William Shakespeare, The Second Part of King Henry the Sixth (1590-91)


William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

This is a part of a collection of works by William Shakespeare.

Source

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, ed. with a glossary by W.J. Craig M.A. (London: Oxford University Press, 1916).

See the complete volume in HTML and facs. PDF.

THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
ACT I.
ACT II.
ACT III.
ACT IV.
ACT V.

THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH

Scene I.— London. A Room of State in the Palace.

Flourish of Trumpets: then hautboys. Enter, on one side, King Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Salisbury, Warwick, and Cardinal Beaufort; on the other, Queen Margaret, led in by Suffolk; York, Somerset, Buckingham, and Others, following.

Suf.

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; 4

So, in the famous ancient city, Tours,

In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil,

The Dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Britaine, and Alençon,

Seven earls, twelve barons, and twenty reverend bishops, 8

I have perform’d my task, and was espous’d:

And humbly now upon my bended knee,

In sight of England and her lordly peers,

Deliver up my title in the queen 12

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 receiv’d. 16

K. Hen.

Suffolk, arise. Welcome, Queen Margaret:

I can express no kinder sign of love

Than this kind kiss. O Lord! that lends me life,

Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! 20

For thou hast given me in this beauteous face

A world of earthly blessings to my soul,

If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.

Q. Mar.

Great King of England and my gracious lord, 24

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, 28

Makes me the bolder to salute my king

With ruder terms, such as my wit affords,

And over-joy of heart doth minister.

K. Hen.

Her sight did ravish, but her grace in speech, 32

Her words y-clad with wisdom’s majesty,

Makes me from wondering fall to weeping joys;

Such is the fulness of my heart’s content.

Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love. 36

All.

Long live Queen Margaret, England’s happiness!

Q. Mar.

We thank you all.

[Flourish.

Suf.

My Lord Protector, so it please your Grace,

Here are the articles of contracted peace 40

Between our sovereign and the French King Charles,

For eighteen months concluded by consent.

Glo.

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.—

[Lets the paper fall.

K. Hen.

Uncle, how now!

Glo.

Pardon me, gracious lord;

Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart

And dimm’d mine eyes, that I can read no further. 56

K. Hen.

Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on.

Car.

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

K. Hen.

They please us well. Lord marquess, kneel down: 64

We here create thee the first Duke of Suffolk,

And girt thee with the sword. Cousin of York,

We here discharge your Grace from being regent

I’ the parts of France, till term of eighteen months 68

Be full expir’d. Thanks, uncle Winchester,

Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset,

Salisbury, and Warwick;

We thank you all for this great favour done, 72

In entertainment to my princely queen.

Come, let us in, and with all speed provide

To see her coronation be perform’d.

[Exeunt King, Queen, and Suffolk.

Glo.

Brave peers of England, pillars of the state, 76

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 valour, coin, and people, in the wars? 80

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, 84

To keep by policy what Henry got?

Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham,

Brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick,

Receiv’d deep scars in France and Normandy?

Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself, 89

With all the learned council of the realm,

Studied so long, sat in the council-house

Early and late, debating to and fro 92

How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe?

And hath his highness in his infancy

Been crown’d in Paris, in despite of foes?

And shall these labours and these honours die?

Shall Henry’s conquest, Bedford’s vigilance, 97

Your deeds of war and all our counsel die?

O peers of England! shameful is this league,

Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame, 100

Blotting your names from books of memory,

Razing the characters of your renown,

Defacing monuments of conquer’d France,

Undoing all, as all had never been. 104

Car.

Nephew, what means this passionate discourse,

This peroration with such circumstance?

For France, ’tis ours; and we will keep it still.

Glo.

Ay, uncle; we will keep it, if we can;

But now it is impossible we should. 109

Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast,

Hath given the duchies of Anjou and Maine

Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large style

Agrees not with the leanness of his purse. 113

Sal.

Now, by the death of him who died for all,

These counties were the keys of Normandy. 115

But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son?

War.

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. 119

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,

Deliver’d up again with peaceful words?

Mort Dieu! 124

York.

For Suffolk’s duke, may he be suffocate,

That dims the honour of this war-like isle!

France should have torn and rent my very heart

Before I would have yielded to this league. 128

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. 132

Glo.

A proper jest, and never heard before,

That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth

For costs and charges in transporting her!

She should have stay’d in France, and starv’d in France, 136

Before—

Car.

My Lord of Gloucester, now you grow too hot:

It was the pleasure of my lord the king.

Glo.

My Lord of Winchester, I know your mind: 140

’Tis not my speeches that you do mislike,

But ’tis my presence that doth trouble ye.

Rancour will out: proud prelate, in thy face

I see thy fury. If I longer stay 144

We shall begin our ancient bickerings.

Lordings, farewell; and say, when I am gone,

I prophesied France will be lost ere long.

[Exit.

Car.

So, there goes our protector in a rage.

’Tis known to you he is mine enemy, 149

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, 152

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 displeas’d at it. 156

Look to it, lords; let not his smoothing words

Bewitch your hearts; be wise and circumspect.

What though the common people favour him,

Calling him, ‘Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester;’ 160

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, 164

He will be found a dangerous protector.

Buck.

Why should he then protect our sovereign,

He being of age to govern of himself?

Cousin of Somerset, join you with me, 168

And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk,

We’ll quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his seat.

Car.

This weighty business will not brook delay;

I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently.

[Exit.

Som.

Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey’s pride 173

And greatness of his place be grief to us,

Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal:

His insolence is more intolerable 176

Than all the princes in the land beside:

If Gloucester be displac’d, he’ll be protector.

Buck.

Or thou, or I, Somerset, will be protector,

Despite Duke Humphrey or the cardinal. 180

[Exeunt Buckingham and Somerset.

Sal.

Pride went before, ambition follows him.

While these do labour for their own preferment,

Behoves it us to labour for the realm.

I never saw but Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester,

Did bear him like a noble gentleman. 185

Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal

More like a soldier than a man o’ the church,

As stout and proud as he were lord of all, 188

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 house-keeping,

Have won the greatest favour of the commons,

Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey:

And, brother York, thy acts in Ireland,

In bringing them to civil discipline, 196

Thy late exploits done in the heart of France,

When thou wert regent for our sovereign,

Have made thee fear’d and honour’d of the people.

Join we together for the public good, 200

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, 204

While they do tend the profit of the land.

War.

So God help Warwick, as he loves the land,

And common profit of his country!

York.

[Aside.] And so says York, for he hath greatest cause. 208

Sal.

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

War.

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, 213

Which I will win from France, or else be slain.

[Exeunt Warwick and Salisbury.

York.

Anjou and Maine are given to the French;

Paris is lost; the state of Normandy 216

Stands on a tickle point now they are gone.

Suffolk concluded on the articles,

The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleas’d

To change two dukedoms for a duke’s fair daughter. 220

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,

And purchase friends, and give to courtezans,

Still revelling like lords till all be gone; 225

While as 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 shar’d and all is borne away, 229

Ready to starve and dare not touch his own:

So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue

While his own lands are bargain’d for and sold.

Methinks the realms of England, France, and Ireland 233

Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood

As did the fatal brand Althæa burn’d

Unto the prince’s heart of Calydon. 236

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 Nevils’ parts 241

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. 244

Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right.

Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist,

Nor wear the diadem upon his head,

Whose church-like humours fit 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, 252

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 perfum’d, 256

And in my standard bear the arms of York,

To grapple with the house of Lancaster;

And, force perforce, I’ll make him yield the crown,

Whose bookish rule hath pull’d fair England down.

[Exit.

Scene II.— The Same. A Room in the Duke of Gloucester’s House.

Enter Gloucester and his Duchess.

Duch.

Why droops my lord, like over-ripen’d corn

Hanging the head at Ceres’ plenteous load?

Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows,

As frowning at the favours of the world? 4

Why are thine eyes fix’d to the sullen earth,

Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight?

What seest thou there? King Henry’s diadem

Enchas’d with all the honours of the world? 8

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; 12

And having both together heav’d 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. 16

Glo.

O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord,

Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts:

And may that thought, when I imagine ill

Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry,

Be my last breathing in this mortal world! 21

My troublous dream this night doth make me sad.

Duch.

What dream’d my lord? tell me, and I’ll requite it

With sweet rehearsal of my morning’s dream. 24

Glo.

Methought this staff, mine office-badge in court,

Was broke in twain; by whom I have forgot,

But, as I think, it was by the cardinal;

And on the pieces of the broken wand 28

Were plac’d 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.

Duch.

Tut! this was nothing but an argument 32

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 36

In the cathedral church of Westminster,

And in that chair where kings and queens are crown’d;

Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneel’d to me,

And on my head did set the diadem. 40

Glo.

Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright:

Presumptuous dame! ill-nurtur’d Eleanor!

Art thou not second woman in the realm,

And the protector’s wife, belov’d of him? 44

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 48

From top of honour to disgrace’s feet?

Away from me, and let me hear no more.

Duch.

What, what, my lord! are you so choleric

With Eleanor, for telling but her dream? 52

Next time I’ll keep my dreams unto myself,

And not be check’d.

Glo.

Nay, be not angry; I am pleas’d again.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

My Lord Protector, ’tis his highness’ pleasure 56

You do prepare to ride unto Saint Alban’s,

Whereas the king and queen do mean to hawk.

Glo.

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

Duch.

Yes, my good lord, I’ll follow presently. 60

[Exeunt Gloucester and 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, 68

We are alone; here’s none but thee and I.

Enter Hume.

Hume.

Jesus preserve your royal majesty!

Duch.

What sayst thou? majesty! I am but Grace.

Hume.

But, by the grace of God, and Hume’s advice, 72

Your Grace’s title shall be multiplied.

Duch.

What sayst thou, man? hast thou as yet conferr’d

With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch,

With Roger Bolingbroke, the conjurer? 76

And will they undertake to do me good?

Hume.

This they have promised, to show your highness

A spirit rais’d from depth of under ground,

That shall make answer to such questions 80

As by your Grace shall be propounded him.

Duch.

It is enough: I’ll think upon the questions.

When from Saint Alban’s we do make return

We’ll see these things effected to the full. 84

Here, Hume, take this reward; make merry, man,

With thy confed’rates in this weighty cause.

[Exit.

Hume.

Hume must make merry with the duchess’ gold;

Marry and shall. But how now, Sir John Hume! 88

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. 92

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, 96

They, knowing Dame Eleanor’s aspiring humour,

Have hired 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. 101

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 104

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.

[Exit.

Scene III.— The Same. A Room in the Palace.

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

First Pet.

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. 4

Sec. Pet.

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

Enter Suffolk and Queen Margaret.

First Pet.

Here a’ comes, methinks, and the queen with him. I’ll be the first, sure. 8

Sec. Pet.

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

Suf.

How now, fellow! wouldst anything with me? 12

First Pet.

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

Q. Mar.

[Glancing at the Superscriptions.] To my Lord Protector! are your supplications to his lordship? Let me see them: what is thine?

First Pet.

Mine is, an’t please your Grace, against John Goodman, my Lord Cardinal’s man, for keeping my house, and lands, my wife and all, from me. 21

Suf.

Thy wife too! that is some wrong indeed. What’s yours? What’s here? Against the Duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford! How now, sir knave! 25

Sec. Pet.

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

Peter.

[Presenting his petition.] Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown.

Q. Mar.

What sayst thou? Did the Duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown? 32

Pet.

That my master was? No, forsooth: my master said that he was; and that the king was an usurper.

Suf.

Who is there? 36

Enter Servants.

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

[Exeunt Servants with Peter.

Q. Mar.

And as for you, that love to be protected 40

Under the wings of our protector’s grace,

Begin your suits anew and sue to him.

[Tears the petitions.

Away, base cullions! Suffolk, let them go.

All.

Come, let’s be gone. 44

[Exeunt Petitioners.

Q. Mar.

My Lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise,

Is this the fashion of the court of England?

