Act IV, Scene III — Before the castle.
Enter ARTHUR, on the walls.[513]
Arth. The wall is high, and yet will I leap down: Good ground, be pitiful and hurt me not! There's few or none do know me: if they did, This ship-boy's semblance hath disguised me quite. I am afraid; and yet I'll venture it. 5 If I get down, and do not break my limbs, I'll find a thousand shifts to get away: As good to die and go, as die and stay. [Leaps down.[514] O me! my uncle's spirit is in these stones: Heaven take my soul, and England keep my bones! [Dies. 10
Enter PEMBROKE, SALISBURY, and BIGOT.
Sal. Lords, I will meet him at Saint Edmundsbury:[515] It is our safety, and we must embrace This gentle offer of the perilous time.
Pem. Who brought that letter from the cardinal?
Sal. The Count Melun, a noble lord of France;[516] 15 Whose private with me of the Dauphin's love[517] Is much more general than these lines import.
Big. To-morrow morning let us meet him then.
Sal. Or rather then set forward; for 'twill be Two long days' journey, lords, or ere we meet.[518] 20
Enter the BASTARD.
Bast. Once more to-day well met, distemper'd lords! The king by me requests your presence straight.
Sal. The king hath dispossess'd himself of us: We will not line his thin bestained cloak[519] With our pure honours, nor attend the foot 25 That leaves the print of blood where'er it walks. Return and tell him so: we know the worst.
Bast. Whate'er you think, good words, I think, were best.
Sal. Our griefs, and not our manners, reason now.
Bast. But there is little reason in your grief; 30 Therefore 'twere reason you had manners now.
Pem. Sir, sir, impatience hath his privilege.[520]
Bast. 'Tis true, to hurt his master, no man else.[520][521]
Sal. This is the prison. What is he lies here?
[Seeing Arthur.[522]
Pem. O death, made proud with pure and princely beauty! 35 The earth had not a hole to hide this deed.
Sal. Murder, as hating what himself hath done, Doth lay it open to urge on revenge.
Big. Or, when he doom'd this beauty to a grave,[523] Found it too precious-princely for a grave.[524] 40
Sal. Sir Richard, what think you? have you beheld,[525] Or have you read or heard? or could you think? Or do you almost think, although you see, That you do see? could thought, without this object,[526] Form such another? This is the very top,[527] 45 The height, the crest, or crest unto the crest, Of murder's arms: this is the bloodiest shame, The wildest savagery, the vilest stroke, That ever wall-eyed wrath or staring rage Presented to the tears of soft remorse. 50
Pem. All murders past do stand excused in this: And this, so sole and so unmatchable, Shall give a holiness, a purity, To the yet unbegotten sin of times;[528] And prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest, 55 Exampled by this heinous spectacle.
Bast. It is a damned and a bloody work; The graceless action of a heavy hand, If that it be the work of any-hand.
Sal. If that it be the work of any hand![529] 60 We had a kind of light what would ensue: It is the shameful work of Hubert's hand; The practice and the purpose of the king: From whose obedience I forbid my soul, Kneeling before this ruin of sweet life, 65 And breathing to his breathless excellence[530] The incense of a vow, a holy vow, Never to taste the pleasures of the world, Never to be infected with delight, Nor conversant with ease and idleness, 70 Till I have set a glory to this hand,[531] By giving it the worship of revenge.
Pem. } Our souls religiously confirm thy words. Big. }
Enter HUBERT.
Hub. Lords, I am hot with haste in seeking you:[532] Arthur doth live; the king hath sent for you. 75
Sal. O, he is bold and blushes not at death. Avaunt, thou hateful villain, get thee gone!
Hub. I am no villain.
Sal. Must I rob the law? [Drawing his sword.[533]
Bast. Your sword is bright, sir; put it up again.
Sal. Not till I sheathe it in a murderer's skin. 80
Hub. Stand back, Lord Salisbury, stand back, I say; By heaven, I think my sword's as sharp as yours: I would not have you, lord, forget yourself, Nor tempt the danger of my true defence; Lest I, by marking of your rage, forget[534] 85 Your worth, your greatness and nobility.
Big. Out, dunghill! darest thou brave a nobleman?
Hub. Not for my life: but yet I dare defend My innocent life against an emperor.
Sal. Thou art a murderer.
Hub. Do not prove me so;[535] 90 Yet I am none: whose tongue soe'er speaks false, Not truly speaks; who speaks not truly, lies.
Pem. Cut him to pieces.
Bast. Keep the peace, I say.
Sal. Stand by, or I shall gall you, Faulconbridge.
Bast. Thou wert better gall the devil, Salisbury: 95 If thou but frown on me, or stir thy foot, Or teach thy hasty spleen to do me shame, I'll strike thee dead. Put up thy sword betime;[536] Or I'll so maul you and your toasting-iron, That you shall think the devil is come from hell. 100
Big. What wilt thou do, renowned Faulconbridge?[537] Second a villain and a murderer?
Hub. Lord Bigot, I am none.
Big. Who kill'd this prince?
Hub. 'Tis not an hour since I left him well: I honour'd him, I loved him, and will weep 105 My date of life out for his sweet life's loss.
Sal. Trust not those cunning waters of his eyes, For villany is not without such rheum;[538] And he, long traded in it, makes it seem Like rivers of remorse and innocency.[539] 110 Away with me, all you whose souls abhor The uncleanly savours of a slaughter-house;[540] For I am stifled with this smell of sin.[541]
Big. Away toward Bury, to the Dauphin there!
Pem. There tell the king he may inquire us out. 115
[Exeunt Lords.
Bast. Here's a good world! Knew you of this fair work?[542] Beyond the infinite and boundless reach[543] Of mercy, if thou didst this deed of death,[543] Art thou damn'd, Hubert.[543]
Hub. Do but hear me, sir.
Bast. Ha! I'll tell thee what; 120 Thou'rt damn'd as black--nay, nothing is so black;[544] Thou art more deep damn'd than Prince Lucifer: There is not yet so ugly a fiend of hell As thou shalt be, if thou didst kill this child.
Hub. Upon my soul--[545]
Bast. If thou didst but consent 125 To this most cruel act, do but despair; And if thou want'st a cord, the smallest thread That ever spider twisted from her womb Will serve to strangle thee; a rush will be a beam[546] To hang thee on; or wouldst thou drown thyself,[547] 130 Put but a little water in a spoon, And it shall be as all the ocean, Enough to stifle such a villain up. I do suspect thee very grievously.
Hub. If I in act, consent, or sin of thought, 135 Be guilty of the stealing that sweet breath Which was embounded in this beauteous clay, Let hell want pains enough to torture me. I left him well.
Bast. Go, bear him in thine arms.[548] I am amazed, methinks, and lose my way 140 Among the thorns and dangers of this world. How easy dost thou take all England up![549] From forth this morsel of dead royalty,[549] The life, the right and truth of all this realm Is fled to heaven; and England now is left 145 To tug and scamble and to part by the teeth[550] The unowed interest of proud-swelling state.[551] Now for the bare-pick'd bone of majesty Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest And snarleth in the gentle eyes of peace: 150 Now powers from home and discontents at home Meet in one line; and vast confusion waits, As doth a raven on a sick-fallen beast,[552] The imminent decay of wrested pomp.[553] Now happy he whose cloak and cincture can[554] 155 Hold out this tempest. Bear away that child And follow me with speed: I'll to the king: A thousand businesses are brief in hand,[555] And heaven itself doth frown upon the land. [Exeunt.[556]
FOOTNOTES:
[407] ACT IV. SC. 1.] Actus Quartus, Scæna prima. F₁. Actus Quintus ... F₂ F₃ F₄.
A room in a castle.] Staunton. Northampton. A room in the castle. Capell. Changes to England. A Prison. Pope. Canterbury. A room in the castle. Grant White. Dover. A room in the castle. Halliwell.
Executioners.] Ff. Executioner. Rowe. certain Officers of the Castle. Capell. two attendants. Malone.
[408] thou] you Rowe.
[409] First Exec.] Exec. Ff. 1. O. Capell.
[410] Uncleanly] Unmanly Grey conj.
scruples! fear] Rowe (ed. 2). scruples feare F₁ F₂ (fear F₃). scruples, fear F₄. scruple! fear Rann.
Exeunt ...] Exeunt Officers. Capell. om. Ff.
[411] Good morrow, little] Morrow, little Pope.
[412] France] Fance F₂.
[413] should] would Boswell (1821).
be as] be as as F₂. be Pope.
[414] No, indeed] Indeed Pope.
is't] F₁ F₄. it's F₂ F₃. it is Pope.
[415] [Aside] Rowe.
[416] I warrant] Alas, Pope.
[417] [Aside] Capell.
[418] [Showing a paper.] Rowe (ed. 2).
[Aside] Rowe (ed. 2).
How now] How how Capell (corrected in MS.).
[419] rheum!... door!] Steevens. rheume?... doore? Ff. (door? F₄). rheume, ... door! Rowe (ed. 2). rheum! ... door? Capell.
[420] dispiteous] dispitious Ff. this piteous Long MS.
torture] nature Hanmer.
[421] is it not fair] is't not fairly Keightley conj.
[422] effect] a fact Malone conj.
[423] hot] om. Pope.
[424] handkercher] Ff. handkerchief Rowe.
[425] lien] lyen F₁ F₂ F₃. lain F₄.
[426] sick service] sick-service Delius.
[427] an if] Theobald. and if Ff.
[428] nor] and Pope.
[429] I have] I've Pope.
[430] Ah, ... iron?] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.
[431] his] Capell. this Ff. their Rowe (ed. 1). its Rowe (ed. 2).
[432] matter] water Long MS.
[433] stubborn-hard] Warburton. stubborne hard F₁ F₂. stubborn hard F₃ F₄.
[434] An if] Capell. And if F₁. Oh if Pope.
[435] him,--no tongue but Hubert's] him: no tongue but Hubert's. Ff. a tongue but Hubert's. Pope. a tongue 'bate Hubert. Warburton conj. no tongue, but Hubert's. Steevens (1793). him. No tongue but Hubert's-- Knight (Steevens conj.). See note (xxii).
[436] [Stamps ...] om. Ff. Stamps, and the men enter. Pope. Re-enter Officers with a cord, the irons, &c. Capell.
[437] iron] irons Anon. conj.
[438] boisterous-rough] Theobald. boistrous rough F₁ F₂. boisterous rough F₃ F₄.
[439] stone-still] Rowe. stone still Ff.
[440] heaven sake] heav'n's sake Warburton.
[441] wince] F₂ F₃ F₄. winch F₁.
[442] angerly] angrily Pope.
[443] Exeunt ...] Exeunt officers. Capell. Exit. Pope. om. Ff.
[444] mote] Steevens (Long MS. and Malone conj.). moth Ff.
[445] Hubert ... eyes:] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.
[446] in this burning] burning in this Grey conj.
[447] his] its Pope.
[448] An ... on] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.
[449] An if] Edd. (S. Walker conj.) And if Ff.
[450] tarre] Ff. set Rowe.
[451] extends] extend Pope.
[452] mercy-lacking] Pope. mercy, lacking Ff.
[453] to live] and live Roderick conj.
eye] Ff. eyes Steevens (Capell conj.).
[454] owes] owns Pope.
[455] disguised] Pope. disguis'd Ff.
[456] King John's Palace.] The Court of England. Pope. The same. A Room of State in the Palace. Capell.
Enter ...] Flourish. Enter King John, crowned; ... King takes his State. Capell.
[457] once again crown'd] F₃ F₄. once against crown'd F₁ F₂. crown'd once again Pope.
[458] suspected] suspect Anon. conj.
[459] to do better] to better do Staunton conj.
[460] covetousness] covetise Capell conj.
[461] fault ... fault] flaw ... flaw Warburton.
[462] it] 't Anon. conj.
and we are] yet we're Pope. and we're Theobald.
[463] Doth] Do Rowe (ed. 2). Must Pope.
will] wills Keightley conj.
[464] then lesser is my fear,] then lesser is my feare F₁. then lesse is my feare F₂. then lesse is my fear F₃ F₄ (less F₄). the less that is my fear, Rowe (ed. 2). _(the lesser is my fear)_ Pope. (when lesser is my fear) Steevens (Tyrwhitt conj.). than lesser is my fear Collier (ed. 1). thus lessening my fear Collier MS. than lesser, in my fear Keightley conj.
[465] them] they Pope. See note (XXIII).
[466] argument,--] Capell. argument. Ff.
[467] in rest] in wrest Steevens conj. int'rest Jackson conj. in rent Anon. conj.
in right] not right Staunton conj.
hold] hold not Malone conj.
[468] then ... should] shou'd ... then Pope. then ... should not Keightley conj.
[469] you] you'd Keightley conj.
[470] goods] good Pope.
[471] Than] Then F₁. you] yours Collier MS.
[472] he have his] that he have Pope.
[473] [Taking him apart.] Capell. The King goes aside with Hubert. Hanmer.
[474] Does] F₄. Doe F₂. Do F₁ F₃. Doth Dyce and Staunton.
[475] set] sent Theobald.
[476] [Turning to the Lords. Capell.
[477] foul play] foule-play F₁ F₂. foul play F₃ F₄.
[478] owed] ow'd Ff. own'd Pope. breadth] breath Rowe.
[479] [Exeunt Lords.] Exeunt. Ff.
[480] SCENE III. Pope.
[481] [Aside. Rowe (ed. 2).
[482] Enter ...] Enter Mes. Ff. (after line 102).
[483] England. Never] Johnson (Roderick Conj.) England, never Ff. England never Rowe. England--Never Capell.
[484] comes] F₁ F₂ F₃. come F₄.
