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

  115 Have with thee I will go with you

  116 braved defied, insulted

  116 perforce of necessity

  117 object bring forward as a charge, an accusation

  119 for ... of to make peace between

  122 in signal as a sign

  124 party side

  126 faction dissent, forming of factions

  131 still always

  133 gentles gentlemen

  Act 2 Scene 5

  2.5 Location: the Tower of London

  1 keepers carers, nurses/jailers

  3 haled hauled, dragged

  3 rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs

  5 pursuivants messengers (one of whose tasks was to announce the imminent arrival of their master) 6 Nestor oldest of the Greek leaders who fought at Troy; famed for his wisdom 6 care anxiety, sorrow

  9 Wax grow

  9 exigent end

  10 overborne overburdened

  11 pithless feeble, lacking "pith" or vital essence

  13 stay is numb support is paralyzed

  16 witting knowing

  22 his wrong the wrong done to him

  23 Henry Monmouth Henry V, so nicknamed because he was born at Monmouth, a town in southern Wales near the English border 25 sequestration imprisonment/loss of income

  26 even exactly

  28 arbitrator one who decides and settles a matter between opposed parties 29 umpire one brought in to decide a matter when arbitrators cannot agree 30 enlargement release

  31 his i.e. Richard's

  35 used treated

  36 late lately, recently

  38 latter last

  40 kindly in kinship

  41 stock main body of a tree or plant

  44 disease pronounced "disease"

  47 lavish unrestrained, excessive

  49 obloquy disgrace, slander

  49 set ... tongue made me speechless/made me grit my teeth (in rage) 50 requited repaid, answered

  53 alliance' kinship's, family's

  53 declare explain

  59 Discover reveal

  59 at large fully

  64 nephew relative (here, cousin)

  64 Richard, Edward's son Richard II, son to Edward III; the deposition is dramatized in Richard II

  67 whose i.e. Henry IV's

  67 Percies Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and his son (nicknamed "Hotspur"); these events are dramatized in 1 and 2 Henry IV

  70 moved that moved

  74 mother actually his grandmother, daughter to the Duke of Clarence; probably this Edmund Mortimer is being confused with his uncle of the same name, although "mother" can mean "female ancestor"

  74 derived descended

  77 John of Gaunt Edward III's fourth son 79 mark pay attention

  79 haughty proud, aspiring

  80 They i.e. the Mortimers and the Percies

  83 Bullingbrook i.e. Henry IV, known by this name before he was king 87 hard severe

  88 weening aiming, thinking

  89 diadem crown

  94 issue children

  95 warrant guarantee

  96 gather infer/regain (the inheritance)

  97 studious diligent

  98 admonishments warnings

  101 politic prudent

  104 removing departing (i.e. dying)

  105 cloyed sickened, satiated

  108 passage passing

  111 except unless

  111 sorrow ... good mourn for the good in me/can use your grief for my (posthumous) advantage, i.e. revenge 112 give order make arrangements

  117 overpassed lived out, spent

  119 let that rest leave that alone

  122 dusky dim, flickering (perhaps referring to his failing eyesight) 123 of ... sort belonging to less noble people (i.e. Bullingbrook and his supporters) 124 for as for

  125 house family

  128 blood i.e. inheritance rights

  129 make ... good turn the wrongs done to me to my advantage, let my injuries fuel my ambition

  Act 3 Scene 1

  3.1 Location: London, parliament

  3.1 offers ... bill attempts to present a list of accusations 1 deep premeditated lines carefully planned statements 5 invention stratagem/fabrication/written exposition 5 suddenly spontaneously

  6 extemporal unplanned

  7 object bring forward in accusation

  8 commands my patience obliges me to endure this

  10 preferred put forward

  11 vile contemptible, shameful

  12 forged fabricated, invented

  13 Verbatim word for word/orally

  13 rehearse relate, repeat

  13 method ... pen order and arrangement of what I have written 15 lewd low, wicked

