Part 2
B2 is a copy of this revised MS., made by another hand, probably after the death of the Author and perhaps a very short time before 1623. As the stage directions of the Folio, which was printed from B2, are more precise and ample as a rule than those of the Quarto, we may infer that the transcript, B2, was made for the library of the theatre, perhaps to take the place of the original which had become worn by use, for _Richard III._ continued to be a popular acting play. Some curious, though not frequent, coincidences between the text of the Folio and that of the Quarto of 1602, Q3, lead us to suppose that the writer of B2 had occasionally recourse to that Quarto to supplement passages which, by its being frayed or stained, had become illegible in A2.
Assuming the truth of this hypothesis, the object of an Editor must be to give in the text as near an approximation as possible to A, rejecting from F1 all that is due to the unknown writer of B2 and supplying its place from Q1, which, errors of pen and press apart, certainly came from the hand of Shakespeare. In the construction of our text we have steadily borne this principle in mind, only deviating from it in a few instances where we have retained the expanded version of the Folio in preference to the briefer version of the Quarto, even when we incline to think that the earlier form is more terse and therefore not likely to have been altered by its Author. Our reason is this: as the Folio version contains substantially that of the Quarto and as the question does not admit of a positive decision we prefer the risk of putting in something which Shakespeare did not to that of leaving out something which he did write. Cæteris paribus, we have adopted the reading of the Quarto.
In conclusion we commend a study of the text of _Richard III._ to those, if such there be, who imagine that it is possible by the exercise of critical skill to restore with certainty what Shakespeare actually wrote.
We have great pleasure in repeating our thanks to the curators of the British Museum and of the Bodleian Library and in adding to the number of those who have laid us under obligation the names of the Rev. Joseph Power, Fellow of Clare College, Mr Huth, and Mr Lilly.
It is only right to add that it is the constant kindness of the Duke of Devonshire which enables us to publish this volume without further delay and with such an approach to completeness as it may be found to possess.
W. G. C. W. A. W.
ADDENDA AND CORRIGENDA.
_First Part of Henry VI._
I. 1. 43. For _Except it to be_ read _Except it be_.
_Second Part of Henry VI_.
I. 3. 115. Add note, _his_] _this_ F4.
I. 3. 144. Add note, _master_] _masters_ Halliwell conj.
I. 3. 146. Add note, _I will_] _I’ll_ Pope.
II. 1. 130. Add note, _and_] om. Hanmer.
III. 1. 222. Add to stage direction, _Somerset remains apart_.
IV. 2. 176. For _tis_ read _’tis_.
_Third Part of Henry VI_.
V. 4. 36. Dele _the_.
_Richard III_.
I. 4. 167. Add note, _To, to, to--_] _To, to, to, to--_ Capell conj.
THE FIRST PART OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH.
DRAMATIS PERSONƆ.
KING HENRY the Sixth. DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, uncle to the King, and Protector. DUKE OF BEDFORD, uncle to the King, and Regent of France. THOMAS BEAUFORT, Duke of Exeter, great-uncle to the King. HENRY BEAUFORT, great-uncle to the King, Bishop of Winchester, and afterwards Cardinal. JOHN BEAUFORT, Earl, afterwards Duke, of Somerset. RICHARD PLANTAGENET, son of Richard late Earl of Cambridge, afterwards Duke of York. EARL OF WARWICK. EARL OF SALISBURY. EARL OF SUFFOLK. LORD TALBOT, afterwards Earl of Shrewsbury. JOHN TALBOT, his son. EDMUND MORTIMER, Earl of March. SIR JOHN FASTOLFE. SIR WILLIAM LUCY. SIR WILLIAM GLANSDALE. SIR THOMAS GARGRAVE. Mayor of London. WOODVILE, Lieutenant of the Tower. VERNON, of the White-rose or York Faction. BASSET, of the Red-Rose or Lancaster faction. A Lawyer. Mortimer’s Keepers. CHARLES, Dauphin, and afterwards King, of France. REIGNIER, Duke of Anjou, and titular King of Naples. DUKE OF BURGUNDY. DUKE OF ALENÇON. BASTARD OF ORLEANS. Governor of Paris. Master-Gunner of Orleans, and his Son. General of the French forces in Bourdeaux. A French Sergeant. A Porter. An old Shepherd, father to Joan la Pucelle. MARGARET, daughter to Reignier, afterwards married to King Henry. COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE. JOAN LA PUCELLE, commonly called Joan of Arc.