[485] care] care or care F₁. care F₂ F₃ F₄. See note (XXIV).
[486] What!] What? Ff. My Pope.
[487] came] come Collier (Collier MS.).
[488] Dauphin] Dolphin Ff. Dauphin's Hanmer.
[489] Enter ...] Ff (after Dolphin, line 131).
[490] afeard] afraid F₄.
[491] clergy-men] F₄. clergy men F₁ F₂ F₃. clergymen Warburton.
[492] Exit ...] Theobald.
[493] whom] Ff. who Pope.
[494] Of ... suggestion] As one line in Ff.
[495] companies] company Pope.
[496] subject] F₁. subjects F₂ F₃ F₄.
[497] [Exit.] Rowe.
[498] Re-enter H.] Capell. Enter H. Ff.
[499] SCENE IV. Pope.
[500] Told] He told Long MS.
[501] a mighty cause] a cause Pope. mighty cause Steevens.
[502] No had] Ff. Had none Rowe (ed. 2). None had Knight.
[503] within] F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄ into Pope.
[504] Make] Makes Theobald.
deeds ill] Ff. ill deeds Knight (Capell conj.).
Hadst] for hadst Pope. Hadest Capell.
[505] Made] Mad'st Pope.
[506] As] Or Pope. And Malone.
[507] sin] sign Collier (Collier MS.).
[508] [Laying his hand upon his breast. Long MS.
[509] reigns] reign Hanmer.
[510] murderous] Ff. murd'rous Pope. murd'rer's Hanmer (Warburton).
[511] an innocent] a guiltless Pope.
[512] foul imaginary] foul-imaginary S. Walker conj.
[513] SCENE III.] SCENE V. Pope.
Before the castle.] The same. Before ... Capell. A prison. Rowe. A street before a prison. Pope.
Enter ...] Ff. Enter ... disguis'd. Theobald.
[514] [Leaps down.] Rowe.
[515] Saint] F₂. S. F₂. St. F₃ F₄.
[516] Melun] Rowe. Meloone F₁. Melloone F₂ F₃ F₄.
[517] with me] Ff. missive Collier (Collier MS.). witness Spedding conj.
[518] or ere] F₁ F₂ F₃. or e're F₄.
Enter ...] Enter Bastard. Ff.
[519] thin bestained] Rowe. thin-bestained Ff. sin-bestained Singer (Collier MS.).
cloak] cloake F₁ F₃. clake F₂ F₄.
[520] his] its Pope.
[521] man] mans F₁. See note (XXV).
[522] [Seeing Arthur] Pope.
[523] a grave] the glaive Hanmer.
[524] precious-princley] Capell. precious princely Ff.
[525] have you beheld] F₃ F₄. you have beheld F₁ F₂.
[526] That] What Pope.
[527] This is] 'tis Pope. This' S. Walker conj.
[528] sin of times] F₄. sinne of times F₁ F₂ F₃. sins of time Pope. sin of time Steevens. sin of time's Keightley conj.
[529] hand!] hand? Ff. hand,-- Capell.
[530] his] this Rowe.
[531] hand] head Singer (Farmer conj.).
[Taking Arthur's hand. Mason conj.
[532] SCENE VI. Pope.
[533] law?] F₁ F₄. law. F₂ F₃.
[Drawing his sword.] Pope.
[534] of] but Collier (Collier MS.).
[535] Do not] Do but or Do you Keightley conj.
[536] thee] the Warburton (a misprint).
[537] wilt thou] will you Rowe (ed. 2).
[538] such rheum] such a rheum Warburton.
[539] innocency] innocence Pope.
[540] savours] F₁. savour F₂ F₃ F₄.
[541] this] the F₄.
[542] SCENE VII. Pope.
[543] Beyond ... Hubert.] Arranged as by Pope. As two lines, the first ending mercy, in Ff.
[544] as black--] Rowe (ed. 2). as blacke, F₁ F₂. as black, F₃ F₄. so black-- Pope.
[545] soul--] Pope. soule. F₁ F₂. soul. F₃ F₄.
[546] serve to] Omitted by Pope.
[547] thyself] om. Steevens conj. (ending line 129 at will be).
[548] [Hubert takes up Arthur. Collier (Collier MS.).
[549] up!... royalty,] Theobald. up, ... royalty? Ff.
[550] scamble] scramble Rowe.
[551] proud swelling] Pope. proud-swelling Ff.
[552] sick-fallen] sick, fall'n Pope.
[553] wrested] wasted Anon. conj.
[554] cincture] Pope. center Ff. bever Anon. MS. conj. (ap. Halliwell).
[555] in] at Rowe.
[556] Exeunt.] Exit. Ff. Exeunt; Hubert bearing out Arthur. Collier (Collier MS.).
Act V, Scene I — KING JOHN'S palace
Enter KING JOHN, PANDULPH, and Attendants.[557]
K. John. Thus have I yielded up into your hand The circle of my glory. [Giving the crown.[558]
Pand. Take again From this my hand, as holding of the pope[559] Your sovereign greatness and authority.
K. John. Now keep your holy word: go meet the French, 5 And from his holiness use all your power To stop their marches 'fore we are inflamed.[560] Our discontented counties do revolt; Our people quarrel with obedience, Swearing allegiance and the love of soul[561] 10 To stranger blood, to foreign royalty. This inundation of mistemper'd humour[562] Rests by you only to be qualified: Then pause not; for the present time's so sick, That present medicine must be minister'd, 15 Or overthrow incurable ensues.[563]
Pand. It was my breath that blew this tempest up. Upon your stubborn usage of the pope; But since you are a gentle convertite, My tongue shall hush again this storm of war 20 And make fair weather in your blustering land. On this Ascension-day, remember well, Upon your oath of service to the pope, Go I to make the French lay down their arms. [Exit.
K. John. Is this Ascension-day? Did not the prophet 25 Say that before Ascension-day at noon My crown I should give off? Even so I have: I did suppose it should be on constraint; But, heaven be thank'd, it is but voluntary.
Enter the BASTARD.
Bast. All Kent hath yielded; nothing there holds out 30 But Dover Castle: London hath received, Like a kind host, the Dauphin and his powers: Your nobles will not hear you, but are gone To offer service to your enemy, And wild amazement hurries up and down[564] 35 The little number of your doubtful friends.[565]
K. John. Would not my lords return to me again, After they heard young Arthur was alive?
Bast. They found him dead and cast into the streets. An empty casket, where the jewel of life[566] 40 By some damn'd hand was robb'd and ta'en away.
K. John. That villain Hubert told me he did live.
Bast. So, on my soul, he did, for aught he knew. But wherefore do you droop? why look you sad? Be great in act, as you have been in thought; 45 Let not the world see fear and sad distrust[567] Govern the motion of a kingly eye: Be stirring as the time; be fire with fire;[568] Threaten the threatener and outface the brow Of bragging horror: so shall inferior eyes, 50 That borrow their behaviours from the great, Grow great by your example and put on The dauntless spirit of resolution. Away, and glister like the god of war, When he intendeth to become the field: 55 Show boldness and aspiring confidence. What, shall they seek the lion in his den, And fright him there? and make him tremble there? O, let it not be said: forage, and run[569] To meet displeasure farther from the doors, 60 And grapple with him ere he comes so nigh.
K. John. The legate of the pope hath been with me, And I have made a happy peace with him; And he hath promised to dismiss the powers Led by the Dauphin.
Bast. O inglorious league! 65 Shall we, upon the footing of our land, Send fair-play orders and make compromise,[570] Insinuation, parley and base truce To arms invasive? shall a beardless boy, A cocker'd silken wanton, brave our fields, 70 And flesh his spirit in a warlike soil, Mocking the air with colours idly spread,[571] And find no check? Let us, my liege, to arms: Perchance the cardinal cannot make your peace;[572] Or if he do, let it at least be said 75 They saw we had a purpose of defence.
K. John. Have thou the ordering of this present time.
Bast. Away, then, with good courage! yet, I know, Our party may well meet a prouder foe. [Exeunt.
Act V, Scene II — The DAUPHIN'S Camp at St Edmundsbury
Enter, in arms, LEWIS, SALISBURY, MELUN, PEMBROKE, BIGOT, and Soldiers.[573]
Lew. My Lord Melun, let this be copied out, And keep it safe for our remembrance: Return the precedent to these lords again; That, having our fair order written down, Both they and we, perusing o'er these notes, 5 May know wherefore we took the sacrament And keep our faiths firm and inviolable.
Sal. Upon our sides it never shall be broken. And, noble Dauphin, albeit we swear A voluntary zeal and an unurged faith[574] 10 To your proceedings; yet believe me, prince, I am not glad that such a sore of time Should seek a plaster by contemn'd revolt,[575] And heal the inveterate canker of one wound By making many. O, it grieves my soul, 15 That I must draw this metal from my side To be a widow-maker! O, and there Where honourable rescue and defence Cries out upon the name of Salisbury![576] But such is the infection of the time, 20 That, for the health and physic of our right, We cannot deal but with the very hand Of stern injustice and confused wrong. And is't not pity, O my grieved friends, That we, the sons and children of this isle, 25 Were born to see so sad an hour as this;[577] Wherein we step after a stranger march[578] Upon her gentle bosom, and fill up Her enemies' ranks,--I must withdraw and weep Upon the spot of this enforced cause,--[579] 30 To grace the gentry of a land remote, And follow unacquainted colours here? What, here? O nation, that thou couldst remove! That Neptune's arms, who clippeth thee about, Would bear thee from the knowledge of thyself,[580] 35 And grapple thee unto a pagan shore;[581] Where these two Christian armies might combine The blood of malice in a vein of league,[582] And not to spend it so unneighbourly![583]
Lew. A noble temper dost thou show in this; 40 And great affections wrestling in thy bosom[584] Doth make an earthquake of nobility.[585] O, what a noble combat hast thou fought[586] Between compulsion and a brave respect![587] Let me wipe off this honourable dew, 45 That silverly doth progress on thy cheeks: My heart hath melted at a lady's tears, Being an ordinary inundation; But this effusion of such manly drops, This shower, blown up by tempest of the soul, 50 Startles mine eyes, and makes me more amazed Than had I seen the vaulty top of heaven Figured quite o'er with burning meteors. Lift up thy brow, renowned Salisbury, And with a great heart heave away this storm: 55 Commend these waters to those baby eyes[588] That never saw the giant world enraged; Nor met with fortune other than at feasts, Full of warm blood, of mirth, of gossiping.[589] Come, come; for thou shalt thrust thy hand as deep 60 Into the purse of rich prosperity As Lewis himself: so, nobles, shall you all, That knit your sinews to the strength of mine. And even there, methinks, an angel spake:
Enter PANDULPH.[590]
Look, where the holy legate comes apace, 65 To give us warrant from the hand of heaven, And on our actions set the name of right With holy breath.
Pand. Hail, noble prince of France![591] The next is this, King John hath reconciled Himself to Rome; his spirit is come in, 70 That so stood out against the holy church, The great metropolis and see of Rome: Therefore thy threatening colours now wind up; And tame the savage spirit of wild war, That, like a lion foster'd up at hand, 75 It may lie gently at the foot of peace, And be no further harmful than in show.
Lew. Your grace shall pardon me, I will not back: I am too high-born to be propertied, To be a secondary at control, 80 Or useful serving-man and instrument, To any sovereign state throughout the world. Your breath first kindled the dead coal of wars[592] Between this chastised kingdom and myself, And brought in matter that should feed this fire; 85 And now 'tis far too huge to be blown out With that same weak wind which enkindled it. You taught me how to know the face of right, Acquainted me with interest to this land,[593] Yea, thrust this enterprise into my heart; 90 And come ye now to tell me John hath made His peace with Rome? What is that peace to me? I, by the honour of my marriage-bed, After young Arthur, claim this land for mine; And, now it is half-conquer'd, must I back 95 Because that John hath made his peace with Rome? Am I Rome's slave? What penny hath Rome borne, What men provided, what munition sent, To underprop this action? Is't not I That undergo this charge? who else but I, 100 And such as to my claim are liable, Sweat in this business and maintain this war? Have I not heard these islanders shout out 'Vive le roi!' as I have bank'd their towns? Have I not here the best cards for the game, 105 To win this easy match play'd for a crown? And shall I now give o'er the yielded set? No, no, on my soul, it never shall be said.[594]
Pand. You look but on the outside of this work.
Lew. Outside or inside, I will not return 110 Till my attempt so much be glorified As to my ample hope was promised Before I drew this gallant head of war, And cull'd these fiery spirits from the world, To outlook conquest and to win renown 115 Even in the jaws of danger and of death. [Trumpet sounds.[595] What lusty trumpet thus doth summon us?
Enter the BASTARD, attended.[596]
Bast. According to the fair play of the world,[597] Let me have audience; I am sent to speak:[598] My holy lord of Milan, from the king[598] 120 I come, to learn how you have dealt for him;[598] And, as you answer, I do know the scope And warrant limited unto my tongue.
Pand. The Dauphin is too wilful-opposite,[599] And will not temporize with my entreaties;[600] 125 He flatly says he'll not lay down his arms.
