Henry VI (Parts I, II and III) (Signet Classics)

  For through this laund anon2 the deer will come,

  And in this covert will we make our stand3,

  Culling the principal4 of all the deer.

  SECOND KEEPER I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot.

  FIRST KEEPER That cannot be. The noise of thy crossbow

  Will scare the herd, and so my shoot7 is lost.

  Here stand we both, and aim we at the best,

  And, for9 the time shall not seem tedious,

  I'll tell thee what befell me on a day

  In this self-place11 where now we mean to stand.

  SECOND KEEPER Here comes a man. Let's stay till he be past.

  Enter the King, [disguised,] with a prayer-book

  KING HENRY VI From Scotland am I stol'n, even of13 pure love,

  To greet mine own land with my wishful14 sight.

  No, Harry, Harry, 'tis no land of thine:

  Thy place is filled, thy sceptre wrung from thee,

  Thy balm17 washed off wherewith thou wast anointed.

  No bending knee will call thee Caesar18 now,

  No humble suitors press to speak for right19,

  No, not a man comes for redress of20 thee.

  For how can I help them, and not myself?

  FIRST KEEPER Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee22:

  This is the quondam23 king; let's seize upon him.

  KING HENRY VI Let me embrace the sour adversaries,

  For wise men say it is the wisest course.

  SECOND KEEPER Why linger we? Let us lay hands upon him.

  FIRST KEEPER Forbear27 awhile, we'll hear a little more.

  KING HENRY VI My queen and son are gone to France for aid,

  And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick

  Is thither gone, to crave the French king's sister30

  To wife for Edward. If this news be true,

  Poor queen and son, your labour is but lost,

  For Warwick is a subtle33 orator,

  And Lewis34 a prince soon won with moving words.

  By this account then Margaret may win him,

  For she's a woman to be pitied much:

  Her sighs will make a batt'ry37 in his breast,

  Her tears will pierce into a marble heart,

  The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn;

  And Nero will be tainted40 with remorse,

  To hear and see her plaints, her brinish41 tears.

  Ay, but she's come to beg, Warwick to give:

  She on his left side, craving aid for Henry,

  He on his right, asking a wife for Edward.

  She weeps, and says her Henry is deposed,

  He smiles, and says his Edward is installed;

  That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more,

  Whiles Warwick tells his title, smooths48 the wrong,

  Inferreth arguments49 of mighty strength,

  And in conclusion wins the king from her,

  With promise of his sister, and what51 else,

  To strengthen and support King Edward's place.

  O Margaret, thus 'twill be, and thou, poor soul,

  Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn54.

  SECOND KEEPER Say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens?

  KING HENRY VI More than I seem, and less than I was born to:

  A man at least, for less I should not be.

  And men may talk of kings, and why not I?

  SECOND KEEPER Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king.

  KING HENRY VI Why, so I am, in mind, and that's enough.

  SECOND KEEPER But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown?

  KING HENRY VI My crown is in my heart, not on my head,

  Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones63,

  Nor to be seen: my crown is called content.

  A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

  SECOND KEEPER Well, if you be a king crowned with content,

  Your crown content and you must be contented

  To go along with us, for, as we think,

  You are the king King Edward hath deposed,

  And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance

  Will apprehend71 you as his enemy.

  KING HENRY VI But did you never swear and break an oath?

  SECOND KEEPER No, never such an oath, nor will not now.

  KING HENRY VI Where did you dwell when I was King of England?

  SECOND KEEPER Here in this country75, where we now remain.

  KING HENRY VI I was anointed king at nine months old.

  My father and my grandfather were kings,

  And you were sworn true subjects unto me:

  And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?

  FIRST KEEPER No,

  For we were subjects but81 while you were king.

  KING HENRY VI Why? Am I dead? Do I not breathe a82 man?

  Ah, simple83 men, you know not what you swear.

  Look, as I blow this feather from my face,

  And as the air blows it to me again,

  Obeying with my wind86 when I do blow,

  And yielding to another when it blows,

  Commanded always by the greater gust,

  Such is the lightness89 of you, common men.

  But do not break your oaths, for of that sin

  My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty.

  Go where you will, the king shall be commanded,

  And be you kings, command, and I'll obey.

  FIRST KEEPER We are true subjects to the king, King Edward.

  KING HENRY VI So would you be again to Henry,

  If he were seated as King Edward is.

  FIRST KEEPER We charge97 you, in God's name and the king's,

  To go with us unto the officers.

  KING HENRY VI In God's name, lead. Your king's name be obeyed,

  And what God will, that let your king perform,

  And what he will, I humbly yield unto.

  Exeunt

  [Act 3 Scene 2]

  running scene 7

  Richard is henceforth known as Gloucester, George as Clarence

  Enter King Edward, [Richard, now Duke of] Gloucester, [George, now Duke of] Clarence, Lady Grey

  KING EDWARD IV Brother of Gloucester, at St Alban's field1

  This lady's husband, Sir Richard2 Grey, was slain,

  His land then seized on by the conqueror.