Is this the government of Britain’s isle,

And this the royalty of Albion’s king? 48

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? 52

I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours

Thou ran’st a tilt in honour of my love,

And stol’st away the ladies’ hearts of France,

I thought King Henry had resembled thee 56

In courage, courtship, and proportion:

But all his mind is bent to holiness,

To number Ave-Maries on his beads;

His champions are the prophets and apostles;

His weapons holy saws of sacred writ; 61

His study is his tilt-yard, and his loves

Are brazen images of canoniz’d saints.

I would the college of the cardinals 64

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.

Suf.

Madam, be patient; as I was cause 68

Your highness came to England, so will I

In England work your Grace’s full content.

Q. Mar.

Beside the haught protector, have we Beaufort

The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham, 72

And grumbling York; and not the least of these

But can do more in England than the king.

Suf.

And he of these that can do most of all

Cannot do more in England than the Nevils: 76

Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.

Q. Mar.

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, 80

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. 84

Shall I not live to be aveng’d on her?

Contemptuous base-born callot as she is,

She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’other day

The very train of her worst wearing gown 88

Was better worth than all my father’s lands,

Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.

Suf.

Madam, myself have lim’d a bush for her,

And plac’d a quire of such enticing birds 92

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. 96

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 100

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, York, and Somerset; Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Cardinal Beaufort, Buckingham, Salisbury, and Warwick.

K. Hen.

For my part, noble lords, I care not which; 104

Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.

York.

If York have ill demean’d himself in France,

Then let him be denay’d the regentship.

Som.

If Somerset be unworthy of the place,

Let York be regent; I will yield to him. 109

War.

Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no,

Dispute not that: York is the worthier.

Car.

Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. 112

War

The cardinal’s not my better in the field.

Buck.

All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick.

War.

Warwick may live to be the best of all.

Sal.

Peace, son! and show some reason, Buckingham, 116

Why Somerset should be preferr’d in this.

Q. Mar.

Because the king, forsooth, will have it so.

Glo.

Madam, the king is old enough himself

To give his censure: these are no women’s matters. 120

Q. Mar.

If he be old enough, what needs your Grace

To be protector of his excellence?

Glo.

Madam, I am protector of the realm;

And at his pleasure will resign my place. 124

Suf.

Resign it then and leave thine insolence.

Since thou wertking,—as who is king but thou?—

The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack;

The Dauphin hath prevail’d beyond the seas;

And all the peers and nobles of the realm 129

Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty.

Car.

The commons hast thou rack’d; the clergy’s bags

Are lank and lean with thy extortions. 132

Som.

Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife’s attire

Have cost a mass of public treasury.

Buck.

Thy cruelty in execution

Upon offenders hath exceeded law, 136

And left thee to the mercy of the law.

Q. Mar.

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.

[Exit Gloucester. The Queen drops her fan.

Give me my fan: what, minion! can ye not?

[Giving the Duchess a box on the ear.

I cry you mercy, madam, was it you?

Duch.

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. 145

K. Hen.

Sweet aunt, be quiet; ’twas against her will.

Duch.

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, 149

She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unreveng’d.

[Exit.

Buck.

Lord Cardinal, I will follow Eleanor,

And listen after Humphrey, how he proceeds:

She’s tickled now; her fume can need no spurs,

She’ll gallop far enough to her destruction.

[Exit Buckingham.

Re-enter Gloucester.

Glo.

Now, lords, my choler being over-blown

With walking once about the quadrangle, 156

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 160

As I in duty love my king and country!

But to the matter that we have in hand.

I say, my sov’reign, York is meetest man

To be your regent in the realm of France. 164

Suf.

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: 168

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, 172

Till France be won into the Dauphin’s hands.

Last time I danc’d attendance on his will

Till Paris was besieg’d, famish’d, and lost.

War.

That can I witness; and a fouler fact

Did never traitor in the land commit. 177

Suf.

Peace, headstrong Warwick!

War.

Image of pride, why should I hold my peace?

Enter Servants of Suffolk, bringing in Horner and Peter.

Suf.

Because here is a man accus’d of treason: 180

Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself!

York.

Doth any one accuse York for a traitor?

K. Hen.

What mean’st thou, Suffolk? tell me, what are these?

Suf.

Please it your majesty, this is the man

That doth accuse his master of high treason. 185

His words were these: that Richard, Duke of York,

Was rightful heir unto the English crown,

And that your majesty was a usurper. 188

K. Hen.

Say, man, were these thy words?

Hor.

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. 192

Pet.

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 armour.

York.

Base dunghill villain, and mechanical,

I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech.

I do beseech your royal majesty 198

Let him have all the rigour of the law.

Hor.

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.

K. Hen

Uncle, what shall we say to this in law?

Glo.

This doom, my lord, if I may judge. 208

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; 212

For he hath witness of his servant’s malice.

This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.

K. Hen.

Then be it so. My Lord of Somerset,

We make your Grace lord regent o’er the French. 216

Som.

I humbly thank your royal majesty.

Hor.

And I accept the combat willingly.

Pet.

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!

Glo.

Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang’d. 224

K. Hen.

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.

[Exeunt.

Scene IV.— The Same. The Duke of Gloucester’s Garden.

Enter Margery Jourdain, Hume, Southwell, and Bolingbroke.

Hume.

Come, my masters; the duchess, I tell you, expects performance of your promises.

Boling.

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

Hume.

Ay; what else? fear you not her courage.

Boling.

I have heard her reported to be a woman of 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. [Exit Hume.] Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate, and grovel on the earth; John Southwell, read you; and let us to our work.

Enter Duchess aloft, Hume following.

Duch.

Well said, my masters, and welcome all. 16

To this gear the sooner the better.

Boling.

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; 20

The time when screech-owls cry, and ban-dogs 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 hallow’d verge. 25

[Here they perform the ceremonies belonging, and make the circle; Bolingbroke, or Southwell reads, Conjuro te, &c. It thunders and lightens terribly; then the Spirit riseth.

Spir.

Adsum.

M. Jourd.

Asmath!

By the eternal God, whose name and power 28

Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask;

For till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence.

Spir.

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

Boling.

First, of the king: what shall of him become? 32

Spir.

The Duke yet lives that Henry shall depose;

But him outlive, and die a violent death.

[As the Spirit speaks, Southwell writes the answers.

Boling.

What fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk?

Spir.

By water shall he die and take his end.

Boling.

What shall befall the Duke of Somerset? 37

Spir.

Let him shun castles:

Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains

Than where castles mounted stand. 40

Have done, for more I hardly can endure.

Boling.

Descend to darkness and the burning lake!

False fiend, avoid!

[Thunder and lightning. Spirit descends.

Enter York and Buckingham, hastily, with their Guards, and Others.

York.

Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash. 44

Beldam, I think we watch’d you at an inch.

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, 48

See you well guerdon’d for these good deserts.

Duch.

Not half so bad as thine to England’s king,

Injurious duke, that threat’st where is no cause.

Buck.

True, madam, none at all. What call you this?

[Showing her the papers.

Away with them! let them be clapp’d up close 53

And kept asunder. You, madam, shall with us:

Stafford, take her to thee.—

[Exeunt above, Duchess and Hume guarded.

We’ll see your trinkets here all forthcoming. 56

All, away!

[Exeunt Southwell, Bolingbroke, &c., guarded.

York.

Lord Buckingham, methinks you watch’d her well:

A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon!

Now, pray, my lord, let’s see the devil’s writ. 60

What have we here?

The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose;

But him outlive, and die a violent death.

Why, this is just, 64

Aio te, Æacida, Romanos vincere posse.

Well, to the rest:

Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk?

By water shall he die and take his end. 68

What shall betide the Duke of Somerset?

Let him shun castles:

Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains

Than where castles mounted stand. 72

Come, come, my lords; these oracles

Are hardly attain’d, and hardly understood.

The king is now in progress towards Saint Alban’s;

With him, the husband of this lovely lady: 76

Thither go these news as fast as horse can carry them,

A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector.

Buck.

Your Grace shall give me leave, my Lord of York,

To be the post, in hope of his reward. 80

York.

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

Enter a Serving-man.

Invite my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick

To sup with me to-morrow night. Away!

[Flourish. Exeunt.

ACT II.

Scene I.— St. Alban’s.

Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Gloucester, Cardinal Beaufort, and Suffolk, with Falconers, hollaing.

Q. Mar.

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. 4

K. Hen.

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. 8

Suf.

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.

Glo.

My lord, ’tis but a base ignoble mind 13

That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.

Car.

I thought as much; he’d be above the clouds.

Glo.

Ay, my Lord Cardinal; how think you by that? 16

Were it not good your Grace could fly to heaven?

K. Hen.

The treasury of everlasting joy.

Car.

Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts

Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart; 20

Pernicious protector, dangerous peer,

That smooth’st it so with king and commonweal!

Glo.

What! cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory?

Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ? 24

Churchmen so hot? good uncle, hide such malice;

With such holiness can you do it?

Suf.

No malice, sir; no more than well becomes

So good a quarrel and so bad a peer. 28

Glo.

As who, my lord?

Suf.

Why, as you, my lord,

An’t like your lordly lord-protectorship.

Glo.

Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence.

Q. Mar.

And thy ambition, Gloucester.

K. Hen.

I prithee, peace, 32

Good queen, and whet not on these furious peers;

For blessed are the peacemakers on earth.

Car.

Let me be blessed for the peace I make

Against this proud protector with my sword! 36

Glo.

[Aside to the Cardinal.] Faith, holy uncle, would ’twere come to that!

Car.

[Aside to Gloucester.] Marry, when thou dar’st.

Glo.

[Aside to the Cardinal.] Make up no factious numbers for the matter;

In thine own person answer thy abuse. 40

Car.

[Aside to Gloucester.] Ay, where thou dar’st not peep: an if thou dar’st,

This evening on the east side of the grove.

K. Hen.

How now, my lords!

Car.

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. 45

Glo.

True, uncle.

Car.

Are you advis’d? [Aside to Gloucester] the east side of the grove.

Glo.

[Aside to the Cardinal.] Cardinal, I am with you. 48

K. Hen.

Why, how now, uncle Gloucester!

Glo.

Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord.—

[Aside to the Cardinal.] Now, by God’s mother, priest, I’ll shave your crown

For this, or all my fence shall fail. 52

Car.

[Aside to Gloucester.] Medice teipsum;

Protector, see to’t well, protect yourself.

K. Hen.

The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords.

How irksome is this music to my heart! 56

When such strings jar, what hope of harmony?

I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.

Enter One, crying, ‘A Miracle.’

Glo.

What means this noise?

Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim? 60

One.

A miracle! a miracle!

Suf.

Come to the king, and tell him what miracle.

One.

Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine,

Within this half hour hath receiv’d his sight; 64

A man that ne’er saw in his life before.

K. Hen.

Now, God be prais’d, that to believing souls

Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair!

Enter the Mayor of Saint Alban’s, and his Brethren, and Simpcox, borne between two persons in a chair; his Wife and a great multitude following.

Car.

Here comes the townsmen on procession,

To present your highness with the man. 69

K. Hen.

Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,

Although by his sight his sin be multiplied.

Glo.

Stand by, my masters; bring him near the king: 72

His highness’ pleasure is to talk with him.

K. Hen.

Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance,

That we for thee may glorify the Lord.

What! hast thou been long blind, and now restor’d? 76

Simp.

Born blind, an’t please your Grace.

Wife.

Ay, indeed, was he.

Suf.

What woman is this?

Wife.

His wife, an’t like your worship. 80

Glo.

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

K. Hen.

Where wert thou born?

Simp.

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

K. Hen.

Poor soul! God’s goodness hath been great to thee: 84

Let never day nor night unhallow’d pass,

But still remember what the Lord hath done.

Q. Mar.

Tell me, good fellow, cam’st thou here by chance,

Or of devotion, to this holy shrine? 88

Simp.

God knows, of pure devotion; being call’d

A hundred times and oft’ner in my sleep,

By good Saint Alban; who said, ‘Simpcox, come;

Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.’

Wife.

Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft 93

Myself have heard a voice to call him so.

Car.

What! art thou lame?

Simp.

Ay, God Almighty help me!

Suf.

How cam’st thou so?