Bast. By all the blood that ever fury breathed, The youth says well. Now hear our English king; For thus his royalty doth speak in me. He is prepared, and reason too he should:[601] 130 This apish and unmannerly approach, This harness'd masque and unadvised revel, This unhair'd sauciness and boyish troops,[602] The king doth smile at; and is well prepared To whip this dwarfish war, these pigmy arms,[603] 135 From out the circle of his territories. That hand which had the strength, even at your door, To cudgel you and make you take the hatch, To dive like buckets in concealed wells, To crouch in litter of your stable planks, 140 To lie like pawns lock'd up in chests and trunks, To hug with swine, to seek sweet safety out[604] In vaults and prisons, and to thrill and shake Even at the crying of your nation's crow,[605] Thinking his voice an armed Englishman;[606] 145 Shall that victorious hand be feebled here, That in your chambers gave you chastisement? No: know the gallant monarch is in arms And like an eagle o'er his aery towers,[607] To souse annoyance that comes near his nest. 150 And you degenerate, you ingrate revolts,[608] You bloody Neroes, ripping up the womb Of your dear mother England, blush for shame; For your own ladies and pale-visaged maids Like Amazons come tripping after drums, 155 Their thimbles into armed gauntlets change,[609] Their needles to lances, and their gentle hearts[610] To fierce and bloody inclination.
Lew. There end thy brave, and turn thy face in peace; We grant thou canst outscold us: fare thee well;[611] 160 We hold our time too precious to be spent With such a brabbler.[612]
Pand. Give me leave to speak.
Bast. No, I will speak.
Lew. We will attend to neither. Strike up the drums; and let the tongue of war Plead for our interest and our being here. 165
Bast. Indeed, your drums, being beaten, will cry out; And so shall you, being beaten: do but start An echo with the clamour of thy drum, And even at hand a drum is ready braced That shall reverberate all as loud as thine;[613] 170 Sound but another, and another shall As loud as thine rattle the welkin's ear And mock the deep-mouth'd thunder: for at hand, Not trusting to this halting legate here, Whom he hath used rather for sport than need, 175 Is warlike John; and in his forehead sits A bare-ribb'd death, whose office is this day[614] To feast upon whole thousands of the French.
Lew. Strike up our drums, to find this danger out.
Bast. And thou shalt find it, Dauphin, do not doubt. 180
[Exeunt.
Act V, Scene III — The field of battle.
Alarums. Enter KING JOHN and HUBERT.[615]
K. John. How goes the day with us? O, tell me, Hubert.
Hub. Badly, I fear. How fares your majesty?
K. John. This fever, that hath troubled me so long, Lies heavy on me; O, my heart is sick!
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. My lord, your valiant kinsman, Faulconbridge, 5 Desires your majesty to leave the field And send him word by me which way you go.
K. John. Tell him, toward Swinstead, to the abbey there.[616]
Mess. Be of good comfort; for the great supply That was expected by the Dauphin here, 10 Are wreck'd three nights ago on Goodwin Sands.[617] This news was brought to Richard but even now: The French fight coldly, and retire themselves.
K. John. Ay me! this tyrant fever burns me up,[618] And will not let me welcome this good news. 15 Set on toward Swinstead: to my litter straight;[616] Weakness possesseth me, and I am faint. [Exeunt.
Act V, Scene IV — Another part of the field.[619]
Enter SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, and BIGOT.
Sal. I did not think the king so stored with friends.
Pem. Up once again; put spirit in the French:[620] If they miscarry, we miscarry too.[620]
Sal. That misbegotten devil, Faulconbridge, In spite of spite, alone upholds the day. 5
Pem. They say King John sore sick hath left the field.
Enter MELUN, wounded.
Mel. Lead me to the revolts of England here.
Sal. When we were happy we had other names.
Pem. It is the Count Melun.
Sal. Wounded to death.
Mel. Fly, noble English, you are bought and sold; 10 Unthread the rude eye of rebellion[621] And welcome home again discarded faith. Seek out King John and fall before his feet; For if the French be lords of this loud day,[622] He means to recompense the pains you take 15 By cutting off your heads: thus hath he sworn And I with him, and many moe with me,[623] Upon the altar at Saint Edmundsbury;[624] Even on that altar where we swore to you Dear amity and everlasting love. 20
Sal. May this be possible? may this be true?
Mel. Have I not hideous death within my view, Retaining but a quantity of life, Which bleeds away, even as a form of wax Resolveth from his figure 'gainst the fire?[625] 25 What in the world should make me now deceive, Since I must lose the use of all deceit?[626] Why should I then be false, since it is true That I must die here and live hence by truth? I say again, if Lewis do win the day,[627] 30 He is forsworn, if e'er those eyes of yours Behold another day break in the east: But even this night, whose black contagious breath Already smokes about the burning crest[628] Of the old, feeble and day-wearied sun, 35 Even this ill night, your breathing shall expire, Paying the fine of rated treachery[629] Even with a treacherous fine of all your lives, If Lewis by your assistance win the day. Commend me to one Hubert with your king: 40 The love of him, and this respect besides, For that my grandsire was an Englishman,[630] Awakes my conscience to confess all this. In lieu whereof, I pray you, bear me hence From forth the noise and rumour of the field, 45 Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts In peace, and part this body and my soul With contemplation and devout desires.
Sal. We do believe thee: and beshrew my soul But I do love the favour and the form 50 Of this most fair occasion, by the which We will untread the steps of damned flight, And like a bated and retired flood,[631] Leaving our rankness and irregular course,[632] Stoop low within those bounds we have o'erlook'd[633] 55 And calmly run on in obedience Even to our ocean, to our great King John. My arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence; For I do see the cruel pangs of death[634] Right in thine eye. Away, my friends! New flight;[635] 60 And happy newness, that intends old right.[636]
[Exeunt, leading off Melun.
Act V, Scene V — The French camp.[637]
Enter LEWIS and his train.
Lew. The sun of heaven methought was loath to set, But stay'd, and made the western welkin blush, When English measure backward their own ground[638] In faint retire. O, bravely came we off, When with a volley of our needless shot, 5 After such bloody toil, we bid good night; And wound our tattering colours clearly up,[639] Last in the field, and almost lords of it!
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. Where is my prince, the Dauphin?[640]
Lew. Here: what news?
Mess. The Count Melun is slain; the English lords 10 By his persuasion are again fall'n off,[641] And your supply, which you have wish'd so long,[642] Are cast away and sunk on Goodwin Sands.
Lew. Ah, foul shrewd news! beshrew thy very heart! I did not think to be so sad to-night[643] 15 As this hath made me. Who was he that said King John did fly an hour or two before The stumbling night did part our weary powers?
Mess. Whoever spoke it, it is true, my lord.
Lew. Well; keep good quarter and good care to-night: 20 The day shall not be up so soon as I, To try the fair adventure of to-morrow. [Exeunt.
Act V, Scene VI — An open place in the neighbourhood of Swinstead Abbey.[644]
Enter the BASTARD and HUBERT, severally.
Hub. Who's there? speak, ho! speak quickly, or I shoot.
Bast. A friend. What art thou?
Hub. Of the part of England.
Bast. Whither dost thou go?[645][646]
Hub. What's that to thee? why may not I demand[646][647] Of thine affairs, as well as thou of mine?[646][647] 5
Bast. Hubert, I think?[646][647]
Hub. Thou hast a perfect thought: I will upon all hazards well believe Thou art my friend, that know'st my tongue so well. Who art thou?
Bast. Who thou wilt: and if thou please,[648] Thou mayst befriend me so much as to think 10 I come one way of the Plantagenets.
Hub. Unkind remembrance! thou and eyeless night[649] Have done me shame: brave soldier, pardon me, That any accent breaking from thy tongue Should 'scape the true acquaintance of mine ear. 15
Bast. Come, come; sans compliment, what news abroad?
Hub. Why, here walk I in the black brow of night, To find you out.
Bast. Brief, then; and what's the news?
Hub. O, my sweet sir, news fitting to the night, Black, fearful, comfortless and horrible. 20
Bast. Show me the very wound of this ill news: I am no woman, I'll not swoon at it.[650]
Hub. The king, I fear, is poison'd by a monk: I left him almost speechless; and broke out To acquaint you with this evil, that you might 25 The better arm you to the sudden time, Than if you had at leisure known of this.[651]
Bast. How did he take it? who did taste to him?
Hub. A monk, I tell you; a resolved villain, Whose bowels suddenly burst out: the king 30 Yet speaks and peradventure may recover.
Bast. Who didst thou leave to tend his majesty?[652]
Hub. Why, know you not? the lords are all come back,[653] And brought Prince Henry in their company; At whose request the king hath pardon'd them, 35 And they are all about his majesty.
Bast. Withhold thine indignation, mighty heaven, And tempt us not to bear above our power! I'll tell thee, Hubert, half my power this night,[654] Passing these flats, are taken by the tide; 40 These Lincoln Washes have devoured them; Myself, well mounted, hardly have escaped.[655] Away before: conduct me to the king; I doubt he will be dead or ere I come.[656] [Exeunt.
Act V, Scene VII — The orchard in Swinstead Abbey.[657]
Enter Prince HENRY, SALISBURY, and BIGOT.
P. Hen. It is too late: the life of all his blood Is touch'd corruptibly, and his pure brain,[658] Which some suppose the soul's frail dwelling-house, Doth by the idle comments that it makes Foretell the ending of mortality. 5
Enter PEMBROKE.
Pem. His highness yet doth speak, and holds belief That, being brought into the open air, It would allay the burning quality Of that fell poison which assaileth him.
P. Hen. Let him be brought into the orchard here.[659] 10 Doth he still rage? [Exit Bigot.
Pem. He is more patient Than when you left him; even now he sung.
P. Hen. O vanity of sickness! fierce extremes In their continuance will not feel themselves.[660] Death, having prey'd upon the outward parts,[661] 15 Leaves them invisible, and his siege is now[662] Against the mind, the which he pricks and wounds[663] With many legions of strange fantasies, Which, in their throng and press to that last hold, Confound themselves. 'Tis strange that death should sing. 20 I am the cygnet to this pale faint swan,[664] Who chants a doleful hymn to his own death, And from the organ-pipe of frailty sings His soul and body to their lasting rest.[665]
Sal. Be of good comfort, prince; for you are born 25 To set a form upon that indigest Which he hath left so shapeless and so rude.
Enter Attendants, and BIGOT, carrying KING JOHN in a chair.[666]
K. John. Ay, marry, now my soul hath elbow-room; It would not out at windows nor at doors. There is so hot a summer in my bosom, 30 That all my bowels crumble up to dust: I am a scribbled form, drawn with a pen Upon a parchment, and against this fire[667] Do I shrink up.[667]
P. Hen. How fares your majesty?
K. John. Poison'd,--ill fare--dead, forsook, cast off:[668] 35 And none of you will bid the winter come To thrust his icy fingers in my maw, Nor let my kingdom's rivers take their course Through my burn'd bosom, nor entreat the north To make his bleak winds kiss my parched lips 40 And comfort me with cold. I do not ask you much,[669] I beg cold comfort; and you are so strait[670] And so ingrateful, you deny me that.[671]
P. Hen. O that there were some virtue in my tears, That might relieve you!
K. John. The salt in them is hot.[672] 45 Within me is a hell; and there the poison Is as a fiend confined to tyrannize On unreprieveable condemned blood.[673]
Enter the BASTARD.
Bast. O, I am scalded with my violent motion,[674] And spleen of speed to see your majesty! 50
K. John. O cousin, thou art come to set mine eye: The tackle of my heart is crack'd and burn'd, And all the shrouds wherewith my life should sail Are turned to one thread, one little hair: My heart hath one poor string to stay it by, 55 Which holds but till thy news be uttered; And then all this thou seest is but a clod And module of confounded royalty.[675]
Bast. The Dauphin is preparing hitherward, Where heaven He knows how we shall answer him;[676] 60 For in a night the best part of my power, As I upon advantage did remove, Were in the Washes all unwarily[677] Devoured by the unexpected flood. [The king dies.[678]
Sal. You breathe these dead news in as dead an ear. 65 My liege! my lord! but now a king, now thus.
P. Hen. Even so must I run on, and even so stop. What surety of the world, what hope, what stay,[679] When this was now a king, and now is clay?[679]
Bast. Art thou gone so? I do but stay behind 70 To do the office for thee of revenge, And then my soul shall wait on thee to heaven, As it on earth hath been thy servant still. Now, now, you stars that move in your right spheres,[680] Where be your powers? show now your mended faiths, 75 And instantly return with me again, To push destruction and perpetual shame Out of the weak door of our fainting land. Straight let us seek, or straight we shall be sought; The Dauphin rages at our very heels. 80
Sal. It seems you know not, then, so much as we: The Cardinal Pandulph is within at rest, Who half an hour since came from the Dauphin, And brings from him such offers of our peace[681] As we with honour and respect may take, 85 With purpose presently to leave this war.
Bast. He will the rather do it when he sees Ourselves well sinewed to our defence.[682]
Sal. Nay, it is in a manner done already;[683] For many carriages he hath dispatch'd 90 To the sea-side, and put his cause and quarrel To the disposing of the cardinal: With whom yourself, myself and other lords, If you think meet, this afternoon will post To consummate this business happily. 95
Bast. Let it be so: and you, my noble prince, With other princes that may best be spared,[684] Shall wait upon your father's funeral.
P. Hen. At Worcester must his body be interr'd;[685] For so he will'd it.
Bast. Thither shall it then: 100 And happily may your sweet self put on The lineal state and glory of the land! To whom, with all submission, on my knee I do bequeath my faithful services And true subjection everlastingly. 105
Sal. And the like tender of our love we make, To rest without a spot for evermore.[686]
P. Hen. I have a kind soul that would give you thanks[687] And knows not how to do it but with tears.
Bast. O, let us pay the time but needful woe,[688] 110 Since it hath been beforehand with our griefs. This England never did, nor never shall,[689] Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror, But when it first did help to wound itself. Now these her princes are come home again,[690] 115 Come the three corners of the world in arms, And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us rue,[691] If England to itself do rest but true. [Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:
[557] ACT V. SCENE I.] Rowe. Actus Quartus, Scæna prima. Ff.]
