Part 10
V. 1. 17. However plausible the emendation _kin_ may seem, we leave _knit_, the reading of the Folios, as the conceit suggested by the ‘knot of amity,’ in the preceding line, is not alien from the author’s manner. Mr Collier, in a note to his second edition, says: “Mr Singer is obliged to admit that it has been proposed to read ‘near _kin_ to Charles.’ Where has it been so proposed? In the corrected Folio, 1632, which Mr Singer has always such a wish to ignore. The emendation was never suggested (not even in Mr Singer’s corrected Folio, 1632) until it appeared in our volume of ‘Notes and emendations,’ p. 277.”
In fact, it was first suggested by Pope, and adopted by Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson. Capell restored _knit_, in which he was followed by Steevens and Malone.
NOTE VII.
V. III. 75. This and other speeches which follow are marked by Pope and subsequent editors as spoken aside, but this is so obvious that we have not thought it necessary to encumber our pages with marginal directions.
NOTE VIII.
V. 4. 121. Malone, followed by Singer, Mr Collier, and Herr Delius, attributes the emendation ‘prison’d’ for ‘poison’d’ to Pope. Mr Staunton rightly assigns it to Theobald.
THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH.
DRAMATIS PERSONƆ.
KING HENRY the Sixth. HUMPHREY, Duke of Gloucester, his uncle. CARDINAL BEAUFORT, Bishop of Winchester, great-uncle to the King. RICHARD PLANTAGENET, Duke of York. EDWARD and RICHARD, his sons. DUKE OF SOMERSET. DUKE OF SUFFOLK. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. LORD CLIFFORD. Young CLIFFORD, his son. EARL OF SALISBURY. EARL OF WARWICK. LORD SCALES. LORD SAY. SIR HUMPHREY STAFFORD, and WILLIAM STAFFORD, his brother. SIR JOHN STANLEY. VAUX. MATTHEW GOFFE‡. A Sea-captain, Master, and Master’s-Mate, and WALTER WHITMORE. Two Gentlemen, prisoners with Suffolk. JOHN HUME and JOHN SOUTHWELL, priests. BOLINGBROKE, a conjurer. THOMAS HORNER, an armourer. PETER, his man. Clerk of Chatham. Mayor of Saint Alban’s. SIMPCOX, an impostor. ALEXANDER IDEN, a Kentish gentleman. JACK CADE, a rebel. GEORGE BEVIS, JOHN HOLLAND, DICK the butcher, SMITH the weaver, MICHAEL, &c., followers of Cade. Two Murderers. MARGARET, Queen to King Henry. ELEANOR, Duchess of Gloucester. MARGARET JOURDAIN, a witch. Wife to Simpcox.
Lords, Ladies, and Attendants, Petitioners, Aldermen, a Herald, a Beadle, Sheriff, and Officers, Citizens, ’Prentices, Falconers, Guards, Soldiers, Messengers, &c.
A Spirit.
SCENE: _England_.
────────── † DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.] First given imperfectly by Rowe.
‡ MATTHEW GOFFE.] Edd. (French conj.). om. Rowe.
THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY VI.
## ACT I.
## SCENE I. _London. The palace_.
_Flourish of trumpets: then hautboys. Enter,_ THE KING, HUMPHREY, Duke of Gloucester, SALISBURY, WARWICK, _and_ CARDINAL BEAUFORT, _on the one side;_ THE QUEEN, SUFFOLK, YORK, SOMERSET, _and_ BUCKINGHAM, _on the other_.
_Suf._ As by your high imperial majesty [baa001] I had in charge at my depart for France, [baa002] As procurator to your excellence, To marry Princess Margaret for your grace, So, in the famous ancient city Tours, ·baa005· In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil, The Dukes of Orleans, Calaber, Bretagne and Alençon, [baa007] Seven earls, twelve barons and twenty reverend bishops, I have perform’d my task and was espoused: And humbly now upon my bended knee, ·baa010· In sight of England and her lordly peers, Deliver up my title in the queen To your most gracious hands, that are the substance [baa013] Of that great shadow I did represent; The happiest gift that ever marquess gave, ·baa015· The fairest queen that ever king received.