Simp.

A fall off of a tree. 96

Wife.

A plum-tree, master.

Glo.

How long hast thou been blind?

Simp.

O! born so, master.

Glo.

What! and wouldst climb a tree?

Simp.

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

Wife.

Too true; and bought his climbing very dear. 100

Glo.

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

Simp.

Alas! master, my wife desir’d some damsons,

And made me climb with danger of my life.

Glo.

A subtle knave! but yet it shall not serve.

Let me see thine eyes: wink now: now open them: 105

In my opinion yet thou seest not well.

Simp.

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

Glo.

Sayst thou me so? What colour is this cloak of? 108

Simp.

Red, master; red as blood.

Glo.

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

Simp.

Black, forsooth; coal-black, as jet.

K. Hen.

Why then, thou know’st what colour jet is of? 112

Suf.

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

Glo.

But cloaks and gowns before this day a many.

Wife.

Never, before this day, in all his life.

Glo.

Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name? 116

Simp.

Alas! master, I know not.

Glo.

What’s his name?

Simp.

I know not.

Glo.

Nor his? 120

Simp.

No, indeed, master.

Glo.

What’s thine own name?

Simp.

Saunder Simpcox, an if it please you, master.

Glo.

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

Simp.

O, master, that you could! 133

Glo.

My masters of Saint Alban’s, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips? 136

May.

Yes, my lord, if it please your Grace.

Glo.

Then send for one presently.

May.

Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight.

[Exit an Attendant.

Glo.

Now fetch me a stool hither by and by.

[A stool brought out.] Now, sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap me over this stool and run away.

Simp.

Alas! master, I am not able to stand alone: 144

You go about to torture me in vain.

Re-enter Attendant, and a Beadle with a whip.

Glo.

Well, sir, we must have you find your legs. Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool. 148

Bead.

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

Simp.

Alas! master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand. 152

[After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over the stool, and runs away: and the people follow and cry, ‘A miracle!’

K. Hen.

O God! seest thou this, and bear’st so long?

Q. Mar.

It made me laugh to see the villain run.

Glo.

Follow the knave; and take this drab away.

Wife.

Alas! sir, we did it for pure need. 156

Glo.

Let them be whipp’d through every market town

Till they come to Berwick, from whence they came.

[Exeunt Mayor, Beadle, Wife, &c.

Car.

Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day.

Suf.

True; made the lame to leap and fly away. 160

Glo.

But you have done more miracles than I;

You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly.

Enter Buckingham.

K. Hen.

What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?

Buck.

Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. 164

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, 168

Have practis’d 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, 173

And other of your highness’ privy council,

As more at large your Grace shall understand.

Car.

And so, my Lord Protector, by this means

Your lady is forthcoming yet at London. 177

This news, I think, hath turn’d your weapon’s edge;

’Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.

Glo.

Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart: 180

Sorrow and grief have vanquish’d all my powers;

And, vanquish’d as I am, I yield to thee,

Or to the meanest groom.

K. Hen.

O God! what mischiefs work the wicked ones, 184

Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby.

Q. Mar.

Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy nest;

And look thyself be faultless, thou wert best.

Glo.

Madam, for myself, to heaven I do appeal,

How I have lov’d my king and commonweal; 189

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 192

Honour and virtue, and convers’d 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, 196

That hath dishonour’d Gloucester’s honest name.

K. Hen.

Well, for this night we will repose us here:

To-morrow toward London back again,

To look into this business thoroughly, 200

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. Exeunt.

Scene II.— London. The Duke of York’s Garden.

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, 4

Which is infallible to England’s crown.

Sal.

My lord, I long to hear it at full.

War.

Sweet York, begin; and if thy claim be good,

The Nevils are thy subjects to command. 8

York.

Then thus:

Edward the Third, my lords, had seven sons:

The first, Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales;

The second, William of Hatfield; and the third,

Lionel, Duke of Clarence; next to whom 13

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; 16

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, reign’d as king; 20

Till Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster,

The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt,

Crown’d by the name of Henry the Fourth,

Seiz’d on the realm, depos’d the rightful king, 24

Sent his poor queen to France, from whence she came,

And him to Pomfret; where as all you know,

Harmless Richard was murder’d traitorously.

War.

Father, the duke hath told the truth;

Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown. 29

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 reign’d. 32

Sal.

But William of Hatfield died without an heir.

York.

The third son, Duke of Clarence, from whose line

I claim the crown, had issue, Philippe a daughter,

Who married Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March:

Edmund had issue Roger, Earl of March: 37

Roger had issue Edmund, Anne, and Eleanor.

Sal.

This Edmund, in the reign of Bolingbroke,

As I have read, laid claim unto the crown; 40

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, 44

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 48

Of Edmund Mortimer; who married Philippe,

Sole daughter unto Lionel, Duke of Clarence:

So, if the issue of the eldest son

Succeed before the younger, I am king. 52

War.

What plain proceeding 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: 56

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 60

That shall salute our rightful sovereign

With honour of his birthright to the crown.

Both.

Long live our sovereign Richard, England’s king!

York.

We thank you, lords! But I am not your king 64

Till I be crown’d, and that my sword be stain’d

With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster;

And that’s not suddenly to be perform’d,

But with advice and silent secrecy. 68

Do you as I do in these dangerous days,

Wink at the Duke of Suffolk’s insolence,

At Beaufort’s pride, at Somerset’s ambition,

At Buckingham and all the crew of them, 72

Till they have snar’d 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. 76

Sal.

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

War.

My heart assures me that the Earl of Warwick

Shall one day make the Duke of York a king.

York.

And, Nevil, this I do assure myself, 80

Henry VI, Part 2, by W. Hamilton.

Richard shall live to make the Earl of Warwick

The greatest man in England but the king.

[Exeunt.

Scene III.— The Same. A Hall of Justice.

Trumpets sounded. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Gloucester, York, Suffolk, and Salisbury; the Duchess of Gloucester, Margery Jourdain, Southwell, Hume, and Bolingbroke, under guard.

K. Hen.

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 adjudg’d to death. 4

You four, from hence to prison back again;

From thence, unto the place of execution:

The witch in Smithfield shall be burn’d to ashes,

And you three shall be strangled on the gallows.

You, madam, for you are more nobly born, 9

Despoiled of your honour in your life,

Shall, after three days’ open penance done,

Live in your country here, in banishment, 12

With Sir John Stanley, in the Isle of Man.

Duch.

Welcome is banishment; welcome were my death.

Glo.

Eleanor, the law, thou seest, hath judged thee:

I cannot justify whom the law condemns.— 16

[Exeunt the Duchess, and the other Prisoners, guarded.

Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief.

Ah, Humphrey! this dishonour in thine age

Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground.

I beseech your majesty, give me leave to go; 20

Sorrow would solace and mine age would ease.

K. Hen.

Stay, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester: ere thou go,

Give up thy staff: Henry will to himself

Protector be; and God shall be my hope, 24

My stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet.

And go in peace, Humphrey; no less belov’d

Than when thou wert protector to thy king.

Q. Mar.

I see no reason why a king of years 28

Should be to be protected like a child.

God and King Henry govern England’s helm!

Give up your staff, sir, and the king his realm.

Glo.

My staff! here, noble Henry, is my staff: 32

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. 36

Farewell, good king! when I am dead and gone,

May honourable peace attend thy throne.

[Exit.

Q. Mar.

Why, now is Henry king, and Margaret queen;

And Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, scarce himself, 40

That bears so shrewd a maim: two pulls at once;

His lady banish’d, and a limb lopp’d off;

This staff of honour raught: there let it stand,

Where it best fits to be, in Henry’s hand. 44

Suf.

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; 48

And ready are the appellant and defendant,

The armourer and his man, to enter the lists,

So please your highness to behold the fight.

Q. Mar.

Ay, good my lord; for purposely therefore 52

Left I the court, to see this quarrel tried.

K. Hen.

O’ 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 bested, 56

Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant,

The servant of this armourer, my lords.

Enter, on one side, Horner, and his Neighbours drinking to him so much that he is drunk; and he enters bearing his staff with a sand-bag fastened to it; a drum before him: on the other side, Peter, with a drum and a sand-bag; and Prentices drinking to him.

First Neigh.

Here, neighbour Horner, I drink to you in a cup of sack: and fear not, neighbour, you shall do well enough. 61

Sec. Neigh.

And here, neighbour, here’s a cup of charneco.

Third Neigh.

And here’s a pot of good double beer, neighbour: drink, and fear not your man.

Hor.

Let it come, i’ faith, and I’ll pledge you all; and a fig for Peter! 68

First Pren.

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

Sec. Pren.

Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master: fight for credit of the prentices. 72

Peter.

I thank you all: drink, and pray for me, I pray you; for, I think, I have taken my last draught 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. O Lord bless me! I pray God, for I am never able to deal with my master, he hath learnt so much fence already. 80

Sal.

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

Peter.

Peter, forsooth.

Sal.

Peter! what more? 84

Peter.

Thump.

Sal.

Thump! then see thou thump thy master well.

Hor.

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! 94

York.

Dispatch: this knave’s tongue begins to double.

Sound, trumpets, alarum to the combatants.

[Alarum. They fight, and Peter strikes down his Master.

Hor.

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

[Dies.

York.

Take away his weapon. Fellow, thank

God, and the good wine in thy master’s way. 100

Peter.

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

K. Hen.

Go, take hence that traitor from our sight; 104

For by his death we do perceive his guilt:

And God in justice hath reveal’d to us

The truth and innocence of this poor fellow,

Which he had thought to have murder’d wrongfully. 108

Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward.

[Sound a flourish. Exeunt.

Scene IV.— The Same. A Street.

Enter Gloucester and Serving-men, in mourning cloaks.

Glo.

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. 4

Sirs, what’s o’clock?

Serv.

Ten, my lord.

Glo.

Ten is the hour that was appointed me

To watch the coming of my punish’d duchess:

Uneath may she endure the flinty streets, 8

To tread them with her tender-feeling feet.

Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble mind abrook

The abject people, gazing on thy face

With envious looks still laughing at thy shame,

That erst did follow thy proud chariot wheels 13

When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets.

But, soft! I think she comes; and I’ll prepare

My tear-stain’d eyes to see her miseries. 16

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

Serv.

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

Glo.

No, stir not, for your lives; let her pass by.

Duch.

Come you, my lord, to see my open shame?

Now thou dost penance too. Look! how they gaze. 20

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, 24

And ban thine enemies, both mine and thine!

Glo.

Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief.

Duch.

Ay, Gloucester, teach me to forget myself;

For whilst I think I am thy wedded wife, 28

And thou a prince, protector of this land,

Methinks I should not thus be led along,

Mail’d up in shame, with papers on my back,

And follow’d with a rabble that rejoice 32

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,

And bid me be advised how I tread. 36

Ah, Humphrey! can I bear this shameful yoke?

Trow’st thou that e’er I’ll look upon the world,

Or count them happy that enjoy the sun?

No; dark shall be my light, and night my day;

To think upon my pomp shall be my hell. 41

Sometime I’ll say, I am Duke Humphrey’s wife;

And he a prince and ruler of the land:

Yet so he rul’d and such a prince he was 44

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 axe of death 49

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, 52

And York, and impious Beaufort, that false priest,

Have all lim’d bushes to betray thy wings;

And, fly thou how thou canst, they’ll tangle thee:

But fear not thou, until thy foot be snar’d, 56

Nor never seek prevention of thy foes.

Glo.

Ah, Nell! forbear: thou aimest all awry;

I must offend before I be attainted;

And had I twenty times so many foes, 60

And each of them had twenty times their power,

All these could not procure me any scath,

So long as I am loyal, true, and crimeless.

Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach? 64

Why, yet thy scandal were not wip’d 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; 68

These few days’ wonder will be quickly worn.

Enter a Herald.

Her.

I summon your Grace to his majesty’s parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. 72

Glo.

And my consent ne’er ask’d herein before!

This is close dealing. Well, I will be there.

[Exit Herald.

My Nell, I take my leave: and, master sheriff,

Let not her penance exceed the king’s commission. 76

Sher.

