Shakespeare Portal

Act 3, Scene 1

The Abbey at Bury St. Edmund's.

  1. [Sound a sennet. Enter the KING, the QUEEN, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, SALISBURY, and WARWICK to the Parliament.]
  2. King Henry VI
  3. 1180 I muse my Lord of Gloster is not come;
  4. 1181 'Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man,
  5. 1182 Whate'er occasion keeps him from us now.
  6. Queen Margaret
  7. 1183 Can you not see? or will ye not observe
  8. 1184 The strangeness of his alter'd countenance?
  9. 1185 With what a majesty he bears himself,
  10. 1186 How insolent of late he is become,
  11. 1187 How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself?
  12. 1188 We know the time since he was mild and affable,
  13. 1189 And if we did but glance a far-off look,
  14. 1190 Immediately he was upon his knee,
  15. 1191 That all the court admir'd him for submission;
  16. 1192 But meet him now, and be it in the morn
  17. 1193 When every one will give the time of day,
  18. 1194 He knits his brow, and shows an angry eye,
  19. 1195 And passeth by with stiff unbowed knee,
  20. 1196 Disdaining duty that to us belongs.
  21. 1197 Small curs are not regarded when they grin,
  22. 1198 But great men tremble when the lion roars;
  23. 1199 And Humphrey is no little man in England.
  24. 1200 First note that he is near you in descent,
  25. 1201 And should you fall, he is the next will mount.
  26. 1202 Me seemeth then it is no policy,
  27. 1203 Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears
  28. 1204 And his advantage following your decease,
  29. 1205 That he should come about your royal person
  30. 1206 Or be admitted to your highness' council.
  31. 1207 By flattery hath he won the commons' hearts,
  32. 1208 And when he please to make commotion
  33. 1209 'T is to be fear'd they all will follow him.
  34. 1210 Now 't is the spring and weeds are shallow-rooted;
  35. 1211 Suffer them now, and they'll o'ergrow the garden
  36. 1212 And choke the herbs for want of husbandry.
  37. 1213 The reverent care I bear unto my lord
  38. 1214 Made me collect these dangers in the duke.
  39. 1215 If it be fond, can it a woman's fear;
  40. 1216 Which fear if better reasons can supplant,
  41. 1217 I will subscribe and say I wrong'd the duke.—
  42. 1218 My Lord of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York,
  43. 1219 Reprove my allegation if you can,
  44. 1220 Or else conclude my words effectual.
  45. Duke of Suffolk
  46. 1221 Well hath your highness seen into this duke;
  47. 1222 And, had I first been put to speak my mind,
  48. 1223 I think I should have told your grace's tale.
  49. 1224 The duchess by his subornation,
  50. 1225 Upon my life, began her devilish practices;
  51. 1226 Or, if he were not privy to those faults,
  52. 1227 Yet, by reputing of his high descent,
  53. 1228 As next the king he was successive heir,
  54. 1229 And such high vaunts of his nobility,
  55. 1230 Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess
  56. 1231 By wicked means to frame our sovereign's fall.
  57. 1232 Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep,
  58. 1233 And in his simple show he harbours treason.
  59. 1234 The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb.—
  60. 1235 No, no, my sovereign; Gloster is a man
  61. 1236 Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.
  62. Cardinal Beaufort
  63. 1237 Did he not, contrary to form of law,
  64. 1238 Devise strange deaths for small offences done?
  65. Richard, Duke of York
  66. 1239 And did he not, in his protectorship,
  67. 1240 Levy great sums of money through the realm
  68. 1241 For soldiers' pay in France, and never sent it?
  69. 1242 By means whereof the towns each day revolted.
  70. Duke of Buckingham
  71. 1243 Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown,
  72. 1244 Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.
  73. King Henry VI
  74. 1245 My lords, at once: the care you have of us,
  75. 1246 To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot,
  76. 1247 Is worthy praise; but, shall I speak my conscience,
  77. 1248 Our kinsman Gloster is as innocent
  78. 1249 From meaning treason to our royal person
  79. 1250 As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove.
  80. 1251 The duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given
  81. 1252 To dream on evil or to work my downfall.
  82. Queen Margaret
  83. 1253 Ah, what's more dangerous than this fond affiance!
  84. 1254 Seems he a dove? his feathers are but borrow'd,
  85. 1255 For he's disposed as the hateful raven;
  86. 1256 Is he a lamb? his skin is surely lent him,
  87. 1257 For he's inclin'd as is the ravenous wolf.
  88. 1258 Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit?