  15 pestiferous poisonous, deadly

  15 dissentious quarrelsome, provoking disorder

  15 pranks wicked deeds, malicious acts

  16 As very that even

  17 pernicious destructive

  17 usurer moneylender who charges (often very high) interest; another reference to the leasing of land in Southwark and sanctioning of brothels there 18 Froward demanding, stubborn

  19 wanton dissolute

  19 beseems befits, is appropriate to

  20 degree position, status

  21 for as for

  24 sifted closely examined

  26 envious malicious

  26 swelling arrogant

  31 haps happens, chances

  32 wonted customary, usual

  34 except unless

  35 that that which

  37 sway rule, have influence

  38 about concerned with

  43 bastard Winchester was the illegitimate son of John of Gaunt by Catherine Swynford (whom Gaunt later married) 45 imperious acting like a king

  46 saucy insolent

  48 keeps resides for defense

  49 patronage protect

  51 reverent worthy of respect

  52 Touching concerning

  52 function role, occupation

  53 Rome i.e. the Pope

  55 forbear desist

  56 overborne overruled, subdued

  58 office duty, behavior

  58 such i.e. religious persons 59 his lordship i.e. Winchester

  61 holy state ecclesiastical status

  61 touched ... near so closely concerned

  65 sirrah term of address for social inferiors

  67 fling verbal attack

  69 weal commonwealth, state

  73 jar clash, quarrel

  74 tender years historically, Henry, a baby when his father died, was five at the time of this dispute 75 viperous worm malevolent, poisonous snake

  76 bowels insides, intestines tawny-coats i.e. ecclesiastical officials, supporters of Winchester 83 late lately

  85 banding themselves forming groups

  85 contrary parts opposing parties

  86 pate head(s)

  87 giddy consumed by disorder, mad with fury

  92 mitigate calm, lessen

  94 as just as

  95 peevish foolish/stubborn

  100 suffer allow

  102 disgraced insulted; treated without reverent respect 102 inkhorn mate mere scribe (i.e. low status) 105 parings trimmings

  106 pitch prepare defensive stakes

  106 pitch a field prepare for battle

  114 study endeavor, labor

  114 prefer put forward, favor

  117 repulse refusal, rejection

  119 mischief harm, calamity

  124 his i.e. Winchester's

  125 privilege of advantage over

  127 moody angry, disordered

  129 tragical foreboding/sorrowful

  135 hath ... gird has been given a suitable rebuke 140 hollow empty, insincere, deceptive

  142 token i.e. the handshake

  144 dissemble deceive, pretend

  147 contract accord, agreement

  148 masters i.e. the servants (a condescending though not offensive form of a
ddress) 150 surgeon more particularly, physician

  152 physic medicine

  155 exhibit show, submit for consideration

  157 mark note, pay attention to

  157 circumstance detail, particular

  159 occasions reasons, circumstances

  161 of force convincing, forceful

  163 blood hereditary rights (to properly and titles) 165 wrongs i.e. wrongs suffered by him

  174 reguerdon recompense, reward

  175 gird invest (with a title; picks up on the sound of reguerdon)

  177 princely of the royal blood

  180 grudge one thought have one resentful thought 187 disanimates discourages, disheartens

  187 Sennet trumpet call signaling a procession 194 forged false (may play on the sense of "molded in fire") 196 festered rotten, decomposing

  196 members limbs

  196 by degree gradually, in stages

  198 envious malicious

  202 Henry ... Monmouth i.e. Henry V

  203 Henry ... Windsor i.e. Henry VI

  205 hapless unlucky

  Act 3 Scene 2

  3.2 Location: Rouen, a French town on the River Seine, between Le Havre and Paris

  2 policy strategy, cunning

  4 vulgar common, ordinary

  7 that if

  9 encounter assail, confront

  10 mean means

  11 be shall be

  13 Qui la? "Who goes there?" (French) 14 Paysans ... France "Peasants, the poor folk of France"

  18 happy fortunate

  20 practisants conspirators, plotters

  25 No ... entered no entrance is as weakly guarded as the one she entered 25 top i.e. gallery, upper staging level 26 wedding torch Hymen, the Greek and Roman god of marriage, was traditionally depicted carrying a burning torch 31 shine it may it shine