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.

Glo

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

Stan.

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

Glo.

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 84

You do it her: and so, Sir John, farewell.

Duch.

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

Glo.

Witness my tears, I cannot stay to speak.

[Exeunt Gloucester and Serving-men.

Duch.

Art thou gone too? All comfort go with thee! 88

For none abides with me: my joy is death;

Death, at whose name I oft have been afear’d,

Because I wish’d this world’s eternity.

Stanley, I prithee, go, and take me hence; 92

I care not whither, for I beg no favour,

Only convey me where thou art commanded.

Stan.

Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man;

There to be us’d according to your state. 96

Duch.

That’s bad enough, for I am but reproach:

And shall I then be us’d reproachfully?

Stan.

Like to a duchess, and Duke Humphrey’s lady:

According to that state you shall be us’d. 100

Duch.

Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare,

Although thou hast been conduct of my shame.

Sher.

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

Duch.

Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharg’d. 104

Come, Stanley, shall we go?

Stan.

Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet,

And go we to attire you for our journey.

Duch.

My shame will not be shifted with my sheet: 108

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.

[Exeunt.

ACT III.

Scene I.— The Abbey at Bury St. Edmund’s.

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

K. Hen.

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.

Q. Mar.

Can you not see? or will ye not observe 4

The strangeness of his alter’d countenance?

With what a majesty he bears himself,

How insolent of late he is become,

How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? 8

We know the time since he was mild and affable,

An if we did but glance a far-off look,

Immediately he was upon his knee,

That all the court admir’d him for submission:

But meet him now, and, be it in the morn, 13

When everyone will give the time of day,

He knits his brow and shows an angry eye,

And passeth by with stiff unbowed knee, 16

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. 20

First note that he is near you in descent,

And should you fall, he is the next will mount.

Me seemeth then it is no policy,

Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears, 24

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, 28

And when he please to make commotion,

’Tis to be fear’d they all will follow him.

Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted;

Suffer them now and they’ll o’ergrow the garden, 32

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; 36

Which fear if better reasons can supplant,

I will subscribe and say I wrong’d the duke.

My Lord of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York,

Reprove my allegation if you can 40

Or else conclude my words effectual.

Suf.

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. 44

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, 48

As, next the king he was successive heir,

And such high vaunts of his nobility,

Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess,

By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall. 52

Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep,

And in his simple show he harbours treason.

The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb:

No, no, my sov’reign; Gloucester is a man 56

Unsounded yet, and full of deep deceit.

Car.

Did he not, contrary to form of law,

Devise strange deaths for small offences 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.

Buck.

Tut! these are petty faults to faults unknown, 64

Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.

K. Hen.

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, 68

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 72

To dream on evil, or to work my downfall.

Q. Mar.

Ah! what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance!

Seems he a dove? his feathers are but borrow’d,

For he’s disposed as the hateful raven: 76

Is he a lamb? his skin is surely lent him,

For he’s inclin’d as is the ravenous wolf.

Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit?

Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all 80

Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.

Enter Somerset.

Som.

All health unto my gracious sovereign!

K. Hen.

Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?

Som.

That all your interest in those territories

Is utterly bereft you; all is lost. 85

K. Hen.

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. 88

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. 92

Enter Gloucester.

Glo.

All happiness unto my lord the king!

Pardon, my liege, that I have stay’d so long.

Suf.

Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon,

Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art: 96

I do arrest thee of high treason here.

Glo.

Well, Suffolk’s duke, thou shalt not see me blush,

Nor change my countenance for this arrest:

A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. 100

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, 104

And, being protector, stay’d the soldiers’ pay;

By means whereof his highness hath lost France.

Glo.

Is it but thought so? What are they that think it?

I never robb’d the soldiers of their pay, 108

Nor ever had one penny bribe from France.

So help me God, as I have watch’d the night,

Ay, night by night, in studying good for England,

That doit that e’er I wrested from the king, 112

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 disbursed to the garrisons, 117

And never ask’d for restitution.

Car.

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

Glo.

I say no more than truth, so help me God! 120

York.

In your protectorship you did devise

Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of,

That England was defam’d by tyranny.

Glo.

Why, ’tis well known that, whiles I was protector, 124

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, 128

Or foul felonious thief that fleec’d poor passengers,

I never gave them condign punishment:

Murder, indeed, that bloody sin, I tortur’d

Above the felon or what trespass else. 132

Suf.

My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answer’d:

But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge,

Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.

I do arrest you in his highness’ name; 136

And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal

To keep until your further time of trial.

K. Hen.

My Lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope

That you will clear yourself from all suspect: 140

My conscience tells me you are innocent.

Glo.

Ah! gracious lord, these days are dangerous.

Virtue is chok’d with foul ambition,

And charity chas’d hence by rancour’s hand; 144

Foul subornation is predominant,

And equity exil’d 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, 149

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. 153

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; 157

And dogged York, that reaches at the moon,

Whose overweening arm I have pluck’d back,

By false accuse doth level at my life: 160

And you, my sov’reign lady, with the rest,

Causeless have laid disgraces on my head,

And with your best endeavour have stirr’d up

My liefest liege to be mine enemy. 164

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; 169

The ancient proverb will be well effected:

‘A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.’

Car.

My liege, his railing is intolerable. 172

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, 176

’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.

Suf.

Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here

With ignominious words, though clerkly couch’d,

As if she had suborned some to swear 180

False allegations to o’erthrow his state?

Q. Mar.

But I can give the loser leave to chide.

Glo.

Far truer spoke than meant: I lose, indeed;

Beshrew the winners, for they play’d me false!

And well such losers may have leave to speak.

Buck.

He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day.

Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.

Car.

Sirs, take away the duke, and guard him sure. 188

Glo.

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. 192

Ah! that my fear were false, ah! that it were;

For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.

[Exeunt Attendants with Gloucester.

K. Hen.

My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best

Do or undo, as if ourself were here. 196

Q. Mar.

What! will your highness leave the parliament?

K. Hen.

Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown’d with grief,

Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes,

My body round engirt with misery, 200

For what’s more miserable than discontent?

Ah! uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see

The map of honour, truth, and loyalty;

And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come

That e’er I prov’d thee false, or fear’d thy faith.

What low’ring star now envies thy estate,

That these great lords, and Margaret our queen,

Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? 208

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 strays,

Bearing it to the bloody slaughter-house, 212

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 nought but wail her darling’s loss;

Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case,

With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimm’d eyes

Look after him, and cannot do him good;

So mighty are his vowed enemies. 220

His fortunes I will weep; and, ’twixt each groan,

Say ‘Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.’

[Exit.

Q. Mar.

Fair lords, cold snow melts with the sun’s hot beams.

Henry my lord is cold in great affairs, 224

Too full of foolish pity; and Gloucester’s show

Beguiles him as the mournful crocodile

With sorrow snares relenting passengers;

Or as the snake, roll’d in a flow’ring bank, 228

With shining checker’d 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,— 232

This Gloucester should be quickly rid the world,

To rid us from the fear we have of him.

Car.

That he should die is worthy policy;

And yet we want a colour for his death. 236

’Tis meet he be condemn’d by course of law.

Suf.

But in my mind that were no policy:

The king will labour still to save his life;

The commons haply rise to save his life; 240

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.

Suf.

Ah! York, no man alive so fain as I. 244

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 248

To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,

As place Duke Humphrey for the king’s protector?

Q. Mar.

So the poor chicken should be sure of death.

Suf.

Madam, ’tis true: and were’t not madness, then, 252

To make the fox surveyor of the fold?

Who, being accus’d a crafty murderer,

His guilt should be but idly posted over

Because his purpose is not executed. 256

No; let him die, in that he is a fox,

By nature prov’d an enemy to the flock,

Before his chaps be stain’d with crimson blood,

As Humphrey, prov’d by reasons, to my liege.

And do not stand on quillets how to slay him:

Be it by gins, by snares, by subtilty,

Sleeping or waking, ’tis no matter how,

So he be dead; for that is good deceit 264

Which mates him first that first intends deceit.

Q. Mar.

Thrice noble Suffolk, ’tis resolutely spoke.

Suf.

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. 272

Car.

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; 276

I tender so the safety of my liege.

Suf.

Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing.

Q. Mar.

And so say I.

York.

And I: and now we three have spoke it, 280

It skills not greatly who impugns our doom.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain,

To signify that rebels there are up,

And put the Englishmen unto the sword. 284

Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime,

Before the wound do grow uncurable;

For, being green, there is great hope of help.

Car.

A breach that craves a quick expedient stop! 288

What counsel give you in this weighty cause?

York.

That Somerset be sent as regent thither.

’Tis meet that lucky ruler be employ’d;

Witness the fortune he hath had in France. 292

Som.

If York, with all his far-fet policy,

Had been the regent there instead of me,

He never would have stay’d in France so long.

York.

No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done: 296

I rather would have lost my life betimes

Than bring a burden of dishonour home,

By staying there so long till all were lost.

Show me one scar character’d on thy skin: 300

Men’s flesh preserv’d so whole do seldom win.

Q. Mar.

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 prov’d far worse than his.

York.

What! worse than nought? nay, then a shame take all.

Som.

And in the number thee, that wishest shame. 308

Car.

My Lord of York, try what your fortune is.

The uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms

And temper clay with blood of Englishmen:

To Ireland will you lead a band of men, 312

Collected choicely, from each county some,

And try your hap against the Irishmen?

York.

I will, my lord, so please his majesty.

Suf.

Why, our authority is his consent, 316

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. 320

Suf.

A charge, Lord York, that I will see perform’d.

But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey.

Car.

No more of him; for I will deal with him

That henceforth he shall trouble us no more. 324

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 Bristol I expect my soldiers; 328

For there I’ll ship them all for Ireland.

Suf.

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

[Exeunt all except York.

York.

Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts,

And change misdoubt to resolution: 332

Be that thou hop’st to be, or what thou art

Resign to death; it is not worth the enjoying.

Let pale-fac’d fear keep with the mean-born man,

And find no harbour in a royal heart. 336

Faster than spring-time showers comes thought on thought,

And not a thought but thinks on dignity.

My brain, more busy than the labouring spider,

Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies. 340

Well, nobles, well; ’tis politicly done,

To send me packing with a host of men:

I fear me you but warm the starved snake,

Who, cherish’d in your breasts, will sting your hearts. 344

’Twas men I lack’d, and you will give them me:

I take it kindly; yet be well assur’d

You put sharp weapons in a madman’s hands.

Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band, 348

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, 352

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 seduc’d a headstrong Kentishman, 356

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 360

Oppose himself against a troop of kerns,

And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts

Were almost like a sharp-quill’d porpentine:

And, in the end being rescu’d, I have seen 364

Him caper upright like a wild Morisco,

Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells.

Full often, like a shag-hair’d crafty kern,

Hath he conversed with the enemy, 368

And undiscover’d come to me again,

And given me notice of their villanies.

This devil here shall be my substitute;

For that John Mortimer, which now is dead, 372

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, rack’d, and tortured, 376

I know no pain they can inflict upon him

Will make him say I mov’d him to those arms.

Say that he thrive,—as ’tis great like he will,—

Why, then from Ireland come I with my strength, 380

And reap the harvest which that rascal sow’d;

For, Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,

And Henry put apart, the next for me.

[Exit.

Scene II.— Bury St. Edmund’s. A Room in the Palace.

Enter certain Murderers, hastily.

First Mur.

Run to my Lord of Suffolk; let him know

We have dispatch’d the duke, as he commanded.

Sec. Mur.

O! that it were to do. What have we done?

Didst ever hear a man so penitent? 4

Enter Suffolk.

First Mur.

Here comes my lord.

Suf.

Now, sirs, have you dispatch’d this thing?

First Mur.

Ay, my good lord, he’s dead.

Suf.

Why, that’s well said. Go, get you to my house; 8

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? 12

First Mur.

’Tis, my good lord.

Suf.

Away! be gone.

[Exeunt Murderers.

Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Cardinal Beaufort, Somerset, Lords, and Others.