  89. 1259 Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all
  90. 1260 Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.
  91. [Enter SOMERSET.]
  92. Duke of Somerset
  93. 1261 All health unto my gracious sovereign!
  94. King Henry VI
  95. 1262 Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?
  96. Duke of Somerset
  97. 1263 That all your interest in those territories
  98. 1264 Is utterly bereft you; all is lost.
  99. King Henry VI
  100. 1265 Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God's will be done!
  101. [Aside.]
  102. Richard, Duke of York
  103. 1266 Cold news for me, for I had hope of France
  104. 1267 As firmly as I hope for fertile England.
  105. 1268 Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud,
  106. 1269 And caterpillars eat my leaves away;
  107. 1270 But I will remedy this gear ere long
  108. 1271 Or sell my title for a glorious grave.
  109. [Enter GLOSTER.]
  110. Duke of Gloucester
  111. 1272 All happiness unto my lord the king!
  112. 1273 Pardon, my liege, that I have staid so long.
  113. Duke of Suffolk
  114. 1274 Nay, Gloster, know that thou art come too soon,
  115. 1275 Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art.
  116. 1276 I do arrest thee of high treason here.
  117. Duke of Gloucester
  118. 1277 Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush,
  119. 1278 Nor change my countenance for this arrest;
  120. 1279 A heart unspotted is not easily daunted.
  121. 1280 The purest spring is not so free from mud
  122. 1281 As I am clear from treason to my sovereign.
  123. 1282 Who can accuse me? wherein am I guilty?
  124. Richard, Duke of York
  125. 1283 'T is thought, my lord, that you took bribes of France,
  126. 1284 And, being protector, stay'd the soldiers' pay,
  127. 1285 By means whereof his highness hath lost France.
  128. Duke of Gloucester
  129. 1286 Is it but thought so? what are they that think it?
  130. 1287 I never robb'd the soldiers of their pay,
  131. 1288 Nor ever had one penny bribe from France.
  132. 1289 So help me God, as I have watch'd the night,
  133. 1290 Ay, night by night, in studying good for England!
  134. 1291 That doit that e'er I wrested from the king,
  135. 1292 Or any groat I hoarded to my use,
  136. 1293 Be brought against me at my trial-day!
  137. 1294 No; many a pound of mine own proper store,
  138. 1295 Because I would not tax the needy commons,
  139. 1296 Have I dispursed to the garrisons,
  140. 1297 And never ask'd for restitution.
  141. Cardinal Beaufort
  142. 1298 It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.
  143. Duke of Gloucester
  144. 1299 I say no more than truth, so help me God!
  145. Richard, Duke of York
  146. 1300 In your protectorship you did devise
  147. 1301 Strange tortures for offenders never heard of,
  148. 1302 That England was defam'd by tyranny.
  149. Duke of Gloucester
  150. 1303 Why, 't is well known that, whiles I was protector,
  151. 1304 Pity was all the fault that was in me;
  152. 1305 For I should melt at an offender's tears,
  153. 1306 And lowly words were ransom for their fault.
  154. 1307 Unless it were a bloody murtherer,
  155. 1308 Or foul felonious thief that fleec'd poor passengers,
  156. 1309 I never gave them condign punishment.
  157. 1310 Murther indeed, that bloody sin, I tortur'd
  158. 1311 Above the felon or what trespass else.
  159. Duke of Suffolk
  160. 1312 My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answer'd;
  161. 1313 But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge,
  162. 1314 Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself.
  163. 1315 I do arrest you in his highness' name,
  164. 1316 And here commit you to my lord cardinal
  165. 1317 To keep until your further time of trial.
  166. King Henry VI
  167. 1318 My Lord of Gloster, 't is my special hope
  168. 1319 That you will clear yourself from all suspect;
  169. 1320 My conscience tells me you are innocent.
  170. Duke of Gloucester
  171. 1321 Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous.
  172. 1322 Virtue is chok'd with foul ambition,
  173. 1323 And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand;
  174. 1324 Foul subornation is predominant,
  175. 1325 And equity exil'd your highness' land.
  176. 1326 I know their complot is to have my life,
  177. 1327 And if my death might make this island happy
  178. 1328 And prove the period of their tyranny,
  179. 1329 I would expend it with all willingness;
  180. 1330 But mine is made the prologue to their play,
  181. 1331 For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril,
  182. 1332 Will not conclude their plotted tragedy.
