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Henry VI, Pt. 2: Act III, Scene 1

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Henry VI, Pt. 2
Act III, Scene 1

Scene 1

The Abbey at Bury St Edmunds.

  1. Sound a sennet. Enter two Heralds before. Then enter King,
  2. Queen, Cardinal, Suffolk, York, Buckingham,
  3. Salisbury, and Warwick to the parliament.

King Henry the Sixth

1 - 3
  1. I muse my Lord of Gloucester is not come;
  2. ’Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man,
  3. What e’er occasion keeps him from us now.

Queen Margaret

4 - 41
  1. Can you not see? Or will ye not observe
  2. The strangeness of his alter’d countenance?
  3. With what a majesty he bears himself,
  4. How insolent of late he is become,
  5. How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself?
  6. We know the time since he was mild and affable,
  7. And if we did but glance a far-off look,
  8. Immediately he was upon his knee,
  9. That all the court admir’d him for submission;
  10. But meet him now, and, be it in the morn,
  11. When every one will give the time of day,
  12. He knits his brow and shows an angry eye,
  13. And passeth by with stiff unbowed knee,
  14. Disdaining duty that to us belongs.
  15. Small curs are not regarded when they grin,
  16. But great men tremble when the lion roars,
  17. And Humphrey is no little man in England.
  18. First note that he is near you in descent,
  19. And should you fall, he is the next will mount.
  20. Me seemeth then it is no policy,
  21. Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears
  22. And his advantage following your decease,
  23. That he should come about your royal person,
  24. Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council.
  25. By flattery hath he won the commons’ hearts;
  26. And when he please to make commotion,
  27. ’Tis to be fear’d they all will follow him.
  28. Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted;
  29. Suffer them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the garden,
  30. And choke the herbs for want of husbandry.
  31. The reverent care I bear unto my lord
  32. Made me collect these dangers in the Duke.
  33. If it be fond, call it a woman’s fear;
  34. Which fear, if better reasons can supplant,
  35. I will subscribe, and say I wrong’d the Duke.
  36. My Lord of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York,
  37. Reprove my allegation if you can,
  38. Or else conclude my words effectual.

Duke of Suffolk

42 - 57
  1. Well hath your Highness seen into this duke;
  2. And, had I first been put to speak my mind,
  3. I think I should have told your Grace’s tale.
  4. The Duchess by his subornation,
  5. Upon my life, began her devilish practices;
  6. Or if he were not privy to those faults,
  7. Yet, by reputing of his high descent,
  8. As next the King he was successive heir,
  9. And such high vaunts of his nobility,
  10. Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick Duchess
  11. By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall.
  12. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep,
  13. And in his simple show he harbors treason.
  14. The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb.
  15. No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man
  16. Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.

Cardinal Beauford

58 - 59
  1. Did he not, contrary to form of law,
  2. Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?

Duke of York

60 - 63
  1. And did he not, in his protectorship,
  2. Levy great sums of money through the realm
  3. For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it,
  4. By means whereof the towns each day revolted?

Duke of Buckingham

64 - 65
  1. Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown,
  2. Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.

King Henry the Sixth

66 - 73
  1. My lords, at once: the care you have of us
  2. To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot
  3. Is worthy praise; but shall I speak my conscience,
  4. Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent
  5. From meaning treason to our royal person
  6. As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove.
  7. The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given
  8. To dream on evil or to work my downfall.

Queen Margaret

74 - 81
  1. Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance!
  2. Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrow’d,
  3. For he’s disposed as the hateful raven.
  4. Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him,
  5. For he’s inclin’d as is the ravenous wolves.
  6. Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit?
  7. Take heed, my lord, the welfare of us all
  8. Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.
  1. Enter Somerset.

Duke of Somerset

82
  1. All health unto my gracious sovereign!

King Henry the Sixth

83
  1. Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?

Duke of Somerset

84 - 85
  1. That all your interest in those territories
  2. Is utterly bereft you: all is lost.

King Henry the Sixth

86
  1. Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God’s will be done!

Duke of York

87 - 92
  1. Aside.
  2. Cold news for me; for I had hope of France
  3. As firmly as I hope for fertile England.
  4. Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud,
  5. And caterpillars eat my leaves away;
  6. But I will remedy this gear ere long,
  7. Or sell my title for a glorious grave.
  1. Enter Gloucester.

Duke of Gloucester

93 - 94
  1. All happiness unto my lord the King!
  2. Pardon, my liege, that I have stay’d so long.

Duke of Suffolk

95 - 97
  1. Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon,
  2. Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art.
  3. I do arrest thee of high treason here.