K. Hen.

Go, call our uncle to our presence straight;

Say, we intend to try his Grace to-day, 16

If he be guilty, as ’tis published.

Suf.

I’ll call him presently, my noble lord.

[Exit.

K. Hen.

Lords, take your places; and, I pray you all,

Proceed no straiter ’gainst our uncle Gloucester

Than from true evidence, of good esteem, 21

He be approv’d in practice culpable.

Q. Mar.

God forbid any malice should prevail

That faultless may condemn a nobleman! 24

Pray God, he may acquit him of suspicion!

K. Hen.

I thank thee, Meg; these words content me much.

Re-enter Suffolk.

How now! why look’st thou pale? why tremblest thou?

Where is our uncle? what’s the matter, Suffolk? 28

Suf.

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

Q. Mar.

Marry, God forfend!

Car.

God’s secret judgment: I did dream to-night

The duke was dumb, and could not speak a word.

[The King swoons.

Q. Mar.

How fares my lord? Help, lords! the king is dead. 33

Som.

Rear up his body; wring him by the nose.

Q. Mar.

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

Suf.

He doth revive again. Madam, be patient. 36

K. Hen.

O heavenly God!

Q. Mar.

How fares my gracious lord?

Suf.

Comfort, my sovereign! grocious Henry, comfort!

K. Hen.

What! doth my Lord of Suffolk comfort me?

Came he right now to sing a raven’s note, 40

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-conceived sound? 44

Hide not thy poison with such sugar’d 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! 48

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, 52

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.

Q. Mar.

Why do you rate my Lord of Suffolk thus? 56

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 60

Or blood-consuming sighs recall his life,

I would be blind with weeping, sick with groans,

Look pale as primrose with blood-drinking sighs,

And all to have the noble duke alive. 64

What know I how the world may deem of me?

For it is known we were but hollow friends:

It may be judg’d I made the duke away:

So shall my name with slander’s tongue be wounded, 68

And princes’ courts be fill’d with my reproach.

This get I by his death. Ay me, unhappy!

To be a queen, and crown’d with infamy!

K. Hen.

Ah! woe is me for Gloucester, wretched man. 72

Q. Mar.

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? 76

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 statua and worship it, 80

And make my image but an alehouse sign.

Was I for this nigh wrack’d upon the sea,

And twice by awkward wind from England’s bank

Drove back again unto my native clime? 84

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 curs’d the gentle gusts 88

And he that loos’d them forth their brazen caves;

And bid them blow towards England’s blessed shore,

Or turn our stern upon a dreadful rock?

Yet Æolus would not be a murderer, 92

But left that hateful office unto thee:

The pretty vaulting sea refus’d to drown me,

Knowing that thou wouldst have me drown’d on shore

With tears as salt as sea through thy unkindness: 96

The splitting rocks cower’d 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. 100

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 104

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 receiv’d it, 108

And so I wish’d 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 call’d them blind and dusky spectacles 112

For losing ken of Albion’s wished coast.

How often have I tempted Suffolk’s tongue—

The agent of thy foul inconstancy—

To sit and witch me, as Ascanius did 116

When he to madding Dido would unfold

His father’s acts, commenc’d in burning Troy!

Am I not witch’d like her? or thou not false like him?

Ay me! I can no more. Die, Margaret! 120

For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long.

Noise within. Enter Warwick and Salisbury.

The Commons press to the door.

War.

It is reported, mighty sovereign,

That good Duke Humphrey trait’rously is murder’d

By Suffolk and the Cardinal Beaufort’s means.

The commons, like an angry hive of bees 125

That want their leader, scatter up and down,

And care not who they sting in his revenge.

Myself have calm’d their spleenful mutiny, 128

Until they hear the order of his death.

K. Hen.

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. 133

War.

That shall I do, my liege. Stay, Salisbury,

With the rude multitude till I return.

[Warwick goes into an inner chamber. Salisbury retires.

K. Hen.

O! Thou that judgest all things, stay my thoughts, 136

My thoughts that labour 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. 140

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 deaf dumb trunk, 144

And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling:

But all in vain are these mean obsequies,

And to survey his dead and earthly image

What were it but to make my sorrow greater?

Re-enter Warwick and Others bearing Gloucester’s body on a bed.

War.

Come hither, gracious sovereign, view this body. 149

K. Hen.

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. 152

War.

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 156

Upon the life of this thrice-famed duke.

Suf.

A dreadful oath, sworn with a solemn tongue!

What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow?

War.

See how the blood is settled in his face.

Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost, 161

Of ashy semblance, meagre, pale, and bloodless,

Being all descended to the labouring heart;

Who, in the conflict that it holds with death, 164

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, 168

His eyeballs further out than when he liv’d,

Staring full ghastly like a strangled man;

His hair uprear’d, his nostrils stretch’d with struggling:

His hands abroad display’d, as one that grasp’d

And tugg’d for life, and was by strength subdu’d.

Look on the sheets, his hair, you see, is sticking;

His well-proportion’d beard made rough and rugged,

Like to the summer’s corn by tempest lodg’d.

It cannot be but he was murder’d here; 177

The least of all these signs were probable.

Suf.

Why, Warwick, who should do the duke to death?

Myself and Beaufort had him in protection; 180

And we, I hope, sir, are no murderers.

War.

But both of you were vow’d Duke Humphrey’s foes,

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. 185

Q. Mar.

Then you, belike, suspect these noblemen

As guilty of Duke Humphrey’s timeless death.

War.

Who finds the heifer dead, and bleeding fresh, 188

And sees fast by a butcher with an axe,

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, 192

Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak?

Even so suspicious is this tragedy.

Q. Mar.

Are you the butcher, Suffolk? where’s your knife?

Is Beaufort term’d a kite? where are his talons?

Suf.

I wear no knife to slaughter sleeping men; 197

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.

[Exeunt Cardinal Beaufort, Somerset, and Others.

War.

What dares not Warwick, if false Suffolk dare him?

Q. Mar.

He dares not calm his contumelious spirit, 204

Nor cease to be an arrogant controller,

Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times.

War.

Madam, be still, with reverence may I say;

For every word you speak in his behalf 208

Is slander to your royal dignity.

Suf.

Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanour!

If ever lady wrong’d her lord so much,

Thy mother took into her blameful bed 212

Some stern untutor’d churl, and noble stock

Was graft with crab-tree slip; whose fruit thou art,

And never of the Nevils’ noble race.

War.

But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee, 216

And I should rob the deathsman of his fee,

Quitting thee thereby of ten thousand shames,

And that my sov’reign’s presence makes me mild,

I would, false murd’rous coward, on thy knee

Make thee beg pardon for thy passed speech, 221

And say it was thy mother that thou meant’st;

That thou thyself wast born in bastardy:

And after all this fearful homage done, 224

Give thee thy hire, and send thy soul to hell,

Pernicious blood-sucker of sleeping men.

Suf.

Thou shalt be waking while I shed thy blood,

If from this presence thou dar’st go with me.

War.

Away even now, or I will drag thee hence: 229

Unworthy though thou art, I’ll cope with thee,

And do some service to Duke Humphrey’s ghost.

[Exeunt Suffolk and Warwick.

K. Hen.

What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted! 232

Thrice is he arm’d that hath his quarrel just,

And he but naked, though lock’d up in steel,

Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

Q. Mar.

What noise is this?

[A noise within.

Re-enter Suffolk and Warwick, with their weapons drawn.

K. Hen.

Why, how now, lords! your wrathful weapons drawn 237

Here in our presence! dare you be so bold?

Why, what tumultuous clamour have we here?

Suf.

The traitorous Warwick, with the men of Bury, 240

Set all upon me, mighty sovereign.

Noise of a crowd within. Re-enter Salisbury.

Sal.

[Speaking to those within.] Sirs, stand apart; the king shall know your mind.

Dread lord, the commons send you word by me,

Unless false Suffolk straight be done to death,

Or banished fair England’s territories, 245

They will by violence tear him from your palace

And torture him with grievous lingering 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, 252

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 256

In pain of your dislike or pain of death,

Yet, notwithstanding such a strait edict,

Were there a serpent seen, with forked tongue,

That slily glided towards your majesty, 260

It were but necessary you were wak’d,

Lest, being suffer’d in that harmful slumber,

The mortal worm might make the sleep eternal:

And therefore do they cry, though you forbid,

That they will guard you, whe’r you will or no,

From such fell serpents as false Suffolk is;

With whose envenomed and fatal sting,

Your loving uncle, twenty times his worth, 268

They say, is shamefully bereft of life.

Commons.

[Within.] An answer from the king, my Lord of Salisbury!

Suf.

’Tis like the commons, rude unpolish’d hinds,

Could send such message to their sovereign; 272

But you, my lord, were glad to be employ’d,

To show how quaint an orator you are:

But all the honour Salisbury hath won

Is that he was the lord ambassador, 276

Sent from a sort of tinkers to the king.

Commons.

[Within.] An answer from the king, or we will all break in!

K. Hen.

Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me,

I thank them for their tender loving care; 280

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, 285

Whose far unworthy deputy I am,

He shall not breathe infection in this air

But three days longer, on the pain of death. 288

[Exit Salisbury.

Q. Mar.

O Henry! let me plead for gentle Suffolk.

K. Hen.

Ungentle queen, to call him gentle Suffolk!

No more, I say; if thou dost plead for him

Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath. 292

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, 296

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.

[Exeunt King Henry, Warwick, Lords, &c.

Q. Mar.

Mischance and sorrow go along with you! 300

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!

Suf.

Cease, gentle queen, these execrations,

And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave.

Q. Mar.

Fie, coward woman and soft-hearted wretch!

Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemy? 308

Suf.

A plague upon them! Wherefore should I curse them?

Would curses kill, as doth the mandrake’s groan,

I would invent as bitter-searching terms,

As curst, as harsh and horrible to hear, 312

Deliver’d strongly through my fixed teeth,

With full as many signs of deadly hate,

As lean-fac’d Envy in her loathsome cave.

My tongue should stumble in mine earnest words; 316

Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint;

My hair be fix’d on end, as one distract;

Ay, every joint should seem to curse and ban:

And even now my burden’d 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 murdering basilisks! 324

Their softest touch as smart as lizard’s stings!

Their music frightful as the serpent’s hiss,

And boding screech-owls make the concert full!

All the foul terrors in dark-seated hell— 328

Q. Mar.

Enough, sweet Suffolk; thou torment’st thyself;

And these dread curses, like the sun ’gainst glass,

Or like an over-charged gun, recoil,

And turn the force of them upon thyself. 332

Suf.

You bade me ban, and will you bid me leave?

Now, by the ground that I am banish’d from,

Well could I curse away a winter’s night,

Though standing naked on a mountain top, 336

Where biting cold would never let grass grow,

And think it but a minute spent in sport.

Q. Mar.

O! let me entreat thee, cease! Give me thy hand,

That I may dew it with my mournful tears; 340

Nor let the rain of heaven wet this place,

To wash away my woeful monuments.

O! could this kiss be printed in thy hand,

[Kisses his hand.

That thou mightst think upon these by the seal,

Through whom a thousand sighs are breath’d for thee. 345

So, get thee gone, that I may know my grief;

’Tis but surmis’d whiles thou art standing by,

As one that surfeits thinking on a want. 348

I will repeal thee, or, be well assur’d,

Adventure to be banished myself;

And banished I am, if but from thee.

Go; speak not to me; even now be gone. 352

O! go not yet. Even thus two friends condemn’d

Embrace and kiss, and take ten thousand leaves,

Loather a hundred times to part than die.

Yet now farewell; and farewell life with thee!

Suf.

Thus is poor Suffolk ten times banished,

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, 360

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. 364

I can no more: live thou to joy thy life;

Myself to joy in nought but that thou liv’st.

Enter Vaux.

Q. Mar.

Whither goes Vaux so fast? what news, I prithee?

Vaux.

To signify unto his majesty 368

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.

Sometime he talks as if Duke Humphrey’s ghost

Were by his side; sometime he calls the king,

And whispers to his pillow, as to him,

The secrets of his overcharged soul: 376

And I am sent to tell his majesty

That even now he cries aloud for him.

