The works of Shakespeare
H?i^V> -Vyv^.'v*lS<)J ^^''i^SVWV?*-(l.^O*. ^\ * ,VO^ THE LARGER TEMPLE SHAKESPEARE By the kind permission of Messrs Macmillan 55* Co, and W. Aldis Wright, Esq., the text here used is that of the ' ' Cambridge " Edition, Jn the present issue of the " Temple Shakespeare " the Editor has introduced some fetv textual changes ; these have been carefully noted in each case. THE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE EDITED BY ISRAEL GOLLANCZ VOLUME SEVEN THE SECOND PART ^J^^^^k °^ KING HENRY VI. OF KING HENRY VI. (M^U^^^ THE TRAGEDY OF THE THIRD PART «^^SI^^^ KING RICHARD III. WITH MANY ILLUSTRATIONS, ANTIQUARIAN AND TOPOGRAPHICAL LONDON J. M. DENT ^ CO. ALDINE HOUSE 29 & 30 BEDFORD STREET, W.C. I 900 6RLF ^ i 1 . t -. -Jvv/ v,7 •' Enter King and Salsbury, and then the curtaines be draivne, and the Cardinal! is discovered in his bed, raving and staring as if he luere madde. Car. Oh death, if thou wilt let me live but one whole yeare, He give thee as much gold as will purchase such another iland. Kiny. Oh see my Lord of Salsbury how he is troubled. Lord Cardinall, remember Christ must save thy soule Car. Why died he not in his bed ? What would you have me to do then? Can I make men live whether they will or no ? Sirra, go fetch me the strong poison which the Pothicary sent me. Oh see where Duke Humphreys ghoast doth stand, And stares me in the face. Looke, looke, coame downe his haire, So now hees gone againe : Oh, oh, oh. Sal. See how the panges of death doth gripe his heart. King. Lord Cardinall, if thou diest assured of heavenly blisse, Hold up thy hand and make some signe to us. \The Cardinall dies Oh see he dies, and makes no signe at all. Oh God forgive his soule. Sal. So bad an ende did never none behold. But as his death, so was his life in all. King. Forbeare to iudge, good Salsbury forbeare, For God will iudge us all. Go take him hence, and see his funerals be performde \_Extt omnes." " The First Part of the Contention" Sc. xi. ; cp. "2 Henry FI.," III. iii. DRAMATIS PERSONS. King Henry the Sixth. Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, his uncle. Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, great-uncle to the King, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Tori. Edward and Richard, his sons. Duke of Somerset. Duke of Suffolk. Duke of Buckingham. Lord Cufford. Young Clifford, his son. Earl of Salisbury Earl of Warwick. Lord Scales. Lord Say Sir Humphrey Stafford, and William Stafford, his brother Sir John Stanley Vaux. Matthew Goffe. A Sea-captain, Master, and Master's-Mate, and Walter Whitmore Two Gentlemen, prisoners ivith Suffolk John Hume and John Southwell, priests Bolingbroke, a conjurer Thomas Horner, an armourer Peter, his man. Clerk of Cliatham. Mayor of Saint Alban's Simpcox, an impostor. Alexander Iden, a Kentish gentleman Jack Cade, a rebel George Bevis, John Holland, Dick the butcher, Smith the iveaver, Michael, &.c.,follo-wers of Cade. Two Murderers Margaret, Queen to King Henry Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester Margaret Jourdain, a -wttch. Wife to Simpcox. Lords, Ladies, and Attendants, Petitioners, Aldermen, a Herald, a Beadle, Sheriff, and Officers, Citizens, 'Prentices, Falconers, Guards, Soldiers, Messengers, &c. A Spirit. Scene : England, The Second Part of King Henry VI. ACT FIRST. Scene I. Lofidon. The palace. Flourish of trumpets : then hautboys. Enter, the King, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Salisbury, JVarnvick, and Cardinal Beaufort, on the otie side ; The Qiieen, Suffolk, Tork, Somerset, and Buckingham, on the other. 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. So, in the famous ancient city Tours, In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil, The Dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretagne and Alen9on, Seven earls, twelve barons, and twenty reverend bishops, I have perform'd my task and was espoused ; And humbly now upon my bended knee, lo In sight of England and her lordly peers. Deliver up my title in the queen To your most gracious hands, that are the substance Of that great shadow I did represent ; 7 a Act I. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF The happiest gift that ever marquess gave, The fairest queen that ever king received. K^ng. Suffolk, arise. Welcome, Queen Margaret : I can express no kinder sign of love Than this kind kiss. O Lord, that lends me hfe, 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. Quee.. Great King of England and -y.g---^°f The mutual conference that my mmd hath had, By day, by night, waking and in my dreams. In courtly company or at my beads, With you, mine alder-liefest sovereign, Makes me the bolder to salute my king With ruder terms, such as my wit affords 3° And over-joy of heart doth minister. ^ Kin,. Her sight did ravish ; but her grace m speech, 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 M^ZZl Long live Queen Margaret, England s haPP'^^^^^ '• ,, [Flourish. Queen. We thank you all. l Suf My lord protector, so it please your grace. Here are the articles of contracted peace 4° Between o.. sovereign and the French king Charles, por eighte.. months -clude^i by cons^^^ ^^^ GIou. [Reads] ' Imprimis, It is agreea French king Charles and William de la role. Marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry King KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. i. of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier King of Naples, Sicilia and Jerusalem, and crown her Oueen of England ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. Item, that the duchy of Anjou and the 50 county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the king her father — ' [Lets the paper fall. King. Uncle, how now ! Gloii. Pardon me, gracious lord ; Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart, And dimm'd mine eyes, that I can read no further. King. Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on. Car. [Reads'] ' 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 60 England's own proper cost and charges, with- out having any dowry.' King. They please us well. Lord marquess, kneel down : We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk, And gird 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 Be full expired. Thanks, uncle Winchester, Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset, Salisbury, and Warwick; ']o We thank you all for this great favour done, 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 Siiffolk. Glou. Brave peers of England, pillars of the state. Act I. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF 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 ? Did he so often lodge in open field, 8o In winter's cold and summer's parching heat. To conquer France, his true inheritance ? And did my brother Bedford toil his wits, To keep by policy what Henry got ? Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham, Brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick, Received deep scars in France and Normandy ? Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself. With all the learned council of the realm, Studied so long, sat in the council-house 90 Early and late, debating to and fro How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe, And had his highness in his infancy Crowned in Paris in despite of foes ? And shall these labours and these honours die ? Shall Henry's conquest, Bedford's vigilance. Your deeds of war and all our counsel die ? O peers of England, shameful is this league ! Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame. Blotting your names from books of memory, lOO Razing the characters of your renown. Defacing monuments of conquer'd France, Undoing all, as all had never been ! Cm: Nephew, what means this passionate discourse, This peroration with such circumstance ? For France, 'tis ours ; and we will keep it still. Glou. Ay, uncle, we will keep it, if we can; KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. i. But now it is impossible we should : Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast, Hath given the duchy of Anjou and Maine no Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large style Agrees not with the leanness of his purse. Sa/. Now, by the death of Him that died for all, These counties were the keys of Normandy. 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. 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, 121 Deliver'd up again with peaceful words } Mort Dieu ! l^ork. For Suffolk's duke, may he be suffocate, That dims the honour of this warlike isle ! France should have torn and rent my very heart, Before I would have yielded to this league. I never read but England's kings have had Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives ; And our King Henry gives away his own, 130 To match with her that brings no vantages. G/ou. 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 starved in France, Before — Car. My lord of Gloucester, now ye grow too hot : It was the pleasure of my lord the king. Act I. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF Glou. My lord of Winchester, I know your mind ; 'Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, 140 But 'tis my presence that doth trouble ye. Rancour will out : proud prelate, in thy face I see thy fury: if I longer stay, We shall begin our ancient bickerings. Lordings, farewell ; and say, when I am gone, I prophesied France will be lost ere long. [Exit. Car. So, there goes our protector in a rage. 'Tis known to you he is mine enemy. Nay, more, an enemy unto you all. And no great friend, I fear me, to the king. 150 Consider, lords, he is the next of blood, And heir apparent to the English crown : Had Henry got an empire by his marriage, And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west, There's reason he should be displeased at it. Look to it, lords ; let not his smoothing words Bewitch your hearts ; be wise and circumspect. What though the common people favour him, Calling him 'Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester,' Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice, 'Jesu maintain your royal excellence!' 