Lords, Warders of the Tower, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and Attendants.
Fiends appearing to La Pucelle.
SCENE: Partly in England, and partly in France.
────────── † First given, imperfectly, by Rowe. See note (I).
THE FIRST PART OF KING HENRY VI.
## ACT I.
## SCENE I. _Westminster Abbey_.
_Dead March. Enter the Funeral of_ KING HENRY the Fifth, _attended on by the_ DUKE of BEDFORD, _Regent of France; the_ DUKE of GLOUCESTER, _Protector; the_ DUKE of EXETER, _the_ EARL of WARWICK, _the_ BISHOP of WINCHESTER, Heralds, _&c._
_Bed._ Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night! [aaa001] Comets, importing change of times and states, Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky, [aaa003] And with them scourge the bad revolting stars That have consented unto Henry’s death! [aaa005] King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long! [aaa006] England ne’er lost a king of so much worth.
_Glou_. England ne’er had a king until his time. Virtue he had, deserving to command: His brandish’d sword did blind men with his beams: [aaa010] His arms spread wider than a dragon’s wings; His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire, [aaa012] More dazzled and drove back his enemies Than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces. What should I say? his deeds exceed all speech: ·aaa015· He ne’er lift up his hand but conquered. [aaa016]
_Exe._ We mourn in black: why mourn we not in blood? Henry is dead and never shall revive: Upon a wooden coffin we attend, And death’s dishonourable victory ·aaa020· We with our stately presence glorify, Like captives bound to a triumphant car. What! shall we curse the planets of mishap That plotted thus our glory’s overthrow? Or shall we think the subtle-witted French ·aaa025· Conjurers and sorcerers, that afraid of him By magic verses have contrived his end? [aaa027]
_Win._ He was a king bless’d of the King of kings. Unto the French the dreadful judgement-day So dreadful will not be as was his sight. ·aaa030· The battles of the Lord of hosts he fought: The church’s prayers made him so prosperous. [aaa032]
_Glou._ The church! where is it? Had not churchmen pray’d, [aaa033] His thread of life had not so soon decay’d: None do you like but an effeminate prince, ·aaa035· Whom, like a school-boy, you may over-awe.
_Win._ Gloucester, whate’er we like, thou art Protector And lookest to command the prince and realm. Thy wife is proud; she holdeth thee in awe, More than God or religious churchmen may. ·aaa040·
_Glou._ Name not religion, for thou lovest the flesh, And ne’er throughout the year to church thou go’st Except it be to pray against thy foes.
_Bed._ Cease, cease these jars and rest your minds in peace: Let’s to the altar: heralds, wait on us: ·aaa045· Instead of gold, we’ll offer up our arms; Since arms avail not now that Henry’s dead. Posterity, await for wretched years, When at their mothers’ moist eyes babes shall suck, [aaa049] Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears, [aaa050] And none but women left to wail the dead. Henry the Fifth, thy ghost I invocate: Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils, Combat with adverse planets in the heavens! A far more glorious star thy soul will make ·aaa055· Than Julius Cæsar or bright —— [aaa056]
_Enter a_ Messenger.
_Mess._ My honourable lords, health to you all! [aaa057] Sad tidings bring I to you out of France, Of loss, of slaughter and discomfiture: Guienne, Champagne, Rheims, Orleans, [aaa060] Paris, Guysors, Poictiers, are all quite lost.
_Bed._ What say’st thou, man, before dead Henry’s corse? [aaa062] Speak softly; or the loss of those great towns Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.
_Glou._ Is Paris lost? is Rouen yielded up? [aaa065] If Henry were recall’d to life again, These news would cause him once more yield the ghost.
_Exe._ How were they lost? what treachery was used?
_Mess._ No treachery; but want of men and money. Amongst the soldiers this is muttered, ·aaa070· That here you maintain several factions, And whilst a field should be dispatch’d and fought, You are disputing of your generals: One would have lingering wars with little cost; Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings; ·aaa075· A third thinks, without expense at all, [aaa076] By guileful fair words peace may be obtain’d. Awake, awake, English nobility! [aaa078] Let not sloth dim your honours new-begot: Cropp’d are the flower-de-luces in your arms; [aaa080] Of England’s coat one half is cut away.
