Part 11

_Queen._ My Lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise,   ·bac040· Is this the fashion in the court of England?   [bac041] Is this the government of Britain’s isle, And this the royalty of Albion’s king? What, shall King Henry be a pupil still Under the surly Gloucester’s governance?   ·bac045· Am I a queen in title and in style, And must be made a subject to a duke? I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours Thou ran’st a tilt in honour of my love   [bac049] And stolest away the ladies’ hearts of France,   ·bac050· I thought King Henry had resembled thee In courage, courtship and proportion: But all his mind is bent to holiness, To number Ave-Maries on his beads; His champions are the prophets and apostles,   ·bac055· His weapons holy saws of sacred writ, His study is his tilt-yard, and his loves Are brazen images of canonized saints.   [bac058] I would the college of the cardinals   [bac059] Would choose him pope and carry him to Rome,   ·bac060· And set the triple crown upon his head: That were a state fit for his holiness.

_Suf._ Madam, be patient: as I was cause   [bac063] Your highness came to England, so will I In England work your grace’s full content.   ·bac065·

_Queen._ Beside the haughty protector, have we Beaufort   [bac066] The imperious churchman, Somerset, Buckingham, And grumbling York; and not the least of these But can do more in England than the king.

_Suf._ And he of these that can do most of all   ·bac070· Cannot do more in England than the Nevils: Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers.

_Queen._ Not all these lords do vex me half so much As that proud dame, the lord protector’s wife. She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies,   [bac075] More like an empress than duke Humphrey’s wife: Strangers in court do take her for the queen: She bears a duke’s revenues on her back, And in her heart she scorns our poverty:   [bac079] Shall I not live to be avenged on her?   ·bac080· Contemptuous base-born callet as she is, She vaunted ’mongst her minions t’other day, The very train of her worst wearing gown Was better worth than all my father’s lands, Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter.   ·bac085·

_Suf._ Madam, myself have limed a bush for her, And placed a quire of such enticing birds, That she will light to listen to the lays,   [bac088] And never mount to trouble you again. So, let her rest: and, madam, list to me;   ·bac090· For I am bold to counsel you in this. Although we fancy not the cardinal,   [bac092] Yet must we join with him and with the lords, Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace. As for the Duke of York, this late complaint   ·bac095· Will make but little for his benefit. So, one by one, we’ll weed them all at last,   [bac097] And you yourself shall steer the happy helm.   [bac098]

_Sound a Sennet. Enter the_ KING, DUKE HUMPHREY of Gloucester, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, BUCKINGHAM, YORK, SOMERSET, SALISBURY, WARWICK, _and the_ DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER.

_King._ For my part, noble lords, I care not which;   [bac099] Or Somerset or York, all’s one to me.   ·bac100·

_York._ If York have ill demean’d himself in France, Then let him be denay’d the regentship.   [bac102]

_Som._ If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Let York be regent; I will yield to him.

_War._ Whether your grace be worthy, yea or no,   ·bac105· Dispute not that: York is the worthier.

_Car._ Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.

_War._ The cardinal’s not my better in the field.   [bac108]

_Buck._ All in this presence are thy betters, Warwick.

_War._ Warwick may live to be the best of all.   ·bac110·

_Sal._ Peace, son! and show some reason, Buckingham, Why Somerset should be preferred in this.

_Queen._ Because the king, forsooth, will have it so.

_Glou._ Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure: these are no women’s matters.   [bac115]

_Queen._ If he be old enough, what needs your grace To be protector of his excellence?

_Glou._ Madam, I am protector of the realm; And, at his pleasure, will resign my place.

_Suf._ Resign it then and leave thine insolence.   ·bac120· Since thou wert king--as who is king but thou?-- The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck;   [bac122] The Dauphin hath prevail’d beyond the seas; And all the peers and nobles of the realm Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty.   ·bac125·

_Car._ The commons hast thou rack’d; the clergy’s bags Are lank and lean with thy extortions.

_Som._ Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife’s attire Have cost a mass of public treasury.   [bac129]

_Buck._ Thy cruelty in execution   ·bac130· Upon offenders hath exceeded law And left thee to the mercy of the law.

_Queen._ Thy sale of offices and towns in France, If they were known, as the suspect is great, Would make thee quickly hop without thy head.   [bac135] [_Exit Gloucester. The Queen drops her fan._ Give me my fan: what, minion! can ye not? [_She gives the Duchess a box on the ear._ I cry you mercy, madam; was it you?