Duke of Gloucester

98 - 103
  1. Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush
  2. Nor change my countenance for this arrest;
  3. A heart unspotted is not easily daunted.
  4. The purest spring is not so free from mud
  5. As I am clear from treason to my sovereign.
  6. Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?
Remains of The Abbey at Bury St Edmunds

Remains of The Abbey at Bury St Edmunds

JohnArmagh, 2011

Duke of York

104 - 106
  1. ’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of France,
  2. And being Protector, stay’d the soldiers’ pay,
  3. By means whereof his Highness hath lost France.

Duke of Gloucester

107 - 118
  1. Is it but thought so? What are they that think it?
  2. I never robb’d the soldiers of their pay,
  3. Nor ever had one penny bribe from France.
  4. So help me God, as I have watch’d the night,
  5. Ay, night by night, in studying good for England.
  6. That doit that e’er I wrested from the King,
  7. Or any groat I hoarded to my use,
  8. Be brought against me at my trial day!
  9. No; many a pound of mine own proper store,
  10. Because I would not tax the needy commons,
  11. Have I dispursed to the garrisons,
  12. And never ask’d for restitution.

Cardinal Beauford

119
  1. It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.

Duke of Gloucester

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

Duke of York

121 - 123
  1. In your protectorship you did devise
  2. Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of,
  3. That England was defam’d by tyranny.

Duke of Gloucester

124 - 132
  1. Why, ’tis well known that, whiles I was Protector,
  2. Pity was all the fault that was in me;
  3. For I should melt at an offender’s tears,
  4. And lowly words were ransom for their fault.
  5. Unless it were a bloody murderer,
  6. Or foul felonious thief that fleec’d poor passengers,
  7. I never gave them condign punishment.
  8. Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortur’d
  9. Above the felon or what trespass else.

Duke of Suffolk

133 - 138
  1. My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answer’d;
  2. But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge,
  3. Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.
  4. I do arrest you in his Highness’ name,
  5. And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal
  6. To keep, until your further time of trial.

King Henry the Sixth

139 - 141
  1. My Lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope
  2. That you will clear yourself from all suspense.
  3. My conscience tells me you are innocent.

Duke of Gloucester

142 - 171
  1. Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous:
  2. Virtue is chok’d with foul ambition,
  3. And charity chas’d hence by rancor’s hand;
  4. Foul subornation is predominant,
  5. And equity exil’d your Highness’ land.
  6. I know their complot is to have my life;
  7. And if my death might make this island happy,
  8. And prove the period of their tyranny,
  9. I would expend it with all willingness.
  10. But mine is made the prologue to their play;
  11. For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril,
  12. Will not conclude their plotted tragedy.
  13. Beauford’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice,
  14. And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate;
  15. Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue
  16. The envious load that lies upon his heart;
  17. And dogged York, that reaches at the moon,
  18. Whose overweening arm I have pluck’d back,
  19. By false accuse doth level at my life.
  20. And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest,
  21. Causeless have laid disgraces on my head,
  22. And with your best endeavor have stirr’d up
  23. My liefest liege to be mine enemy.
  24. Ay, all of you have laid your heads together—
  25. Myself had notice of your conventicles—
  26. And all to make away my guiltless life.
  27. I shall not want false witness to condemn me,
  28. Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt.
  29. The ancient proverb will be well effected:
  30. “A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.”

Cardinal Beauford

172 - 177
  1. My liege, his railing is intolerable.
  2. If those that care to keep your royal person
  3. From treason’s secret knife and traitors’ rage
  4. Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at,
  5. And the offender granted scope of speech,
  6. ’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.

Duke of Suffolk

178 - 181
  1. Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here
  2. With ignominious words, though clerkly couch’d,
  3. As if she had suborned some to swear
  4. False allegations to o’erthrow his state?

Queen Margaret

182
  1. But I can give the loser leave to chide.

Duke of Gloucester

183 - 185
  1. Far truer spoke than meant. I lose indeed;
  2. Beshrew the winners, for they play’d me false!
  3. And well such losers may have leave to speak.

Duke of Buckingham

186 - 187
  1. He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day.
  2. Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.

Cardinal Beauford

188
  1. Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.

Duke of Gloucester

189 - 194
  1. Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch
  2. Before his legs be firm to bear his body.
  3. Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side,
  4. And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first.
  5. Ah, that my fear were false, ah, that it were!
  6. For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.
  1. Exit Gloucester with the Cardinal’s Men.

King Henry the Sixth

195 - 196
  1. My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best,
  2. Do or undo, as if ourself were here.

Queen Margaret

197
  1. What, will your Highness leave the parliament?