_Exe._ Were our tears wanting to this funeral, These tidings would call forth their flowing tides. [aaa083]
_Bed._ Me they concern; Regent I am of France. Give me my steeled coat. I’ll fight for France. [aaa085] Away with these disgraceful wailing robes! Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes, [aaa087] To weep their intermissive miseries.
_Enter to them another_ Messenger.
_Mess._ Lords, view these letters full of bad mischance. [aaa089] France is revolted from the English quite, ·aaa090· Except some petty towns of no import: The Dauphin Charles is crowned king in Rheims; The Bastard of Orleans with him is join’d; [aaa093] Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part; [aaa094] The Duke of Alençon flieth to his side. [aaa095]
_Exe._ The Dauphin crowned king! all fly to him! [aaa096] O, whither shall we fly from this reproach?
_Glou._ We will not fly, but to our enemies’ throats. Bedford, if thou be slack, I’ll fight it out.
_Bed._ Gloucester, why doubt’st thou of my forwardness? ·aaa100· An army have I muster’d in my thoughts, Wherewith already France is overrun.
_Enter another_ Messenger.
_Mess._ My gracious lords, to add to your laments, [aaa103] Wherewith you now bedew King Henry’s hearse, I must inform you of a dismal fight ·aaa105· Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.
_Win._ What! wherein Talbot overcame? is’t so?
_Mess._ O, no; wherein Lord Talbot was o’erthrown: [aaa108] The circumstance I’ll tell you more at large. The tenth of August last this dreadful lord, ·aaa110· Retiring from the siege of Orleans, Having full scarce six thousand in his troop, [aaa112] By three and twenty thousand of the French Was round encompassed and set upon. No leisure had he to enrank his men; ·aaa115· He wanted pikes to set before his archers; Instead whereof sharp stakes pluck’d out of hedges They pitched in the ground confusedly, To keep the horsemen off from breaking in. More than three hours the fight continued; ·aaa120· Where valiant Talbot above human thought Enacted wonders with his sword and lance: Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him; Here, there, and every where, enraged he flew: [aaa124] The French exclaim’d, the devil was in arms; ·aaa125· All the whole army stood agazed on him: [aaa126] His soldiers spying his undaunted spirit A Talbot! a Talbot! cried out amain [aaa128] And rush’d into the bowels of the battle. Here had the conquest fully been seal’d up, ·aaa130· If Sir John Fastolfe had not play’d the coward: [aaa131] He, being in the vaward, placed behind [aaa132] With purpose to relieve and follow them, Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke. Hence grew the general wreck and massacre; ·aaa135· Enclosed were they with their enemies: A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin’s grace, [aaa137] Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back, Whom all France with their chief assembled strength [aaa139] Durst not presume to look once in the face. ·aaa140·
_Bed._ Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself, [aaa141] For living idly here in pomp and ease, Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid, Unto his dastard foemen is betray’d.
_Mess._ O no, he lives; but is took prisoner, ·aaa145· And Lord Scales with him and Lord Hungerford: Most of the rest slaughter’d or took likewise.
_Bed._ His ransom there is none but I shall pay: I’ll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne: His crown shall be the ransom of my friend; ·aaa150· Four of their lords I’ll change for one of ours. Farewell, my masters; to my task will I; Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make, To keep our great Saint George’s feast withal: Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take, ·aaa155· Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake. [aaa156]
_Mess._ So you had need; for Orleans is besieged; [aaa157] The English army is grown weak and faint: The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply, And hardly keeps his men from mutiny, ·aaa160· Since they, so few, watch such a multitude.
_Exe._ Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn, [aaa162] Either to quell the Dauphin utterly, Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.
_Bed._ I do remember it; and here take my leave, [aaa165] To go about my preparation. [_Exit_. [aaa166]
_Glou._ I’ll to the Tower with all the haste I can, To view the artillery and munition; [aaa168] And then I will proclaim young Henry king. [_Exit_. [aaa169]
_Exe._ To Eltham will I, where the young king is, ·aaa170· Being ordain’d his special governor, And for his safety there I’ll best devise. [_Exit_.
_Win._ Each hath his place and function to attend: I am left out; for me nothing remains. But long I will not be Jack out of office: [aaa175] The king from Eltham I intend to steal [aaa176] And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. [_Exeunt_. [aaa177]
## SCENE II. _France. Before Orleans_.
_Sound a Flourish. Enter_ CHARLES, ALENÇON, _and_ REIGNIER, _marching with Drum and Soldiers_.