King John's palace.] The court of England. Pope. The same (i.e. Northampton). A room in the palace. Capell. Bristol. A ... palace. Halliwell.
Pandulph] Pandolph, F₁. Pandulph with the crown. Capell.
[558] [Giving the crown.] Pope. Giving back the Crown. Capell (after Take again).
[559] From this] This from Heath conj.
[560]: their] the Warburton. marches 'fore] marches; for Mason conj.
[561]: the love] love Hanmer.
[562]: mistemper'd] distemper'd Rowe.
[563]: incurable] incurably F₄.
[564]: hurries] harries Staunton conj.
[565]: your] F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[566] where] whence Keightley conj.
jewel of life] jewel, life Pope.
[567] sad] blank Collier MS.
[568] be fire] meet fire Collier MS.
[569] forage] forrage Ff. forward Long MS. courage Collier (Collier MS.).
[570] orders] offers Singer (Collier MS.).
compromise] Rowe (ed. 2). comprimise Ff.
[571] idly] idlely F₁ F₂. idely F₃ F₄.
[572] cannot] can't Pope.
[573] SCENE II. The ... Edmundsbury.] Theobald. The ... camp. Pope.
... Lewis ...] ... Dolphin ... Ff.
[574] and an] and Pope. an Capell.
[575] contemn'd] condemn'd Heath conj.
[576] Cries] Cry Hanmer.
[577] Were] F₂ F₃ F₄. Was F₁.
[578] stranger march] Theobald. stranger, march Ff. stranger's march Long MS.
[579] spot] thought Grant White (Collier MS.). spur S. Walker conj. spite Jervis conj.
spot of] spot, for Pope.
[580] thee from the] the from thee F₄.
[581] grapple] Pope. cripple Ff. gripple Steevens conj.
[582] vein] F₃ F₄. veine F₂. vaine F₁.
[583] to spend] Ff. mis-spend Hanmer. to-spend Steevens (1793).
[584] affections] affection Pope. wrestling] F₄. wrastling F₁ F₂ F₃.
[585] Doth] Ff. Do Hanmer.
[586] hast thou] F₄. hast F₁ F₂ F₃.
[587] compulsion] compassion Hanmer. compunction Capell conj.
[588] waters] F₁. warres F₂. warrs F₃. wars F₄.
[589] Full of warm] Edd. (Heath conj.) Full warm of Ff.
[590] SCENE III. Pope. [He sees Pandulph coming at a distance. Hanmer.
spake:] Capell. spake, Ff. spake! Theobald. speeds; Hanmer. See note (XXVI).
Enter P.] Enter Pandulpho. Ff (after line 63). Enter P. attended. Capell.
[591] SCENE III. Enter Pandulph. Hanmer.
[592] coal of wars] coal of war Pope. coals of war Capell conj.
[593] interest to] my interest in Hanmer.
[594] No, no] No Pope.
[595] [Trumpet sounds.] Rowe.
[596] Enter ... attended.] Capell. Enter Bastard. Ff.
[597] SCENE IV. Pope.
fair play] fair-play F₃ F₄. faire-play F₁ F₂.
[598] speak: ... king I come] speak, ... king: I come Theobald.
[599] wilful-opposite] Theobald. wilful opposite Ff. (wilfull F₁ F₂).
[600] entreaties] entreates S. Walker conj.
[601] too] to F₁.
[602] unhair'd] Theobald. vnheard F₁. unheard F₂ F₃ F₄. unair'd Steevens conj. (withdrawn), unbeard Keightley conj.
unhair'd ... and] unheard ... of Collier MS. unhair'd ... of Collier.
troops] troop Capell conj.
[603] these pigmy] Rowe. this pigmy Ff.
[604] hug] herd Rowe (ed. 2).
[605] crying of your ... crow] Ff. crying of our ... crow Rowe (ed. 2). crying of your ... scare-crow Grey conj. crowing of your ... cock Collier (Collier MS.).
[606] his] Rowe. this Ff.
[607] towers] tower F₄.
[608] revolts] revolters Pope.
[609] change] chang'd Dyce and Collier (Collier MS.).
[610] Their needles] Needles Pope.
needles] F₃ F₄. needl's F₁ F₂. neelds Steevens.
[611] fare] far F₁.
[612] brabbler] babler Rowe.
[613] all] all, Ff.
[614] A bare-ribbed] Bare-ribbed Anon. conj.
[615] SCENE III.] SCENE V. Pope.
The field ...] Pope.
Alarums.] Ff. Alarms. Rowe. Loud Alarums. Capell.
[616] Swinstead] Swinsted Ff. Swineshead Halliwell. See note (XXVII).
[617] Are] Was Capell.
[618] Ay me] Aye me Ff. Ah me Pope.
[619] SCENE IV.] SCENE VI. Pope.
Another ...] The French Camp. Theobald. The same. Another ... same. Capell.
[620] French: ... miscarry,] Rowe. French, ... miscarry, F₃ F₄. French, ... miscarry; F₁ F₂.
[621] Unthread the rude eye] Untread the rude way Theobald. Untread the rude cry Jackson conj. Untread the road way Collier (Collier MS.). Unthread the red way, Bubier conj.
[622] the French be lords] that France be lord S. Walker conj. the Prince be lord Lloyd and Keightley conj. the French be lord Edd. conj. See note (XXVIII).
[623] moe] more F₄.
[624] Saint] F₂. S. F₁ St. F₃ F₄.
[625] his] its Pope.
[626] lose] loose F₁.
[627] do] om. Pope.
[628] crest] cresset Anon. conj.
[629] rated] hated Johnson conj.
[630] See note (XI).
[631] retired] retiring Hanmer.
[632] rankness] bankless Capell conj.
[633] o'erlook'd] o'erleap'd Anon. conj.
[634] pangs] fangs Heath conj.
[635] Right in thine eye] Ff. Right in thine eyes Pope. Pight in thine eyes Hanmer. Pight in thine eye Warburton. Fight in thine eye Capell. Bright in thine eye Collier (Collier MS.). Fright in thine eye Anon. apud Collier conj. Riot in thine eye Brae conj.
New flight;] and fly! Pope.
[636] And ... right] Omitted by Pope.
[637] SCENE V.] SCENE VII. Pope.
The French camp.] Hanmer.
[638] English measure] th' English measure Rowe (ed. 2). _th' English measur'd_ Pope.
[639] tattering] Malone. tott'ring Ff. tatter'd Pope. totter'd Collier MS.
clearly] chearly Capell conj. closely Collier MS. cleanly Edd. conj. See note (XXIX).
[640] prince] lord Capell conj.
[641] again] F₁. at length F₂ F₃ F₄.
[642] supply] supplies Capell.
[643] so sad] sad Warburton.
[644] SCENE VI.] SCENE VIII. Pope.
An ... Abbey.] Theobald.
[645] Whither] And whither Pope.
[646] Arranged as in Capell. As six lines, ending go?... thee?... affairs ... mine ... think ... thought: in Ff.
[647] why ... mine? Bast. Hubert] Bast. Why ... mine? Hubert Ingleby conj.
[648] and] an Capell.
[649] eyeless] Theobald (Warburton). endles F₁. endlesse F₂ F₃. endless F₄.
[650] swoon] F₄. swound F₁ F₂ F₃.
[651] if you had at] had you at less Capell conj.
[652] Who] Whom Hanmer.
[653] not?] Ff. not, Malone conj.
[654] power] pow'rs Pope.
[655] hardly] F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[656] or ere] F₁ F₂ F₃. or e're F₄. or e'er Rowe.
[657] SCENE VII.] SCENE IX. Pope.
The ... Abbey.] Theobald.
[658] corruptibly] corruptedly Capell. corruptively Rann conj.
pure] poor Grant White. See note (XXX).
[659] Exit B.] Capell.
[660] their] thy Malone conj.
[661] prey'd] F₃ F₄. praide F₁. prei'd F₂.
[662] Leaves ... siege] Leaues them inuisible, and his seige F₁. Leaves them invisible, and hir siege F₂ F₃ F₄ (her F₃ F₄). Leaves them; invisible his siege Pope. Leaves them insensible; his siege Hanmer. Leaves them invincible; and his siege is now Steevens conj. Leaves them, and his invisible siege Mitford conj. Leaves them; and, invisible, his siege Jackson conj. Leaves them unvisited, and his siege Collier MS. Leaves them ill-visited, and his siege W. N. L. (Notes and Queries).
[663] mind] Rowe (ed. 2). winde F₁. wind F₂ F₃ F₄.
[664] cygnet] Rowe (ed. 2). Symet Ff.
[665] to] F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[666] Enter ... chair.] Capell. John brought in. Ff.
[667] Upon ... up.] As one line in F₄.
[668] fare] fair F₄. fate Pope.
dead] oh! dead Hanmer. indeed Anon. conj.
[669] I do not ask you] I ask not Pope.
[670] strait] straight Ff.
[671] ingrateful] ungrateful F₄.
[672] in them] F₁. of them F₂ F₃ F₄.
[673] unreprieveable condemned] unreprievable-condemned Delius.
[674] SCENE X. Pope.
[675] module] model Hanmer.
[676] heaven] God S. Walker conj.
[677] all unwarily] F₁ F₂ F₃. all, unwarily F₄.
[678] The king dies.] Rowe. om. Ff.
[679] What surety ... clay?] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.
[680] right] bright Pope.
[681] our] fair Roderick conj.
[682] sinewed to our] Rowe. sinew'd to our Ff. sinew'd to our own Collier MS.
[683] it is] Pope. 'tis Ff.
[684] princes] See note (XXXI).
[685] Worcester] F₃ F₄. Worster F₁ F₂.
[686] [Kneeling too, with the other Lords. Capell.
[687] kind] kindred Jackson conj. give you thanks] Rowe. give thanks Ff. fain give thanks Edd. conj. give thanks to you Keightley conj.
[688] time but] Rowe. time: but Ff.
[689] This England] Thus England Hanmer.
nor] and Pope.
[690] Now ... again] See note (XXXII).
[691] Nought] F₁ F₃ F₄. Naught F₁.
NOTES.
NOTE I.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. In our enumeration of the Dramatis Personæ we have given no further description of each than might be derived from the Play itself.
In the stage directions of the Folios Queen Elinor is variously indicated as Elinor, Eli., Ele., Elen., Elea., Queen, Qu., Old Qu., and Qu. Mo.; Philip Faulconbridge as Philip or Phil. to I. 1. 132, afterwards Bast, except in III. 1. 133, 135, where he is called Phil.; King Philip is termed King or Kin., and, in the scenes where King John is also present, France or Fra.; King John is designated as K. John, John, and once, III. 1. 324, Eng.; Lewis is called in the 'entrances' Daulphin or Dolphin, and in the dialogue Lewis, Dol., or Dolph. As we do not conceive our rule of modernizing the spelling to apply to proper names we have not substituted Falconbridge for Faulconbridge, the consistent spelling of the Folio. In the old play it is spelt as consistently Fauconbridge.
NOTE II.
SCENE. We have not followed Capell and the more recent editors in attempting to define the precise spot at which each scene took place, where none is mentioned in the body of the play or in the stage directions of the Folio. Nothing is gained by an attempt to harmonize the plot with historical facts gathered from Holinshed and elsewhere, when it is plain that Shakespeare was either ignorant of them or indifferent to minute accuracy. For example, the second scene of Act IV. is supposed to occur at the same place as the first scene of that act, or, at all events, in the immediate neighbourhood (IV. 2. 85), and in England (II. 3. 71 and IV. 2. 110). But Holinshed distinctly states that Arthur was imprisoned first at Falaise and then at Rouen (pp. 554, 555. ed. 1577).
The whole play is divided into Acts and Scenes in the first Folio, but arbitrarily. The second act is made to consist of a single scene of 74 lines, and ends in what Theobald has clearly shewn to be the middle of a scene. He, with 'Gildon and others', once supposed the close of the second act to be lost, but afterwards changed his mind and adopted the arrangement we have followed.
NOTE III.
I. 1. 20. This line must probably be scanned as an Alexandrine, reading the first 'Controlment' in the time of a trisyllable and the second as a quadrisyllable.
NOTE IV.
I. 1. 43. Here Steevens gives the same stage direction as Capell, 'Enter the Sheriff of Northamptonshire and whispers Essex,' changing merely 'and' to 'who,' and, as usual, ignoring Capell, says in a note that he had taken it from the Old Quarto. He convicts himself of plagiarism, for the 'Old Quarto' has 'Enter the Shrive and whispers the Earle of Salis. in the care.' It was Capell who changed 'Salis.' to 'Essex.' All the three editions of the Old Quarto agree in this stage direction literatim, except that the edition of 1591 has 'Sals.' for 'Salis.' Salisbury introduces the sheriff thus: 'Please it your Majesty, here is the shrive of Northampton-shire, &c.'
NOTE V.
I. 1. 75. 'Whether.' Here the first three Folios read 'Where.' In the Comedy of Errors, IV. 1. 60, all the Folios agreed in reading 'whe'r.' In both cases we spell 'whether.' The Folios are not consistent. They have, for instance, 'Whether' in line 134 of the present scene, 'Whether hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge.' As we do not contract the words 'either,' 'neither,' 'mother,' 'brother,' 'hither,' 'thither,' &c. when pronounced in the time of a monosyllable, so we abstain from contracting 'whether', especially as such contraction might cause ambiguity in the sense.
NOTE VI.