Byam Shaw, 1901

King Henry the Sixth

198 - 222
  1. Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown’d with grief,
  2. Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes;
  3. My body round engirt with misery—
  4. For what’s more miserable than discontent?
  5. Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see
  6. The map of honor, truth, and loyalty;
  7. And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come
  8. That e’er I prov’d thee false or fear’d thy faith.
  9. What low’ring star now envies thy estate,
  10. That these great lords, and Margaret our queen,
  11. Do seek subversion of thy harmless life?
  12. Thou never didst them wrong, nor no man wrong;
  13. And as the butcher takes away the calf,
  14. And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays,
  15. Bearing it to the bloody slaughter-house,
  16. Even so remorseless have they borne him hence;
  17. And as the dam runs lowing up and down,
  18. Looking the way her harmless young one went,
  19. And can do nought but wail her darling’s loss,
  20. Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case
  21. With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimm’d eyes
  22. Look after him, and cannot do him good,
  23. So mighty are his vowed enemies.
  24. His fortunes I will weep, and ’twixt each groan
  25. Say, “Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.”
  1. Exit with Buckingham, Salisbury, and Warwick.

Queen Margaret

223 - 234
  1. Free lords, cold snow melts with the sun’s hot beams:
  2. Henry my lord is cold in great affairs,
  3. Too full of foolish pity; and Gloucester’s show
  4. Beguiles him as the mournful crocodile
  5. With sorrow snares relenting passengers;
  6. Or as the snake roll’d in a flow’ring bank,
  7. With shining checker’d slough, doth sting a child
  8. That for the beauty thinks it excellent.
  9. Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I—
  10. And yet herein I judge mine own wit good—
  11. This Gloucester should be quickly rid the world,
  12. To rid us from the fear we have of him.

Cardinal Beauford

235 - 237
  1. That he should die is worthy policy,
  2. But yet we want a color for his death.
  3. ’Tis meet he be condemn’d by course of law.

Duke of Suffolk

238 - 242
  1. But, in my mind, that were no policy:
  2. The King will labor still to save his life,
  3. The commons haply rise, to save his life;
  4. And yet we have but trivial argument,
  5. More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death.

Duke of York

243
  1. So that, by this, you would not have him die.

Duke of Suffolk

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

Duke of York

245 - 250
  1. ’Tis York that hath more reason for his death.
  2. But, my Lord Cardinal, and you, my Lord of Suffolk,
  3. Say as you think, and speak it from your souls:
  4. Were’t not all one, an empty eagle were set
  5. To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,
  6. As place Duke Humphrey for the King’s Protector?

Queen Margaret

251
  1. So the poor chicken should be sure of death.

Duke of Suffolk

252 - 265
  1. Madam, ’tis true; and were’t not madness then,
  2. To make the fox surveyor of the fold?
  3. Who being accus’d a crafty murderer,
  4. His guilt should be but idly posted over,
  5. Because his purpose is not executed.
  6. No; let him die, in that he is a fox,
  7. By nature prov’d an enemy to the flock,
  8. Before his chaps be stain’d with crimson blood,
  9. As Humphrey, prov’d by reasons, to my liege.
  10. And do not stand on quillets how to slay him;
  11. Be it by gins, by snares, by subtlety,
  12. Sleeping, or waking, ’tis no matter how,
  13. So he be dead; for that is good deceit
  14. Which mates him first that first intends deceit.

Queen Margaret

266
  1. Thrice-noble Suffolk, ’tis resolutely spoke.

Duke of Suffolk

267 - 272
  1. Not resolute, except so much were done,
  2. For things are often spoke and seldom meant;
  3. But that my heart accordeth with my tongue,
  4. Seeing the deed is meritorious,
  5. And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,
  6. Say but the word, and I will be his priest.

Cardinal Beauford

273 - 277
  1. But I would have him dead, my Lord of Suffolk,
  2. Ere you can take due orders for a priest.
  3. Say you consent, and censure well the deed,
  4. And I’ll provide his executioner,
  5. I tender so the safety of my liege.

Duke of Suffolk

278
  1. Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing.

Queen Margaret

279
  1. And so say I.

Duke of York

280 - 281
  1. And I; and now we three have spoke it,
  2. It skills not greatly who impugns our doom.
  1. Enter a Post.

Post

282 - 287
  1. Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain,
  2. To signify that rebels there are up
  3. And put the Englishmen unto the sword.
  4. Send succors, lords, and stop the rage betime,
  5. Before the wound do grow uncurable;
  6. For being green, there is great hope of help.
  1. Exit.

Cardinal Beauford

288 - 289
  1. A breach that craves a quick expedient stop!
  2. What counsel give you in this weighty cause?

