Henry VI, Part I
By William Shakespeare.
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Dramatis Personae
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King Henry the Sixth
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Mayor of London
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Duke of Gloucester, uncle to the King, and Protector
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Duke of Bedford, uncle to the King, and Regent of France
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Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter, great-uncle to the King
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Henry Beaufort, great-uncle to the King, Bishop of Winchester, and afterwards Cardinal
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John Beaufort, Earl, afterwards Duke, of Somerset
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Richard Plantagenet, son of Richard late Earl of Cambridge, afterwards Duke of York
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Earl of Warwick
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Earl of Salisbury
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Earl of Suffolk
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Lord Talbot, afterwards Earl of Shrewsbury
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John Talbot, his son
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Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March
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Sir John Fastolfe
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Sir William Lucy
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Sir William Glansdale
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Sir Thomas Gargrave
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Mayor of London
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Woodvile, Lieutenant of the Tower
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Vernon, of the White-Rose or York faction
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Basset, of the Red-Rose or Lancaster faction
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A lawyer
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Mortimer’s Keepers
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Charles, Dauphin, and afterwards King, of France
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Reignier, Duke of Anjou, and titular King of Naples
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Duke of Burgundy
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Duke of Alençon
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Bastard of Orleans
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Governor of Paris
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Master-Gunner of Orleans, and his son
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General of the French forces in Bourdeaux
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A French Sergeant
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A Porter
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An old shepherd, father to Joan la Pucelle
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Margaret, daughter to Reignier, afterwards married to King Henry
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Countess of Auvergne
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Joan la Pucelle, commonly called Joan of Arc
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Lords, warders of the tower, heralds, officers, soldiers, messengers, and attendants
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Fiends appearing to La Pucelle
Scene: Partly in England, and partly in France.
Henry VI, Part I
Act I
Scene I
Westminster Abbey.
Dead March. Enter the Funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by Duke of Bedford, Regent of France; Duke of Gloucester, Protector; the Duke of Exeter, the Earl of Warwick, the Bishop of Winchester, Heralds, etc. | |
Bedford |
Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night!
|
Gloucester |
England ne’er had a king until his time.
|
Exeter |
We mourn in black: why mourn we not in blood?
|
Winchester |
He was a king bless’d of the King of kings.
|
Gloucester |
The church! where is it? Had not churchmen pray’d,
|
Winchester |
Gloucester, whate’er we like, thou art protector
|
Gloucester |
Name not religion, for thou lovest the flesh,
|
Bedford |
Cease, cease these jars and rest your minds in peace:
|
Enter a Messenger. | |
Messenger |
My honourable lords, health to you all!
|
Bedford |
What say’st thou, man, before dead Henry’s corse?
|
Gloucester |
Is Paris lost? is Rouen yielded up?
|
Exeter | How were they lost? what treachery was used? |
Messenger |
No treachery; but want of men and money.
|
Exeter |
Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
|
Bedford |
Me they concern; Regent I am of France.
|
Enter to them another Messenger. | |
Messenger |
Lords, view these letters full of bad mischance.
|
Exeter |
The Dauphin crowned king! all fly to him!
|
Gloucester |
We will not fly, but to our enemies’ throats.
|
Bedford |
Gloucester, why doubt’st thou of my forwardness?
|
Enter another Messenger. | |
Messenger |
My gracious lords, to add to your laments,
|
Winchester | What! wherein Talbot overcame? is’t so? |
Messenger |
O, no; wherein Lord Talbot was o’erthrown:
|
Bedford |
Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself,
|
Messenger |
O no, he lives; but is took prisoner,
|
Bedford |
His ransom there is none but I shall pay:
|
Messenger |
So you had need; for Orleans is besieged;
|
Exeter |
Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn,
|
Bedford |
I do remember it; and here take my leave,
|
Gloucester |
I’ll to the Tower with all the haste I can,
|
Exeter |
To Eltham will I, where the young king is,
|
Winchester |
Each hath his place and function to attend:
|
Scene II
France. Before Orleans.
Sound a flourish. Enter Charles, Alençon, and Reignier, marching with drum and Soldiers. | |
Charles |
Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens
|
Alençon |
They want their porridge and their fat bull-beeves:
|
Reignier |
Let’s raise the siege: why live we idly here?
|
Charles |
Sound, sound alarum! we will rush on them.
|
Here alarum; they are beaten back by the English with great loss. Reenter Charles, Alençon, and Reignier. | |
Charles |
Who ever saw the like? what men have I!
|
Reignier |
Salisbury is a desperate homicide;
|
Alençon |
Froissart, a countryman of ours, records,
|
Charles |
Let’s leave this town; for they are hare-brain’d slaves,
|
Reignier |
I think, by some odd gimmors or device
|
Alençon | Be it so. |
Enter the Bastard of Orleans. | |
Bastard | Where’s the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him. |
Charles | Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. |
Bastard |
Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appall’d:
|
Charles |
Go, call her in. Exit Bastard.
|
Reenter the Bastard of Orleans, with Joan la Pucelle. | |
Reignier | Fair maid, is’t thou wilt do these wondrous feats? |
Pucelle |
Reignier, is’t thou that thinkest to beguile me?
|
Reignier | She takes upon her bravely at first dash. |
Pucelle |
Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,
|
Charles |
Thou hast astonish’d me with thy high terms:
|
Pucelle |
I am prepared: here is my keen-edged sword,
|
Charles | Then come, o’ God’s name; I fear no woman. |
Pucelle | And while I live, I’ll ne’er fly from a man. Here they fight, and Joan la Pucelle overcomes. |
Charles |
Stay, stay thy hands! thou art an Amazon
|
Pucelle | Christ’s mother helps me, else I were too weak. |
Charles |
Whoe’er helps thee, ’tis thou that must help me:
|
Pucelle |
I must not yield to any rites of love,
|
Charles | Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. |
Reignier | My lord, methinks, is very long in talk. |
Alençon |
Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock;
|
Reignier | Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean? |
Alençon |
He may mean more than we poor men do know:
|
Reignier |
My lord, where are you? what devise you on?
|
Pucelle |
Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants!
|
Charles | What she says I’ll confirm: we’ll fight it out. |
Pucelle |
Assign’d am I to be the English scourge.
|
Charles |
Was Muhammad inspired with a dove?
|
Alençon | Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege. |
Reignier |
Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours;
|
Charles |
Presently we’ll try: come, let’s away about it:
|
Scene III
London. Before the Tower.