_King._ Suffolk, arise. Welcome, Queen Margaret: I can express no kinder sign of love Than this kind kiss. O Lord, that lends me life, [baa019] Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! ·baa020· For thou hast given me in this beauteous face A world of earthly blessings to my soul, If sympathy of love unite our thoughts.
_Queen._ Great King of England and my gracious lord, The mutual conference that my mind hath had, ·baa025· By day, by night, waking and in my dreams, In courtly company or at my beads, With you, mine alder-liefest sovereign, [baa028] Makes me the bolder to salute my king With ruder terms, such as my wit affords ·baa030· And over-joy of heart doth minister.
_King._ Her sight did ravish; but her grace in speech, Her words y-clad with wisdom’s majesty, Makes me from wondering fall to weeping joys; [baa034] Such is the fulness of my heart’s content. ·baa035· Lords, with one cheerful voice welcome my love.
_All_ [_kneeling_]. Long live Queen Margaret, England’s happiness! [baa037]
_Queen._ We thank you all. [_Flourish._
_Suff._ My lord protector, so it please your grace, Here are the articles of contracted peace ·baa040· Between our sovereign and the French king Charles, For eighteen months concluded by consent.
_Glou._ [_Reads_] ‘Imprimis, it is agreed between the French king Charles, and William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry King of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady ·baa045· Margaret, daughter unto Reignier King of Naples, Sicilia and Jerusalem, and crown her Oueen of England ere the thirtieth of May next [baa047] ensuing. Item, that the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine [baa048] shall be released and delivered to the king her father’-- [baa049] [_Lets the paper fall._
_King._ Uncle, how now!
_Glou._ Pardon me, gracious lord; ·baa050· Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart [baa051] And dimm’d mine eyes, that I can read no further.
_King._ Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on.
_Car._ [_Reads_] ‘Item, It is further agreed between them, that the [baa054] duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to [baa055] the king her father, and she sent over of the King of England’s own proper cost and charges, without having any dowry.’ [baa057]
_King._ They please us well. Lord marquess, kneel down: [baa058] We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk, And gird thee with the sword. Cousin of York, [baa060] We here discharge your grace from being regent I’ the parts of France, till term of eighteen months [baa062] Be full expired. Thanks, uncle Winchester, Gloucester, York, Buckingham, Somerset, [baa064] Salisbury, and Warwick; ·baa065· We thank you all for this great favour done, [baa066] In entertainment to my princely queen. Come, let us in, and with all speed provide To see her coronation be perform’d. [baa069] [_Exeunt King, Queen, and Suffolk._
_Glou._ Brave peers of England, pillars of the state, [baa070] To you Duke Humphrey must unload his grief, Your grief, the common grief of all the land. What! did my brother Henry spend his youth, His valour, coin and people, in the wars? Did he so often lodge in open field, ·baa075· In winter’s cold and summer’s parching heat, To conquer France, his true inheritance? And did my brother Bedford toil his wits, To keep by policy what Henry got? Have you yourselves, Somerset, Buckingham, ·baa080· Brave York, Salisbury, and victorious Warwick, Received deep scars in France and Normandy? Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself, [baa083] With all the learned council of the realm, Studied so long, sat in the council-house ·baa085· Early and late, debating to and fro How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe, And had his highness in his infancy [baa088] Crowned in Paris in despite of foes? And shall these labours and these honours die? ·baa090· Shall Henry’s conquest, Bedford’s vigilance, Your deeds of war and all our counsel die? O peers of England, shameful is this league! Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame, Blotting your names from books of memory, ·baa095· Razing the characters of your renown, Defacing monuments of conquer’d France, Undoing all, as all had never been!
_Car._ Nephew, what means this passionate discourse, This peroration with such circumstance? [baa100] For France, ’tis ours; and we will keep it still.
_Glou._ Ay, uncle, we will keep it, if we can; But now it is impossible we should: Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast, [baa104] Hath given the duchy of Anjou and Maine [baa105] Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large style Agrees not with the leanness of his purse.
