Glo. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown, With walking once about the quadrangle, I come to talk of commonwealth affairs. As for your spiteful false objections, Prove them, and I lie open to the law: But God in mercy so deal with my soul, As I in duty love my king and country! But, to the matter that we have in hand:I say, my sovereign, York is meetest man To be your regent in the realm of France. 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 War. That I can witness, and a fouler fact 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: 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 His words were these; that Richard, duke of York, K. Hen. Say, man, were these thy words? Pet. By these ten bones, my lords, [Holding up his hands,] he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring my lord of York's armor. York. Base dunghill villain, and mechanical, I'll have thy head for this thy traitor's speech:I do beseech your royal majesty, Let him have all the rigor of the law. 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 yow 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:Let Somerset be regent o'er the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion: And let these have a day appointed them For single combat in convenient place; For he hath witness of his servant's malice: This is the law, and this duke Humphrey's doom. K. Hen. Then be it so. My lord of Somerset, We make your grace lord regent o'er the French. 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 The marks of her fingers and thumbs. 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. 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 Duke of Gloster'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 ?8 Hume. Ay: What else? fear you not her courage. Boling. I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit: But it shall be convenient, master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, in God's name, and leave us. [Exit HUME.] Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate, and grovel on the earth :-John Southwell, read you; and let us to our work. [Thunder and lightning. Spirit descends. Enter YORK and BUCKINGHAM, hastily, with their Guards, and others. York. Lay hands upon these traitors, and their trash. Beldame, 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: See you well guerdon'd2 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, And kept asunder:-You, madam, shall with us:Stafford, take her to thee. Exit DUCHESS from above. spirits, and not to lay them. By exorcise, Shakspeare invariably means to raise 9 Matter or business. 1 Watch-dogs. 2 Rewarded. We'll see your trinkets here all forth-coming; [Exeunt Guards, with SOUTHWELL, BOLING- York. Lord Buckingham, methinks, you watch'd her well: A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon! The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose: Aio te, Eacida, Romanos vincere posse. [Reads. Tell me, what fate awaits the duke of Suffolk? Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains, ACT II. SCENE I-Saint Alban's. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, GLOSTER, CARDINAL, and SUFFOLK, with Falconers, hollaing. Q. Mar. Believe me, lords, for flying at the brook,3 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. K. Hen. But what a point, my lord, your falcon made, And what a pitch she flew above the rest!- Glo. Ay, my lord cardinal; how think you by that? Were it not good, your grace could fly to heaven? Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart; Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ ? 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. Glo. As who, my lord? Suf Why, as you, my lord; An't like your lordly lord-protectorship. Glo. Why, Suffolk, England knows thine inso lence. Q. Mar. And thy ambition, Gloster. K. Hen. I pr'ythee, peace, 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! Glo. 'Faith, holy uncle, 'would 'twere come to that! [Aside to the Cardinal. Car. Marry, when thou dar'st. [Aside. Glo. Make up no factious numbers for the matter, In thine own person answer thy abuse. [Aside. Car. Ay, where thou dar'st not peep: an if thou dar'st, This evening on the east side of the grove. [Aside. The falconer's term for hawking at water-fowl. shrine, Within this half hour, hath receiv'd his sight; K. Hen. Now, God be prais'd! that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair K. Hen. Great is his comfort in this earthly vale, king, 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? 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. Glo. Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst have better told. K. Hen. Where wert thou born? Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass, Or of devotion, to this holy shrine? 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 Myself have heard a voice to call him so. Fence is the art of defence. Simp. Alas, good 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; In my opinion yet thou seest not well. Simp. Yes, master, clear as day; I thank God, and Saint Alban. Glo. Say'st thou me so? What color is this cloak of? Simp. Red, master; red as blood. Glo. Why, that's well said: What color is my gown of? Simp. Black, forsooth; coal-black, as jet. Enter BUCKINGHAM. K. Hen. What tidings with our cousin Buckingham? Buck. Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. A sort of naughty persons lewdly? bent,Under the countenance and confederacy Of lady Eleanor, the protector's wife, The ring-leader and head of all this rout,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, 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. This news, I think, hath turn'd your weapon's edge; 'Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour. [Aside to GLOSTER. Glo. Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart! Sorrow and grief have vanquish'd all my powers: K. Hen. O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones; K Hen. Why then, thou know'st what color jet Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby! is of? Glo. Then, Saunder, sit thou there, the lyingest knave In Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, Glo. My masters of saint Alban's, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips? 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: You go about to torture me in vain. Re-enter Attendant, with the Beadle. Glo. 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; off with your doublet quickly. Simp. Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not abl; to stand. [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. Glo. Let them be whipped through every market| town, till they come to Berwick, 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. Glo. But you have done more miracles than I; You made, in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly. Q. Mar. Gloster, 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, And, for my wife, I know not how it stands; Sorry I am to hear what I have heard: Noble she is; but if she have forgot Honor, and virtue, and 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, SCENE II.-London. The Duke of York's Garden. Enter YORK, SALISBURY, and WARWICK. Our simple supper ended, give me leave, Edward the Third, my lords, had seven sons: William of Windsor was the seventh and last. York. The third son, duke of Clarence, (from I claim the crown,) had issue-Philippe, a daughter, My mother, being heir unto the crown, Succeed before the younger, I am king. War. What plain proceedings are more plain Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt, York. We thank you, lords. But I am not your Till I be crown'd; and that my sword be stain'd Sal. My lord, break we off; we know your mind War. My heart assures me, that the earl of Shall one day make the duke of York a king. [Exeunt. | Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground!- Give up thy staff; Henry will to himself Q. Mar. I see no reason why a king of years Glo. My staff?-here, noble Henry, is my staff As e'er thy father Henry made it mine; Exit Q. Mar. Why, now is Henry king, and Marga. sprays; Thus Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days. Q. Mar. Ay, good my lord; for purposely therefore K. Hen. O' God's name, see the lists and all Here let them end it, and God defend the right! 1 Neigh. Here, neighbor Horner, I drink to you in a cup of sack; And fear not, neighbor, you shall do well enough. 2 Neigh. And here, neighbor, here's a cup of charneco. 3 Neigh. And here's a pot of good double beer, neighbor: drink, and fear not your man. Hor. Let it come, i'faith, and I'll pledge you all; SCENE III-A Hall of Justice. MARGARET, GLOSTER, YORK, SUFFOLK, and SALIS- K. Hen. Stand forth, dame Eleanor Cobham, In sight of God and us, your guilt is great; Duch. Welcome is banishment, welcome were Glo. Eleanor, the law, thou seest, hath judged thee; Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief; 1 Pren. Here, Peter, I drink to thee; and be not afraid. 2 Pren. Be merry, Peter, and fear not thy master; fight for credit of the prentices. Peter. I thank you all: drink and pray for me, I pray you; for, I think, I have taken my last 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. Sal. Come, leave your drinking, and fall to blows.-Sirrah, what's thy name? Peter. Peter, forsooth. Sal.Thump! then see thou thump thy master wel 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,-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, as Bevis of Southampton fell upon Ascapart. York. Despatch:-this knave's tongue begins to double. 1 Wishes for. In a worse plight. 2 Reached. A sort of sweet wine. 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. 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; 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, Come, fellow, follow us for thy reward. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-A Street. Enter GLOSTER and Servants, in mourning cloaks. Glo. Thus, sometimes, hath the brightest day a cloud; And, after summer, ever more succeeds 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, 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, 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. Enter the DUCHESS OF GLOSTER, in a white sheet, with papers pinn'd upon her back, 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! See, how the giddy multitude do point, And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on thee! Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? To every idle rascal follower. Glo. Ah, Nell, forbear; thou aimest all awry; Her. I summon your grace to his majesty's parliament, holden at Bury the first of this next month. 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. Sher. An't please your grace, here my commission stays: And sir John Stauley is appointed now, Glo. Must you, sir John, protect my lady here? 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 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. For none abides with me: my joy is death; Stan. Like to a duchess, and duke Humphrey's lady, |