ,
[249] ACT 5. SC. 3 Repairs him with occasion ? This happy day
Is 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 ,
Three times bestrid him . Thrice I led him off ,
Persuaded 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 .
But , noble as he is , look where he comes .
Enter Salisbury , wearing the white rose .
Now , 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
You have defended me from imminent death .
Well , 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 ;
For , as I hear , the King is fled to London
To 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 .
Now , by my hand , lords , ’twas a glorious day .
Saint 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 .
all or part of a full metrical lineall or part of a prose speecha short line which cannot be joined with other lines to form a full metrical line, or which may not be definitively identified asverse or proseeditorial emendation