  32 prophet to portent of (comets were thought to be bad omens) 34 presently immediately

  35 do ... watch kill the guards

  35 excursion a bout of fighting across the stage 39 unawares unexpectedly

  40 hardly with difficulty pride power and arrogance/the dauphin (and his fellow nobles) 40 without on the main stage

  40 within probably, but not necessarily, on the upper staging level, conventionally used to represent city walls 41 gallants fine young gentlemen (sarcastic)

  43 rate cost

  44 darnel weeds

  51 run a-tilt at joust with, charge at

  51 within while seated in

  52 hag witch

  52 of all despite full of spite or malice

  53 Encompassed with surrounded by

  55 twit taunt

  56 bout of fighting/of sex

  58 hot hot-tempered/lustful

  60 speed aid/hurry up

  60 speaker spokesperson/chairman (of the parliament) 61 in the field for battle

  62 Belike presumably

  64 Hecate in classical mythology, the goddess of night and the underworld and the patroness of witches 67 Seigneur lord

  68 base muleteers lowly mule-drivers

  69 footboys boy servants, often assistants to footmen 69 keep stay near

  78 Pricked spurred

  81 his ... conqueror Henry V besieged and captured Rouen in 1419

  83 Coeur-de-lion Richard I of England, nicknamed "the Lionheart" after he fought a lion and tore its heart out; he asked that his heart be buried in Rouen 86 regard observe/tend to

  89 crazy infirm, fragile

  92 weal happiness

  95 stout brave

  95 Pendragon Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur; the story referred to here is related in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regnum Britanniae

  95 litter transportable bed for the sick

  98 ever always

  101 ado business, fuss

  102 out of hand at once, immediately

  106 have the overthrow be defeated

  113 daring challenging, defiant

  114 glad here, relieved fain willing 121 gentle noble/kind

  122 familiar witch's attendant spirit, demon

  123 braves boasts

  123 Charles his gleeks Charles' scoffs, jests 124 amort downcast, dispirited

  126 take some order establish order, make arrangements 127 expert experienced

  129 lie dwells

  133 exequies funeral rites

  134 couched lance leveled his lance in attack

  135 sway exert influence

  136 potentates powerful rulers

  137 end sum, final destination/purpose/ending, death Act 3 Scene 3

  3.3 Location: near Rouen

  1 accident unforeseen event

  2 recovered regained by the English

  3 Care ... cure sorrow, anxiety

  7 train peacock's tail/army

  8 be but ruled merely follow advice

  10 cunning skill/magical powers

  10 diffidence distrust

  11 foil defeat

  12 wit intelligence

  12 secret policies surprise stratagems

  18 fair plausible, flattering

  21 sweeting sweetheart, darling

  24 extirped uprooted

  25 expulsed expelled

  30 unto Paris-ward toward Paris

  31 colours spread flags unfurled

  34 in in our

  35 parley negotiation between opposing sides (summoned with a particular trumpet call) 40 enchant bewitch

  43 tedious laborious, lengthy

  46 wasting destructive, ravaging

  47 lowly laid low, prostrate/tiny

  48 tender-dying youthful dying

  49 pining wasting

  49 malady of France plays on the sense of "syphilis" ("the French disease") 50 unnatural against the natural order/against one's own country 52 edged sharp

  57 stained i.e. staining

  59 nature natural, inherent feeling/a sense of kinship 60 exclaims on accuses, condemns loudly

  61 lawful progeny legitimate lineage

  68 mark but only note

  75 them those who

  76 wandering straying, erring

  78 haughty high, lofty

  82 hearty sincere, heartfelt

  83 power force, army

  86 makes us fresh invigorates, renews us, makes us eager 87 beget breed, create

  88 bravely courageously/splendidly

  89 coronet small crown worn by members of the nobility 91 prejudice injure, damage