I. 1. 85. In Mr Wilbraham's MS. notes the following occurs:
'Trick' is a term in Heraldry for a 'copy.' In the Gentleman's Magazine for 1803, Supplement, p. 1207, in an account of various memorandums of Receipts and Expenditures, &c., by some one at the latter end of the 17th century, I find the three following ones:
July 21st, 1691. Received of Mr Cole for a trick of Consure's arms. 2_s._ 6_d._
-- 25th -- Mr Martyn, the Paynter, for a trick of the Lady Cath. Darnley's arms. 2_s._ 6_d._
Dec. 18th -- Received of Mr Gentry for a trick of Wyatt's arms. 2_s._ 6_d._
NOTE VII.
I. 1. 147. This discrepancy between the readings of the first and second Folios had escaped Capell's notice. In Twelfth Night, II. 4. 88, all the Folios read 'It' for 'I.'
NOTE VIII.
II. 1. 103. 'Large,' which was doubtless a misprint for 'huge' in Rowe's edition, remained uncorrected by Pope, Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson, though Grey noticed the mistake (Notes, 1. p. 230). Capell restored the true reading. How great his services were in the restoration of the text may be estimated by the following instances collected from the present play alone. And the list might have been very much extended if we had included all his minute corrections:
II. 1. 175, 'call not me;' II. 1. 176, 'dominations;' II. 1. 213, 'preparation;' II. 1. 345, 'lay down;' III. 1. 24, 'signs;' III. 4. 35, 'buss;' III. 4. 137, 'whiles;' III. 4. 139, 'one;' III. 4. 169, 'that;' IV. 1. 31, 'I warrant;' IV. 3. 66, 'his;' IV. 3. 112, 'savours;' V. 7. 43, 'ingrateful.' In V. 7. 45, however, he omitted to correct 'of them.'
NOTE IX.
II. 1. 149. This line is printed in the Folios as if it were a part of Austria's speech. The objections are of course, first, that Lewis was not a king, and secondly, that Austria would rather have appealed to Lewis's father. Malone once thought that Austria appealed to both 'King,--Lewis, &c.' The objection to the usual emendation is that throughout the scene King Philip is not designated in the stage directions as King, but as Fran. or Fra.
NOTE X.
II. 1. 187. The whole passage from line 185 to 188, inclusive, is thus printed in F₁:
'But God hath made her sinne and her, the plague On this remoued issue, plagued for her, And with her plague her sinne: his iniury Her iniurie the Beadle to her sinne,'
Capell has it as follows:
'But God hath made her sin and her the plague On this removed issue, plagu'd for her; And, with her sin, her plague, his injury Her injury, the beadle to her sin:'
Mr Roby, whose punctuation we have adopted, says, "I suppose the sense to be: 'God hath made her sin and herself to be a plague to this distant child, who is punished for her and with the punishment belonging to her: God has made her sin to be an injury to Arthur, and her injurious deeds to be the executioner to punish her sin; all which (viz. her first sin and her now injurious deeds) are punished in the person of this child.'"
Mr Lloyd, who, with the same punctuation, would read, 'her sin, her injury,' interprets thus: 'Elinor's injuries to Arthur are God's agents to punish him both for the sin of being her grandchild and for the inherited guilt of these very injuries.'
The word 'sin' is twice printed by mistake for 'son' in Johnson's note to this passage, Ed. 1765.
Malone supposed that two half lines had been lost after the words, "And with her."
NOTE XI.
II. 1. 268. This line, with the substitution of 'this' for 'our,' is taken from a prose passage of the old play, The troublesome Raigne of King John, Sig. C. 3. recto, ed. 1622. The names of the provinces given in II. 1. 525, 526, came also from the old play (Sig. D. verso). The line, 'For that my grandsire was an Englishman,' V. 4. 42, is found in the old play, Sig. K. 4. recto.
In a few other passages, as for instance in II. 1. 65, there is an almost verbal identity between Shakespeare and his predecessor.
NOTE XII.
II. 1. 289. Capell's copy of the second Folio has sit's on's; that which belonged to Dr Long has it' son's.
NOTE XIII.
II. 1. 300. The word 'Heere,' used in the stage direction, seems to indicate that the scene was supposed to continue. No new scene is marked in the Folios. Mr Dyce and Mr Grant White have followed their authority.
NOTE XIV.
II. 1. 325. Mr Knight alone of modern editors retains Hubert, supposing this citizen of Angiers to be the same person as Arthur's gaoler. But in the old play the citizen who proposes the league to the two kings is a distinct person from Hubert de Burgh. It is much more probable that the name Hubert has crept in here from the fact that the same actor who was to play Hubert played also the part of 'First citizen.'
NOTE XV.
III. 1. 69. In Boswell's edition (1821) the reading 'its owner stoop' is derived from a misprint of Johnson, who quotes it as the reading of the old editions. Mr Collier incorrectly attributes it to Malone.
NOTE XVI.
III. 1. 133. Pope inserts after this line the following passage, adapted from the old play of The troublesome Raigne of King John:
'Aust. Methinks that Richard's pride and Richard's fall Should be a precedent to fright you, Sir.
Bast. What words are these? how do my sinews shake! My father's foe clad in my father's spoil! How doth Alecto whisper in my ears; Delay not, Richard, kill the villain strait, Disrobe him of the matchless monument, Thy father's triumph o'er the savages-- Now by his soul I swear, my father's soul, Twice will I not review the morning's rise, Till I have torn that trophy from thy back, And split thy heart, for wearing it so long.'
NOTE XVII.
III. 1. 260. Mr Staunton says, in his note on this passage, 'Chafed was first suggested by Mr Dyce.' It is found first in Theobald, who is followed by Hanmer, Warburton, Johnson, and Capell. Steevens, who mentioned it, returned to the old reading, 'cased.'
NOTE XVIII.
III. 1. 280-286. In the first Folio this passage stands thus:
'It is religion that doth make vowes kept, But thou hast sworne against religion: By what thou swear'st against the thing thou swear'st, And mak'st an oath the suretie for thy truth, Against an oath the truth, thou art vnsure To sweare, sweares onely not be forsworne, Else what a mockerie should it be to sweare?'
Mr Staunton suggests the following as 'a probable reading of the passage in its original form:'
'It is religion that doth make vows kept, But thou hast sworn against religion: By that, thou swear'st against the thing thou swear'st, And mak'st an oath, the surety for thy truth, Against an oath, the proof thou art unsure. Who swears swears only not to be forsworn, Else what a mockery should it be to swear!'
In line 285 Mr Halliwell appears to adopt swear'st in his note, though he leaves swears in the text.
NOTE XIX.
III. 2. 4. After this line Pope inserts the following from the old play before quoted:
'Thus hath king Richard's son perform'd his vow, And offer'd Austria's blood for sacrifice Unto his father's ever-living soul.'
NOTE XX.
III. 4. 41, 42. Mr Lloyd writes to us with reference to the speech of Constance: 'I think the two last lines are a first and second draught, the latter intended to replace the former, and both printed together by mistake.'
NOTE XXI.
III. 4. 159. As Pope's correction, however ingenious and plausible, cannot be pronounced certain, we, in accordance with the general rule laid down in the Preface to Vol. I., p. xii, retain the reading of the Folios. 'Scope of Nature' may mean anything which lies within the limits of Nature's power.
NOTE XXII.
IV. 1. 70. Warburton, after quoting Pope's reading, which he adopts, remarks: "Thus Mr Pope found the line in the old editions.... Mr Theobald, by what authority I don't know, reads:
'I would not have believ'd him: no tongue, but Hubert's,'
which is spoiling the measure without much mending the sense." Johnson adds, 'I do not see why the old reading may not stand. Mr Theobald's alteration, as we find, injures the measure, &c.' Neither Warburton nor Johnson could have consulted the Folios on this passage, or they would have seen that Pope's reading is not the reading of the old editions, and that Theobald's 'unauthorized alteration' was merely a return to the original text.
NOTE XXIII.
IV. 2. 50. Sidney Walker (Criticisms, I. 279) questions the possibility of Shakespeare having written so ungrammatically. The construction is evidently incorrect, but it may be explained by supposing that the offending word 'them,' following so closely upon 'my self,' was suggested to the writer by the analogous pronoun 'themselves.'
NOTE XXIV.
IV. 2. 117. It is extremely doubtful whether the reading of the first Folio in this passage is 'eare' or 'care'. The first letter of the word is broken, but we are inclined to believe that is a broken 'e' and not a broken 'c', and in this we are supported by the opinion of Sir F. Madden and Mr Hamilton. Mr Staunton informs us that in Lord Ellesmere's Folio, it is more like a defective Italic e than any other letter, but in the two copies of F₁ before us it is certainly Roman, whether 'c' or 'e'. On the other hand, Mr Charles Wright is in favour of an italic c. Under these circumstances, we have left 'care' in the text.
NOTE XXV.
IV. 3. 33. Mr Collier mentions that the Duke of Devonshire's copy of the first Folio reads 'man' instead of 'mans,' which is in the ordinary copies. The error was corrected no doubt while the sheet was passing through the press, and after some copies had been struck off, in accordance with the practice which was common in printing-offices at the beginning of the 17th century.
NOTE XXVI.
V. 2. 64. 'And even there, methinks, an angel spake.' None of the interpretations of this line hitherto suggested are at all satisfactory. Surely the close proximity of 'purse,' 'nobles,' and 'angel,' shews that Shakespeare has here yielded to the fascination of a jeu de mots, which he was unable to resist, however unsuitable the occasion might be. The Dauphin, we may suppose, speaks 'aside,' with an accent and gesture which mark his contempt for the mercenary allies whom he intends to get rid of as soon as may be. See V. 4. 30-39.
NOTE XXVII.
V. 3. 8, 17. There can be no doubt, as has been pointed out to us by Mr Hopkinson of Stamford, that 'Swinstead' is an error for 'Swineshead,' the place of King John's death. The same fact was communicated to Reed by Mr Dodd, the then vicar of Swineshead. But as the mistake occurs in the old Quarto, which Shakespeare follows, we have not felt justified in removing it from the text.
NOTE XXVIII.
V. 4. 14. Sidney Walker (Criticisms, II. 234) suggests as another solution of the difficulty in this passage that a line may have been lost after 'loud day.' Mr Keightley has independently made the same conjecture. In support of the reading which we propose, 'lord' for 'lords,' we would refer to Hen. V. IV. 4, where 'the French' is used in the singular; 'the French might have a good prey of us if he knew of it.'
NOTE XXIX.
V. 5. 7. In Capell's copy of his own edition 'clearly' is corrected to 'chearly,' in accordance with the conjecture in his notes. In the same way he altered 'compulsion' to 'compunction' in V. 2. 44. 'Cleanly' is equivalent to 'neatly,' and seems to be appropriate as antithetical to 'tottering' or 'tattering.'
NOTE XXX.
V. 7. 2. Mr Grant White says that the Folio reads 'pore' for 'pure,' and this suggests his own reading, 'poor.' In all the copies known to us the reading is 'pure.'
NOTE XXXI.
V. 7. 97. Sidney Walker (Criticisms, I. p. 293) is of opinion that the word 'princes' is a corruption, the transcriber's or compositor's eye having been caught by the word 'prince' in the preceding line. Or the error may be in the word 'prince,' for which it would be easier to suggest a substitute than for 'princes.' As an illustration of the facility with which such mistakes may be made we may mention that Sidney Walker himself, quoting King John, IV. 3. 44, 45:
'Could thought without this object Form such another?'
wrote inadvertently 'such object.' In another place, as Mr Lettsom remarks, he wrote 'Swings on his horse back' for 'Sits ...,' the word 'swinged' of the previous line being in his eye or his mind.
NOTE XXXII.
V. 7. 115. Mr Lloyd suspects that this line is spurious: 'A compliment to Steenie and Baby Charles, who came back from Madrid in the year that the first edition of King John was published, and thrust in by the editors, or perhaps by the actors, in place of a line of similar purport, but less applicable.'
KING RICHARD THE SECOND.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[C].
KING RICHARD the Second. JOHN of GAUNT, Duke of Lancaster, } uncles to the King. EDMUND of LANGLEY, Duke of York, } HENRY, surnamed BOLINGBROKE Duke of Hereford, son to John of Gaunt; afterwards KING HENRY IV. DUKE of AUMERLE, son to the Duke of York. THOMAS MOWBRAY, Duke of Norfolk. DUKE of SURREY. EARL of SALISBURY. LORD BERKLEY[D]. BUSHY, } BAGOT, } servants to King Richard. GREEN, } EARL of NORTHUMBERLAND. HENRY PERCY, surnamed Hotspur, his son. LORD ROSS. LORD WILLOUGHBY. LORD FITZWATER. Bishop of Carlisle. Abbot of Westminster. Lord Marshal[E]. SIR STEPHEN SCROOP. SIR PIERCE of Exton. Captain of a band of Welshmen[F].
QUEEN to King Richard. DUCHESS of YORK. DUCHESS of GLOUCESTER. Lady attending on the Queen.
Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, two Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other Attendants[G].
SCENE: England and Wales[H].
[C] First given imperfectly by Rowe.
[D] Lord Berkley.] Earl Berkley. Capell. om. Rowe. See note (1).
[E] Lord Marshal] Capell. om. Rowe.
[F] Captain ...] Capell. om. Rowe.
[G] Lords ...] Rowe and Capell.
[H] and Wales] Capell. om. Rowe.
THE TRAGEDY OF
KING RICHARD II.
Act I, Scene I — London. KING RICHARD'S palace
Enter KING RICHARD, JOHN of GAUNT, with other Nobles and Attendants.[692]
K. Rich. Old John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, Hast thou, according to thy oath and band,[693] Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son,[694] Here to make good the boisterous late appeal, Which then our leisure would not let us hear,[695] 5 Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?[696]
Gaunt. I have, my liege.
K. Rich. Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, If he appeal the duke on ancient malice;[697] Or worthily, as a good subject should, 10 On some known ground of treachery in him?