_Sal._ Now, by the death of Him that died for all, These counties were the keys of Normandy. But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son? ·baa110·
_War._ For grief that they are past recovery: For, were there hope to conquer them again, My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes no tears. Anjou and Maine! myself did win them both; Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer: ·baa115· And are the cities, that I got with wounds, [baa116] Deliver’d up again with peaceful words? Mort Dieu! [baa118]
_York._ For Suffolk’s duke, may he be suffocate, [baa119] That dims the honour of this warlike isle! ·baa120· France should have torn and rent my very heart, Before I would have yielded to this league. I never read but England’s kings have had Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives; And our King Henry gives away his own, ·baa125· To match with her that brings no vantages.
_Glou._ A proper jest, and never heard before, That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth For costs and charges in transporting her! She should have stayed in France and starved in France, [baa130] Before--
_Car._ My lord of Gloucester, now ye grow too hot: It was the pleasure of my lord the king.
_Glou._ My lord of Winchester, I know your mind; ’Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, ·baa135· But ’tis my presence that doth trouble ye. Rancour will out: proud prelate, in thy face I see thy fury: if I longer stay. We shall begin our ancient bickerings. Lordings, farewell; and say, when I am gone, ·baa140· I prophesied France will be lost ere long. [_Exit._
_Car._ So, there goes our protector in a rage. Tis known to you he is mine enemy, Nay, more, an enemy unto you all, And no great friend, I fear me, to the king. ·baa145· Consider, lords, he is the next of blood, And heir apparent to the English crown: Had Henry got an empire by his marriage, And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west, [baa149] There’s reason he should be displeased at it. ·baa150· Look to it, lords; let not his smoothing words Bewitch your hearts; be wise and circumspect. What though the common people favour him, Calling him ‘Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester,’ Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice, ·baa155· ‘Jesu maintain your royal excellence!’ With ‘God preserve the good Duke Humphrey!’ I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss, He will be found a dangerous protector.
_Buck._ Why should he, then, protect our sovereign, ·baa160· He being of age to govern of himself? Cousin of Somerset, join you with me, And all together, with the Duke of Suffolk, [baa163] We’ll quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his seat. [baa164]
_Car._ This weighty business will not brook delay; ·baa165· I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently. [_Exit._
_Som._ Cousin of Buckingham, though Humphrey’s pride And greatness of his place be grief to us, Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal: His insolence is more intolerable ·baa170· Than all the princes in the land beside: If Gloucester be displaced, he’ll be protector.
_Buck._ Or thou or I, Somerset, will be protector, [baa173] Despite Duke Humphrey or the cardinal. [baa174] [_Exeunt Buckingham and Somerset._
_Sal._ Pride went before, ambition follows him. [baa175] While these do labour for their own preferment, Behoves it us to labour for the realm. I never saw but Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Did bear him like a noble gentleman. Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal, ·baa180· More like a soldier than a man o’ the church, As stout and proud as he were lord of all, Swear like a ruffian and demean himself Unlike the ruler of a commonweal. Warwick, my son, the comfort of my age, ·baa185· Thy deeds, thy plainness and thy housekeeping, Hath won the greatest favour of the commons, [baa187] Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey: And, brother York, thy acts in Ireland, [baa189] In bringing them to civil discipline, ·baa190· Thy late exploits done in the heart of France, When thou wert regent for our sovereign, Have made thee fear’d and honour’d of the people: Join we together, for the public good, In what we can, to bridle and suppress ·baa195· The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal, With Somerset’s and Buckingham’s ambition; And, as we may, cherish Duke Humphrey’s deeds, While they do tend the profit of the land. [baa199]
_War._ So God help Warwick, as he loves the land, ·baa200· And common profit of his country! [baa201]
_York._ [_Aside_] And so says York, for he hath greatest cause. [baa202]
_Sal._ Then let’s make haste away, and look unto the main. [baa203]
_War._ Unto the main! O father, Maine is lost; [baa204] That Maine which by main force Warwick did win, [baa205] And would have kept so long as breath did last! Main chance, father, you meant; but I meant Maine, Which I will win from France, or else be slain. [baa208] [_Exeunt Warwick and Salisbury._