_Duch._ Was’t I! yea, I it was, proud Frenchwoman: Could I come near your beauty with my nails, I’ld set my ten commandments in your face.   [bac140]

_King._ Sweet aunt, be quiet; ’twas against her will.

_Duch._ Against her will! good king, look to’t in time; She’ll hamper thee, and dandle thee like a baby: Though in this place most master wear no breeches,   [bac144] She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged. [_Exit._ ·bac145·

_Buck._ Lord cardinal, I will follow Eleanor,   [bac146] And listen after Humphrey, how he proceeds: She’s tickled now; her fume needs no spurs,   [bac148] She’ll gallop far enough to her destruction.   [bac149] [_Exit._

_Re-enter_ GLOUCESTER.

_Glou._ Now, lords, my choler being over-blown   [bac150] With walking once about the quadrangle, I come to talk of commonwealth affairs. As for your spiteful false objections, Prove them, and I lie open to the law: But God in mercy so deal with my soul,   [bac155] As I in duty love my king and country! But, to the matter that we have in hand: I say, my sovereign, York is meetest man To be your regent in the realm of France.

_Suf._ Before we make election, give me leave   ·bac160· To show some reason, of no little force, That York is most unmeet of any man.

_York._ I’ll tell thee, Suffolk, why I am unmeet: First, for I cannot flatter thee in pride; Next, if I be appointed for the place,   ·bac165· My Lord of Somerset will keep me here,   [bac166] Without discharge, money, or furniture, Till France be won into the Dauphin’s hands: Last time, I danced attendance on his will Till Paris was besieged, famish’d, and lost.   ·bac170·

_War._ That can I witness; and a fouler fact Did never traitor in the land commit.

_Suf._ Peace, headstrong Warwick!

_War._ Image of pride, why should I hold my peace?   [bac174]

_Enter_ HORNER, _the Armourer, and his man_ PETER, _guarded_.

_Suf._ Because here is a man accused of treason:   ·bac175· Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself!

_York._ Doth any one accuse York for a traitor?

_King._ What mean’st thou, Suffolk; tell me, what are these?

_Suf._ Please it your majesty, this is the man That doth accuse his master of high treason:   ·bac180· His words were these: that Richard Duke of York Was rightful heir unto the English crown And that your majesty was an usurper.

_King._ Say, man, were these thy words?

_Hor._ An’t shall please your majesty, I never said nor   [bac185] thought any such matter: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain.

_Pet._ By these ten bones, my lords, he did speak them to me in the garret one night, as we were scouring my Lord of York’s armour.   ·bac190·

_York._ Base dunghill villain and mechanical, I’ll have thy head for this thy traitor’s speech. I do beseech your royal majesty, Let him have all the rigour of the law.

_Hor._ Alas, my lord, hang me, if ever I spake the   ·bac195· words. My accuser is my ’prentice; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me: I have good witness of this; therefore I beseech your majesty, do not cast away an honest man for a villain’s accusation.   ·bac200·

_King._ Uncle, what shall we say to this in law?

_Glou._ This doom, my lord, if I may judge:   [bac202] Let Somerset be regent o’er the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion: And let these have a day appointed them   ·bac205· For single combat in convenient place, For he hath witness of his servant’s malice: This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey’s doom.   [bac208]

_Som._ I humbly thank your royal majesty.

_Hor._ And I accept the combat willingly.   ·bac210·

_Pet._ Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God’s sake, pity my case. The spite of man prevaileth against me. O   [bac212] Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my heart!

_Glou._ Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be hang’d.   ·bac215·

_King._ Away with them to prison; and the day of   [bac216] combat shall be the last of the next month. Come, Somerset, we’ll see thee sent away. [_Flourish. Exeunt._

## SCENE IV. GLOUCESTER’S _garden_.

_Enter_ MARGERY JOURDAIN, HUME, SOUTHWELL, _and_ BOLINGBROKE.

_Hume._ Come, my masters; the duchess, I tell you, expects   [bad001] performance of your promises.

_Boling._ Master Hume, we are therefore provided: will her ladyship behold and hear our exorcisms?

_Hume._ Ay, what else? fear you not her courage.   [bad005]

_Boling._ I have heard her reported to be a woman of an invincible spirit: but it shall be convenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, in God’s name, and leave us. [_Exit Hume._] Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate and grovel on the earth; [bad010] John Southwell, read you; and let us to our work. [bad011]

_Enter_ Duchess _aloft_, HUME _following_.

_Duch._ Well said, my masters; and welcome all. To [bad012] this gear the sooner the better.