_Char._ Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens [aab001] So in the earth, to this day is not known: Late did he shine upon the English side; Now we are victors; upon us he smiles. What towns of any moment but we have? ·aab005· At pleasure here we lie near Orleans; Otherwhiles the famish’d English, like pale ghosts, [aab007] Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.
_Alen._ They want their porridge and their fat bull-beeves: Either they must be dieted like mules ·aab010· And have their provender tied to their mouths [aab011] Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.
_Reig._ Let’s raise the siege: why live we idly here? [aab013] Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear: Remaineth none but mad-brain’d Salisbury; ·aab015· And he may well in fretting spend his gall, Nor men nor money hath he to make war.
_Char._ Sound, sound alarum! we will rush on them. Now for the honour of the forlorn French! [aab019] Him I forgive my death that killeth me ·aab020· When he sees me go back one foot or fly. [_Exeunt_. [aab021]
_Here Alarum; they are beaten back by the English with great loss. Re-enter_ CHARLES, ALENÇON, _and_ REIGNIER.
_Char._ Who ever saw the like? what men have I! Dogs! cowards! dastards! I would ne’er have fled, But that they left me ’midst my enemies.
_Reig._ Salisbury is a desperate homicide; ·aab025· He fighteth as one weary of his life. The other lords, like lions wanting food, [aab027] Do rush upon us as their hungry prey. [aab028]
_Alen._ Froissart, a countryman of ours, records, [aab029] England all Olivers and Rowlands bred [aab030] During the time Edward the Third did reign. More truly now may this be verified; For none but Samsons and Goliases [aab033] It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Lean raw-boned rascals! who would e’er suppose ·aab035· They had such courage and audacity?
_Char._ Let’s leave this town; for they are hare-brain’d slaves, [aab037] And hunger will enforce them to be more eager: [aab038] Of old I know them; rather with their teeth The walls they’ll tear down than forsake the siege. ·aab040·
_Reig._ I think, by some odd gimmors or device [aab041] Their arms are set like clocks, still to strike on; Else ne’er could they hold out so as they do. By my consent, we’ll even let them alone.
_Alen._ Be it so. ·aab045·
_Enter the_ BASTARD of Orleans.
_Bast._ Where’s the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.
_Char._ Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us.
_Bast._ Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appall’d: Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence? Be not dismay’d, for succour is at hand: ·aab050· A holy maid hither with me I bring, Which by a vision sent to her from heaven Ordained is to raise this tedious siege And drive the English forth the bounds of France. The spirit of deep prophecy she hath, ·aab055· Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome: What’s past and what’s to come she can descry. Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words, [aab058] For they are certain and unfallible. [aab059]
_Char._ Go, call her in. [_Exit Bastard._] But first, to try her skill, [aab060] Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place: Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern: By this means shall we sound what skill she hath. [aab063]
_Re-enter the_ BASTARD of Orleans, _with_ JOAN LA PUCELLE.
_Reig._ Fair maid, is’t thou wilt do these wondrous feats? [aab064]
_Puc._ Reignier, is’t thou that thinkest to beguile me? ·aab065· Where is the Dauphin? Come, come from behind; I know thee well, though never seen before. Be not amazed, there’s nothing hid from me: In private will I talk with thee apart. Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. ·aab070·
_Reig._ She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
_Puc._ Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter, My wit untrain’d in any kind of art. Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased [aab074] To shine on my contemptible estate: ·aab075· Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, And to sun’s parching heat display’d my cheeks, God’s mother deigned to appear to me And in a vision full of majesty Will’d me to leave my base vocation ·aab080· And free my country from calamity: Her aid she promised and assured success: In complete glory she reveal’d herself; And, whereas I was black and swart before, With those clear rays which she infused on me ·aab085· That beauty am I bless’d with which you see. [aab086] Ask me what question thou canst possible, And I will answer unpremeditated: My courage try by combat, if thou darest, And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex. [aab090] Resolve on this, thou shalt be fortunate, If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
_Char._ Thou hast astonish’d me with thy high terms: Only this proof I’ll of thy valour make, In single combat thou shalt buckle with me, ·aab095· And if thou vanquishest, thy words are true; Otherwise I renounce all confidence. [aab097]
_Puc._ I am prepared: here is my keen-edged sword, Deck’d with five flower-de-luces on each side; [aab099] The which at Touraine, in Saint Katharine’s churchyard, [aab100] Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth. [aab101]
_Char._ Then come, o’ God’s name; I fear no woman. [aab102]
_Puc._ And while I live, I’ll ne’er fly from a man. [aab103] [_Here they fight, and Joan La Pucelle overcomes._
_Char._ Stay, stay thy hands! thou art an Amazon, And fightest with the sword of Deborah. ·aab105·
_Puc._ Christ’s mother helps me, else I were too weak.