  183. 1333 Beaufort's red sparkling eyes blab his heart's malice,
  184. 1334 And Suffolk's cloudy brow his stormy hate;
  185. 1335 Sharp Buckingham unburthens with his tongue
  186. 1336 The envious load that lies upon his heart;
  187. 1337 And dogged York, that reaches at the moon,
  188. 1338 Whose overweening arm I have pluck'd back,
  189. 1339 By false accuse doth level at my life.—
  190. 1340 And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest,
  191. 1341 Causeless have laid disgraces on my head
  192. 1342 And with your best endeavour have stirr'd up
  193. 1343 My liefest liege to be mine enemy.—
  194. 1344 Ay, all of you have laid your heads together—
  195. 1345 Myself had notice of your conventicles—
  196. 1346 And all to make away my guiltless life.
  197. 1347 I shall not want false witness to condemn me,
  198. 1348 Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt;
  199. 1349 The ancient proverb will be well effected,—
  200. 1350 'A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.'
  201. Cardinal Beaufort
  202. 1351 My liege, his railing is intolerable;
  203. 1352 If those that care to keep your royal person
  204. 1353 From treason's secret knife and traitor's rage
  205. 1354 Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at,
  206. 1355 And the offender granted scope of speech,
  207. 1356 'T will make them cool in zeal unto your grace.
  208. Duke of Suffolk
  209. 1357 Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here
  210. 1358 With ignominious words, though clerkly couch'd,
  211. 1359 As if she had suborned some to swear
  212. 1360 False allegations to o'erthrow his state?
  213. Queen Margaret
  214. 1361 But I can give the loser leave to chide.
  215. Duke of Gloucester
  216. 1362 Far truer spoke than meant; I lose, indeed.
  217. 1363 Beshrew the winners, for they play'd me false!
  218. 1364 And well such losers may have leave to speak.
  219. Duke of Buckingham
  220. 1365 He'll wrest the sense and hold us here all day.—
  221. 1366 Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.
  222. Cardinal Beaufort
  223. 1367 Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.
  224. Duke of Gloucester
  225. 1368 Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch
  226. 1369 Before his legs be firm to bear his body.
  227. 1370 Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side,
  228. 1371 And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first.
  229. 1372 Ah, that my fear were false! ah, that it were!
  230. 1373 For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.
  231. [Exit, guarded.]
  232. King Henry VI
  233. 1374 My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best,
  234. 1375 Do or undo, as if ourself were here.
  235. Queen Margaret
  236. 1376 What, will your highness leave the parliament?
  237. King Henry VI
  238. 1377 Ay, Margaret; my heart is drown'd with grief,
  239. 1378 Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes,
  240. 1379 My body round engirt with misery,
  241. 1380 For what's more miserable than discontent?—
  242. 1381 Ah, uncle Humphrey! in thy face I see
  243. 1382 The map of honour, truth, and loyalty;
  244. 1383 And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come
  245. 1384 That e'er I prov'd thee false or fear'd thy faith.
  246. 1385 What lowering star now envies thy estate,
  247. 1386 That these great lords and Margaret our queen
  248. 1387 Do seek subversion of thy harmless life?
  249. 1388 Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong;
  250. 1389 And as the butcher takes away the calf
  251. 1390 And binds the wretch and beats it when it strays,
  252. 1391 Bearing it to the bloody slaughter-house,
  253. 1392 Even so remorseless have they borne him hence;
  254. 1393 And as the dam runs lowing up and down,
  255. 1394 Looking the way her harmless young one went,
  256. 1395 And can do nought but wail her darling's loss,
  257. 1396 Even so myself bewails good Gloster's case
  258. 1397 With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimm'd eyes
  259. 1398 Look after him, and cannot do him good,
  260. 1399 So mighty are his vowed enemies.
  261. 1400 His fortunes I will weep and 'twixt each groan
  262. 1401 Say 'Who's a traitor? Gloster he is none.'
  263. [Exeunt all but Queen, Cardinal Beaufort, Suffolk and York; Somerset remains apart.]
  264. Queen Margaret
  265. 1402 Free lords, cold snow melts with the sun's hot beams.
  266. 1403 Henry my lord is cold in great affairs,
  267. 1404 Too full of foolish pity, and Gloster's show
  268. 1405 Beguiles him as the mournful crocodile
  269. 1406 With sorrow snares relenting passengers,
  270. 1407 Or as the snake roll'd in a flowering bank,
  271. 1408 With shining checker'd slough, doth sting a child
  272. 1409 That for the beauty thinks it excellent.
  273. 1410 Believe me, lords, were none more wise than I—
  274. 1411 And yet herein I judge mine own wit good—
  275. 1412 This Gloster should be quickly rid the world,
  276. 1413 To rid us from the fear we have of him.
