Henry VI, Pt. 1
Act III, Scene 4
Paris. A room in the palace.
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Also called 'Good Duke Humphrey'
Unknown artist, late 18th century
- Enter the King, Gloucester, Winchester, Richard Plantagenet,
- now Duke of York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Exeter,
- Vernon, Basset, and others. To them, with his Soldiers,
- Talbot.
Lord Talbot
1 - 12- My gracious prince, and honorable peers,
- Hearing of your arrival in this realm,
- I have a while given truce unto my wars,
- To do my duty to my sovereign;
- In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaim’d
- To your obedience fifty fortresses,
- Twelve cities, and seven walled towns of strength,
- Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem,
- Lets fall his sword before your Highness’ feet,
- And with submissive loyalty of heart
- Ascribes the glory of his conquest got
- First to my God and next unto your Grace.
- Kneels.
King Henry the Sixth
13 - 14- Is this the Lord Talbot, uncle Gloucester,
- That hath so long been resident in France?
Duke of Gloucester
15- Yes, if it please your Majesty, my liege.
King Henry the Sixth
16 - 27- Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord!
- When I was young (as yet I am not old),
- I do remember how my father said
- A stouter champion never handled sword.
- Long since we were resolved of your truth,
- Your faithful service, and your toil in war;
- Yet never have you tasted our reward,
- Or been reguerdon’d with so much as thanks,
- Because till now we never saw your face.
- Therefore stand up, and for these good deserts
- We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury,
- And in our coronation take your place.
- Sennet. Flourish.
- Exeunt. Manent Vernon and Basset.
Vernon
28 - 31- Now, sir, to you, that were so hot at sea,
- Disgracing of these colors that I wear
- In honor of my noble Lord of York,
- Dar’st thou maintain the former words thou spak’st?
Basset
32 - 34- Yes, sir, as well as you dare patronage
- The envious barking of your saucy tongue
- Against my lord the Duke of Somerset.
Vernon
35- Sirrah, thy lord I honor as he is.
Basset
36- Why, what is he? As good a man as York.
Vernon
37- Hark ye; not so; in witness, take ye that.
- Strikes him.
Basset
38 - 43- Villain, thou knowest the law of arms is such
- That whoso draws a sword, ’tis present death,
- Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood.
- But I’ll unto his Majesty, and crave
- I may have liberty to venge this wrong,
- When thou shalt see I’ll meet thee to thy cost.
Vernon
44 - 45- Well, miscreant, I’ll be there as soon as you,
- And after meet you, sooner than you would.
- Exeunt.