_Boling._ Patience, good lady; wizards know their times: Deep night, dark night, the silent of the night,   [bad015] The time of night when Troy was set on fire; The time when screech-owls cry and ban-dogs howl And spirits walk and ghosts break up their graves,   [bad018] That time best fits the work we have in hand. Madam, sit you and fear not: whom we raise,   ·bad020· We will make fast within a hallow’d verge.   [bad021] [_Here they do the ceremonies belonging, and make the circle; Bolingbroke or Southwell reads_, Conjuro te, &c. _It thunders and lightens terribly; then the Spirit riseth._

_Spir._ Adsum.   [bad022]

_M. Jourd._ Asmath,   [bad023] By the eternal God, whose name and power Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask;   [bad025] For, till thou speak, thou shalt not pass from hence.

_Spir._ Ask what thou wilt. That I had said and done!   [bad027]

_Boling._ ‘First of the king: what shall of him become?’   [bad028] [_Reading out of a paper._

_Spir._ The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose; But him outlive, and die a violent death.   [bad030] [_As the Spirit speaks, Southwell writes the answer._

_Boling._ ‘What fates await the Duke of Suffolk?’   [bad031]

_Spir._ By water shall he die, and take his end.

_Boling._ ‘What shall befall the Duke of Somerset?’

_Spir._ Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains   [bad035] Than where castles mounted stand.   [bad036] Have done, for more I hardly can endure.

_Boling._ Descend to darkness and the burning lake! False fiend, avoid!   [bad039] [_Thunder and lightning. Exit Spirit._

_Enter the_ DUKE OF YORK _and the_ DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM _with their_ Guard _and break in_.

_York._ Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash.   ·bad040· Beldam, I think we watch’d you at an inch. What, madam, are you there? the king and commonweal   [bad042] Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains:   [bad043] My lord protector will, I doubt it not, See you well guerdon’d for these good deserts.   ·bad045·

_Duch._ Not half so bad as thine to England’s king, Injurious duke, that threatest where’s no cause.   [bad047]

_Buck._ True, madam, none at all: what call you this?   [bad048] Away with them! let them be clapp’d up close, And kept asunder. You, madam, shall with us.   [bad050] Stafford, take her to thee.   [bad051] [_Exeunt above Duchess and Hume, guarded._ We’ll see your trinkets here all forthcoming.   [bad052] All, away! [bad053] [_Exeunt guard with Jourdain, Southwell, &c._

_York._ Lord Buckingham, methinks, you watch’d her well:   [bad054] A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon!   [bad055] Now, pray, my lord, let’s see the devil’s writ. What have we here? [_Reads._ ‘The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose; But him outlive, and die a violent death.’ Why, this is just   ·bad060· ‘Aio te, Æacida, Romanos vincere posse.’   [bad061] Well, to the rest: ‘Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk? By water shall he die, and take his end. What shall betide the Duke of Somerset?   [bad065] Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains Than where castles mounted stand.’ Come, come, my lords;   [bad069] These oracles are hardly attain’d,   [bad070] And hardly understood. The king is now in progress towards Saint Alban’s, With him the husband of this lovely lady: Thither go these news, as fast as horse can carry them:   [bad074] A sorry breakfast for my lord protector.   ·bad075·

_Buck._ Your grace shall give me leave, my Lord of York, To be the post, in hope of his reward.

_York._ At your pleasure, my good lord. Who’s within there, ho!   [bad078]

_Enter a_ Servingman.

Invite my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick To sup with me to-morrow night. Away! [_Exeunt._   ·bad080·

## ACT II.

## SCENE I. _Saint Alban’s_.

_Enter the_ KING, QUEEN, GLOUCESTER, CARDINAL, _and_ SUFFOLK, _with_ Falconers _halloing_.

_Queen._ Believe me, lords, for flying at the brook,   [bba001] I saw not better sport these seven years’ day: Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high; And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out.

_King._ But what a point, my lord, your falcon made,   ·bba005· And what a pitch she flew above the rest! To see how God in all his creatures works! Yea, man and birds are fain of climbing high.

_Suf._ No marvel, an it like your majesty,   [bba009] My lord protector’s hawks do tower so well;   ·bba010· They know their master loves to be aloft And bears his thoughts above his falcon’s pitch.

_Glou._ My lord, ’tis but a base ignoble mind That mounts no higher than a bird can soar.

_Car._ I thought as much; he would be above the clouds.   [bba015]

_Glou._ Ay, my lord cardinal? how think you by that? Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven?