Q. Mar.

Go tell this heavy message to the king.

[Exit Vaux.

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? 385

Now get thee hence: the king, thou know’st, is coming;

If thou be found by me thou art but dead.

Suf.

If I depart from thee I cannot live; 388

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, 392

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, 397

Or I should breathe it so into thy body,

And then it liv’d in sweet Elysium.

To die by thee, were but to die in jest; 400

From thee to die were torture more than death.

O! let me stay, befall what may befall!

Q. Mar.

Away! though parting be a fretful corsive,

It is applied to a deathful wound. 404

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.

Suf.

I go.

Q. Mar.

And take my heart with thee. 408

Suf.

A jewel, lock’d into the woefull’st cask

That ever did contain a thing of worth.

Even as a splitted bark, so sunder we:

This way fall I to death.

Q. Mar.

This way for me. 412

[Exeunt severally.

Scene III.— London. Cardinal Beaufort’s Bedchamber.

Enter King Henry, Salisbury, Warwick, and Others. The Cardinal in bed; Attendants with him.

K. Hen.

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

Car.

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. 4

K. Hen.

Ah! what a sign it is of evil life

Where death’s approach is seen so terrible.

War.

Beaufort, it is thy sov’reign speaks to thee.

Car.

Bring me unto my trial when you will. 8

Died he not in his bed? where should he die?

Can I make men live whe’r they will or no?

O! torture me no more, I will confess.

Alive again? then show me where he is: 12

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 winged soul. 16

Give me some drink; and bid the apothecary

Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.

K. Hen.

O thou eternal Mover of the heavens!

Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch; 20

O! beat away the busy meddling fiend

That lays strong siege unto this wretch’s soul,

And from his bosom purge this black despair.

War.

See how the pangs of death do make him grin! 24

Sal.

Disturb him not! let him pass peaceably.

K. Hen.

Peace to his soul, if God’s good pleasure be!

Lord Cardinal, if thou think’st on heaven’s bliss,

Hold up thy hand, make signal of thy hope. 28

He dies, and makes no sign. O God, forgive him!

War.

So bad a death argues a monstrous life.

K. Hen.

Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all.

Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close; 32

And let us all to meditation.

[Exeunt.

ACT IV.

Scene I.— Kent. The Seashore near Dover.

Firing heard at Sea. Then enter from a boat, a Captain, a Master, a Master’s-Mate, Walter Whitmore, and Others; with them Suffolk disguised, and other Gentlemen, prisoners.

Cap.

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; 4

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, 8

For, whilst our pinnace anchors in the Downs

Here shall they make their ransom on the sand,

Or with their blood stain this discolour’d shore.

Master, this prisoner freely give I thee: 12

And thou that art his mate make boot of this;

The other [Pointing to Suffolk], Walter Whitmore, is thy share.

First Gent.

What is my ransom, master? let me know.

Mast.

A thousand crowns, or else lay down your head. 16

Mate.

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

Cap.

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 21

Cannot be counterpois’d with such a petty sum!

First Gent.

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

Sec. Gent.

And so will I, and write home for it straight. 24

Whit.

I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboard,

[To Suffolk.] And therefore to revenge it shalt thou die;

And so should these if I might have my will.

Cap.

Be not so rash: take ransom; let him live. 28

Suf.

Look on my George; I am a gentleman:

Rate me at what thou wilt, thou shalt be paid.

Whit.

And so am I; my name is Walter Whitmore.

How now! why start’st thou? what! doth death affright? 32

Suf.

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; 36

Thy name is—Gaultier, being rightly sounded.

Whit.

Gaultier, or Walter, which it is I care not;

Never yet did base dishonour blur our name

But with our sword we wip’d away the blot: 40

Therefore, when merchant-like I sell revenge,

Broke be my sword, my arms torn and defac’d,

And I proclaim’d a coward through the world!

[Lays hold on Suffolk.

Suf.

Stay, Whitmore; for thy prisoner is a prince, 44

The Duke of Suffolk, William de la Pole.

Whit.

The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags!

Suf.

Ay, but these rags are no part of the duke:

Jove sometimes went disguis’d, and why not I?

Cap.

But Jove was never slain, as thou shalt be. 49

Suf.

Obscure and lowly swain, King Henry’s blood,

The honourable blood of Lancaster,

Must not be shed by such a jaded groom. 52

Hast thou not kiss’d thy hand and held my stirrup?

Bare-headed plodded by my foot-cloth mule,

And thought thee happy when I shook my head?

How often hast thou waited at my cup, 56

Fed from my trencher, kneel’d down at the board,

When I have feasted with Queen Margaret?

Remember it and let it make thee crest-fall’n;

Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride. 60

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.

Whit.

Speak, captain, shall I stab the forlorn swain? 65

Cap.

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

Suf.

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

Cap.

Convey him hence, and on our longboat’s side 68

Strike off his head.

Suf.

Thou dar’st not for thy own.

Cap.

Yes, Pole.

Suf.

Pole!

Cap.

Pool! Sir Pool! 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 73

For swallowing the treasure of the realm:

Thy lips, that kiss’d the queen, shall sweep the ground;

And thou, that smil’dst at good Duke Humphrey’s death, 76

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 80

Unto the daughter of a worthless king,

Having neither subject, wealth, nor diadem.

By devilish policy art thou grown great,

And, like ambitious Sylla, overgorg’d 84

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 88

Hath slain their governors, surpris’d our forts,

And sent the ragged soldiers wounded home.

The princely Warwick, and the Nevils all,

Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in vain, 92

As hating thee, are rising up in arms:

And now the house of York, thrust from the crown

By shameful murder of a guiltless king,

And lofty proud encroaching tyranny, 96

Burns with revenging fire; whose hopeful colours

Advance our half-fac’d sun, striving to shine,

Under the which is writ Invitis nubibus.

The commons here in Kent are up in arms; 100

And to conclude, reproach and beggary

Is crept into the palace of our king,

And all by thee. Away! convey him hence.

Suf.

O! that I were a god, to shoot forth thunder 104

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. 108

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; 113

I charge thee, waft me safely cross the Channel.

Cap.

Walter!

Whit.

Come, Suffolk, I must waft thee to thy death. 116

Suf.

Gelidus timor occupat artus: ’tis thee I fear.

Whit.

Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee.

What! are ye daunted now? now will ye stoop?

First Gent.

My gracious lord, entreat him, speak him fair. 120

Suf.

Suffolk’s imperial tongue is stern and rough,

Us’d to command, untaught to plead for favour.

Far be it we should honour such as these

With humble suit: no, rather let my head 124

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 uncover’d to the vulgar groom. 128

True nobility is exempt from fear:

More can I bear than you dare execute.

Cap.

Hale him away, and let him talk no more.

Suf.

Come, soldiers, show what cruelty ye can,

That this my death may never be forgot. 133

Great men oft die by vile bezonians.

A Roman sworder and banditto slave

Murder’d sweet Tully; Brutus’ bastard hand 136

Stabb’d Julius Cæsar; savage islanders

Pompey the Great; and Suffolk dies by pirates.

[Exit with Suffolk, Whitmore and Others.

Cap.

And as for these whose ransom we have set,

It is our pleasure one of them depart: 140

Therefore come you with us and let him go.

[Exeunt all but first Gentleman.

Re-enter Whitmore, with Suffolk’s body.

Whit.

There let his head and lifeless body lie,

Until the queen his mistress bury it.

[Exit.

First Gent.

O barbarous and bloody spectacle! 144

His body will I bear unto the king:

If he revenge it not, yet will his friends;

So will the queen, that living held him dear.

[Exit with the body.

Scene II.— Blackheath.

Enter George Bevis and John Holland.

Geo.

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

John.

They have the more need to sleep now then. 5

Geo.

I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dress the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon it. 8

John.

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

Geo.

O miserable age! Virtue is not regarded in handicrafts-men. 13

John.

The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.

Geo.

Nay, more; the king’s council are no good workmen. 17

John.

True; and yet it is said, ‘Labour in thy vocation:’ which is as much to say as, let the magistrates be labouring men; and therefore should we be magistrates. 21

Geo.

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

John.

I see them! I see them! There’s Best’s son, the tanner of Wingham,— 25

Geo.

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

John.

And Dick the butcher,— 28

Geo.

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

John.

And Smith the weaver,—

Geo.

Argo, their thread of life is spun. 32

John.

Come, come, let’s fall in with them.

Drum. Enter Cade, Dick the Butcher, Smith the Weaver, and a Sawyer, with infinite numbers.

Cade.

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

Dick.

[Aside.] Or rather, of stealing a cade of herrings. 37

Cade.

For our enemies shall fall before us, inspired with the spirit of putting down kings and princes,—Command silence. 40

Dick.

Silence!

Cade.

My father was a Mortimer.—

Dick.

[Aside.] He was an honest man, and a good bricklayer. 44

Cade.

My mother a Plantagenet,—

Dick.

[Aside.] I knew her well; she was a midwife.

Cade.

My wife descended of the Lacies,— 48

Dick.

[Aside.] She was, indeed, a pedlar’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. 53

Cade.

Therefore am I of an honourable house.

Dick.

[Aside.] Ay, by my faith, the field is honourable; and there was he born, under a hedge; for his father had never a house but the cage.

Cade.

Valiant I am. 60

Smith.

[Aside.] A’ 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. 68

Dick.

[Aside.] But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i’ the 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! 80

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. 85

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 bee’s wax, for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since. How now! who’s there? 95

Enter some, bringing in the Clerk of Chatham.

Smith.

The clerk of Chatham: he can write and read and cast accompt.

Cade.

O monstrous!

Smith.

We took him setting of boys’ copies.

Cade.

Here’s a villain! 100

Smith.

Has 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. 105

Cade.

I am sorry for’t: the man is a proper man, of mine honour; unless I find him guilty, he shall not die. Come hither, sirrah, I must examine thee. What is thy name? 109

Clerk.

Emmanuel.

Dick.

They use to write it on the top of letters. ’Twill go hard with you. 112

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. 117

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 ink-horn about his neck. 121

[Exeunt some with the Clerk.

Enter Michael.

Mich.

Where’s our general?

Cade.

Here I am, thou particular fellow.

Mich.

Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are hard by, with the king’s forces. 126

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 a’?

Mich.

No.

Cade.

To equal him, I will make myself a knight presently. [Kneels.] Rise up Sir John Mortimer. [Rises.] Now have at him. 133

Enter Sir Humphrey Stafford and William his Brother, with drum and Forces.

Staf.

Rebellious hinds, the filth and scum of Kent,

Mark’d for the gallows, lay your weapons down;

Home to your cottages, forsake this groom: 136

The king is merciful, if you revolt.

W. Staf.

But angry, wrathful, and inclin’d to blood,

If you go forward: therefore yield, or die.

Cade.

As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not: 140

It is to you, good people, that I speak,

O’er whom, in time to come I hope to reign;

For I am rightful heir unto the crown.

Staf.

Villain! thy father was a plasterer;

And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not? 145

Cade.

And Adam was a gardener.

W. Staf.

And what of that?

Cade.

Marry, this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, 148

Married the Duke of Clarence’ daughter, did he not?

Staf.

Ay, sir.

Cade.

By her he had two children at one birth.

W. Staf.

That’s false. 152

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, 156

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.

Staf.

And will you credit this base drudge’s words,

That speaks he knows not what? 164

All.

Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ye gone.

W Staf.

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

Cade.

[Aside.] He lies, 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. 172

Dick.

And furthermore, we’ll have the Lord Say’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 Say hath gelded the commonwealth, and made it a eunuch; and more than that, he can speak French; and therefore he is a traitor. 181

Staf.

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 counsellor, or no?

All.

No, no; and therefore we’ll have his head.

W. Staf.

Well, seeing gentle words will not prevail, 188

Assail them with the army of the king.

Staf.

Herald, away; and throughout every town

Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade;

That those which fly before the battle ends 192

May, even in their wives’ and children’s sight,

Be hang’d up for example at their doors:

And you, that be the king’s friends, follow me.