161 With * God preserve the good Duke Humphrey ! ' I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss. 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. And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk, We '11 quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his scat. KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. i. Car. This weighty business will not brook delay ; 1 70 I'll to the Duke of Suffolk presently. [^Exit. Som. Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey's pride And greatness of his place be grief to us, Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal : His insolence is more intolerable Than all the princes in the land beside : If Gloucester be displaced, he '11 be protector. Buck. Or thou or I, Somerset, will be protector, Despite Duke Humphrey or the cardinal. \_Exeunt Buckingham and Somerset. Sal. Pride went before, ambition follows him. 180 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. 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, Swear like a ruffian, and demean himself Unlike the ruler of a commonweal. Warwick, my son, the comfort of my age, ipo Thy deeds, thy plainness, and thy housekeeping, Hath 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. Thy late exploits done in the heart of France, When thou wert regent for our sovereign. Have made thee fear'd and honoured of the people : Join we together, for the public good, In what we can, to bridle and suppress 200 Act I. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal, With Somerset's and Buckingham's ambition ; And, as we may, cherish Duke Humphrey's deeds, While they do tend the profit of the land. 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. 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 ! 21 1 Main chance, father, you meant ; but I meant Maine, Which I will win from France, or else be slain. \_Exeunt Warivick and Salisbury. Tork. Anjou and Maine are given to the French j Paris is lost ; the state of Normandy Stands on a tickle point, now they are gone : Suffolk concluded on the articles, The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleased To change two dukedoms for a duke's fair daughter. I cannot blame them all : what is't to them ? 220 '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 ; 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 shared and all is borne away, Ready to starve and dare not touch his own : KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. i. So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue, 230 While his own lands are bargain'd for and sold. Methinks the realms of England, France and Ireland Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood As did the fatal brand Althsea burn'd Unto the prince's heart of Calydon. Anjou and Maine both given unto the French ! Cold news for me, for I had hope of France, Even as I have of fertile England's soil. A day will come when York shall claim his own ; And therefore I will take the Nevils' parts 240 And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey, And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown. For that 's the golden mark I seek to hit : Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right, Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist, Nor wear the diadem upon his head. Whose church-like humours fits not for a crown. Then, York, be still awhile, till time do serve : Watch thou and wake when others be asleep. To pry into the secrets of the state ; 250 Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love, With his new bride and England's dear-bought queen, And Humphrey with the peers be fall'n at jars : Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose. With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed j And in my standard bear the arms of York, To grapple with the house of Lancaster ; And, force perforce, I '11 make him yield the crown, Whose bookish rule hath pull'd fair England down. [Exit. Act I. Sc. ii. THE SECOND PART OF Scene II. The Duke of Gloucester's house. Enter Duke Humphrey and his nv'ife Eleanor. 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 ? 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, Enchased with all the honours of the world ? If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face. Until thy head be circled with the same. lo Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold. What, is't too short? I'll lengthen it with mine; And, having both together heaved it up, We 'Jl both together lift our heads to heaven, And never more abase our sight so low As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground. Glou. 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, 20 Be my last breathing in this mortal world ! 