Enter Gloucester, with his Serving-men in blue coats. | |
Gloucester |
I am come to survey the Tower this day:
|
First Warder | Within. Who’s there that knocks so imperiously? |
First Serving-man | It is the noble Duke of Gloucester. |
Second Warder | Within. Whoe’er he be, you may not be let in. |
First Serving-man | Villains, answer you so the lord protector? |
First Warder |
Within. The Lord protect him! so we answer him:
|
Gloucester |
Who willed you? or whose will stands but mine?
|
Woodvile | What noise is this? what traitors have we here? |
Gloucester |
Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
|
Woodvile |
Have patience, noble duke; I may not open;
|
Gloucester |
Faint-hearted Woodvile, prizest him ’fore me?
|
Serving-men |
Open the gates unto the lord protector,
|
Enter to the Protector at the Tower Gates Winchester and his men in tawny coats. | |
Winchester | How now, ambitious Humphry! what means this? |
Gloucester | Peel’d priest, dost thou command me to be shut out? |
Winchester |
I do, thou most usurping proditor,
|
Gloucester |
Stand back, thou manifest conspirator,
|
Winchester |
Nay, stand thou back; I will not budge a foot:
|
Gloucester |
I will not slay thee, but I’ll drive thee back:
|
Winchester | Do what thou darest; I beard thee to thy face. |
Gloucester |
What! am I dared and bearded to my face?
|
Winchester | Gloucester, thou wilt answer this before the pope. |
Gloucester |
Winchester goose, I cry, a rope! a rope!
|
Here Gloucester’s men beat out the Cardinals’s men, and enter in the hurly-burly the Mayor of London and his Officers. | |
Mayor |
Fie, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates,
|
Gloucester |
Peace, mayor! thou know’st little of my wrongs:
|
Winchester |
Here’s Gloucester, a foe to citizens,
|
Gloucester | I will not answer thee with words, but blows. Here they skirmish again. |
Mayor |
Naught rests for me in this tumultuous strife
|
Officer | All manner of men assembled here in arms this day against God’s peace and the king’s, we charge and command you, in his highness’ name, to repair to your several dwelling-places; and not to wear, handle, or use any sword, weapon, or dagger, henceforward, upon pain of death. |
Gloucester |
Cardinal, I’ll be no breaker of the law:
|
Winchester |
Gloucester, we will meet; to thy cost, be sure:
|
Mayor |
I’ll call for clubs, if you will not away.
|
Gloucester | Mayor, farewell: thou dost but what thou mayst. |
Winchester |
Abominable Gloucester, guard thy head;
|
Mayor |
See the coast clear’d, and then we will depart.
|
Scene IV
Orleans.
Enter, on the walls, a Master-Gunner and his Boy. | |
Master-Gunner |
Sirrah, thou know’st how Orleans is besieged,
|
Boy |
Father, I know; and oft have shot at them,
|
Master-Gunner |
But now thou shalt not. Be thou ruled by me:
|
Boy |
Father, I warrant you; take you no care;
|
Enter, on the turrets, the Lords Salisbury and Talbot, Sir William Glansdale, Sir Thomas Gargrave, and others. | |
Salisbury |
Talbot, my life, my joy, again return’d!
|
Talbot |
The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner
|
Salisbury | Yet tell’st thou not how thou wert entertain’d. |
Talbot |
With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts.
|
Enter the Boy with a linstock. | |
Salisbury |
I grieve to hear what torments you endured,
|
Gargrave | I think, at the north gate; for there stand lords. |
Glansdale | And I, here, at the bulwark of the bridge. |
Talbot |
For aught I see, this city must be famish’d,
|
Salisbury | O Lord, have mercy on us, wretched sinners! |
Gargrave | O Lord, have mercy on me, woeful man! |
Talbot |
What chance is this that suddenly hath cross’d us?
|
Enter a Messenger. | |
Messenger |
My lord, my lord, the French have gather’d head:
|
Talbot |
Hear, hear how dying Salisbury doth groan!
|
Scene V
The same.
Here an alarum again: and Talbot pursueth the Dauphin, and driveth him: then enter Joan la Pucelle, driving Englishmen before her, and exit after them: then reenter Talbot. | |
Talbot |
Where is my strength, my valour, and my force?
|
Reenter La Pucelle. | |
Here, here she comes. I’ll have a bout with thee;
|
|
Pucelle | Come, come, ’tis only I that must disgrace thee. Here they fight. |
Talbot |
Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail?
|
Pucelle |
Talbot, farewell; thy hour is not yet come:
|
Talbot |
My thoughts are whirled like a potter’s wheel;
|
Scene VI
The same.
Enter, on the walls, La Pucelle, Charles, Reignier, Alençon, and Soldiers. | |
Pucelle |
Advance our waving colours on the walls;
|
Charles |
Divinest creature, Astraea’s daughter,
|
Reignier |
Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town?
|
Alençon |
All France will be replete with mirth and joy,
|
Charles |
’Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won;
|
Act II
Scene I
Before Orleans.