  Her suit is now to repossess4 those lands,

  Which we in justice cannot well deny,

  Because in quarrel of6 the House of York

  The worthy gentleman did lose his life.

  GLOUCESTER Your highness shall do well to grant her suit:

  It were dishonour to deny it her.

  Gloucester and Clarence speak aside throughout

  KING EDWARD IV It were no less, but yet I'll make a pause.

  GLOUCESTER Yea, is it so?

  I see the lady hath a thing12 to grant,

  Before the king will grant her humble suit.

  CLARENCE He knows the game14. How true he keeps the wind!

  GLOUCESTER Silence!

  KING EDWARD IV Widow, we will consider of your suit,

  And come some other time to know our mind.

  LADY GREY Right gracious lord, I cannot brook18 delay.

  May it please your highness to resolve19 me now,

  And what your pleasure is, shall satisfy20 me.

  GLOUCESTER Ay, widow? Then I'll warrant21 you all your lands,

  An if22 what pleases him shall pleasure you.

  Fight closer, or good faith, you'll catch a blow23.

  CLARENCE I fear her not, unless she chance to fall24.

  GLOUCESTER God forbid that, for he'll take vantages25.

  KING EDWARD IV How many children hast thou, widow? Tell me.

  CLARENCE I think he means to beg a child of her27.

  GLOUCESTER Nay, then, whip me28: he'll rather give her two.

  LADY GREY Three, my most gracious lord.

&
nbsp; GLOUCESTER You shall have four, if you'll be ruled by him.

  KING EDWARD IV 'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands.

  LADY GREY Be pitiful, dread32 lord, and grant it then.

  KING EDWARD IV Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit33.

  GLOUCESTER Ay, good leave have you, for you will have leave34,

  Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch35.

  KING EDWARD IV Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?

  LADY GREY Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.

  KING EDWARD IV And would you not do much to do them good?

  LADY GREY To do them good, I would sustain some harm.

  KING EDWARD IV Then get your husband's lands, to do them good.

  LADY GREY Therefore41 I came unto your majesty.

  KING EDWARD IV I'll tell you how these lands are to be got.

  LADY GREY So shall you bind me to your highness' service.

  KING EDWARD IV What service44 wilt thou do me, if I give them?

  LADY GREY What you command, that rests in me45 to do.

  KING EDWARD IV But you will take exceptions to my boon46.

  LADY GREY No, gracious lord, except47 I cannot do it.

  KING EDWARD IV Ay, but thou canst do48 what I mean to ask.

  LADY GREY Why, then I will do what your grace commands.

  GLOUCESTER He plies her hard50, and much rain wears the marble.

  CLARENCE As red51 as fire! Nay, then her wax must melt.

  LADY GREY Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task?

  KING EDWARD IV An easy task53, 'tis but to love a king.

  LADY GREY That's soon performed, because I am a subject.

  KING EDWARD IV Why, then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee.

  LADY GREY I take my leave with many thousand thanks.

  GLOUCESTER The match57 is made: she seals it with a curtsy.

  KING EDWARD IV But stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love58 I mean.

  LADY GREY The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.

  KING EDWARD IV Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.

  What love, think'st thou, I sue61 so much to get?

  LADY GREY My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers,

  That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.

  KING EDWARD IV No, by my troth64, I did not mean such love.

  LADY GREY Why, then you mean not as I thought you did.

  KING EDWARD IV But now you partly may perceive my mind.

  LADY GREY My mind will never grant what I perceive

  Your highness aims at, if I aim aright68.

  KING EDWARD IV To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with69 thee.

  LADY GREY To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.

  KING EDWARD IV Why, then thou shalt not have thy husband's lands.

  LADY GREY Why, then mine honesty shall be my dower72,

  For by that loss73 I will not purchase them.

  KING EDWARD IV Therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily.

  LADY GREY Herein your highness wrongs both them and me.

  But, mighty lord, this merry inclination76

  Accords not with the sadness77 of my suit.

  Please you dismiss me either with 'Ay' or 'No'.

  KING EDWARD IV Ay, if thou wilt say 'Ay' to my request;

  No if thou dost say 'No' to my demand.

  LADY GREY Then, no, my lord. My suit is at an end.

  GLOUCESTER The widow likes him not, she knits her brows82.

  CLARENCE He is the bluntest83 wooer in Christendom.

  Aside

  KING EDWARD IV Her looks do argue her84 replete with modesty,

  Her words doth show her wit incomparable,

  All her perfections challenge86 sovereignty.

  One way or other, she is for a king,

  And she shall be my love88, or else my queen.--

  To her

  Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?

  LADY GREY 'Tis better said than done, my gracious lord:

  I am a subject fit to jest withal,

  But far unfit to be a sovereign.