Gaunt. As near as I could sift him on that argument, On some apparent danger seen in him Aim'd at your highness, no inveterate malice.
K. Rich. Then call them to our presence; face to face,[698] 15 And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear The accuser and the accused freely speak:[699] High-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire.
Enter BOLINGBROKE and MOWBRAY.[700]
Boling. Many years of happy days befal[701] 20 My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege!
Mow. Each day still better other's happiness; Until the heavens, envying earth's good hap, Add an immortal title to your crown![702]
K. Rich. We thank you both: yet one but flatters us, 25 As well appeareth by the cause you come;[703] Namely, to appeal each other of high treason.[704] Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?
Boling. First, heaven be the record to my speech! 30 In the devotion of a subject's love,[705] Tendering the precious safety of my prince, And free from other misbegotten hate,[706] Come I appellant to this princely presence.[707] Now, Thomas Mowbray, do I turn to thee, 35 And mark my greeting well; for what I speak My body shall make good upon this earth, Or my divine soul answer it in heaven.[708] Thou art a traitor and a miscreant, Too good to be so and too bad to live,[709] 40 Since the more fair and crystal is the sky,[709] The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly.[709] Once more, the more to aggravate the note,[709][710] With a foul traitor's name stuff I thy throat;[709] And wish, so please my sovereign, ere I move,[709] 45 What my tongue speaks my right drawn sword may prove.[709]
Mow. Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal:[711] 'Tis not the trial of a woman's war, The bitter clamour of two eager tongues, Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain; 50 The blood is hot that must be cool'd for this: Yet can I not of such tame patience boast As to be hush'd and nought at all to say:[712] First, the fair reverence of your highness curbs me From giving reins and spurs to my free speech; 55 Which else would post until it had return'd[713] These terms of treason doubled down his throat.[714] Setting aside his high blood's royalty, And let him be no kinsman to my liege,[715] I do defy him, and I spit at him;[716] 60 Call him a slanderous coward and a villain: Which to maintain I would allow him odds, And meet him, were I tied to run afoot[717] Even to the frozen ridges of the Alps, Or any other ground inhabitable,[718] 65 Where ever Englishman durst set his foot.[719] Mean time let this defend my loyalty,[720] By all my hopes, most falsely doth he lie.
Boling. Pale trembling coward, there I throw my gage, Disclaiming here the kindred of the king;[721] 70 And lay aside my high blood's royalty, Which fear, not reverence, makes thee to except. If guilty dread have left thee so much strength[722] As to take up mine honour's pawn, then stoop: By that and all the rites of knighthood else,[723] 75 Will I make good against thee, arm to arm, What I have spoke, or thou canst worse devise.[724]
Mow. I take it up; and by that sword I swear, Which gently laid my knighthood on my shoulder, I'll answer thee in any fair degree, 80 Or chivalrous design of knightly trial:[725] And when I mount, alive may I not light,[726] If I be traitor or unjustly fight!
K. Rich. What doth our cousin lay to Mowbray's charge? It must be great that can inherit us[727] 85 So much as of a thought of ill in him.
Boling. Look, what I speak, my life shall prove it true;[728] That Mowbray hath received eight thousand nobles In name of lendings for your highness' soldiers, The which he hath detain'd for lewd employments, 90 Like a false traitor and injurious villain. Besides I say and will in battle prove, Or here or elsewhere to the furthest verge That ever was survey'd by English eye, That all the treasons for these eighteen years[729] 95 Complotted and contrived in this land Fetch from false Mowbray their first head and spring.[730] Further I say and further will maintain Upon his bad life to make all this good,[731] That he did plot the Duke of Gloucester's death,[732] 100 Suggest his soon-believing adversaries, And consequently, like a traitor coward,[733] Sluiced out his innocent soul through streams of blood: Which blood, like sacrificing Abel's, cries, Even from the tongueless caverns of the earth, 105 To me for justice and rough chastisement; And, by the glorious worth of my descent,[734] This arm shall do it, or this life be spent.
K. Rich. How high a pitch his resolution soars! Thomas of Norfolk, what say'st thou to this?[735] 110
Mow. O, let my sovereign turn away his face, And bid his ears a little while be deaf, Till I have told this slander of his blood,[736] How God and good men hate so foul a liar.
K. Rich. Mowbray, impartial are our eyes and ears: 115 Were he my brother, nay, my kingdom's heir,[737] As he is but my father's brother's son,[738] Now, by my sceptre's awe, I make a vow,[739] Such neighbour nearness to our sacred blood Should nothing privilege him, nor partialize 120 The unstooping firmness of my upright soul:[738] He is our subject, Mowbray; so art thou: Free speech and fearless I to thee allow.
Mow. Then, Bolingbroke, as low as to thy heart, Through the false passage of thy throat, thou liest. 125 Three parts of that receipt I had for Calais[740] Disbursed I duly to his highness' soldiers;[741] The other part reserved I by consent, For that my sovereign liege was in my debt Upon remainder of a dear account,[742] 130 Since last I went to France to fetch his queen: Now swallow down that lie. For Gloucester's death,[732] I slew him not; but to my own disgrace[743] Neglected my sworn duty in that case. For you, my noble Lord of Lancaster, 135 The honourable father to my foe, Once did I lay an ambush for your life,[744] A trespass that doth vex my grieved soul; But ere I last received the sacrament[745] I did confess it, and exactly begg'd 140 Your grace's pardon, and I hope I had it. This is my fault: as for the rest appeal'd, It issues from the rancour of a villain, A recreant and most degenerate traitor: Which in myself I boldly will defend: 145 And interchangeably hurl down my gage[746] Upon this overweening traitor's foot,[747] To prove myself a loyal gentleman Even in the best blood chamber'd in his bosom.[748] In haste whereof, most heartily I pray 150 Your highness to assign our trial day.
K. Rich. Wrath-kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me;[749] Let's purge this choler without letting blood: This we prescribe, though no physician;[750][751] Deep malice makes too deep incision:[750] 155 Forget, forgive; conclude and be agreed;[750] Our doctors say this is no month to bleed.[750][752] Good uncle, let this end where it begun; We'll calm the Duke of Norfolk, you your son.
Gaunt. To be a make-peace shall become my age: 160 Throw down, my son, the Duke of Norfolk's gage.
K. Rich. And, Norfolk, throw down his.
Gaunt. When, Harry, when?[753] Obedience bids I should not bid again.
K. Rich. Norfolk, throw down, we bid; there is no boot.
Mow. Myself I throw, dread sovereign, at thy foot. 165 My life thou shalt command, but not my shame: The one my duty owes; but my fair name, Despite of death that lives upon my grave,[754] To dark dishonour's use thou shalt not have. I am disgraced, impeach'd and baffled here; 170 Pierced to the soul with slander's venom'd spear, The which no balm can cure but his heart-blood[755] Which breathed this poison.
K. Rich. Rage must be withstood: Give me his gage: lions make leopards tame.[756]
Mow. Yea, but not change his spots: take but my shame,[757] 175 And I resign my gage. My dear dear lord,[758] The purest treasure mortal times afford Is spotless reputation: that away, Men are but gilded loam or painted clay.[759] A jewel in a ten-times-barr'd-up chest[760] Is a bold spirit in a loyal breast. 180 Mine honour is my life; both grow in one; Take honour from me, and my life is done: Then, dear my liege, mine honour let me try; In that I live and for that will I die. 185
K. Rich. Cousin, throw up your gage; do you begin.[761]
Boling. O, God defend my soul from such deep sin![762] Shall I seem crest-fallen in my father's sight? Or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height[763] Before this out-dared dastard? Ere my tongue[764] 190 Shall wound my honour with such feeble wrong,[765] Or sound so base a parle, my teeth shall tear[766] The slavish motive of recanting fear, And spit it bleeding in his high disgrace, Where shame doth harbour, even in Mowbray's face.[767] 195
[Exit Gaunt.
K. Rich. We were not born to sue, but to command; Which since we cannot do to make you friends, Be ready, as your lives shall answer it,[768] At Coventry, upon Saint Lambert's day:[769] There shall your swords and lances arbitrate 200 The swelling difference of your settled hate: Since we can not atone you, we shall see[770] Justice design the victor's chivalry.[771] Lord marshal, command our officers at arms[772] Be ready to direct these home alarms. [Exeunt.[773] 205
Act I, Scene II — The DUKE of LANCASTER'S palace.[774]
Enter JOHN of GAUNT with the DUCHESS of GLOUCESTER.
Gaunt. Alas, the part I had in Woodstock's blood[775] Doth more solicit me than your exclaims, To stir against the butchers of his life! But since correction lieth in those hands Which made the fault that we cannot correct, 5 Put we our quarrel to the will of heaven; Who, when they see the hours ripe on earth,[776] Will rain hot vengeance on offenders' heads.[777]
Duch. Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur? Hath love in thy old blood no living fire? 10 Edward's seven sons, whereof thyself art one, Were as seven vials of his sacred blood,[778] Or seven fair branches springing from one root: Some of those seven are dried by nature's course, Some of those branches by the Destinies cut; 15 But Thomas, my dear lord, my life, my Gloucester, One vial full of Edward's sacred blood, One flourishing branch of his most royal root, Is crack'd, and all the precious liquor spilt, Is hack'd down, and his summer leaves all faded,[779] 20 By envy's hand and murder's bloody axe. Ah, Gaunt, his blood was thine! that bed, that womb, That metal, that self-mould, that fashion'd thee[780] Made him a man; and though thou livest and breathest,[781] Yet art thou slain in him: thou dost consent 25 In some large measure to thy father's death, In that thou seest thy wretched brother die, Who was the model of thy father's life. Call it not patience, Gaunt; it is despair: In suffering thus thy brother to be slaughter'd. 30 Thou showest the naked pathway to thy life,[782] Teaching stern murder how to butcher thee: That which in mean men we intitle patience Is pale cold cowardice in noble breasts.[783] What shall I say? to safeguard thine own life,[784] 35 The best way is to venge my Gloucester's death.[785]
Gaunt. God's is the quarrel; for God's substitute,[786] His deputy anointed in His sight, Hath caused his death: the which if wrongfully, Let heaven revenge; for I may never lift[787] 40 An angry arm against His minister.
Duch. Where then, alas, may I complain myself?[788]
Gaunt. To God, the widow's champion and defence.[789]
Duch. Why, then, I will. Farewell, old Gaunt.[790] Thou goest to Coventry, there to behold[791] 45 Our cousin Hereford and fell Mowbray fight:[792] O, sit my husband's wrongs on Hereford's spear,[792][793] That it may enter butcher Mowbray's breast![794] Or, if misfortune miss the first career,[795] Be Mowbray's sins so heavy in his bosom, 50 That they may break his foaming courser's back, And throw the rider headlong in the lists, A caitiff recreant to my cousin Hereford![792][796] Farewell, old Gaunt: thy sometimes brother's wife[797] With her companion grief must end her life. 55
Gaunt. Sister, farewell; I must to Coventry: As much good stay with thee as go with me!
Duch. Yet one word more: grief boundeth where it falls,[798] Not with the empty hollowness, but weight:[799] I take my leave before I have begun, 60 For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done. Commend me to thy brother, Edmund York.[800] Lo, this is all:--nay, yet depart not so; Though this be all, do not so quickly go; I shall remember more. Bid him--ah, what?--[801] 65 With all good speed at Plashy visit me.[802] Alack, and what shall good old York there see[803] But empty lodgings and unfurnish'd walls, Unpeopled offices, untrodden stones? And what hear there for welcome but my groans?[804] 70 Therefore commend me; let him not come there, To seek out sorrow that dwells every where.[805] Desolate, desolate, will I hence and die:[806] The last leave of thee takes my weeping eye. [Exeunt.
Act I, Scene III — The lists at Coventry.
Enter the Lord Marshal and the DUKE of AUMERLE.[807]
Mar. My Lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd?[808]
Aum. Yea, at all points; and longs to enter in.
Mar. The Duke of Norfolk, sprightfully and bold,[809] Stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet.[810]
Aum. Why, then, the champions are prepared and stay 5 For nothing but his majesty's approach.
The trumpets sound, and the KING enters with his nobles, GAUNT, BUSHY, BAGOT, GREEN, _and others. When they are set, enter_ MOWBRAY in arms, defendant, with a Herald.[811]
K. Rich. Marshal, demand of yonder champion The cause of his arrival here in arms: Ask him his name and orderly proceed To swear him in the justice of his cause. 10
Mar. In God's name and the king's, say who thou art And why thou comest thus knightly clad in arms, Against what man thou comest, and what thy quarrel:[812] Speak truly, on thy knighthood and thy oath;[813] As so defend thee heaven and thy valour![814] 15
Mow. My name is Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk;[815] Who hither come engaged by my oath--[816] Which God defend a knight should violate!--[817] Both to defend my loyalty and truth To God, my king and my succeeding issue,[818] 20 Against the Duke of Hereford that appeals me;[819] And, by the grace of God and this mine arm, To prove him, in defending of myself, A traitor to my God, my king, and me: And as I truly fight, defend me heaven![820] 25
The trumpets sound. Enter BOLINGBROKE, _Appellant, in armour, with a_ Herald.
K. Rich. Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms,[821] Both who he is and why he cometh hither Thus plated in habiliments of war,[822] And formally, according to our law,[823] Depose him in the justice of his cause. 30
Mar. What is thy name? and wherefore comest thou hither, Before King Richard in his royal lists? Against whom comest thou? and what's thy quarrel?[824] Speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven!
Boling. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby[825] 35 Am I; who ready here do stand in arms,[826] To prove, by God's grace and my body's valour,[827] In lists, on Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk,[828] That he is a traitor, foul and dangerous,[829] To God of heaven, King Richard and to me; 40 And as I truly fight, defend me heaven!