Enter a Sergeant of a band with two Sentinels. | |
Sergeant |
Sirs, take your places and be vigilant:
|
First Sentinel |
Sergeant, you shall. Exit Sergeant. Thus are poor servitors,
|
Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, and forces, with scaling-ladders, their drums beating a dead march. | |
Talbot |
Lord Regent, and redoubted Burgundy,
|
Bedford |
Coward of France! how much he wrongs his fame,
|
Burgundy |
Traitors have never other company.
|
Talbot | A maid, they say. |
Bedford | A maid! and be so martial! |
Burgundy |
Pray God she prove not masculine ere long,
|
Talbot |
Well, let them practise and converse with spirits:
|
Bedford | Ascend, brave Talbot; we will follow thee. |
Talbot |
Not all together: better far, I guess,
|
Bedford | Agreed: I’ll to yond corner. |
Burgundy | And I to this. |
Talbot |
And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.
|
Sentinels | Arm! arm! the enemy doth make assault! Cry: “St. George,” “A Talbot.” |
The French leap over the walls in their shirts. Enter, several ways, the Bastard of Orleans, Alençon, and Reignier, half ready, and half unready. | |
Alençon | How now, my lords! what, all unready so? |
Bastard | Unready! ay, and glad we ’scaped so well. |
Reignier |
’Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
|
Alençon |
Of all exploits since first I follow’d arms,
|
Bastard | I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell. |
Reignier | If not of hell, the heavens, sure, favour him. |
Alençon | Here cometh Charles: I marvel how he sped. |
Bastard | Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard. |
Enter Charles and La Pucelle. | |
Charles |
Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?
|
Pucelle |
Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
|
Charles |
Duke of Alençon, this was your default,
|
Alençon |
Had all your quarters been as safely kept
|
Bastard | Mine was secure. |
Reignier | And so was mine, my lord. |
Charles |
And, for myself, most part of all this night,
|
Pucelle |
Question, my lords, no further of the case,
|
Alarum. Enter an English Soldier, crying “A Talbot! a Talbot!” They fly, leaving their clothes behind. | |
Soldier |
I’ll be so bold to take what they have left.
|
Scene II
Orleans. Within the town.
Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, a Captain, and others. | |
Bedford |
The day begins to break, and night is fled,
|
Talbot |
Bring forth the body of old Salisbury,
|
Bedford |
’Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began,
|
Burgundy |
Myself, as far as I could well discern
|
Enter a Messenger. | |
Messenger |
All hail, my lords! which of this princely train
|
Talbot | Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him? |
Messenger |
The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne,
|
Burgundy |
Is it even so? Nay, then, I see our wars
|
Talbot |
Ne’er trust me then; for when a world of men
|
Bedford |
No, truly; it is more than manners will:
|
Talbot |
Well then, alone, since there’s no remedy,
|
Captain | I do, my lord, and mean accordingly. Exeunt. |
Scene III
Auvergne. The Countess’s castle.
Enter the Countess and her Porter. | |
Countess |
Porter, remember what I gave in charge;
|
Porter | Madam, I will. Exit. |
Countess |
The plot is laid: if all things fall out right,
|
Enter Messenger and Talbot. | |
Messenger |
Madam,
|
Countess | And he is welcome. What! is this the man? |
Messenger | Madam, it is. |
Countess |
Is this the scourge of France?
|
Talbot |
Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;
|
Countess | What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes. |
Messenger |
Stay, my Lord Talbot; for my lady craves
|
Talbot |
Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
|
Reenter Porter with keys. | |
Countess | If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. |
Talbot | Prisoner! to whom? |
Countess |
To me, blood-thirsty lord;
|
Talbot | Ha, ha, ha! |
Countess | Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. |
Talbot |
I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
|
Countess | Why, art not thou the man? |
Talbot | I am indeed. |
Countess | Then have I substance too. |
Talbot |
No, no, I am but shadow of myself:
|
Countess |
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce;
|
Talbot |
That will I show you presently. Winds his horn. Drums strike up: a peal of ordnance. Enter Soldiers.
|
Countess |
Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse:
|
Talbot |
Be not dismay’d, fair lady; nor misconstrue
|
Countess |
With all my heart, and think me honoured
|
Scene IV
London. The Temple-garden.
Enter the Earls of Somerset, Suffolk, and Warwick; Richard Plantagenet, Vernon, and another Lawyer. | |
Plantagenet |
Great lords and gentlemen, what means this silence?
|
Suffolk |
Within the Temple-hall we were too loud;
|
Plantagenet |
Then say at once if I maintain’d the truth;
|
Suffolk |
Faith, I have been a truant in the law,
|
Somerset | Judge you, my Lord of Warwick, then, between us. |
Warwick |
Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch;
|
Plantagenet |
Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance:
|
Somerset |
And on my side it is so well apparell’d,
|
Plantagenet |
Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak,
|
Somerset |
Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer,
|
Warwick |
I love no colours, and without all colour
|
Suffolk |
I pluck this red rose with young Somerset
|
Vernon |
Stay, lords and gentlemen, and pluck no more,
|
Somerset |
Good Master Vernon, it is well objected:
|
Plantagenet | And I. |
Vernon |
Then for the truth and plainness of the case,
|
Somerset |
Prick not your finger as you pluck it off,
|
Vernon |
If I, my lord, for my opinion bleed,
|
Somerset | Well, well, come on: who else? |
Lawyer |
Unless my study and my books be false,
|
Plantagenet | Now, Somerset, where is your argument? |
Somerset |
Here in my scabbard, meditating that
|
Plantagenet |
Meantime your cheeks do counterfeit our roses;
|
Somerset |
No, Plantagenet,
|
Plantagenet | Hath not thy rose a canker, Somerset? |
Somerset | Hath not thy rose a thorn, Plantagenet? |
Plantagenet |
Ay, sharp and piercing, to maintain his truth;
|
Somerset |
Well, I’ll find friends to wear my bleeding roses,
|
Plantagenet |
Now, by this maiden blossom in my hand,
|
Suffolk | Turn not thy scorns this way, Plantagenet. |
Plantagenet | Proud Pole, I will, and scorn both him and thee. |
Suffolk | I’ll turn my part thereof into thy throat. |
Somerset |
Away, away, good William de la Pole!