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. Glou. 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 KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. ii. Were placed the heads of Edmund Duke of Somerset, And William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk. go This was my dream : what it doth bode, God knows. Duch. Tut, this was nothing but an argument, That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester's grove Shall lose his head for his presumption. But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke : Methought I sat in seat of majesty. In the cathedral church of Westminster, And in that chair where kings and queens are crown'd ; Where Henry and dame Margaret kneel'd to me. And on my head did set the diadem. 40 Glou. Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright : Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured Eleanor, Art thou not second woman in the realm. And the protector's wife, beloved of him ? Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command, Above the reach or compass of thy thought ? And wilt thou still be hammering treachery, To tumble down thy husband and thyself From top of honour to disgrace's feet } Away from me, and let me hear no more ! ^o Duch. What, what, my lord ! are you so choleric With Eleanor, for telling but her dream ? Next time I'll keep my dreams unto myself, And not be check'd. Glou. Nay, be not angry ; I am pleased again. Enter Alessenger. Mess. My lord protector, 'tis his highness' pleasure You do prepare to ride unto Saint Alban's, Where as the king and queen do mean to hawk. Act I. Sc. ii. THE SECOND PART OF Glou. I go. Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us ? Ditch. Yes, my good lord, I '11 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 j And, being a woman, I will not be slack To play my part in Fortune's pageant. Where are you there ? Sir John ! nay, fear not, man, We are alone j here 's none but thee and I. Enter Hume. Hume. Jesus preserve your royal majesty ! 70 Duch. What say'st thou ? majesty ! I am but grace. Hume. But, by the grace of God, and Hume's advice, Your grace's title shall be multiplied. Duch. What say'st thou, man ? hast thou as yet conferr'd With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch, With Roger Bolingbroke, the conjurer ? And will they undertake to do me good .? Hume. This they have promised, to show your highness A spirit raised 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 '11 think upon the questions : When from Saint Alban's we do make return. We'll sec these things effected to the full. Here, Hume, take this reward j make merry, man, With thy confederates in this weighty cause. \^Exit. Hume. Hume must make merry with the duchess' gold; KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. iii. Marry, and shall. But, how now, Sir John Hume ! Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum : The business asketh silent secrecy. 90 Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch : Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil. Yet have I gold flies from another coast j I dare not say, from the rich cardinal, And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk, Yet I do find it so ; for, to be plain. They, knowing Dame Eleanor's aspiring humour, Have hired me to undermine the duchess, And buz these conjurations in her brain. They say * A crafty knave does need no broker ; ' Yet am I Suffolk and the cardinal's broker. lOI Hume, if you take not heed, you shall go near To call them both a pair of crafty knaves. Well, so it stands j and thus, I fear, at last Hume's knavery will be the duchess' wreck, And her attainture will be Humphrey's fall : Sort how it will, I shall have gold for all. [JSxit. Scene III. The pa/ace. Enter three or four Petitioners, Peter, the Armourer'' s man, being one. First Petit. 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. Sec. Petit. Marry, the Lord protect him, for he 's good man ! Jesu bless him ! Act I. Sc. iii. THE SECOND PART OF Enter Siffolk ami Queen. Peter. Here a' comes, methinks, and the queen with him. I '11 be the first, sure. Sec. Petit. Come back, fool ; this is the Duke of Suffolk, and not my lord protector. Suf. How now, fellow ! wouldst any thing with me? lo First Petit. I pray, my lord, pardon me ; I took ye for my lord protector. Qiieen. \_Readi}ig\ ' To my Lord Protector ! ' Are your supplications to his lordship ? Let me see them : what is thine ."* First Petit. Mine is, an 't please your grace, against John Goodman, my lord cardinal's man, for keeping my house, and lands, and wife and all, from me. Suf. Thy wife too ! that 's some wrong, indeed. 20 What's yours? What's here! \_Reads'\ 'Against the Duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford.' How now, sir knave ! Sec. Petit. Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township. Peter [giving his petitioti]. Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown. Qiieen. What say'st thou .'* did the Duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown ,'' go Peter. That my master was ? no, forsooth : my master said that he was, and that the king was an usurper. Stif. Who is there ? [Enter Servant.'] Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a pursuivant KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. iii. presently : we '11 hear more of your matter before the king. ^£xii Servant with Peter Queen. And as for you, that love to be protected Under the wings of our protector's grace, Begin your suits anew, and sue to him. 40 \Tears the supplications. Away, base cullions ! Suffolk, let them go. All. Come, let's be gone. \_Exeunt. Queen. My Lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise. Is this the fashion in the court of England ? Is this the government of Britain's isle, And this the royalty of Albion's king .? What, shall King Henry be a pupil still Under the surly Gloucester's governance ? Am I a queen in title and in style. And must be made a subject to a duke .? ^O I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours Thou ran'st a tilt in honour of my love. And stolest away the ladies' hearts of France, I thought King Henry had resembled thee In courage, courtship and proportion : But all his mind is bent to holiness. To number Ave-Maries on his beads ; His champions are the prophets and apostles. His weapons holy saws of sacred writ, His study is his tilt-yard, and his loves 60 Are brazen images of canonized saints. I would the college of the cardinals Would choose him pope and carry him to Rome, And set the triple crown upon his head : That were a state fit for his holiness. Suf. Madam, be patient : as I was cause Act I. Sc. iii. THE SECOND PART OF Your highness came to England, so will I In England work your grace's full content. Qjteen. Beside the haughty protector, have we Beaufort, The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham, 70 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 : Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers. Qiteen. Not all these lords do vex me half so much As that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies. More like an empress than Duke Humphrey's wife : Strangers in court do take her for the queen : 80 She bears a duke's revenues on her back, And in her heart she scorns our poverty : Shall I not live to be avenged on her ? Contemptuous base-born callet as she is, She vaunted 'mongst her minions t' other day. The very train of her worst wearing gown Was better worth than all my father's lands. Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter. iS«/] Madam, myself have limed a bush for her, And placed a quire of such enticing birds, 90 That she will light to listen to the lays. And never mount to trouble you again. So, let her rest : and, madam, list to me ; For I am bold to counsel you in this. Although we fancy not the cardinal. Yet must we join with him and with the lords. Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace. As for the Duke of York, this late complaint KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. iii. Will make but little for his benefit. So, one by one, we '11 weed them all at last, loo And you yourself shall steer the happy helm. Sound a Sennet. Enter the King, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, Cardinal Beaufort, Buckingham, Tork, Somerset, Salisbury, Warivick, and the Duchess of Gloucester. King. For my part, noble lords, 1 care not which ; Or Somerset or York, all 's one to me. Tork. 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. War. Whether your grace be worthy, yea or no. Dispute not that : York is the worthier. Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. 1 10 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, Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this. Qiieen. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. Glou. Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure : these are no women's matters. Qiieen. If he be old enough, what needs your grace To be protector of his excellence .'' I20 Gbu. Madam, I am protector of the realm ; And, at his pleasure, will resign my place. 5/^'. Resign it then and leave thine insolence. Since thou wert king — as who is king but thou ? — The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck ; The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas ; 7 B Act I. Sc. iii. THE SECOND PART OF And all the peers and nobles of the realm 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. 130 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, And left thee to the mercy of the law. Queen. 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 .<* \^She gives the Duchess a box on the ear. I cry you mercy, madam ; was it you ? 