_Char._ Whoe’er helps thee, ’tis thou that must help me: Impatiently I burn with thy desire; My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued. Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so, ·aab110· Let me thy servant and not sovereign be: ’Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus. [aab112]
_Puc._ I must not yield to any rites of love, [aab113] For my profession’s sacred from above: When I have chased all thy foes from hence, ·aab115· Then will I think upon a recompense.
_Char._ Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall.
_Reig._ My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.
_Alen._ Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock; Else ne’er could he so long protract his speech. ·aab120·
_Reig._ Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean?
_Alen._ He may mean more than we poor men do know: These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.
_Reig._ My lord, where are you? what devise you on? Shall we give over Orleans, or no? [aab125]
_Puc._ Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard. [aab127]
_Char._ What she says I’ll confirm: we’ll fight it out.
_Puc._ Assign’d am I to be the English scourge. [aab129] This night the siege assuredly I’ll raise: ·aab130· Expect Saint Martin’s summer, halcyon days, [aab131] Since I have entered into these wars. [aab132] Glory is like a circle in the water, Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought. ·aab135· With Henry’s death the English circle ends; Dispersed are the glories it included. Now am I like that proud insulting ship [aab138] Which Cæsar and his fortune bare at once. [aab139]
_Char._ Was Mahomet inspired with a dove? ·aab140· Thou with an eagle art inspired then. Helen, the mother of great Constantine, Nor yet Saint Philip’s daughters, were like thee. Bright star of Venus, fall’n down on the earth, [aab144] How may I reverently worship thee enough? [aab145]
_Alen._ Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.
_Reig._ Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours; Drive them from Orleans and be immortalized. [aab148]
_Char._ Presently we’ll try: come, let’s away about it: [aab149] No prophet will I trust, if she prove false. [_Exeunt._ [aab150]
## SCENE III. _London. Before the Tower_.
_Enter the_ DUKE of GLOUCESTER, _with his_ Serving-men _in blue coats_.
_Glou._ I am come to survey the Tower this day: [aac001] Since Henry’s death, I fear, there is conveyance. Where be these warders, that they wait not here? Open the gates; ’tis Gloucester that calls. [aac004]
_First Warder._ [_Within_] Who’s there that knocks so imperiously? [aac005]
_First Serv._ It is the noble Duke of Gloucester. [aac006]
_Second Warder._ [_Within_] Whoe’er he be, you may not be let in. [aac007]
_First Serv._ Villains, answer you so the lord protector? [aac008]
_First Warder._ [_Within_] The Lord protect him! so we answer him: We do no otherwise than we are will’d. ·aac010·
_Glou._ Who willed you? or whose will stands but mine? [aac011] There’s none protector of the realm but I. Break up the gates, I’ll be your warrantize: [aac013] Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
[_Gloucester’s men rush at the Tower Gates, and Woodvile the Lieutenant speaks within._
_Woodv._ What noise is this? what traitors have we here? ·aac015·
_Glou._ Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear? Open the gates; here’s Gloucester that would enter.
_Woodv._ Have patience, noble duke; I may not open; The Cardinal of Winchester forbids: From him I have express commandment [aac020] That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.
_Glou._ Faint-hearted Woodvile, prizest him ’fore me? Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate, [aac023] Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne’er could brook? Thou art no friend to God or to the king: ·aac025· Open the gates, or I’ll shut thee out shortly.
_Serving-men._ Open the gates unto the lord protector, [aac027] Or we’ll burst them open, if that you come not quickly. [aac028]
_Enter to the Protector at the Tower Gates_ WINCHESTER _and his men in tawny coats_.
_Win._ How now, ambitious Humphry! what means this? [aac029]
_Glou._ Peel’d priest, dost thou command me to be shut out? [aac030]