|
Warwick |
Now, by God’s will, thou wrong’st him, Somerset;
|
Plantagenet |
He bears him on the place’s privilege,
|
Somerset |
By him that made me, I’ll maintain my words
|
Plantagenet |
My father was attached, not attainted,
|
Somerset |
Ah, thou shalt find us ready for thee still;
|
Plantagenet |
And, by my soul, this pale and angry rose,
|
Suffolk |
Go forward and be choked with thy ambition!
|
Somerset | Have with thee, Pole. Farewell, ambitious Richard. Exit. |
Plantagenet | How I am braved and must perforce endure it! |
Warwick |
This blot that they object against your house
|
Plantagenet |
Good Master Vernon, I am bound to you,
|
Vernon | In your behalf still will I wear the same. |
Lawyer | And so will I. |
Plantagenet |
Thanks, gentle sir.
|
Scene V
The Tower of London.
Enter Mortimer, brought in a chair, and Gaolers. | |
Mortimer |
Kind keepers of my weak decaying age,
|
First Gaoler |
Richard Plantagenet, my lord, will come:
|
Mortimer |
Enough: my soul shall then be satisfied.
|
Enter Richard Plantagenet. | |
First Gaoler | My lord, your loving nephew now is come. |
Mortimer | Richard Plantagenet, my friend, is he come? |
Plantagenet |
Ay, noble uncle, thus ignobly used,
|
Mortimer |
Direct mine arms I may embrace his neck,
|
Plantagenet |
First, lean thine aged back against mine arm;
|
Mortimer |
That cause, fair nephew, that imprison’d me
|
Plantagenet |
Discover more at large what cause that was,
|
Mortimer |
I will, if that my fading breath permit
|
Plantagenet | Of which, my lord, your honour is the last. |
Mortimer |
True; and thou seest that I no issue have
|
Plantagenet |
Thy grave admonishments prevail with me:
|
Mortimer |
With silence, nephew, be thou politic:
|
Plantagenet |
O, uncle, would some part of my young years
|
Mortimer |
Thou dost then wrong me, as that slaughterer doth
|
Plantagenet |
And peace, no war, befall thy parting soul!
|
Act III
Scene I
London. The Parliament-house.
Flourish. Enter King, Exeter, Gloucester, Warwick, Somerset, and Suffolk; the Bishop of Winchester, Richard Plantagenet, and others. Gloucester offers to put up a bill; Winchester snatches it, and tears it. | |
Winchester |
Comest thou with deep premeditated lines,
|
Gloucester |
Presumptuous priest! this place commands my patience,
|
Winchester |
Gloucester, I do defy thee. Lords, vouchsafe
|
Gloucester |
As good!
|
Winchester |
Ay, lordly sir; for what are you, I pray,
|
Gloucester | Am I not protector, saucy priest? |
Winchester | And am not I a prelate of the church? |
Gloucester |
Yes, as an outlaw in a castle keeps
|
Winchester | Unreverent Gloster! |
Gloucester |
Thou art reverent
|
Winchester | Rome shall remedy this. |
Warwick | Roam thither, then. |
Somerset | My lord, it were your duty to forbear. |
Warwick | Ay, see the bishop be not overborne. |
Somerset |
Methinks my lord should be religious
|
Warwick |
Methinks his lordship should be humbler;
|
Somerset | Yes, when his holy state is touch’d so near. |
Warwick |
State holy or unhallow’d, what of that?
|
Plantagenet |
Aside. Plantagenet, I see, must hold his tongue,
|
King |
Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester,
|
Warwick |
An uproar, I dare warrant,
|
Enter Mayor. | |
Mayor |
O, my good lords, and virtuous Henry,
|
Enter Serving-men, in skirmish, with bloody pates. | |
King |
We charge you, on allegiance to ourself,
|
First Serving-man | Nay, if we be forbidden stones, we’ll fall to it with our teeth. |
Second Serving-man | Do what ye dare, we are as resolute. Skirmish again. |
Gloucester |
You of my household, leave this peevish broil
|
Third Serving-man |
My lord, we know your grace to be a man
|
First Serving-man |
Ay, and the very parings of our nails
|
Gloucester |
Stay, stay, I say!
|
King |
O, how this discord doth afflict my soul!
|
Warwick |
Yield, my lord protector; yield, Winchester;
|
Winchester | He shall submit, or I will never yield. |
Gloucester |
Compassion on the king commands me stoop;
|
Warwick |
Behold, my Lord of Winchester, the duke
|
Gloucester | Here, Winchester, I offer thee my hand. |
King |
Fie, uncle Beaufort! I have heard you preach
|
Warwick |
Sweet king! the bishop hath a kindly gird.