[Exeunt the two Staffords and Forces.

Cade.

And you, that love the commons, follow me. 196

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 200

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! 204

[Exeunt.

Scene III.— Another Part of Blackheath.

Alarums. The two parties enter and fight, and both the Staffords are slain.

Cade.

Where’s Dick, the butcher of Ashford?

Dick.

Here, sir.

Cade.

They fell before thee like sheep and oxen, and thou behavedst thyself as if thou hadst been in thine own slaughter-house: therefore thus will I reward thee, the Lent shall be as long again as it is; and thou shalt have a licence to kill for a hundred lacking one. 8

Dick.

I desire no more.

Cade.

And, to speak truth, thou deservest no less. This monument of the victory will I bear; [Puts on Sir Humphrey Stafford’s armour.] 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. 14

Dick.

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

Cade.

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

[Exeunt.

Scene IV.— London. A Room in the Palace.

Enter King Henry, reading a Supplication; the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Say with him: at a distance, Queen Margaret, mourning over Suffolk’s head.

Q. Mar.

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? 4

Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast;

But where’s the body that I should embrace?

Buck.

What answer makes your Grace to the rebels’ supplication? 8

K. Hen.

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, 12

Will parley with Jack Cade their general.

But stay, I’ll read it over once again.

Q. Mar.

Ah, barbarous villains! hath this lovely face

Rul’d like a wandering planet over me, 16

And could it not enforce them to relent,

That were unworthy to behold the same?

K. Hen.

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

Say.

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

K. Hen.

How now, madam!

Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk’s death?

I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,

Thou wouldest not have mourn’d so much for me. 24

Q. Mar.

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

Enter a Messenger.

K. Hen.

How now! what news? why com’st thou in such haste?

Mess.

The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord!

Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer, 28

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 32

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, 36

They call false caterpillars, and intend their death.

K. Hen.

O graceless men! they know not what they do.

Buck.

My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth,

Until a power be rais’d to put them down. 40

Q. Mar.

Ah! were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,

These Kentish rebels would be soon appeas’d.

K. Hen.

Lord Say, the traitors hate thee,

Therefore away with us to Killingworth. 44

Say.

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. 48

Enter a second Messenger.

Sec. Mess.

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 52

To spoil the city and your royal court.

Buck.

Then linger not, my lord; away! take horse.

K. Hen.

Come, Margaret; God, our hope, will succour us.

Q. Mar.

My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceas’d. 56

K. Hen.

[To Lord Say.] Farewell, my lord: trust not the Kentish rebels.

Buck.

Trust nobody, for fear you be betray’d.

Say.

The trust I have is in mine innocence,

And therefore am I bold and resolute.

[Exeunt.

Scene V.— The Same. The Tower.

Enter Lord Scales and Others, on the Walls. Then enter certain Citizens, below.

Scales.

How now! is Jack Cade slain?

First Cit.

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 honour 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; 8

The rebels have assay’d to win the Tower.

But get you to Smithfield and gather head,

And thither I will send you Matthew Goffe:

Fight for your king, your country, and your lives; 12

And so, farewell, for I must hence again.

[Exeunt.

Scene VI.— London. Cannon Street.

Enter Jack Cade, and his Followers. He 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.

Sold.

Jack Cade! Jack Cade! 8

Cade.

Knock him down there.

[They kill him.

Smith.

If this fellow be wise, he’ll never call you Jack Cade more: I think he hath a very fair warning. 12

Dick.

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.

[Exeunt.

Scene VII.— The Same. Smithfield.

Alarums. Enter, on one side, Cade and his company; on the other, Citizens, and the King’s Forces, headed by Matthew Goffe. They fight; the Citizens are routed, and Matthew Goffe is slain.

Cade.

So, sirs:—Now go some and pull down the Savoy; others to the inns of court: down with them all.

Dick.

I have a suit unto your lordship. 4

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. 8

John.

[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. 14

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.

John.

[Aside.] Then we are like to have biting statutes, unless his teeth be pulled out.

Cade.

And henceforward all things shall be in common. 21

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

My lord, a prize, a prize! here’s the Lord Say, which sold the towns in France; he that made us pay one-and-twenty fifteens, and one shilling to the pound, the last subsidy. 25

Enter George Bevis, with the Lord Say.

Cade.

Well, he shall be beheaded for it ten times. Ah! thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord; now art thou within pointblank 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 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 fore-fathers 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 car 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 foot-cloth, dost thou not?

Say.

What of that? 53

Cade.

Marry, thou oughtest not to let thy horse wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets. 56

Dick.

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

Say.

You men of Kent,—

Dick.

What say you of Kent? 60

Say.

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

Cade.

Away with him! away with him! he speaks Latin.

Say.

Hear me but speak, and bear me where you will. 64

Kent, in the Commentaries Cæsar writ,

Is term’d the civil’st place of all this isle:

Sweet is the country, because full of riches;

The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy; 68

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 favour have I always done; 72

Prayers and tears have mov’d me, gifts could never.

When have I aught exacted at your hands,

But to maintain the king, the realm, and you?

Large gifts have I bestow’d on learned clerks, 76

Because my book preferr’d me to the king,

And seeing ignorance is the curse of God,

Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven,

Unless you be possess’d with devilish spirits, 80

You cannot but forbear to murder me:

This tongue hath parley’d unto foreign kings

For your behoof,—

Cade.

Tut! when struck’st thou one blow in the field? 84

Say.

Great men have reaching hands: oft have I struck

Those that I never saw, and struck them dead.

Geo.

O monstrous coward! what, to come behind folks! 88

Say.

These cheeks are pale for watching for your good.

Cade.

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

Say.

Long sitting, to determine poor men’s causes, 92

Hath made me full of sickness and diseases.

Cade.

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

Dick.

Why dost thou quiver, man?. 96

Say.

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. 101

Say.

Tell me wherein have I offended most?

Have I affected wealth, or honour? speak.

Are my chests fill’d up with extorted gold? 104

Is my apparel sumptuous to behold?

Whom have I injur’d, that ye seek my death?

These hands are free from guiltless bloodshedding,

This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts. 108

O! let me live.

Cade.

[Aside.] 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 o’ 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. 118

All.

It shall be done.

Say.

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. 123

Cade.

Away with him! and do as I command ye. [Exeunt some, with Lord Say.] 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. 132

Dick.

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

Cade.

Marry, presently.

All.

O! brave! 136

Re-enter Rebels, with the heads of Lord Say and his Son-in-law.

Cade.

But is not this braver? Let them kiss one another, for they loved well when they were alive. 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! 144

[Exeunt.

Scene VIII.— The Same. Southwark.

Alarum. Enter Cade and all his Rabblement.

Cade.

Up Fish Street! down St. Magnus’ corner! kill and knock down! throw them into Thames! [A parley sounded, then a retreat.] 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 Forces.

Buck.

Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb thee.

Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the king 8

Unto the commons whom thou hast misled;

And here pronounce free pardon to them all

That will forsake thee and go home in peace.

Clif.

What say ye, countrymen? will ye relent, 12

And yield to mercy, whilst ’tis offer’d you,

Or let a rebel lead you to your deaths?

Who loves the king, and will embrace his pardon,

Fling up his cap, and say ‘God save his majesty!’ 16

Who hateth him, and honours 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!

Cade.

What! Buckingham and Clifford, are ye so brave? And you, base peasants, do ye 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 ye 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! 36

Clif.

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; 41

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 vanquished,

Should make a start o’er seas and vanquish you?

Methinks already in this civil broil

I see them lording it in London streets, 48

Crying Villiago! unto all they meet.

Better ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry,

Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman’s mercy.

To France, to France! and get what you have lost; 52

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.

A Clifford! a Clifford! we’ll follow the king and Clifford. 57

Cade.

[Aside.] Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude? The name of Henry the Fifth hales them to a 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 honour be witness, that no want of resolution in me, but only my followers’ base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels.

[Exit.

Buck.

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.

[Exeunt some of them.

Follow me, soldiers: we’ll devise a mean 72

To reconcile you all unto the king.

[Exeunt.

Scene IX.— Kenilworth Costle.

Trumpets sounded. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, and Somerset, on the terrace.

K. Hen.

Was ever king that joy’d an earthly throne,

And could command no more content than I?

No sooner was I crept out of my cradle

But I was made a king at nine months old: 4

Was never subject long’d to be a king

As I do long and wish to be a subject.

Enter Buckingham and Old Clifford.

Buck.

Health, and glad tidings, to your majesty!

K. Hen.

Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surpris’d? 8

Or is he but retir’d to make him strong?

Enter, below, a number of Cade’s followers, with halters about their necks.

Clif.

He’s 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. 12

K. Hen.

Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting gates,

To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!

Soldiers, this day have you redeem’d your lives,

And show’d how well you love your prince and country: 16

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, 20

I do dismiss you to your several countries.

All.

God save the king! God save the king!

Enter a Messenger.

Mess.

Please it your Grace to be advertised,

The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland;

And with a puissant and a mighty power 25

Of Gallowglasses, and stout kerns,

Is marching hitherward in proud array;

And still proclaimeth, as he comes along, 28

His arms are only to remove from thee

The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor.

K. Hen.

Thus stands my state, ’twixt Cade and York distress’d;

Like to a ship, that, having scap’d a tempest, 32

Is straight way calm’d, and boarded with a pirate.

But now is Cade driven back, his men dispers’d;

And now is York in arms to second him.

I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him, 36

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 dismiss’d from him. 40

Som.

My lord,

I’ll yield myself to prison willingly,

Or unto death, to do my country good.

K. Hen.

In any case, be not too rough in terms; 44

For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language.

Buck.

I will, my lord; and doubt not so to deal

As all things shall redound unto your good.

K. Hen.

Come, wife, let’s in, and learn to govern better; 48

For yet may England curse my wretched reign.

[Exeunt.

Scene X.— Kent. Iden’s Garden.

Enter Cade.

Cade.

Fie on ambition! 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 I am so hungry, that if I might have a lease of my life for a thousand years I could stay no longer. Wherefore, on 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 brain-pan 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. 17

Enter Iden with Servants behind.

Iden.

Lord! who would live turmoiled in the court,

And may enjoy such quiet walks as these?

This small inheritance my father left me 20

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, 24

And sends the poor well pleased 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, and swallow my sword like a great pin, ere thou and I part. 32

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, 36

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 door-nail, I pray God I may never eat grass more. 44

Iden.

Nay, it shall ne’er be said, while England stands,

That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent,

Took odds to combat a poor famish’d man.

Oppose thy steadfast-gazing eyes to mine, 48

See if thou canst out-face 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 compared with this truncheon;

My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast; 53

And if mine arm be heaved in the air

Thy grave is digg’d already in the earth.

As for more words, whose greatness answers words, 56

Let this my sword report what speech forbears.

Cade.

By my valour, 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 Jove on my knees, thou mayst be turned to hobnails. [They fight; Cade falls.] 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’ll 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. 69

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 wiped from thy point,

But thou shalt wear it as a herald’s coat, 74

To emblaze the honour 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 valour.

[Dies.

Iden.

How much thou wrong’st me, heaven be my judge. 81

Die, damned 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 85

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, 88

Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon.

[Exit, with Servants, dragging out the body.

ACT V.

Scene I.— Kent. Fields between Dartford and Blackheath.

The King’s camp on one side. On the other, enter York, and his army of Irish, with drum and colours.

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. 4

Ah sancta majestas, who would not buy thee dear?

Let them obey that know not how to rule;

This hand was made to handle nought but gold:

I cannot give due action to my words, 8

Except a sword, or sceptre balance it.

A sceptre shall it have, have I-a soul,

On which I’ll toss the flower-de-luce of France.

Enter Buckingham.

Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me? 12

The king hath sent him, sure: I must dissemble.

Buck.

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? 16

Buck.

A messenger from Henry, our dread hege,

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, 20

Shouldst 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, 24

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, 28

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.

[Aloud.] Buckingham, I prithee, pardon me, 32

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, 36

Seditious to his Grace and to the state.

Buck.