Duke of York

290 - 292
  1. That Somerset be sent as Regent thither:
  2. ’Tis meet that lucky ruler be employ’d—
  3. Witness the fortune he hath had in France.

Duke of Somerset

293 - 295
  1. If York, with all his far-fet policy,
  2. Had been the Regent there in stead of me,
  3. He never would have stay’d in France so long.

Duke of York

296 - 301
  1. No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done.
  2. I rather would have lost my life betimes
  3. Than bring a burden of dishonor home
  4. By staying there so long till all were lost.
  5. Show me one scar character’d on thy skin:
  6. Men’s flesh preserv’d so whole do seldom win.
Portraits of Spanish Moors, known as "Moriscos"

Like a wild Morisco

Portraits of Spanish Moors, known as "Moriscos"

Christoph Weiditz, circa 1530

Queen Margaret

302 - 306
  1. Nay then, this spark will prove a raging fire,
  2. If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with.
  3. No more, good York; sweet Somerset, be still.
  4. Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been Regent there,
  5. Might happily have prov’d far worse than his.

Duke of York

307
  1. What, worse than nought? Nay, then a shame take all!

Duke of Somerset

308
  1. And, in the number, thee that wishest shame!

Cardinal Beauford

309 - 314
  1. My Lord of York, try what your fortune is.
  2. Th’ uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms,
  3. And temper clay with blood of Englishmen.
  4. To Ireland will you lead a band of men,
  5. Collected choicely, from each county some,
  6. And try your hap against the Irishmen?

Duke of York

315
  1. I will, my lord, so please his Majesty.

Duke of Suffolk

316 - 318
  1. Why, our authority is his consent,
  2. And what we do establish he confirms.
  3. Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand.

Duke of York

319 - 320
  1. I am content. Provide me soldiers, lords,
  2. Whiles I take order for mine own affairs.

Duke of Suffolk

321 - 322
  1. A charge, Lord York, that I will see perform’d.
  2. But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey.

Cardinal Beauford

323 - 326
  1. No more of him; for I will deal with him
  2. That henceforth he shall trouble us no more.
  3. And so break off, the day is almost spent;
  4. Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event.

Duke of York

327 - 329
  1. My Lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days
  2. At Bristow I expect my soldiers,
  3. For there I’ll ship them all for Ireland.

Duke of Suffolk

330
  1. I’ll see it truly done, my Lord of York.
  1. Exeunt. Manet York.

Duke of York

331 - 383
  1. Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts,
  2. And change misdoubt to resolution;
  3. Be that thou hop’st to be, or what thou art
  4. Resign to death; it is not worth th’ enjoying.
  5. Let pale-fac’d fear keep with the mean-born man,
  6. And find no harbor in a royal heart.
  7. Faster than spring-time show’rs comes thought on thought,
  8. And not a thought but thinks on dignity.
  9. My brain, more busy than the laboring spider,
  10. Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies.
  11. Well, nobles, well; ’tis politicly done,
  12. To send me packing with an host of men:
  13. I fear me you but warm the starved snake,
  14. Who, cherish’d in your breasts, will sting your hearts.
  15. ’Twas men I lack’d, and you will give them me;
  16. I take it kindly. Yet be well assur’d
  17. You put sharp weapons in a madman’s hands.
  18. Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band,
  19. I will stir up in England some black storm
  20. Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell;
  21. And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage
  22. Until the golden circuit on my head,
  23. Like to the glorious sun’s transparent beams,
  24. Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw.
  25. And for a minister of my intent,
  26. I have seduc’d a headstrong Kentishman,
  27. John Cade of Ashford,
  28. To make commotion, as full well he can,
  29. Under the title of John Mortimer.
  30. In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade
  31. Oppose himself against a troop of kerns,
  32. And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts
  33. Were almost like a sharp-quill’d porpentine;
  34. And in the end being rescued, I have seen
  35. Him caper upright like a wild Morisco,
  36. Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells.
  37. Full often, like a shag-hair’d crafty kern,
  38. Hath he conversed with the enemy,
  39. And undiscover’d come to me again,
  40. And given me notice of their villainies.
  41. This devil here shall be my substitute;
  42. For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,
  43. In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble.
  44. By this I shall perceive the commons’ mind,
  45. How they affect the house and claim of York.
  46. Say he be taken, rack’d, and tortured,
  47. I know no pain they can inflict upon him
  48. Will make him say I mov’d him to those arms.
  49. Say that he thrive, as ’tis great like he will,
  50. Why then from Ireland come I with my strength,
  51. And reap the harvest which that rascal sow’d.
  52. For Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,
  53. And Henry put apart, the next for me.
  1. Exit.
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