|
Winchester |
Well, Duke of Gloucester, I will yield to thee;
|
Gloucester |
Aside. Ay, but, I fear me, with a hollow heart.—
|
Winchester | Aside. So help me God, as I intend it not! |
King |
O, loving uncle, kind Duke of Gloucester,
|
First Serving-man | Content: I’ll to the surgeon’s. |
Second Serving-man | And so will I. |
Third Serving-man | And I will see what physic the tavern affords. Exeunt Serving-men, Mayor, etc. |
Warwick |
Accept this scroll, most gracious sovereign,
|
Gloucester |
Well urged, my Lord of Warwick: for, sweet prince,
|
King |
And those occasions, uncle, were of force:
|
Warwick |
Let Richard be restored to his blood;
|
Winchester | As will the rest, so willeth Winchester. |
King |
If Richard will be true, not that alone
|
Plantagenet |
Thy humble servant vows obedience
|
King |
Stoop then and set your knee against my foot;
|
Plantagenet |
And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall!
|
All | Welcome, high prince, the mighty Duke of York! |
Somerset | Aside. Perish, base prince, ignoble Duke of York! |
Gloucester |
Now will it best avail your majesty
|
King |
When Gloucester says the word, King Henry goes;
|
Gloucester | Your ships already are in readiness. Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Exeter. |
Exeter |
Ay, we may march in England or in France,
|
Scene II
France. Before Rouen.
Enter La Pucelle disguised, with four Soldiers with sacks upon their backs. | |
Pucelle |
These are the city gates, the gates of Rouen,
|
First Soldier |
Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city,
|
Watch | Within Qui est là? |
Pucelle |
Paysans, pauvres gens de France;
|
Watch | Enter, go in; the market bell is rung. |
Pucelle | Now, Rouen, I’ll shake thy bulwarks to the ground. Exeunt. |
Enter Charles, the Bastard of Orleans, Alençon, Reignier, and forces. | |
Charles |
Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem!
|
Bastard |
Here enter’d Pucelle and her practisants;
|
Reignier |
By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower;
|
Enter La Pucelle on the top, thrusting out a torch burning. | |
Pucelle |
Behold, this is the happy wedding torch
|
Bastard |
See, noble Charles, the beacon of our friend;
|
Charles |
Now shine it like a comet of revenge,
|
Reignier |
Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends:
|
An alarum. Enter Talbot in an excursion. | |
Talbot |
France, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears,
|
An alarum: excursions. Bedford, brought in sick in a chair. Enter Talbot and Burgundy without: within La Pucelle, Charles, Bastard, Alençon, and Reignier, on the walls. | |
Pucelle |
Good morrow, gallants! want ye corn for bread?
|
Burgundy |
Scoff on, vile fiend and shameless courtezan!
|
Charles | Your grace may starve perhaps before that time. |
Bedford | O, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason! |
Pucelle |
What will you do, good grey-beard? break a lance,
|
Talbot |
Foul fiend of France, and hag of all despite,
|
Pucelle |
Are ye so hot, sir? yet, Pucelle, hold thy peace;
|
Talbot | Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field? |
Pucelle |
Belike your lordship takes us then for fools,
|
Talbot |
I speak not to that railing Hecate,
|
Alençon | Signior, no. |
Talbot |
Signior, hang! base muleters of France!
|
Pucelle |
Away, captains! let’s get us from the walls;
|
Talbot |
And there will we be too, ere it be long,
|
Burgundy | My vows are equal partners with thy vows. |
Talbot |
But, ere we go, regard this dying prince,
|
Bedford |
Lord Talbot, do not so dishonour me:
|
Burgundy | Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you. |
Bedford |
Not to be gone from hence; for once I read
|
Talbot |
Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!
|
An alarum: excursions. Enter Sir John Fastolfe and a Captain. | |
Captain | Whither away, Sir John Fastolfe, in such haste? |
Fastolfe |
Whither away! to save myself by flight:
|
Captain | What! will you fly, and leave Lord Talbot? |
Fastolfe |
Ay,
|
Captain | Cowardly knight! ill fortune follow thee! Exit. |
Retreat: excursions. La Pucelle, Alençon, and Charles fly. | |
Bedford |
Now, quiet soul, depart when heaven please,
|
An alarum. Reenter Talbot, Burgundy, and the rest. | |
Talbot |
Lost, and recover’d in a day again!
|
Burgundy |
Warlike and martial Talbot, Burgundy
|
Talbot |
Thanks, gentle duke. But where is Pucelle now?
|
Burgundy | What wills Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy. |
Talbot |
But yet, before we go, let’s not forget
|
Scene III
The plains near Rouen.
Enter Charles, the Bastard of Orleans, Alençon, La Pucelle, and forces. | |
Pucelle |
Dismay not, princes, at this accident,
|
Charles |
We have been guided by thee hitherto
|
Bastard |
Search out thy wit for secret policies,
|
Alençon |
We’ll set thy statue in some holy place,
|
Pucelle |
Then thus it must be; this doth Joan devise:
|
Charles |
Ay, marry, sweeting, if we could do that,
|
Alençon |
For ever should they be expulsed from France
|
Pucelle |
Your honours shall perceive how I will work
|
Here sound an English march. Enter, and pass over at a distance, Talbot and his forces. | |
There goes the Talbot, with his colours spread,
|
|
French march. Enter the Duke of Burgundy and forces. | |
Now in the rearward comes the duke and his:
|
|
Charles | A parley with the Duke of Burgundy! |
Burgundy | Who craves a parley with the Burgundy? |
Pucelle | The princely Charles of France, thy countryman. |
Burgundy | What say’st thou, Charles? for I am marching hence. |
Charles | Speak, Pucelle, and enchant him with thy words. |
Pucelle |
Brave Burgundy, undoubted hope of France!
|
Burgundy | Speak on; but be not over-tedious. |
Pucelle |
Look on thy country, look on fertile France,
|
Burgundy |
Either she hath bewitch’d me with her words,
|
Pucelle |
Besides, all French and France exclaims on thee,
|
Burgundy |
I am vanquished; these haughty words of hers
|
Pucelle | Aside. Done like a Frenchman: turn, and turn again! |
Charles | Welcome, brave duke! thy friendship makes us fresh. |
Bastard | And doth beget new courage in our breasts. |
Alençon |
Pucelle hath bravely play’d her part in this,
|
Charles |
Now let us on, my lords, and join our powers,
|
Scene IV
Paris. The palace.