That is too much presumption on thy part:

But if thy arms be to no other end,

The king hath yielded unto thy demand: 40

The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower.

York.

Upon thine honour, is he a prisoner?

Buck.

Upon mine honour, he is a prisoner.

York.

Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers. 44

Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves;

Meet me to-morrow in Saint George’s field,

You shall have pay, and everything you wish,

And let my sov’reign, virtuous Henry, 48

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, armour, anything I have

Is his to use, so Somerset may die. 53

Buck.

York, I commend this kind submission:

We twain will go into his highness’ tent.

Enter King Henry, attended.

K. Hen.

Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, 56

That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?

York.

In all submission and humility

York doth present himself unto your highness.

K. Hen.

Then what intend these forces thou dost bring? 60

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 64

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.

K. Hen.

The head of Cade! Great God, how just art thou! 68

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. 72

K. Hen.

How art thou call’d, and what is thy degree?

Iden.

Alexander Iden, that’s my name;

A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king.

Buck.

So please it you, my lord, ’twere not amiss 76

He were created knight for his good service.

K. Hen.

Iden, kneel down. [He kneels.] Rise up a knight.

We give thee for reward a thousand marks;

And will, that thou henceforth attend on us. 80

Iden.

May Iden live to merit such a bounty,

And never live but true unto his liege!

K. Hen.

See! Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen:

Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. 84

Enter Queen Margaret and Somerset.

Q. Mar.

For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head,

But boldly stand and front him to his face.

York.

How now! is Somerset at liberty?

Then, York, unloose thy long-imprison’d thoughts 88

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,

Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse? 92

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, 97

And not to grace an awful princely sceptre.

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. 101

Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up,

And with the same to act controlling laws.

Give place: by heaven, thou shalt rule no more 104

O’er him whom heaven created for thy ruler.

Som.

O monstrous traitor:—I arrest thee, York,

Of capital treason ’gainst the king and crown.

Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace. 108

York.

Wouldst have me kneel? first let me ask of these

If they can brook I bow a knee to man.

Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail:

[Exit an Attendant.

I know ere they will have me go to ward, 112

They’ll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement.

Q. Mar.

Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain,

To say if that the bastard boys of York

Shall be the surety for their traitor father. 116

[Exit Buckingham.

York.

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! 121

Enter Edward and Richard Plantagenet, with Forces at one side; at the other, with Forces also, Old Clifford and his Son.

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

Q. Mar.

And here comes Clifford, to deny their bail.

Clif.

[Kneeling.] Health and all happiness to my lord the king! 124

York.

I thank thee, Clifford: say, what news with thee?

Nay, do not fright us with an angry look:

We are thy sov’reign, Clifford, kneel again;

For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee. 128

Clif.

This is my king, York, I do not mistake;

But thou mistak’st me much to think I do.

To Bedlam with him! is the man grown mad?

K. Hen.

Ay, Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious humour 132

Makes him oppose himself against his king.

Clif.

He is a traitor; let him to the Tower,

And chop away that factious pate of his.

Q. Mar.

He is arrested, but will not obey: 136

His sons, he says, shall give their words for him.

York.

Will you not, sons?

Edw.

Ay, noble father, if our words will serve.

Rich.

And if words will not, then our weapons shall. 140

Clif.

Why, what a brood of traitors have we here!

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, 144

That with the very shaking of their chains

They may astonish these fell-lurking curs:

Bid Salisbury and Warwick come to me.

Drums. Enter Warwick and Salisbury, with Forces.

Clif.

Are these thy bears? we’ll bait thy bears to death, 148

And manacle the bear-ward in their chains,

If thou dar’st bring them to the baiting-place.

Rich.

Oft have I seen a hot o’erweening cur

Run back and bite, because he was withheld;

Who, being suffer’d with the bear’s fell paw, 153

Hath clapp’d his tail between his legs, and cried:

And such a piece of service will you do,

If you oppose yourselves to match Lord Warwick. 156

Clif.

Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump,

As crooked in thy manners as thy shape!

York.

Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon.

Clif.

Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves. 160

K. Hen.

Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow?

Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair,

Thou mad misleader of thy brain-sick son!

What! wilt thou on thy death-bed play the ruffian, 164

And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?

O! where is faith? O, where is loyalty?

If it be banish’d from the frosty head,

Where shall it find a harbour in the earth? 168

Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war,

And shame thine honourable age with blood?

Why art thou old, and want’st experience?

Or wherefore dost abuse it, if thou hast it? 172

For shame! in duty bend thy knee to me,

That bows unto the grave with mickle age.

Sal.

My lord, I have consider’d with myself

The title of this most renowned duke; 176

And in my conscience do repute his Grace

The rightful heir to England’s royal seat.

K. Hen.

Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me?

Sal.

I have. 180

K. Hen.

Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath?

Sal.

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 184

To do a murderous 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 custom’d right,

And have no other reason for this wrong 189

But that he was bound by a solemn oath?

Q. Mar.

A subtle traitor needs no sophister.

K. Hen.

Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself. 192

York.

Call Buckingham, and all the friends thou hast,

I am resolv’d for death, or dignity.

Clif.

The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true.

War.

You were best to go to bed and dream again, 196

To keep thee from the tempest of the field.

Clif.

I am resolv’d to bear a greater storm

Than any thou canst conjure up to-day;

And that I’ll write upon thy burgonet, 200

Might I but know thee by thy household badge.

War.

Now, by my father’s badge, old Nevil’s crest,

The rampant bear chain’d to the ragged staff,

This day I’ll wear aloft my burgonet,— 204

As on a mountain-top the cedar shows,

That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm,—

Even to affright thee with the view thereof.

Clif.

And from thy burgonet I’ll rend thy bear, 208

And tread it underfoot with all contempt,

Despite the bear-ward that protects the bear.

Y. Clif.

And so to arms, victorious father,

To quell the rebels and their complices. 212

Rich.

Fie! charity! for shame! speak not in spite,

For you shall sup with Jesu Christ to-night.

Y. Clif.

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

Rich.

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

[Exeunt severally.

Scene II.— Saint Alban’s.

Alarums: Excursions. Enter Warwick.

War.

Clifford of Cumberland, ’tis Warwick calls:

And if thou dost not hide thee from the bear,

Now, when the angry trumpet sounds alarm,

And dead men’s cries do fill the empty air, 4

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.

How now, my noble lord! what! all afoot? 8

York.

The deadly-handed Clifford slew my steed;

But match to match I have encounter’d him,

And made a prey for carrion kites and crows

Even of the bonny beast he lov’d so well. 12

Enter Old Clifford.

War.

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.

War.

Then, nobly, York; ’tis for a crown thou fight’st. 16

As I intend, Clifford, to thrive to-day,

It grieves my soul to leave thee unassail’d.

[Exit.

Clif.

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

York.

With thy brave bearing should I be in love, 20

But that thou art so fast mine enemy.

Clif.

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. 25

Clif.

My soul and body on the action both!

York.

A dreadful lay! address thee instantly.

Clif.

La fin couronne les œuvres. 28

[They fight, and Clifford falls and dies.

York.

Thus war hath given thee peace, for thou art still.

Peace with his soul, heaven, if it be thy will!

[Exit.

Enter Young Clifford.

Y. Clif.

Shame and confusion! all is on the rout:

Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds 32

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: 36

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 valour.

[Seeing his father’s body.

O! let the vile world end, 40

And the premised flames of the last day

Knit heaven and earth together;

Now let the general trumpet blow his blast,

Particularities and petty sounds 44

To cease!—Wast thou ordain’d, dear father,

To lose thy youth in peace, and to achieve

The silver livery of advised age,

And, in thy reverence and thy chair-days thus

To die in ruffian battle? Even at this sight 49

My heart is turn’d to stone: and while ’tis mine

It shall be stony. York not our old men spares:

No more will I their babes: tears virginal 52

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: 56

Meet I an infant of the house of York,

Into as many gobbets will I cut it

As wild Medea young Absyrtus did:

In cruelty will I seek out my fame. 60

Come, thou new ruin of old Clifford’s house:

[Taking up the body.

As did Æneas old Anchises bear,

So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders;

But then Æneas bare a living load, 64

Nothing so heavy as these woes of mine.

[Exit.

Enter Richard and Somerset, fighting; Somerset is killed.

Rich.

So, lie thou there;

For underneath an alehouse’ paltry sign,

The Castle in Saint Alban’s, Somerset 68

Hath made the wizard famous in his death.

Sword, hold thy temper; heart, be wrathful still:

Priests pray for enemies, but princes kill.

[Exit.

Alarums: Excursions. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, and Others, retreating.

Q. Mar.

Away, my lord! you are slow: for shame, away! 72

K. Hen.

Can we outrun the heavens? good Margaret, stay.

Q. Mar.

What are you made of? you’ll nor fight nor fly:

Now is it manhood, wisdom, and defence,

To give the enemy way, and to secure us 76

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, 80

We shall to London get, where you are lov’d,

And where this breach now in our fortunes made

May readily be stopp’d.

Re-enter Young Clifford.

Y. Clif.

But that my heart’s on future mischief set, 84

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 88

To see their day and them our fortune give.

Away, my lord, away!

[Exeunt.

Scene III.— Field near Saint Alban’s.

Alarum. Retreat. Flourish; then enter York, Richard, Warwick, and Soldiers, with drum and colours.

York.

Of Salisbury, who can report of him;

That winter lion, who in rage forgets

Aged contusions and all brush of time,

And, like a gallant in the brow of youth, 4

Repairs him with occasion? this happy day

Is not itself, nor have we won one foot,

If Salisbury be lost.

Rich.

My noble father,

Three times to-day I holp him to his horse, 8

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, 12

So was his will in his old feeble body.

But, noble as he is, look where he comes.

Enter Salisbury.

Sal.

Now, by my sword, well hast thou fought to-day;

By the mass, so did we all. I thank you, Richard: 16

God knows how long it is I have to live;

And it hath pleas’d him that three times to-day

You have defended me from imminent death.

Well, lords, we have not got that which we have: 20

’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, 24

To call a present court of parliament:

Let us pursue him ere the writs go forth:—

What says Lord Warwick? shall we after them?

War.

After them! nay, before them, if we can. 28

Now, by my hand, lords, ’twas a glorious day:

Saint Alban’s battle, won by famous York,

Shall be eterniz’d in all age to come.

Sound, drums and trumpets, and to London all: 32

And more such days as these to us befall!

[Exeunt.

King Henry the Sixth.
Humphrey,	Duke of Gloucester, his Uncle.
Cardinal Beaufort,	Bishop of Winchester, Great-Uncle to the King.
Richard Plantagenet,	Duke of York.
Edward and Richard,	his Sons.
Duke of Somerset, }	Of the King’s Party.
Duke of Suffolk, }
Duke of Buckingham, }
Lord Clifford, }
Young Clifford, his Son, }
Earl of Salisbury, }	of the York Faction\.
Earl of Warwick, }	of the York Faction\.
Lord Scales,	Governor of the Tower.
Sir Humphrey Stafford, and William Stafford,	his Brother.
Lord Say.
A Sea-captain, Master, and Master’s Mate.
Walter Whitmore.
Sir John Stanley.
Two Gentlemen, prisoners with Suffolk.
Vaux.
Matthew Goffe.
John Hume and John Southwell,	Priests.
Bolingbroke,	a Conjurer.
A Spirit raised by him.
Thomas Horner,	an Armourer.
Peter,	his Man.
Clerk of Chatham.
Mayor of St. Alban’s.
Simpcox,	an Impostor.
Two Murderers.
Jack Cade,	a Rebel.
George Bevis, John Holland, Dick the Butcher, Smith the Weaver. Michael,	&c., Followers of Cade.
Alexander Iden,	a Kentish Gentleman.
Margaret,	Queen to King Henry.
Eleanor,	Duchess of Gloucester.
Margery Jourdain,	a Witch.
Wife to Simpcox.
Lords, Ladies, and Attendants; Herald, Petitioners, Aldermen, a Beadle, Sheriff, and Officers; Citizens, Prentices, Falconers, Guards, Soldiers, Messengers, &c.