  277. Cardinal Beaufort
  278. 1414 That he should die is worthy policy,
  279. 1415 But yet we want a colour for his death,
  280. 1416 'T is meet he be condemn'd by course of law.
  281. Duke of Suffolk
  282. 1417 But, in my mind, that were no policy.
  283. 1418 The king will labour still to save his life;
  284. 1419 The commons haply rise to save his life,
  285. 1420 And yet we have but trivial argument,
  286. 1421 More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death.
  287. Richard, Duke of York
  288. 1422 So that, by this, you would not have him die.
  289. Duke of Suffolk
  290. 1423 Ah, York, no man alive so fain as I!
  291. Richard, Duke of York
  292. 1424 'T is York that hath more reason for his death.—
  293. 1425 But, my lord cardinal, and you, my Lord of Suffolk,
  294. 1426 Say as you think, and speak it from your souls,
  295. 1427 Were 't not all one an empty eagle were set
  296. 1428 To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,
  297. 1429 As place Duke Humphrey for the king's protector?
  298. Queen Margaret
  299. 1430 So the poor chicken should be sure of death.
  300. Duke of Suffolk
  301. 1431 Madam, 't is true; and were 't not madness, then,
  302. 1432 To make the fox surveyor of the fold?
  303. 1433 Who being accus'd a crafty murtherer,
  304. 1434 His guilt should be but idly posted over,
  305. 1435 Because his purpose is not executed.
  306. 1436 No; let him die, in that he is a fox,
  307. 1437 By nature prov'd an enemy to the flock,
  308. 1438 Before his chaps be stain'd with crimson blood,
  309. 1439 As Humphrey, prov'd by reasons, to my liege.
  310. 1440 And do not stand on quillets how to slay him.
  311. 1441 Be it by gins, by snares, by subtlety,
  312. 1442 Sleeping or waking, 't is no matter how,
  313. 1443 So he be dead; for that is good deceit
  314. 1444 Which mates him first that first intends deceit.
  315. Queen Margaret
  316. 1445 Thrice-noble Suffolk, 't is resolutely spoke.
  317. Duke of Suffolk
  318. 1446 Not resolute, except so much were done,
  319. 1447 For things are often spoke and seldom meant;
  320. 1448 But that my heart accordeth with my tongue,—
  321. 1449 Seeing the deed is meritorious,
  322. 1450 And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,—
  323. 1451 Say but the word, and I will be his priest.
  324. Cardinal Beaufort
  325. 1452 But I would have him dead, my Lord of Suffolk,
  326. 1453 Ere you can take due orders for a priest.
  327. 1454 Say you consent and censure well the deed,
  328. 1455 And I'll provide his executioner,
  329. 1456 I tender so the safety of my liege.
  330. Duke of Suffolk
  331. 1457 Here is my hand, the deed is worthy doing.
  332. Queen Margaret
  333. 1458 And so say I.
  334. Richard, Duke of York
  335. 1459 And I; and now we three have spoke it,
  336. 1460 It skills not greatly who impugns our doom.
  337. [Enter a Post.]
  338. Post
  339. 1461 Great lords, from Ireland am I come amain,
  340. 1462 To signify that rebels there are up
  341. 1463 And put the Englishmen unto the sword.
  342. 1464 Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime,
  343. 1465 Before the wound do grow uncurable;
  344. 1466 For, being green, there is great hope of help.
  345. Cardinal Beaufort
  346. 1467 A breach that craves a quick expedient stop!
  347. 1468 What council give you in this weighty cause?
  348. Richard, Duke of York
  349. 1469 That Somerset be sent as regent thither.
  350. 1470 'T is meet that lucky ruler be employ'd;
  351. 1471 Witness the fortune he hath had in France.
  352. Duke of Somerset
  353. 1472 If York, with all his far-fet policy,
  354. 1473 Had been the regent there instead of me,
  355. 1474 He never would have stay'd in France so long.
  356. Richard, Duke of York
  357. 1475 No, not to lose it all as thou hast done;
  358. 1476 I rather would have lost my life betimes
  359. 1477 Than bring a burden of dishonour home
  360. 1478 By staying there so long till all were lost.
  361. 1479 Show me one scar character'd on thy skin;
  362. 1480 Men's flesh preserv'd so whole do seldom win.
  363. Queen Margaret
  364. 1481 Nay then, this spark will prove a raging fire,
  365. 1482 If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with.