Enter the King, Gloucester, Bishop of Winchester, York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Exeter: Vernon, Basset, and others. To them with his Soldiers, Talbot. | |
Talbot |
My gracious prince, and honourable peers,
|
King |
Is this the Lord Talbot, uncle Gloucester,
|
Gloucester | Yes, if it please your majesty, my liege. |
King |
Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord!
|
Vernon |
Now, sir, to you, that were so hot at sea,
|
Basset |
Yes, sir; as well as you dare patronage
|
Vernon | Sirrah, thy lord I honour as he is. |
Basset | Why, what is he? as good a man as York. |
Vernon | Hark ye; not so: in witness, take ye that. Strikes him. |
Basset |
Villain, thou know’st the law of arms is such
|
Vernon |
Well, miscreant, I’ll be there as soon as you;
|
Act IV
Scene I
Paris. A hall of state.
Enter the King, Gloucester, Bishop of Winchester, York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Talbot, Exeter, the Governor of Paris, and others. | |
Gloucester | Lord bishop, set the crown upon his head. |
Winchester | God save King Henry, of that name the sixth! |
Gloucester |
Now, governor of Paris, take your oath,
|
Enter Sir John Fastolfe. | |
Fastolfe |
My gracious sovereign, as I rode from Calais,
|
Talbot |
Shame to the Duke of Burgundy and thee!
|
Gloucester |
To say the truth, this fact was infamous
|
Talbot |
When first this order was ordain’d, my lords,
|
King |
Stain to thy countrymen, thou hear’st thy doom!
|
Gloucester |
What means his grace, that he hath changed his style?
|
King | What! doth my uncle Burgundy revolt? |
Gloucester | He doth, my lord, and is become your foe. |
King | Is that the worst this letter doth contain? |
Gloucester | It is the worst, and all, my lord, he writes. |
King |
Why, then, Lord Talbot there shall talk with him
|
Talbot |
Content, my liege! yes, but that I am prevented,
|
King |
Then gather strength and march unto him straight:
|
Talbot |
I go, my lord, in heart desiring still
|
Enter Vernon and Basset. | |
Vernon | Grant me the combat, gracious sovereign. |
Basset | And me, my lord, grant me the combat too. |
York | This is my servant: hear him, noble prince. |
Somerset | And this is mine: sweet Henry, favour him. |
King |
Be patient, lords; and give them leave to speak.
|
Vernon | With him, my lord; for he hath done me wrong. |
Basset | And I with him; for he hath done me wrong. |
King |
What is that wrong whereof you both complain?
|
Basset |
Crossing the sea from England into France,
|
Vernon |
And that is my petition, noble lord:
|
York | Will not this malice, Somerset, be left? |
Somerset |
Your private grudge, my Lord of York, will out,
|
King |
Good Lord, what madness rules in brainsick men,
|
York |
Let this dissension first be tried by fight,
|
Somerset |
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;
|
York | There is my pledge; accept it, Somerset. |
Vernon | Nay, let it rest where it began at first. |
Basset | Confirm it so, mine honourable lord. |
Gloucester |
Confirm it so! Confounded be your strife!
|
Exeter | It grieves his highness: good my lords, be friends. |
King |
Come hither, you that would be combatants:
|
Warwick |
My Lord of York, I promise you, the king
|
York |
And so he did; but yet I like it not,
|
Warwick |
Tush, that was but his fancy, blame him not;
|
York |
An if I wist he did—but let it rest;
|
Exeter |
Well didst thou, Richard, to suppress thy voice;
|
Scene II
Before Bourdeaux.
Enter Talbot, with trump and drum. | |
Talbot |
Go to the gates of Bourdeaux, trumpeter;
|
Trumpet sounds. Enter General and others, aloft. | |
English John Talbot, captains, calls you forth,
|
|
General |
Thou ominous and fearful owl of death,
|
Talbot |
He fables not; I hear the enemy:
|
Scene III
Plains in Gascony.
Enter a Messenger that meets York. Enter York with trumpet and many Soldiers. | |
York |
Are not the speedy scouts return’d again,
|
Messenger |
They are return’d, my lord, and give it out
|
York |
A plague upon that villain Somerset,
|
Enter Sir William Lucy. | |
Lucy |
Thou princely leader of our English strength,
|
York |
O God, that Somerset, who in proud heart
|
Lucy | O, send some succor to the distress’d lord! |
York |
He dies, we lose; I break my warlike word;
|
Lucy |
Then God take mercy on brave Talbot’s soul;
|
York |
Alas, what joy shall noble Talbot have
|
Lucy |
Thus, while the vulture of sedition
|
Scene IV
Other plains in Gascony.
Enter Somerset, with his army; a Captain of Talbot’s with him. | |
Somerset |
It is too late; I cannot send them now:
|
Captain |
Here is Sir William Lucy, who with me
|
Enter Sir William Lucy. | |
Somerset | How now, Sir William! whither were you sent? |
Lucy |
Whither, my lord? from bought and sold Lord Talbot;
|
Somerset | York set him on; York should have sent him aid. |
Lucy |
And York as fast upon your grace exclaims;
|
Somerset |
York lies; he might have sent and had the horse;
|
Lucy |
The fraud of England, not the force of France,
|
Somerset |
Come, go; I will dispatch the horsemen straight:
|
Lucy |
Too late comes rescue: he is ta’en or slain;
|
Somerset | If he be dead, brave Talbot, then adieu! |
Lucy | His fame lives in the world, his shame in you. Exeunt. |
Scene V
The English camp near Bourdeaux.