_York._ Anjou and Maine are given to the French; [baa209] Paris is lost; the state of Normandy ·baa210· Stands on a tickle point, now they are gone: Suffolk concluded on the articles, The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleased To change two dukedoms for a duke’s fair daughter. I cannot blame them all: what is’t to them? ·baa215· ’Tis thine they give away, and not their own. [baa216] Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their pillage [baa217] And purchase friends and give to courtezans, Still revelling like lords till all be gone; While as the silly owner of the goods ·baa220· Weeps over them and wrings his hapless hands [baa221] And shakes his head and trembling stands aloof. While all is shared and all is borne away, Ready to starve and dare not touch his own: [baa224] So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue, ·baa225· While his own lands are bargain’d for and sold. Methinks the realms of England, France and Ireland Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood As did the fatal brand Althæa burn’d Unto the prince’s heart of Calydon. ·baa230· Anjou and Maine both given unto the French! Cold news for me, for I had hope of France, Even as I have of fertile England’s soil. [baa233] A day will come when York shall claim his own; And therefore I will take the Nevils’ parts ·baa235· And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey, And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown, For that’s the golden mark I seek to hit: Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right, Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist, ·baa240· Nor wear the diadem upon his head, Whose church-like humours fits not for a crown. [baa242] Then, York, be still awhile, till time do serve: Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state; ·baa245· Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love, [baa246] With his new bride and England’s dear-bought queen. [baa247] And Humphrey with the peers be fall’n at jars: Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose, With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed; ·baa250· And in my standard bear the arms of York, [baa251] To grapple with the house of Lancaster; And, force perforce, I’ll make him yield the crown, Whose bookish rule hath pull’d fair England down. [_Exit._
## SCENE II. _The_ DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’S _house_.
_Enter_ DUKE HUMPHREY _and his wife_ ELEANOR.
_Duch._ Why droops my lord, like over-ripen’d corn, [bab001] Hanging the head at Ceres’ plenteous load? [bab002] Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows, As frowning at the favours of the world? Why are thine eyes fix’d to the sullen earth, ·bab005· Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight? What seest thou there? King Henry’s diadem, Enchased with all the honours of the world? If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face, Until thy head be circled with the same. ·bab010· Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold. What, is’t too short? I’ll lengthen it with mine; And, having both together heaved it up, We’ll both together lift our heads to heaven, And never more abase our sight so low ·bab015· As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground.
_Glou._ O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord, Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts. And may that thought, when I imagine ill Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry, ·bab020· Be my last breathing in this mortal world! My troublous dream this night doth make me sad. [bab022]
_Duch._ What dream’d my lord? tell me, and I’ll requite it With sweet rehearsal of my morning’s dream.
_Glou._ Methought this staff, mine office-badge in court, [bab025] Was broke in twain; by whom I have forgot, But, as I think, it was by the cardinal; And on the pieces of the broken wand Were placed the heads of Edmund Duke of Somerset, And William de la Pole, first duke of Suffolk. ·bab030· This was my dream: what it doth bode, God knows. [bab031]
_Duch._ Tut, this was nothing but an argument That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester’s grove Shall lose his head for his presumption. But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke: ·bab035· Methought I sat in seat of majesty In the cathedral church of Westminster, And in that chair where kings and queens are crown’d; [bab038] Where Henry and dame Margaret kneel’d to me [bab039] And on my head did set the diadem. ·bab040·
_Glou._ Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright: Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured Eleanor, [bab042] Art thou not second woman in the realm, And the protector’s wife, beloved of him? Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command, ·bab045· Above the reach or compass of thy thought? And wilt thou still be hammering treachery, To tumble down thy husband and thyself From top of honour to disgrace’s feet? Away from me, and let me hear no more! ·bab050·
_Duch._ What, what, my lord! are you so choleric With Eleanor, for telling but her dream? Next time I’ll keep my dreams unto myself, And not be check’d.
_Glou._ Nay, be not angry; I am pleased again. ·bab055·
_Enter_ Messenger.