Mar. On pain of death, no person be so bold Or daring-hardy as to touch the lists,[830] Except the marshal and such officers Appointed to direct these fair designs. 45
Boling. Lord marshal, let me kiss my sovereign's hand, And bow my knee before his majesty: For Mowbray and myself are like two men That vow a long and weary pilgrimage; Then let us take a ceremonious leave 50 And loving farewell of our several friends.
Mar. The appellant in all duty greets your highness,[831] And craves to kiss your hand and take his leave.
K. Rich. We will descend and fold him in our arms. Cousin of Hereford, as thy cause is right,[832] 55 So be thy fortune in this royal fight! Farewell, my blood; which if to-day thou shed, Lament we may, but not revenge thee dead.[833]
Boling. O, let no noble eye profane a tear For me, if I be gored with Mowbray's spear:[834] 60 As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. My loving lord, I take my leave of you; Of you, my noble cousin, Lord Aumerle; Not sick, although I have to do with death,[835] 65 But lusty, young, and cheerly drawing breath.[835][836] Lo, as at English feasts, so I regreet[835] The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet:[835][837] O thou, the earthly author of my blood,[838] Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, 70 Doth with a twofold vigour lift me up[839] To reach at victory above my head,[840] Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers; And with thy blessings steel my lance's point, That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat,[841] 75 And furbish new the name of John a Gaunt,[842] Even in the lusty haviour of his son.[843]
Gaunt. God in thy good cause make thee prosperous![844] Be swift like lightning in the execution; And let thy blows, doubly redoubled,[845] 80 Fall like amazing thunder on the casque Of thy adverse pernicious enemy:[846] Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live.[847]
Boling. Mine innocency and Saint George to thrive![848]
Mow. However God or fortune cast my lot,[844] 85 There lives or dies, true to King Richard's throne,[849] A loyal, just and upright gentleman: Never did captive with a freer heart[850] Cast off his chains of bondage and embrace His golden uncontroll'd enfranchisement. 90 More than my dancing soul doth celebrate[851] This feast of battle with mine adversary. Most mighty liege, and my companion peers, Take from my mouth the wish of happy years:[852] As gentle and as jocund as to jest[853] 95 Go I to fight: truth hath a quiet breast.
K. Rich. Farewell, my lord: securely I espy Virtue with valour couched in thine eye. Order the trial, marshal, and begin.
Mar. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby, 100 Receive thy lance; and God defend the right![844][854]
Boling. Strong as a tower in hope, I cry amen.
Mar. Go bear this lance to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk.[855]
First Her. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby,[856] Stands here for God, his sovereign and himself, 105 On pain to be found false and recreant, To prove the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray, A traitor to his God, his king and him;[857] And dares him to set forward to the fight.[858]
Sec. Her. Here standeth Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk,[859] 110 On pain to be found false and recreant, Both to defend himself and to approve[860] Henry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, To God, his sovereign and to him disloyal; Courageously and with a free desire 115 Attending but the signal to begin.
Mar. Sound, trumpets; and set forward, combatants.
[A charge sounded.[861]
Stay, the king hath thrown his warder down.[862]
K. Rich. Let them lay by their helmets and their spears, And both return back to their chairs again: 120 Withdraw with us: and let the trumpets sound While we return these dukes what we decree.
[A long flourish.[863]
Draw near,[864][865] And list what with our council we have done.[865] For that our kingdom's earth should not be soil'd 125 With that dear blood which it hath fostered;[866] And for our eyes do hate the dire aspect Of civil wounds plough'd up with neighbours' sword;[867] And for we think the eagle-winged pride[868] Of sky-aspiring and ambitious thoughts,[868] 130 With rival-hating envy, set on you[868][869] To wake our peace, which in our country's cradle[868][870] Draws the sweet infant breath of gentle sleep;[868][871] Which so roused up with boisterous untuned drums,[872][873][874] With harsh-resounding trumpets' dreadful bray,[874][875] 135 And grating shock of wrathful iron arms,[874][876] Might from our quiet confines fright fair peace,[873][874][877] And make us wade even in our kindred's blood;[874][878] Therefore, we banish you our territories: You, cousin Hereford, upon pain of life,[879] 140 Till twice five summers have enrich'd our fields[880] Shall not regreet our fair dominions,[881] But tread the stranger paths of banishment.
Boling. Your will be done: this must my comfort be, That sun that warms you here shall shine on me; 145 And those his golden beams to you here lent[882] Shall point on me and gild my banishment.
K. Rich. Norfolk, for thee remains a heavier doom,[883] Which I with some unwillingness pronounce: The sly slow hours shall not determinate[884] 150 The dateless limit of thy dear exile;[885] The hopeless word of 'never to return' Breathe I against thee, upon pain of life.[886]
Mow. A heavy sentence, my most sovereign liege, And all unlook'd for from your highness' mouth: 155 A dearer merit, not so deep a maim[887] As to be cast forth in the common air, Have I deserved at your highness' hands. The language I have learn'd these forty years,[888] My native English, now I must forego: 160 And now my tongue's use is to me no more Than an unstringed viol or a harp; Or like a cunning instrument cased up, Or, being open, put into his hands That knows no touch to tune the harmony: 165 Within my mouth you have engaol'd my tongue,[889][890] Doubly portcullis'd with my teeth and lips;[889][891] And dull unfeeling barren ignorance[889] Is made my gaoler to attend on me.[889][892] I am too old to fawn upon a nurse, 170 Too far in years to be a pupil now: What is thy sentence then but speechless death,[893] Which robs my tongue from breathing native breath?
K. Rich. It boots thee not to be compassionate:[894] After our sentence plaining comes too late.[895] 175
Mow. Then thus I turn me from my country's light, To dwell in solemn shades of endless night.[896]
K. Rich. Return again, and take an oath with thee.[897] Lay on our royal sword your banish'd hands; Swear by the duty that you owe to God--[898][899] 180 Our part therein we banish with yourselves-- To keep the oath that we administer: You never shall, so help you truth and God![899][900] Embrace each other's love in banishment; Nor never look upon each other's face;[901] 185 Nor never write, regreet, nor reconcile[901][902] This louring tempest of your home-bred hate;[903] Nor never by advised purpose meet[901] To plot, contrive, or complot any ill[904] 'Gainst us, our state, our subjects, or our land. 190
Boling. I swear.[905]
Mow. And I, to keep all this.[906]
Boling. Norfolk, so far as to mine enemy:--[907] By this time, had the king permitted us, One of our souls had wander'd in the air, 195 Banish'd this frail sepulchre of our flesh, As now our flesh is banish'd from this land: Confess thy treasons ere thou fly the realm;[908] Since thou hast far to go, bear not along The clogging burthen of a guilty soul. 200
Mow. No, Bolingbroke: if ever I were traitor, My name be blotted from the book of life, And I from heaven banish'd as from hence! But what thou art, God, thou, and I do know;[899] And all too soon, I fear, the king shall rue. 205 Farewell, my liege. Now no way can I stray;[909] Save back to England, all the world's my way.[909][910] [Exit.
K. Rich. Uncle, even in the glasses of thine eyes[911] I see thy grieved heart: thy sad aspect Hath from the number of his banish'd years 210 Pluck'd four away. [To Boling.] Six frozen winters spent,[912] Return with welcome home from banishment.
Boling. How long a time lies in one little word! Four lagging winters and four wanton springs End in a word: such is the breath of kings.[913] 215
Gaunt. I thank my liege, that in regard of me[914] He shortens four years of my son's exile: But little vantage shall I reap thereby; For, ere the six years that he hath to spend[915] Can change their moons and bring their times about,[916] 220 My oil-dried lamp and time-bewasted light Shall be extinct with age and endless night;[917] My inch of taper will be burnt and done,[918] And blindfold death not let me see my son.
K. Rich. Why, uncle, thou hast many years to live. 225
Gaunt. But not a minute, king, that thou canst give: Shorten my days thou canst with sullen sorrow,[919] And pluck nights from me, but not lend a morrow; Thou canst help time to furrow me with age, But stop no wrinkle in his pilgrimage; 230 Thy word is current with him for my death, But dead, thy kingdom cannot buy my breath.
K. Rich. Thy son is banish'd upon good advice,[920] Whereto thy tongue a party-verdict gave:[921] Why at our justice seem'st thou then to lour?[922] 235
Gaunt. Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour.[923] You urged me as a judge; but I had rather[924] You would have bid me argue like a father. O, had it been a stranger, not my child,[925][926] To smooth his fault I should have been more mild:[925][927] 240 A partial slander sought I to avoid,[925][928] And in the sentence my own life destroy'd.[925] Alas, I look'd when some of you should say, I was too strict to make mine own away; But you gave leave to my unwilling tongue 245 Against my will to do myself this wrong.
K. Rich. Cousin, farewell; and, uncle, bid him so: Six years we banish him, and he shall go.
[Flourish. Exeunt King Richard and train.[929]
Aum. Cousin, farewell: what presence must not know,[930] From where you do remain let paper show. 250
Mar. My lord, no leave take I; for I will ride, As far as land will let me, by your side.
Gaunt. O, to what purpose dost thou hoard thy words, That thou return'st no greeting to thy friends?[931]
Boling. I have too few to take my leave of you, 255 When the tongue's office should be prodigal To breathe the abundant dolour of the heart.
Gaunt. Thy grief is but thy absence for a time.
Boling. Joy absent, grief is present for that time.
Gaunt. What is six winters? they are quickly gone. 260
Boling. To men in joy; but grief makes one hour ten.[932]
Gaunt. Call it a travel that thou takest for pleasure.
Boling. My heart will sigh when I miscall it so, Which finds it an inforced pilgrimage.
Gaunt. The sullen passage of thy weary steps 265 Esteem as foil wherein thou art to set[933] The precious jewel of thy home return.
Boling. Nay, rather, every tedious stride I make[934][935] Will but remember me what a deal of world[934][935][936] I wander from the jewels that I love.[934][935] 270 Must I not serve a long apprenticehood[934][935] To foreign passages, and in the end,[934][935] Having my freedom, boast of nothing else[934][935] But that I was a journeyman to grief?[934][935]
Gaunt. All places that the eye of heaven visits[934] 275 Are to a wise man ports and happy havens.[934][937] Teach thy necessity to reason thus;[934] There is no virtue like necessity.[934] Think not the king did banish thee,[934][938][939] But thou the king. Woe doth the heavier sit,[934][938][940] 280 Where it perceives it is but faintly borne.[934][938] Go, say I sent thee forth to purchase honour[934] And not the king exiled thee; or suppose[934] Devouring pestilence hangs in our air[934] And thou art flying to a fresher clime:[934] 285 Look, what thy soul holds dear, imagine it[934] To lie that way thou go'st, not whence thou comest:[934] Suppose the singing birds musicians,[934] The grass whereon thou tread'st the presence strew'd,[934][941] The flowers fair ladies, and thy steps no more[934] 290 Than a delightful measure or a dance;[934] For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite[934][942] The man that mocks at it and sets it light.[934][942]
Boling. O, who can hold a fire in his hand[943] By thinking on the frosty Caucasus? 295 Or cloy the hungry edge of appetite By bare imagination of a feast? Or wallow naked in December snow[944] By thinking on fastastic summer's heat? O, no! the apprehension of the good 300 Gives but the greater feeling to the worse:[945] Fell sorrow's tooth doth never rankle more[946] Than when he bites, but lanceth not the sore.[947]
Gaunt. Come, come, my son, I'll bring thee on thy way: Had I thy youth and cause, I would not stay. 305
Boling. Then, England's ground, farewell; sweet soil, adieu; My mother, and my nurse, that bears me yet![948] Where'er I wander, boast of this I can, Though banish'd, yet a trueborn Englishman. [Exeunt.[949]
Act I, Scene IV — The court.
Enter the KING, with BAGOT and GREEN at one door; and the DUKE of AUMERLE at another.[950]
K. Rich. We did observe. Cousin Aumerle,[951] How far brought you high Hereford on his way?
Aum. I brought high Hereford, if you call him so, But to the next highway, and there I left him.
K. Rich. And say, what store of parting tears were shed? 5
Aum. Faith, none for me; except the north-east wind,[952] Which then blew bitterly against our faces,[953] Awaked the sleeping rheum, and so by chance[954] Did grace our hollow parting with a tear.
K. Rich. What said our cousin when you parted with him?[955] 10
Aum. 'Farewell:'[956] And, for my heart disdained that my tongue[956][957] Should so profane the word, that taught me craft To counterfeit oppression of such grief, That words seem'd buried in my sorrow's grave.[958] 15 Marry, would the word 'farewell' have lengthen'd hours[959] And added years to his short banishment, He should have had a volume of farewells; But since it would not, he had none of me.
K. Rich. He is our cousin, cousin; but 'tis doubt,[960] 20 When time shall call him home from banishment, Whether our kinsman come to see his friends.[961][962] Ourself and Bushy, Bagot here and Green[962] Observed his courtship to the common people; How he did seem to dive into their hearts 25 With humble and familiar courtesy, What reverence he did throw away on slaves.[963] Wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles[964] And patient underbearing of his fortune, As 'twere to banish their affects with him.[965] 30 Off goes his bonnet to an oyster-wench; A brace of draymen bid God speed him well And had the tribute of his supple knee, With 'Thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends;' As were our England in reversion his, 35 And he our subjects' next degree in hope.[966]
Green. Well, he is gone; and with him go these thoughts. Now for the rebels which stand out in Ireland, Expedient manage must be made, my liege, Ere further leisure yield them further means[967] 40 For their advantage and your highness' loss.