Enter Talbot and John his son. | |
Talbot |
O young John Talbot! I did send for thee
|
John |
Is my name Talbot? and am I your son?
|
Talbot | Fly, to revenge my death, if I be slain. |
John | He that flies so will ne’er return again. |
Talbot | If we both stay, we both are sure to die. |
John |
Then let me stay; and, father, do you fly:
|
Talbot | Shall all thy mother’s hopes lie in one tomb? |
John | Ay, rather than I’ll shame my mother’s womb. |
Talbot | Upon my blessing, I command thee go. |
John | To fight I will, but not to fly the foe. |
Talbot | Part of thy father may be saved in thee. |
John | No part of him but will be shame in me. |
Talbot | Thou never hadst renown, nor canst not lose it. |
John | Yes, your renowned name: shall flight abuse it? |
Talbot | Thy father’s charge shall clear thee from that stain. |
John |
You cannot witness for me, being slain.
|
Talbot |
And leave my followers here to fight and die?
|
John |
And shall my youth be guilty of such blame?
|
Talbot |
Then here I take my leave of thee, fair son,
|
Scene VI
A field of battle.
Alarum: excursions, wherein Talbot’s Son is hemmed about, and Talbot rescues him. | |
Talbot |
Saint George and victory! fight, soldiers, fight:
|
John |
O, twice my father, twice am I thy son!
|
Talbot |
When from the Dauphin’s crest thy sword struck fire,
|
John |
The sword of Orleans hath not made me smart;
|
Talbot |
Then follow thou thy desperate sire of Crete,
|
Scene VII
Another part of the field.
Alarum: excursions. Enter old Talbot led by a Servant. | |
Talbot |
Where is my other life? mine own is gone;
|
Servant | O, my dear lord, lo, where your son is borne! |
Enter Soldiers, with the body of young Talbot. | |
Talbot |
Thou antic death, which laugh’st us here to scorn,
|
Enter Charles, Alençon, Burgundy, Bastard, La Pucelle, and forces. | |
Charles |
Had York and Somerset brought rescue in,
|
Bastard |
How the young whelp of Talbot’s, raging-wood,
|
Pucelle |
Once I encounter’d him, and thus I said:
|
Burgundy |
Doubtless he would have made a noble knight:
|
Bastard |
Hew them to pieces, hack their bones asunder,
|
Charles |
O, no, forbear! for that which we have fled
|
Enter Sir William Lucy, attended; Herald of the French preceding. | |
Lucy |
Herald, conduct me to the Dauphin’s tent,
|
Charles | On what submissive message art thou sent? |
Lucy |
Submission, Dauphin! ’tis a mere French word;
|
Charles |
For prisoners ask’st thou? hell our prison is.
|
Lucy |
But where’s the great Alcides of the field,
|
Pucelle |
Here is a silly stately style indeed!
|
Lucy |
Is Talbot slain, the Frenchmen’s only scourge,
|
Pucelle |
I think this upstart is old Talbot’s ghost,
|
Charles | Go, take their bodies hence. |
Lucy |
I’ll bear them hence; but from their ashes shall be rear’d
|
Charles |
So we be rid of them, do with ’em what thou wilt.
|
Act V
Scene I
London. The palace.
Sennet. Enter King, Gloucester, and Exeter. | |
King |
Have you perused the letters from the pope,
|
Gloucester |
I have, my lord: and their intent is this:
|
King | How doth your grace affect their motion? |
Gloucester |
Well, my good lord; and as the only means
|
King |
Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought
|
Gloucester |
Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect
|
King |
Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!
|
Enter Winchester in Cardinal’s habit, a Legate and two Ambassadors. | |
Exeter |
What! is my Lord of Winchester install’d,
|
King |
My lords ambassadors, your several suits
|
Gloucester |
And for the proffer of my lord your master,
|
King |
In argument and proof of which contract,
|
Winchester |
Stay, my lord legate: you shall first receive
|
Legate | I will attend upon your lordship’s leisure. |
Winchester |
Aside. Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
|
Scene II
France. Plains in Anjou.
Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alençon, Bastard, Reignier, La Pucelle, and forces. | |
Charles |
These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:
|
Alençon |
Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France,
|
Pucelle |
Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us;
|
Enter Scout. | |
Scout |
Success unto our valiant general,
|
Charles | What tidings send our scouts? I prithee, speak. |
Scout |
The English army, that divided was
|
Charles |
Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is;
|
Burgundy |
I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there:
|
Pucelle |
Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.
|
Charles | Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate! Exeunt. |
Scene III
Before Angiers.
Alarum. Excursions. Enter La Pucelle. | |
Pucelle |
The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.
|
Enter Fiends. | |
This speedy and quick appearance argues proof
|
|
Excursions. Reenter La Pucelle fighting hand to hand with York: La Pucelle is taken. The French fly. | |
York |
Damsel of France, I think I have you fast:
|
Pucelle | Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be. |
York |
O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;
|
Pucelle |
A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!
|
York | Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue! |
Pucelle | I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile. |
York | Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. Exeunt. |
Alarum. Enter Suffolk, with Margaret in his hand. | |
Suffolk |
Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. Gazes on her.
|
Margaret |
Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,
|
Suffolk |
An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call’d.