_Mess._ My lord protector, ’tis his highness’ pleasure You do prepare to ride unto Saint Alban’s, [bab057] Where as the king and queen do mean to hawk. [bab058]
_Glou._ I go. Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us? [bab059]
_Duch._ Yes, my good lord, I’ll follow presently. [bab060] [_Exeunt Gloucester and Messenger._ Follow I must; I cannot go before, While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind. Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood, I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks And smooth my way upon their headless necks; ·bab065· And, being a woman, I will not be slack To play my part in Fortune’s pageant. Where are you there? Sir John! nay, fear not, man, [bab068] We are alone; here’s none but thee and I. [bab069]
_Enter_ HUME.
_Hume._ Jesus preserve your royal majesty! ·bab070·
_Duch._ What say’st thou? majesty! I am but grace. [bab071]
_Hume._ But, by the grace of God, and Hume’s advice, Your grace’s title shall be multiplied.
_Duch._ What say’st thou, man? hast thou as yet conferr’d With Margery Jourdain, the cunning witch, [bab075] With Roger Bolingbroke, the conjurer? And will they undertake to do me good?
_Hume._ This they have promised, to show your highness A spirit raised from depth of under-ground, That shall make answer to such questions ·bab080· As by your grace shall be propounded him.
_Duch._ It is enough; I’ll think upon the questions: When from Saint Alban’s we do make return, We’ll see these things effected to the full. Here, Hume, take this reward; make merry, man, ·bab085· With thy confederates in this weighty cause. [_Exit._
_Hume._ Hume must make merry with the duchess’ gold; Marry, and shall. But, how now, Sir John Hume! Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum: [bab089] The business asketh silent secrecy. ·bab090· Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch: Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil. Yet have I gold flies from another coast; I dare not say, from the rich cardinal And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk, ·bab095· Yet I do find it so; for, to be plain, They, knowing Dame Eleanor’s aspiring humour, [bab097] Have hired me to undermine the duchess And buz these conjurations in her brain. They say ‘A crafty knave does need no broker;’ ·bab100· Yet am I Suffolk and the cardinal’s broker. [bab101] Hume, if you take not heed, you shall go near To call them both a pair of crafty knaves. Well, so it stands; and thus, I fear, at last Hume’s knavery will be the duchess’ wreck, [bab105] And her attainture will be Humphrey’s fall: Sort how it will, I shall have gold for all. [_Exit._
## SCENE III. _The palace_.
_Enter three or four Petitioners,_ PETER, _the Armourer’s man, being one_.
_First Petit._ My masters, let’s stand close: my lord [bac001] protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill. [bac003]
_Sec. Petit._ Marry, the Lord protect him, for he’s a good man! Jesu bless him! ·bac005·
_Enter_ SUFFOLK _and_ QUEEN.
_Peter._ Here a’ comes, methinks, and the queen with [bac006] him. I’ll be the first, sure.
_Sec. Petit._ Come back, fool; this is the Duke of Suffolk, and not my lord protector.
_Suf._ How now, fellow! wouldst any thing with me? ·bac010·
_First Petit._ I pray, my lord, pardon me; I took ye for my lord protector.
_Queen._ [_Reading_] ‘To my Lord Protector!’ Are your [bac013] supplications to his lordship? Let me see them: what is thine? ·bac015·
_First Petit._ Mine is, an’t please your grace, against [bac016] John Goodman, my lord cardinal’s man, for keeping my house, and lands, and wife and all, from me.
_Suf._ Thy wife too! that’s some wrong, indeed. What’s yours? What’s here! [_Reads_] ‘Against the Duke [bac020] of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford.’ How [bac021] now, sir knave!
_Sec. Petit._ Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township.
_Peter_ [_giving his petition_]. Against my master, Thomas [bac025] Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown.
_Queen._ What say’st thou? did the Duke of York say [bac028] he was rightful heir to the crown?
_Peter._ That my master was? no, forsooth: my master [bac030] said that he was, and that the king was an usurper.
_Suf._ Who is there? [_Enter Servant._] Take this fellow [bac032] in, and send for his master with a pursuivant presently: we’ll hear more of your matter before the king. [_Exit Servant with Peter._ [bac034]
_Queen._ And as for you, that love to be protected ·bac035· Under the wings of our protector’s grace, Begin your suits anew, and sue to him. [_Tears the supplications._ [bac037] Away, base cullions! Suffolk, let them go.
_All._ Come, let’s be gone. [_Exeunt._ [bac039]