  366. 1483 No more, good York.—Sweet Somerset, be still.—
  367. 1484 Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there,
  368. 1485 Might happily have prov'd far worse than his.
  369. Richard, Duke of York
  370. 1486 What, worse than nought? nay, then a shame take all!
  371. Duke of Somerset
  372. 1487 And, in the number, thee that wishest shame!
  373. Cardinal Beaufort
  374. 1488 My Lord of York, try what your fortune is.
  375. 1489 The uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms,
  376. 1490 And temper clay with blood of Englishmen.
  377. 1491 To Ireland will you lead a band of men,
  378. 1492 Collected choicely, from each county some,
  379. 1493 And try your hap against the Irishmen?
  380. Richard, Duke of York
  381. 1494 I will, my lord, so please his majesty.
  382. Duke of Suffolk
  383. 1495 Why, our authority is his consent,
  384. 1496 And what we do establish he confirms.—
  385. 1497 Then, noble York, take thou this task in hand.
  386. Richard, Duke of York
  387. 1498 I am content.—Provide me soldiers, lords,
  388. 1499 Whiles I take order for mine own affairs.
  389. Duke of Suffolk
  390. 1500 A charge, Lord York, that I will see perform'd.
  391. 1501 But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey.
  392. Cardinal Beaufort
  393. 1502 No more of him; for I will deal with him
  394. 1503 That henceforth he shall trouble us no more.
  395. 1504 And so break off; the day is almost spent.—
  396. 1505 Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event.
  397. Richard, Duke of York
  398. 1506 My Lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days
  399. 1507 At Bristol I expect my soldiers;
  400. 1508 For there I'll ship them all for Ireland.
  401. Duke of Suffolk
  402. 1509 I'll see it truly done, my Lord of York.
  403. [Exeunt all but York.]
  404. Richard, Duke of York
  405. 1510 Now, York, or never, steel thy fearful thoughts,
  406. 1511 And change misdoubt to resolution.
  407. 1512 Be that thou hop'st to be, or what thou art
  408. 1513 Resign to death; it is not worth the enjoying.
  409. 1514 Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man,
  410. 1515 And find no harbour in a royal heart.
  411. 1516 Faster than spring-time showers comes thought on thought,
  412. 1517 And not a thought but thinks on dignity.
  413. 1518 My brain more busy than the labouring spider
  414. 1519 Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies.
  415. 1520 Well, nobles, well, 't is politicly done,
  416. 1521 To send me packing with an host of men;
  417. 1522 I fear me you but warm the starved snake,
  418. 1523 Who, cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your hearts.
  419. 1524 'T was men I lack'd, and you will give them me;
  420. 1525 I take it kindly, yet be well-assur'd
  421. 1526 You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands.
  422. 1527 Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band,
  423. 1528 I will stir up in England some black storm
  424. 1529 Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell;
  425. 1530 And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage
  426. 1531 Until the golden circuit on my head,
  427. 1532 Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams,
  428. 1533 Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw.
  429. 1534 And for a minister of my intent,
  430. 1535 I have seduc'd a headstrong Kentishman,
  431. 1536 John Cade of Ashford,
  432. 1537 To make commotion, as full well he can,
  433. 1538 Under the tide of John Mortimer.
  434. 1539 In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade
  435. 1540 Oppose himself against a troop of kerns,
  436. 1541 And fought so long till that his thighs with darts
  437. 1542 Were almost like a sharp-quill'd porpentine;
  438. 1543 And, in the end being rescu'd, I have seen
  439. 1544 Him caper upright like a wild Morisco,
  440. 1545 Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells.
  441. 1546 Full often, like a shag-hair'd crafty kern,
  442. 1547 Hath he conversed with the enemy,
  443. 1548 And undiscover'd come to me again
  444. 1549 And given me notice of their villainies.
  445. 1550 This devil here shall be my substitute;
  446. 1551 For that John Mortimer, which now is dead,
  447. 1552 In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble.
  448. 1553 By this I shall perceive the commons' mind,
  449. 1554 How they affect the house and claim of York.
  450. 1555 Say he be taken, rack'd, and tortured,
  451. 1556 I know no pain they can inflict upon him
  452. 1557 Will make him say I mov'd him to those arms.
  453. 1558 Say that he thrive, as 't is great like he will,
  454. 1559 Why, then from Ireland come I with my strength
  455. 1560 And reap the harvest which that rascal sow'd;
  456. 1561 For Humphrey being dead, as he shall be,
  457. 1562 And Henry put apart, the next for me.
  458. [Exit.]