|
Margaret |
Say, Earl of Suffolk—if thy name be so—
|
Suffolk |
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit,
|
Margaret | Why speak’st thou not? what ransom must I pay? |
Suffolk |
She’s beautiful and therefore to be woo’d;
|
Margaret | Wilt thou accept of ransom? yea, or no. |
Suffolk |
Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife;
|
Margaret | I were best to leave him, for he will not hear. |
Suffolk | There all is marr’d; there lies a cooling card. |
Margaret | He talks at random; sure, the man is mad. |
Suffolk | And yet a dispensation may be had. |
Margaret | And yet I would that you would answer me. |
Suffolk |
I’ll win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
|
Margaret | He talks of wood: it is some carpenter. |
Suffolk |
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,
|
Margaret | Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure? |
Suffolk |
It shall be so, disdain they ne’er so much:
|
Margaret |
What though I be enthrall’d? he seems a knight,
|
Suffolk | Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. |
Margaret |
Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French;
|
Suffolk | Sweet madam, give me a hearing in a cause— |
Margaret | Tush, women have been captivate ere now. |
Suffolk | Lady, wherefore talk you so? |
Margaret | I cry you mercy, ’tis but Quid for Quo. |
Suffolk |
Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose
|
Margaret |
To be a queen in bondage is more vile
|
Suffolk |
And so shall you,
|
Margaret | Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? |
Suffolk |
I’ll undertake to make thee Henry’s queen,
|
Margaret | What? |
Suffolk | His love. |
Margaret | I am unworthy to be Henry’s wife. |
Suffolk |
No, gentle madam; I unworthy am
|
Margaret | An if my father please, I am content. |
Suffolk |
Then call our captains and our colours forth.
|
A parley sounded. Enter Reignier on the walls. | |
See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner! | |
Reignier | To whom? |
Suffolk | To me. |
Reignier |
Suffolk, what remedy?
|
Suffolk |
Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:
|
Reignier | Speaks Suffolk as he thinks? |
Suffolk |
Fair Margaret knows
|
Reignier |
Upon thy princely warrant, I descend
|
Suffolk | And here I will expect thy coming. |
Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below. | |
Reignier |
Welcome, brave earl, into our territories:
|
Suffolk |
Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,
|
Reignier |
Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
|
Suffolk |
That is her ransom; I deliver her;
|
Reignier |
And I again, in Henry’s royal name,
|
Suffolk |
Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,
|
Reignier |
I do embrace thee, as I would embrace
|
Margaret |
Farewell, my lord: good wishes, praise and prayers
|
Suffolk |
Farewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret;
|
Margaret |
Such commendations as becomes a maid,
|
Suffolk |
Words sweetly placed and modestly directed.
|
Margaret |
Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart,
|
Suffolk | And this withal. Kisses her. |
Margaret |
That for thyself: I will not so presume
|
Suffolk |
O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay;
|
Scene IV
Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou.
Enter York, Warwick, and others. | |
York | Bring forth that sorceress condemn’d to burn. |
Enter La Pucelle, guarded, and a Shepherd. | |
Shepherd |
Ah, Joan, this kills thy father’s heart outright!
|
Pucelle |
Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
|
Shepherd |
Out, out! My lords, an please you, ’tis not so;
|
Warwick | Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? |
York |
This argues what her kind of life hath been,
|
Shepherd |
Fie, Joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle!
|
Pucelle |
Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn’d this man,
|
Shepherd |
’Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest
|
York |
Take her away; for she hath lived too long,
|
Pucelle |
First, let me tell you whom you have condemn’d:
|
York | Ay, ay: away with her to execution! |
Warwick |
And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid,
|
Pucelle |
Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?
|
York | Now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child! |
Warwick |
The greatest miracle that e’er ye wrought:
|
York |
She and the Dauphin have been juggling:
|
Warwick |
Well, go to; we’ll have no bastards live;
|
Pucelle |
You are deceived; my child is none of his:
|
York |
Alençon! that notorious Machiavel!
|
Pucelle |
O, give me leave, I have deluded you:
|
Warwick | A married man! that’s most intolerable. |
York |
Why, here’s a girl! I think she knows not well,
|
Warwick | It’s sign she hath been liberal and free. |
York |
And yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure.
|
Pucelle |
Then lead me hence; with whom I leave my curse:
|
York |
Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes,
|
Enter Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, attended. | |
Cardinal |
Lord regent, I do greet your excellence
|
York |
Is all our travail turn’d to this effect?
|
Warwick |
Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace,
|
Enter Charles, Alençon, Bastard, Reignier, and others. | |
Charles |
Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed
|
York |
Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes
|
Cardinal |
Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus:
|
Alençon |
Must he be then as shadow of himself?
|
Charles |
’Tis known already that I am possess’d
|
York |
Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means
|
Reignier |
My lord, you do not well in obstinacy
|
Alençon |
To say the truth, it is your policy
|
Warwick | How say’st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand? |
Charles |
It shall;
|
York |
Then swear allegiance to his majesty,
|
Scene V
London. The palace.
Enter Suffolk in conference with the King, Gloucester and Exeter. | |
King |
Your wondrous rare description, noble earl,
|
Suffolk |
Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale
|
King |
And otherwise will Henry ne’er presume.
|
Gloucester |
So should I give consent to flatter sin.
|
Suffolk |
As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths;
|
Gloucester |
Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that?
|
Suffolk |
Yes, lord, her father is a king,
|
Gloucester |
And so the Earl of Armagnac may do,
|
Exeter |
Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,
|
Suffolk |
A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king,
|
King |
Whether it be through force of your report,
|
Gloucester | Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last. Exeunt Gloucester and Exeter. |
Suffolk |
Thus Suffolk hath prevail’d; and thus he goes,
|
Colophon
Henry VI, Part I
was published in 1591 by
William Shakespeare.
This ebook was produced for
Standard Ebooks
by
Emma Sweeney,
and is based on a transcription produced in 1993 by
Jeremy Hylton
for the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and on digital scans from the
HathiTrust Digital Library.
The cover page is adapted from
King Henry VI,
a painting completed in the late 16th or the early 17th century by
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