_King._ The treasury of everlasting joy.

_Car._ Thy heaven is on earth; thine eyes and thoughts Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart;   [bba020] Pernicious protector, dangerous peer, That smooth’st it so with king and commonweal!

_Glou._ What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown peremptory?   [bba023] Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ?   [bba024] Churchmen so hot? good uncle, hide such malice;   [bba025] With such holiness can you do it?   [bba026]

_Suf._ No malice, sir; no more than well becomes So good a quarrel and so bad a peer.

_Glou._ As who, my lord?

_Suf._ Why, as you, my lord,   [bba029] An’t like your lordly lord-protectorship.   [bba030]

_Glou._ Why, Suffolk, England knows thine insolence.

_Queen._ And thy ambition, Gloucester.

_King._ I prithee, peace, good queen,   [bba033] And whet not on these furious peers;   [bba034] For blessed are the peacemakers on earth.   ·bba035·

_Car._ Let me be blessed for the peace I make, Against this proud protector, with my sword!

_Glou._ [_Aside to Car._] Faith, holy uncle, would ’twere come to that!   [bba038]

_Car._ [_Aside to Glou._] Marry, when thou darest.

_Glou._ [_Aside to Car._] Make up no factious numbers for the matter;   [bba040] In thine own person answer thy abuse.

_Car._ [_Aside to Glou._] Ay, where thou darest not peep: an if thou darest,   [bba042] This evening, on the east side of the grove.

_King._ How now, my lords!

_Car._ Believe me, cousin Gloucester, Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly,   ·bba045· We had had more sport. [_Aside to Glou._] Come with thy two-hand sword.   [bba046]

_Glou._ True, uncle.   [bba047]

_Car._ [_Aside to Glou._] Are ye advised? the east side of the grove?   [bba048]

_Glou._ [_Aside to Car._] Cardinal, I am with you.

_King._ Why, how now, uncle Gloucester!

_Glou._ Talking of hawking; nothing else, my lord.   ·bba050· [_Aside to Car._] Now, by God’s mother, priest, I’ll shave your crown for this.   [bba051] Or all my fence shall fail.

_Car._ [_Aside to Glou._] Medice, teipsum--   [bba053] Protector, see to’t well, protect yourself.

_King._ The winds grow high; so do your stomachs, lords.   [bba055] How irksome is this music to my heart! When such strings jar, what hope of harmony? I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.

_Enter a_ Townsman _of Saint Alban’s crying_ ‘A miracle!’

_Glou._ What means this noise?   [bba059] Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?   ·bba060·

_Towns._ A miracle! a miracle!   [bba061]

_Suf._ Come to the king and tell him what miracle.   [bba062]

_Towns._ Forsooth, a blind man at Saint Alban’s shrine, Within this half-hour, hath received his sight; A man that ne’er saw in his life before.   ·bba065·

_King._ Now, God be praised, that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair!   [bba067]

_Enter the_ Mayor _of Saint Alban’s and his brethren, bearing_ SIMPCOX, _between two in a chair_, SIMPCOX’S Wife _following_.

_Car._ Here comes the townsmen on procession,   [bba068] To present your highness with the man.   [bba069]

_King._ Great is his comfort in this earthly vale,   ·bba070· Although by his sight his sin be multiplied.   [bba071]

_Glou._ Stand by, my masters: bring him near the king; His highness’ pleasure is to talk with him.

_King._ Good fellow, tell us here the circumstance, That we for thee may glorify the Lord.   ·bba075· What, hast thou been long blind and now restored?

_Simp._ Born blind, an’t please your grace.   [bba077]

_Wife._ Ay, indeed, was he.

_Suf._ What woman is this?

_Wife._ His wife, an’t like your worship.   ·bba080·

_Glou._ Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst have better told. [bba081]

_King._ Where wert thou born?

_Simp._ At Berwick in the north, an’t like your grace.   [bba083]

_King._ Poor soul, God’s goodness hath been great to thee:   [bba084] Let never day nor night unhallow’d pass,   [bba085] But still remember what the Lord hath done.

_Queen._ Tell me, good fellow, camest thou here by chance, Or of devotion, to this holy shrine?

_Simp._ God knows, of pure devotion; being call’d A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep,   ·bba090· By good Saint Alban; who said, ‘Simpcox, come,   [bba091] Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.’   [bba092]

_Wife._ Most true, forsooth; and many time and oft   [bba093] Myself have heard a voice to call him so.

_Car._ What, art thou lame?