140 Duch. Was't I ! yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman: Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I 'Id set my ten commandments in your face. King. Sweet aunt, be quiet ; 'twas against her will. Duch. Against her will ! good king, look to 't in time ; She '11 hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby : Though in this place most master wear no breeches. She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged. [^Exit. Buck. Lord cardinal, I will follow Eleanor, And listen after Humphrey, how he proceeds : 150 She 's tickled now ; her fume needs no spurs, She '11 gallop far enough to her destruction. [Exit. Re-enter Gloucester. Glou. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown With walking once about the quadrangle, KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. Hi. 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. As I in duty love my king and country ! But, to the matter that we have in hand : i6o I say, my sovereign, York is meetest man To be your regent in the realm of France. Siif. Before we make election, give me leave To show some reason, of no little force, That York is most unmeet of any man. JTori. I '11 tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet : First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride ; Next, if I be appointed for the place, My Lord of Somerset will keep me here. Without discharge, money, or furniture, 1 70 Till France be won into the Dauphin's hands : Last time, I danced attendance on his will Till Paris was besieged, famish'd, and lost. War. That can I witness ; and a fouler fact Did never traitor in the land commit. Stif. Peace, headstrong Warwick ! Ji^ar. Image of pride, why should I hold my peace ? Enter Horner, the Armourer, and his man Peter, guarded. Suf. Because here is a man accused of treason : Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself! Tork. Doth any one accuse York for a traitor ? 1 80 King. 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 : His words were these : that Richard Duke of York Act I. Sc. iii. THE SECOND PART OF Was rightful heir unto the English crown, And that your majesty was an usurper. King. 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. 190 Pet. By these ten bones, my lords, he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as wc were scouring my Lord of York's armour. Tork. Base dunghill villain and mechanical, I '11 have thy head for this thy traitor's speech. I do beseech your royal majesty, 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 200 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. Kitig. Uncle, what shall we say to this in law ? Glou. This doom, my lord, if I may judge : Let Somerset be regent o'er the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion : And let these have a day appointed them For single combat in convenient place, 2 TO For he hath witness of his servant's malice : This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey's doom. Som. I humbly thank your royal majesty. Hor. And I accept the combat willingly. Pet. Alas, my lord, I cannot light ; for God's sake, pity my case. The spite of man prevailcth KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. iv. against me. O Lord, have mercy upon me ! I shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my heart ! Glou. Sirrah, or you must light, or else be hang'd. 220 King. Away with them to prison ; and the day of combat shall be the last of the next month. Come, Somerset, we '11 see thee sent away. [Flourish. Exeunt. Scene IV. Gloucester' s garden. Enter Margery Jourdain, Hume, Southivell, 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 ex- orcisms ? Hume. Ay, what else ? fear you not her courage. Baling. I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit : but it shall be convenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, lo 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 Jvlloiuing. Duch. Well said, my masters ; and welcome all. To this gear the sooner the better. Act I. Sc. iv. THE SECOND PART OF Baling. 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 j The time when screech-owls cry, and ban-dogs howl, 20 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. [Here they do the ceremonies belonging, and tnake the circle ; Bolingbroke or Southwell reads, Conjuro te, Iffc. It thunders and lightens terribly ; then the Spirit riseth. Spir. Adsum. M. Jourd. As math. By the eternal God, whose name and power Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask ; For, till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence. Spir. Ask what thou wilt. That I had said and done ! 30 Baling. ' First of the king : what shall of him become ? ' [Reading out of a paper. Spir. The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose ; But him outlive, and die a violent death. [^As the Spirit speaks, South-well lurites the ansiver. Baling. ' What fates await the Duke of Suffolk ? ' Spir. By water shall he die, and take his end. Boling. * What shall befall the Duke of Somerset ^ * Spir. Let him shun castles ; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains Than where castles mounted stand. Have done, for more I hardly can endure. ^o KING HENRY VI. Act I. Sc. iv. Baling. Descend to darkness and the burning lake ! False fiend, avoid ! [Thunder and lightning. Exit Spirit. Enter the Duke of Tork and the Duke of Buckingham ivith their Guard and break in. Tork. Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash. Beldam, I think we watch'd you at an inch. What, madam, are you there ? the king and common- weal Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains : My lord protector will, I doubt it not. See you well guerdon'd for these good deserts. Duch. Not half so bad as thine to England's king, - Injurious duke, that threatest where 's no cause. 50 Buck. True, madam, none at all : what call you this ? Away with them ! let them be clapp'd up close, And kept asunder. You, madam, shall with us. Stafford, take her to thee. [Exeunt above Duchess and Hutne, guarded. We'll see your trinkets here all forthcoming. All, away ! [Exeunt guard ivith Jourdain, Southiuell, ^c. Tork. 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. What have we here ? [Reads. 60 ' The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose ; But him outlive, and die a violent death.' Why this is just ' Aio te, ^Eacida, Romanos vincere posse.' Well, to the rest : Act II. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF * Tell me, what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk ? By water shall he die, and take his end. What shall betide the Duke of Somerset ? Let him shun castles ; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains 70 Than where castles mounted stand.' 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 : 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 Tork. At your pleasure, my good lord. Who 's within there, ho ! Enter a Servi tig-man. Invite my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick To sup with me to-morrow night. Away ! [Exeunt. ACT SECOND. Scene I. Saint Alhai^s. Enter the King, Qiieen, Gloucester, Cardinal, and Suffolk^ ivith Fakotters halloing. Queen. 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 ; KING HENRY VI. Act II. Sc. i. And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out. King. But what a point, my lord, your falcon made. And what a pitch she Hew above the rest ! To see how God in all His creatures works ! Yea, man and birds are fain of climbing high. Suf. No marvel, an it like your majesty, My lord protector's hawks do tower so well ; lo They know their master loves to be aloft. And bears his thoughts above his falcon's pitch. Glou. My lord, 'tis but a base ignoble mind That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. Car. I thought as much j he would be above the clouds. Glou. Ay, my lord cardinal ? how think you by that ? Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven ? Kifig. 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 ! Glou. What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown per- emptory ^ Tantaene animis coelestibus irae } Churchmen so hot ? good uncle, hide such malice j 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. Glou. As who, my lord ? Suf. Why, as you, my lord, An't like your lordly lord-protectorship. 30 Glou. Why, Suifolk, England knows thine insolence. Qiieen. And thy ambition, Gloucester. King. I prithee, peace, good queen. Act II. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF 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 ! Glou. [Aside to Car.'] Faith, holy uncle, would 'twere come to that ! Car. [^Aside to Glou.'] Marry, when thou darest. Glou. [Aside to Car.] Make up no factious numbers for the matter ; 40 In thine own person answer thy abuse. Car. [Aside to Glou.] Ay, where thou darest not peep : an if thou darest. This evening, on the east side of the grove. King. 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 Glou.] Come with thy two-hand sword. Glou. True, uncle. Car. [Aside to Glou.] Are ye advised } the east side of the grove ? Glou. [Aside to Car.] Cardinal, I am with you. King. Why, how now, uncle Gloucester ! Glou. Talking of hawking ; nothing else, my lord. 50 [Aside to Car.] Now, by God's mother, priest, I '11 shave your crown for this. Or all my fence shall fail. Car. [Aside to Glou.] Medice, teipsum — Protector, see to't well, protect yourself. King. The winds grow high ; so do your stomachs, lords. How irksome is this music to my heart ! KING HENRY VI. Act II. Sc. i. When such strings jar, what hope of harmony ? I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife. Enter a Townsman of Saint Albans, crying ' A miracle I ' Glou. What means this noise ? Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim ? 60 Towns. A miracle ! a miracle ! Suf. Come to the king and tell him what miracle. Towns. Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban's shrine, Within this half-hour, hath received his sight ; A man that ne'er saw in his life before. King. Now, God be praised, that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair ! Enter the Mayor of Saint Allan's and his brethren, bearing Simpcox, between two in a chair, Simpcox's Wife following. Car. Here comes the townsmen on procession, To present your highness with the man. King. Great is his comfort in this earthly vale, 70 Although by his sight his sin be multiplied. Glou. Stand by, my masters : bring him near the king ; His highness' pleasure is to talk with him. Ki7ig. Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance, That we for thee may glorify the Lord. What, hast thou been long blind and now restored .? 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 Glou. Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst have better told. King. Where wert thou born ? Act II. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF Simp. At Berwick in the north, an't like your grace. King. Poor soul, God's goodness hath been great to thee ; Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass, But still remember what the Lord hath done. Qtteefi. Tell me, good fellow, camest thou here by chance. Or of devotion, to this holy shrine ? Sitnp. God knows, of pure devotion ; being call'd A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep, 90 By good Saint Alban ; who said, * Simpcox, come, Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.' IVife. Most true, forsooth ; and many time and oft Myself have heard a voice to call him so. Car. What, art thou lame ? Simp. Ay, God Almighty help me ! Siif. How camest thou so ? Simp. A fall off' of a tree. Wife. A plum-tree, master. Glou. How long hast thou been blind ? Sifnp. O, born so, master. Glou. What, and wouldst climb a tree .? Si77ip. But that in all my life, when I was a youth. Wife. Too true ; and bought his climbing very dear. loo Glou. Mass, thou lovedst plums well, that wouldst venture so. Simp. Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons, And made me climb, with danger of my life. Glou. A subtle knave ! but yet it shall not serve. Let me see thine eyes : wink now : now open them : In my opinion yet thou see'st not well. Simp. Yes, master, clear as day, 1 thank God and Saint Alban, Glou. Say'st thou me so ? What colour is this cloak of? KING HENRY VI. Act II. Sc. i. Simp. Red, master ; red as blood. Glou. Why, that 's well said. What colour is my gown of.? no Simp. Black, forsooth : coal-black as jet. King. Why, then, thou know'st what colour jet is of? Suf. And yet, I think, jet did he never see. Glou. But cloaks and gowns, before this day, a many. Wife. Never, before this day, in all his life. Glou. Tell me, sirrah, what 's my name ? Simp. Alas, master, I know not. Glou. What 's his name ? Simp. I know not. Glou. Nor his.? 120 Simp. No, indeed, master. Glou. What 's thine own name .? Sitnp. Saunder Simpcox, an if it please you, master. Glou. 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; 1 30 and would ye not think his cunning to be great, that could restore this cripple to his legs again ? Simp. O master, that you could ! Glou. My masters of Saint Albans, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips ? May. Yes, my lord, if it please your grace. Glou. Then send for one presently. May. Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight. \Exit an Attendant. Act II. Sc. i. THE SECOND PART OF Glou. Now fetch me a stool hither by and by. Now, sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whip- 140 ping, leap me over this stool and run away. Simp. Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone : You go about to torture me in vain. Enter a Beadle luith ivhips. Glou. Well, sir, we must have you find your legs. Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool. Bead. I will, my lord. Come on, sirrah j off with your doublet quickly. Simp. Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand. 150 l^After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over the stool and runs anvay ; and they Jolloiv and cry, ' A miracle / ' King. O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long ? Qiieen. It made me laugh to see the villain run. Glou. Follow the knave ; and take this drab away. Wife. Alas, sir, we did it for pure need. Glou. Let them be whipped through every market- town, till they come to Berwick, from whence they came. [Exeunt Wife, Beadle, Mayor, £ffc. Car. Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day. Stf. True ; made the lame to leap and fly away. Glou. But you have done more miracles than I ; 160 You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly. Enter Buckingham. King. What tidings with our cousin Buckingham ? Bud. Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. KING HENRY VI. Act II. Sc. i. A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, Under the countenance and confederacy Of Lady Eleanor, the protector's wife, The ringleader and head of all this rout, Have practised dangerously against your state. 