  KING EDWARD IV Sweet widow, by my state93 I swear to thee,

  I speak no more than what my soul intends,

  And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.

  LADY GREY And that is more than I will yield unto:

  I know I am too mean97 to be your queen

  And yet too good to be your concubine.

  KING EDWARD IV You cavil99, widow: I did mean, my queen.

  LADY GREY 'Twill grieve your grace my sons should call you father.

  KING EDWARD IV No more than when my daughters call thee mother.

  Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children,

  And, by God's mother, I, being but a bachelor,

  Have other some104. Why, 'tis a happy thing

  To be the father unto many sons.

  Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.

  GLOUCESTER The ghostly father now hath done his shrift107.

  CLARENCE When he was made a shriver, 'twas for shift108.

  KING EDWARD IV Brothers, you muse109 what chat we two have had.

  To Edward

  GLOUCESTER The Widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.

  KING EDWARD IV You'll think it strange if I should marry her.

  CLARENCE To who, my lord?

  KING EDWARD IV Why Clarence, to myself.

  GLOUCESTER That would be ten days' wonder at the least.114

  CLARENCE That's a day longer than a wonder lasts.

  GLOUCESTER By so much is the wonder in extremes116.

  KING EDWARD IV Well, jest on, brothers. I can tell you both

  Her suit is granted for her husband's lands.

  Enter a Nobleman

  NOBLEMAN My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken119,

  And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.

  KING EDWARD IV See that he be conveyed unto the Tower,

  And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,

  To question of his apprehension123.--

  Widow, go you along.-- Lords, use124 her honourably.

  Exeunt. Richard [of Gloucester] remains

  GLOUCESTER Ay, Edward will use women honourably.

  Would he were wasted, marrow126, bones and all,

  That from his loins no hopeful branch127 may spring,

  To cross me from the golden time128 I look for.

  And yet, between my soul's desire and me --

  The lustful Edward's title buried130 --

  Is Clarence, Henry, and his son young Edward,

  And all the unlooked for issue132 of their bodies,

  To take their rooms133, ere I can place myself.

  A cold premeditation134 for my purpose.

  Why, then, I do but dream on sovereignty,

  Like one that stands upon a promontory136,

  And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,

  Wishing his foot were equal with138 his eye,

  And chides the sea that sunders139 him from thence,

  Saying, he'll lade140 it dry to have his way:

  So do I wish141 the crown, being so far off,

  And so I chide the means142 that keeps me from it,

  And so I say, I'll cut the causes off,143

  Flattering me144 with impossibilities.

  My eye's too quick, my heart o'erweens145 too much,

  Unless my hand and strength could equal them.

  Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard:

  What other pleasure can the world afford?

  I'll make my heaven in a lady's lap,

  And deck my body in gay ornaments150,

  And witch151 sweet ladies with my words and looks.

  O, miserable thought, and more unlikely

  Than to accomplish153 twenty golden crowns.

  Why, love forswore154 me in my mother's womb,

  And, for155 I should not deal in her soft laws,

  S
he did corrupt frail nature with some bribe,

  To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub,

  To make an envious158 mountain on my back,

  Where sits deformity to mock my body;

  To shape my legs of an unequal size,

  To disproportion me in every part,

  Like to a chaos or an unlicked bear-whelp162,

  That carries no impression like the dam163.

  And am I then a man to be beloved?

  O, monstrous fault165, to harbour such a thought.

  Then, since this earth affords no joy to me,

  But to command, to check, to o'erbear167 such

  As are of better person168 than myself,

  I'll make my heaven to dream upon the crown,

  And whiles I live, t'account170 this world but hell,

  Until my misshaped trunk171 that bears this head

  Be round impaled172 with a glorious crown.

  And yet I know not how to get the crown,

  For many lives stand between me and home174,

  And I -- like one lost in a thorny wood,

  That rents176 the thorns and is rent with the thorns,

  Seeking a way and straying from the way,

  Not knowing how to find the open air,

  But toiling desperately to find it out --

  Torment myself to catch180 the English crown:

  And from that torment I will free myself,

  Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.

  Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,

  And cry 'Content' to that which grieves my heart,

  And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,

  And frame186 my face to all occasions.

  I'll drown more sailors than the mermaid187 shall,

  I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk188,

  I'll play the orator as well as Nestor189,

  Deceive more slyly than Ulysses190 could,

  And, like a Sinon191, take another Troy.

  I can add colours to the chameleon,

  Change shapes with Proteus193 for advantages,

  And set the murderous Machevil to school194.

  Can I do this, and cannot get a crown?

  Tut, were it further off, I'll pluck it down.

  Exit

  [Act 3 Scene 3]

  running scene 8

  Flourish. Enter Lewis the French King, his sister Bona, his Admiral called Bourbon, Prince Edward, Queen Margaret and the Earl of Oxford, Lewis sits and riseth up again