_Simp._ Ay, God Almighty help me!   ·bba095·

_Suf._ How earnest thou so?

_Simp._ A fall off of a tree.   [bba096]

_Wife._ A plum-tree, master.

_Glou._ How long hast thou been blind?

_Simp._ O, born so, master.

_Glou._ What, and wouldst climb a tree?

_Simp._ But that in all my life, when I was a youth.   [bba099]

_Wife._ Too true; and bought his climbing very dear.   ·bba100·

_Glou._ Mass, thou lovedst plums well, that wouldst venture so.

_Simp._ Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons,   [bba102] And made me climb, with danger of my life.

_Glou._ A subtle knave! but yet it shall not serve. Let me see thine eyes: wink now: now open them:   [bba105] In my opinion yet thou see’st not well.

_Simp._ Yes, master, clear as day, I thank God and   [bba107] Saint Alban.   [bba108]

_Glou._ Say’st thou me so? What colour is this cloak of?

_Simp._ Red, master; red as blood.   ·bba110·

_Glou._ Why, that’s well said. What colour is my gown of?

_Simp._ Black, forsooth: coal-black as jet.

_King._ Why, then, thou know’st what colour jet is of?

_Suf._ And yet, I think, jet did he never see.   [bba114]

_Glou._ But cloaks and gowns, before this day, a many.   ·bba115·

_Wife._ Never, before this day, in all his life.

_Glou._ Tell me, sirrah, what’s my name?

_Simp._ Alas, master, I know not.

_Glou._ What’s his name?

_Simp._ I know not.   ·bba120·

_Glou._ Nor his?

_Simp._ No, indeed, master.

_Glou._ What’s thine own name?

_Simp._ Saunder Simpcox, an if it please you, master.   [bba124]

_Glou._ Then, Saunder, sit there, the lyingest knave in   [bba125] Christendom. If thou hadst been born blind, thou mightst as well have known all our names as thus to name the   [bba127] several colours we do wear. Sight may distinguish of colours, but suddenly to nominate them all, it is impossible. My   [bba129] lords, Saint Alban here hath done a miracle; and would   [bba130] ye not think his cunning to be great, that could restore this [bba131] cripple to his legs again?   [bba132]

_Simp._ O master, that you could!

_Glou._ My masters of Saint Albans, have you not beadles in your town, and things called whips?   ·bba135·

_May._ Yes, my lord, if it please your grace.   [bba136]

_Glou._ Then send for one presently.

_May._ Sirrah, go fetch the beadle hither straight.   [bba138]

[_Exit an Attendant._

_Glou._ Now fetch me a stool hither by and by. Now,   [bba139] sirrah, if you mean to save yourself from whipping, leap   ·bba140· me over this stool and run away.

_Simp._ Alas, master, I am not able to stand alone: You go about to torture me in vain.

_Enter a_ Beadle _with whips_.

_Glou._ Well, sir, we must have you find your legs. Sirrah beadle, whip him till he leap over that same stool.   ·bba145·

_Bead._ I will, my lord. Come on, sirrah; off with your doublet quickly.

_Simp._ Alas, master, what shall I do? I am not able to stand. [_After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over the stool and runs away; and they follow and cry_, ‘A miracle!’

_King._ O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so long?   [bba150]

_Queen._ It made me laugh to see the villain run.

_Glou._ Follow the knave; and take this drab away.   [bba152]

_Wife._ Alas, sir, we did it for pure need.   [bba153]

_Glou._ Let them be whipped through every market-town,   [bba154] till they come to Berwick, from whence they came.   [bba155] [_Exeunt Wife, Beadle, Mayor, &c._

_Car._ Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day.   [bba156]

_Suf._ True; made the lame to leap and fly away.

_Glou._ But you have done more miracles than I; You made in a day, my lord, whole towns to fly.   [bba159]

_Enter_ BUCKINGHAM.

_King._ What tidings with our cousin Buckingham?   [bba160]

_Buck._ Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold. A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent, Under the countenance and confederacy Of Lady Eleanor, the protector’s wife, The ringleader and head of all this rout,   ·bba165· Have practised dangerously against your state, Dealing with witches and with conjurers: Whom we have apprehended in the fact; Raising up wicked spirits from under ground, Demanding of King Henry’s life and death,   ·bba170· And other of your highness’ privy-council; As more at large your grace shall understand.

_Car._ [_Aside to Glou._] And so, my lord protector, by this means   [bba173] Your lady is forthcoming yet at London. This news, I think, hath turn’d your weapon’s edge;   ·bba175· ’Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.