  Act 3 Scene 4

  3.4 Location: Paris, France

  4 do my duty pay homage

  5 reclaimed won back

  8 esteem high rank

  19 stouter bolder, more hardy

  19 champion one who fights on behalf of another 20 resolved convinced

  20 truth loyalty

  23 reguerdoned rewarded

  25 deserts deservings, merits

  28 hot hot-tempered, angry

  29 Disgracing ... colours insulting the badge (that identifies his loyalty) 32 patronage defend, uphold

  33 envious malicious

  33 saucy insolent

  35 Sirrah sir (used to an inferior; here, contemptuous) 35 as he is i.e. for what he's worth (implying not much) 38 law of arms law that forbade fighting near a royal residence 39 present immediate

  40 broach set flowing

  41 crave request earnestly

  42 liberty permission

  44 miscreant villain, wretch

  45 after i.e. after the king's permission to fight has been obtained Act 4 Scene 1

  4 elect acknowledge, accept

  5 Esteem consider

  6 pretend intend, plan

  15 Garter sign of membership of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of English knighthood, consisting of a blue and gold ribbon tied below the left knee 15 craven's coward's

  19 dastard despicable coward

  25 divers several, various

  30 fact deed, crime

  31 common ordinary, without rank

  32 captain commander of
a regiment

  35 haughty courage high spirit, exalted bravery

  36 grown to credit risen to honor

  37 for from distress hardship, adversity 39 furnished ... sort so equipped

  43 degraded lowered in rank

  43 hedge-born swain person of very low birth, peasant born out of doors 44 gentle noble

  45 doom sentence, judgment

  46 Be packing be off, get packing

  50 style form of address

  51 but than

  53 churlish ungracious, blunt

  53 superscription form of address appearing at the head of the letter 54 Pretend imply, intend

  56 wrack ruin

  59 pernicious destructive

  64 revolt rebel; literally, perform a complete turnaround 69 chastisement punishment, retribution

  71 but ... prevented were it not for the fact that I have been anticipated (by you) 73 strength troops

  73 straight straightaway

  74 brook tolerate

  75 flout mock, abuse

  76 still (that) always

  77 confusion destruction, overthrow

  78 the combat permission to fight a duel

  80 servant follower

  83 exclaim outcry, protest

  90 envious malicious

  92 sanguine bloodred

  92 leaves petals

  94 repugn reject, oppose

  95 question ... law i.e. the question of succession, and the attainder of York's father (see Act 2 Scene 4) 98 confutation refutation (legal term)

  98 rude ignorant

  100 benefit (legal) privilege

  101 petition formal request

  102 forged false, crafted

  102 quaint conceit cunning invention/ingenious rhetoric 103 set ... upon give a plausible, attractive appearance to 105 took exceptions at objected to

  107 Bewrayed betrayed, revealed

  107 faintness cowardice, timidity

  111 brainsick foolish, demented

  113 factious emulations divisive rivalries

  114 cousins kinsmen; also a term used to fellow nobles 118 toucheth concerns

  120 pledge gage, i.e. item (often a glove or gauntlet) that signified the giver's commitment to a duel 121 rest remain

  123 Confounded destroyed, overcome

  124 prate prattle, chatter

  125 vassals servants

  126 immodest arrogant, outspoken

  129 objections accusations, allegations

  130 occasion grounds, opportunity

  131 mutiny strife, riot

  140 within ourselves among ourselves (plays on the sense of "within our own bodies") 141 grudging stomachs resentful tempers/stomachs exhibiting signs of disease 142 rebel rebellion

  144 certified informed, shown

  145 toy trifle

  145 regard value, consequence

  149 forgo forfeit, lose

  150 That ... that for a trifle that which was

  151 doubtful precarious, generating fear

  153 suspicious anxious

  154 incline to favor

  156 As ... may they might as well 157 forsooth in truth

  158 discretions judgments

  162 institute appoint

  163 parts regions

  165 bands of foot regiments of infantry, foot soldiers 166 progenitors forefathers

  167 digest i.e. break down, assimilate, get rid of 168 angry choler anger

  170 respite interval, delay

  173 rout rabble

  175 Prettily charmingly/ingeniously

  178 fancy whim

  180 An ... wist if I knew

  183 passions powerful feelings