K. Rich. We will ourself in person to this war: And, for our coffers, with too great a court And liberal largess, are grown somewhat light, We are inforced to farm our royal realm; 45 The revenue whereof shall furnish us[968] For our affairs in hand: if that come short,[968][969] Our substitutes at home shall have blank charters; Whereto, when they shall know what men are rich, They shall subscribe them for large sums of gold 50 And send them after to supply our wants; For we will make for Ireland presently.
Enter BUSHY.[970]
Bushy, what news?[970]
Bushy. Old John of Gaunt is grievous sick, my lord,[971] Suddenly taken; and hath sent post haste 55 To entreat your majesty to visit him.
K. Rich. Where lies he?[972]
Bushy. At Ely House.[973]
K. Rich. Now put it, God, in the physician's mind[974][975] To help him to his grave immediately! 60 The lining of his coffers shall make coats To deck our soldiers for these Irish wars. Come, gentlemen, let's all go visit him: Pray God we may make haste, and come too late![974]
All. Amen. [Exeunt.[976] 65
FOOTNOTES:
[692] The Tragedy ...] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. The Life and Death ... Ff Q₅.
Act I, Scene I — ] Actus Primus, Scæna Prima. Ff Q₅. om. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ (and throughout the play)
London. King R.'s palace.] The Court. Pope.
John of Gaunt,] John a Gaunt. Q₅. John of Gant, F₃.
[693] band] bond Rowe (ed. 2). See note (II).
[694] Hereford] Q₅ F₄. Herford Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ F₃.
[695] hear] F₃ F₄. heare Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂ Q₅. here] Q₄.
[696] Thomas Mowbray] Tho: Mow. Q₄.
[697] appeal] appeach Strutt (ap. Seymour) conj.
[698] presence;] Pope. presence Qq Ff. presence, Rowe.
[699] [Exeunt some Attendants. Capell.
[700] Enter ...] Re-enter Attendants with ... Capell.
[701] Many] May many Pope. Now many Tate. Full many Collier MS.
[702] Add an] Adde in Q₃ Q₄.
[703] come] come for Hanmer. come on Keightley conj.
[704] appeal] appeach Strutt conj.
[705] devotion] devotions F₄.
[706] other] wrath or Collier MS.
[707] appellant] Q₁ Q₂. appealant Q₃ Q₄. appealant Ff. appelant Q₅.
[708] divine] divorced Anon conj.
[709] Too good ... prove] Put in the margin as spurious by Pope.
[710] the note] thy note S. Walker conj.
[711] cold] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁. coole F₂ Q₅. cool F₃ F₄.
[712] nought] naught Q₁ Q₂ Q₃.
[713] else] once Q₅.
[714] doubled] doubly Ff Q₅.
[715] And let him] Let him but Pope.
[716] I do] And I Pope.
and I] and Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[717] tied] Q₁. tide Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅. ty'd Rowe (ed. 2).
[718] inhabitable] unhabitable Theobald.
[719] Where ever] Where-ever Rowe. Where never Pope.
Englishman] Q₁ Ff. English man Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[720] Mean time] F₃ F₄. Meane time Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂ Q₅. Meant time Q₄.
loyalty] royalty Q₅.
[721] kindred] Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅. kinred Q₁ Q₂.
the king] Q₁ Q₅. a king Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff.
[722] have] Qq. hath Ff.
[723] rites] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁. rights F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄.
[724] spoke, or thou canst worse devise] Q₁. spoke, or thou canst devise Q₂. spoke, or what thou canst devise Q₃ Q₄. spoken, or thou canst devise Ff Q₅. spoke, as what thou hast devis'd Hanmer.
[725] Or] O Q₂.
[726] mount, alive] mount aliue, aliue Q₃ Q₄.
[727] inherit] inhabit Warburton.
[728] speak] speake Q₁. sayd Q₂ Q₃ Q₅. said Q₄ Ff. say Grant White conj.
[729] for] of Q₅.
[730] Fetch] Q₁. Fetcht Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄. Fetch'd F₁.
[731] Upon ... good] Omitted by Pope.
[732] Gloucester's] Glocesters Q₁ Q₂. Glosters Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Glousters F₁ F₂ F₃. Gloster's F₄.
[733] traitor] taitour Q₁.
[734] descent] Q₁ F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄. discent Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁.
[735] what] why F₂.
[736] slander] sland'rer Pope.
[737] my ... my] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ my ... our Ff. our ... our Q₅.
[738] my] our Q₅.
[739] by my] Ff Q₅. by Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[740] Calais] Callice Qq Ff.
[741] duly] ducly Q₁. The rest omit.
[742] dear] clear Singer (Collier MS.).
[743] not; but] Ff Q₅. not but Q₁. not, but Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
my] Q₁. mine Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.
[744] did I] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. I did Ff Q₅.
lay an] lay in Knight.
[745] But] Ff Q₅. Ah but Q₁ Q₂. Ah, but Q₃ Q₄.
[746] interchangeably] Ff. enterchangeably Qq.
my] Q₁ Ff Q₅. the Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[747] Upon] Tpon Q₃.
[748] his] your Q₄. See note (III).
[749] gentlemen] Ff Q₅. gentleman Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[750] This we ... bleed] Put in the margin as spurious by Pope.
[751] physician] phisition Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. physition F₁ F₂ Q₅. physitian F₃ F₄.
[752] month] time Ff Q₅.
[753] When, Harry, when? Obedience bids] _When, Harry, when? Obedience bids,_ Pope. _When Harry? when obedience bids, Obedience bids_ Q₁. When Harry, when? obedience bids, Obedience bids Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ (Harrie, Q₃ Q₄). When Harrie when? obedience bids, Obedience bids F₁. When Harry when? obedience bids, Obedience bids, F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄ (Harry, F₄). When, Harry? when Obedience bids Johnson.
[754] Despite ... lives] That lives, despite of death, Seymour conj.
[755] balm] balme Qq F₁ F₃. blame F₂ F₄.
[756] lions make leopards] lion makes leopard Anon. conj.
[757] his spots] their spots Pope.
[758] gage. My ... Lord,] Ff Q₅. gage, my ... Lord. Q₃ Q₄. gage my ... Lord. Q₂. gage, my ... Lord, Q₁.
[759] reputation: that away,] Ff Q₅. reputation that away Q₁. reputation, that away Q₂. reputation, that away; Q₃ Q₄.
[760] loam] trunks England's Parnassus. See note (XIII).
or] and Q₄.
[761] cousin ... begin] As one line in Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₄; as two lines, the first ending gage, in F₁ F₂ Q₅ F₃.
up] down Ff Q₅.
[762] God] Heaven Ff Q₅.
deep] deepe Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. foule F₁ F₂ Q₅. foul F₃ F₄.
[763] begger-fear] Q₁ F₁ F₂ Q₅. begger-face Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. beggar'd fear F₃ F₄. haggard fear] Hammer. bug-bear fear Becket conj.
[764] dastard] bastard Rowe.
[765] my] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₄. mine F₁ F₂ Q₅ F₃.
[766] base] baee Q₄.
parle] Ff Q₅. parlee Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[767] Exit Gaunt.] Ff Q₅. om. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[768] lives] Q₁ Ff Q₅. life Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[769] Lambert's] Q₁ Ff Q₅. Lambard's Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[770] atone] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃. attone Q₄ Ff Q₅.
we] Q₁. you Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.
[771] design] decide Rowe (ed. 2).
[772] Lord marshall] Marshal Capell. Lord marishal Delius conj.
command] bid Pope.
[773] alarms] all armes Q₄.
Exeunt] Ff Q₅. Exit Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[774] SCENE II.] Scæna Secunda. Ff Q₅. om. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. SCENE III. Pope. See note (IV).
The ... palace.] Theobald. Enter John of G. with the] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Enter G. and Ff Q₅.
[775] Woodstock's] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Glousters F₁ F₂ F₃. Glosters Q₅ F₄. See note (V).
[776] they see] it sees Pope. he sees Steevens.
hours] F₃ F₄. houres Q₁ Q₂ F₁ F₂ Q₅. hower's Q₃ Q₄.
[777] rain] F₃ F₄. raine Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₂. raigne F₁ Q₅.
on] on th' Anon. conj.
[778] Were as] Q₁ Q₂ Ff. Were Q₃ Q₄. Where are Q₅.
[779] leaves] leafes F₁.
faded] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₄. vaded F₁ F₂ F₃ Q₅.
[780] metal] mettall Q₁ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. metal Q₂. mettle Ff.
[781] livest ... breathest] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. liv'st ... breath'st Ff Q₅.
[782] showest] shewest Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. shew'st Ff Q₅.
[783] cowardice] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₄. cowardise F₂ Q₅. cowardesse F₃.
[784] thine] thy Q₂ Q₃.
[785] venge] 'venge Pope.
[786] God's ... God's] Heavens ... heavens Ff Q₅.
[787] heaven] God Pope.
[788] then ... complain] then may I complaine Q₁. _then (alas may I) complaint_ F₁.
[789] God] heaven Ff Q₅.
widow's] widows' Delius conj.
and defence] to defence Ff Q₅.
[790] Why ... Gaunt.] Why ... Gaunt, farewel. Pope. To heaven? why ... Gaunt, Capell. Why ... will. Now fare thee well, old Gaunt. or Why ... will. Farewell old John of Gaunt. Ritson conj. Why ... will. Farewell, farewell old Gaunt. Collier (Collier MS.).
[791] goest] go'st Ff Q₅.
[792] Hereford] Q₁ F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄. Herford Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁.
[793] sit] Ff Q₅. set Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[794] butcher] butchers Q₁.
[795] career] carier Q₁ Q₂. carrier Q₃ Q₄. carreere F₁ F₂ Q₅. carreer F₃ F₄.
[796] caitiff] caitiue Q₁ Q₂. caytiffe Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ Q₅ F₃. caytiff F₄.
[797] sometimes] sometime Pope.
[798] it] is Q₁.
[799] empty] emptincs Q₁.
[800] thy] Q₁. my Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.
Edmund] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁. Edward F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄.
[801] Ah] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Oh, Ff Q₅.
[802] Plashy] Pleshie Q₅.
[803] there see] see there Pope.
[804] hear] cheere Q₁. See note (VI).
[805] sorrow that] Q₁ Q₂ F₃ F₄. sorrow, that Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ Q₅. sorrow-- Rann.
[806] Desolate, desolate] All desolate Pope. And desolate, desolate Seymour conj. Desolate, desperate Collier MS.
hence] from hence Pope.
[807] SCENE III.] SCENE IV. Pope.
The lists at C.] Pope. Gosford Green near Coventry. Steevens. Lists set out, and a Throne: Heralds, and People, attending. Capell.
Enter the Lord....] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Enter Lord.... Q₁ Q₅. Enter Marshall and Aumerle. Ff.
Duke of A.] Duke A. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[808] My Lord] My L. Ff Q₅.
Hereford] Kerford Q₃.
[809] sprightfully] Qq F₁. sprightfull F₂. sprightful F₃ F₄. sprightful all. Hanmer.
[810] appellant's] appellants Qq. appellants Ff.
[811] The trumpets....] See note (VII).
[812] what] Q₁. what's Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.
[813] thy oath] thine oath Ff Q₅.
[814] As so] And so Rowe.
thee] the Q₁.
[815] Thomas] Tho. Ff Q₅.
Duke of] D. of Q₂.
[816] come] comes F₁.
[817] God defend] heaven defend Ff Q₅. heav'n forbid Pope. God forbid Bailey conj. Heaven forefend Bubier conj.
[818] my] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. his Ff Q₅. See note (VIII).
[819] Against] Againe F₂.
[820] [He takes his seat. Malone.
The trumpets....] See note (VII).
[821] Marshal, ask] Marshal, demand of or go ask of Ritson conj. Lord Marshal, ask of Keightley conj.
[822] plated] placed Ff Q₅.
[823] formally] formerly Q₄ F₁.
[824] comest] Q₄. comes Q₁ Q₂ Q₃. com'st Ff Q₅.
what's] whats Q₁ Q₂.
[825] Derby] Q₅ F₃. Darbie Q₁ Q₂. Darby Q₃ Q₄ F₄. Derbie F₁ F₂.
[826] here] heare Q₄.
[827] God's] heavens Ff Q₅.
[828] Norfolk] Morfolke Q₃.
[829] he is] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. he's Ff Q₅.
[830] daring-hardy] Theobald, daring, hardy Q₁. daring, hardie Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. daring hardie F₁ F₂. daring hardy F₃ F₄.
[831] appellant] appealant Ff Q₅.
[832] right] just Ff Q₅.
[833] thee dead] the dead Q₁ Q₂.
[834] gored] gorgde Q₄.
[835] Not sick ... sweet] Put in the margin, as spurious, by Pope.
[836] lusty, young] lusty-young Anon. conj.
[837] most] more Dyce.
[838] earthly] earthy Ff Q₅.
[839] vigour] rigor F₁.
[840] at victory] a victory Q₃ Q₄.
[841] waxen] woven Jervis conj.
[842] furbish] Qq. furnish Ff.
a Gaunt] o' Gaunt Theobald. of Gaunt Capell.
[843] haviour] 'haviour F₄.
[844] God] Heaven Ff Q₅.
[845] redoubled] redoubled on Pope.
[846] adverse] amaz'd Ff Q₅. om. S. Walker conj., reading as one line Of thy ... up.
[847] valiant] brave Pope, strong Seymour conj.
be valiant and live] the valiant live Capell.
[848] innocency] Capell. innocence Qq Ff. innocence, God Pope.
[849] lives] lies Q₃ Q₄.
King] Kings F₁.
[850] captive] Qq F₁. captaine F₂. captain F₃ F₄.
[851] More ... doth] Than doth my dancing soul now Seymour conj.
[852] mouth] youth Q₃ Q₄.
[853] jest] just Warburton.
[854] the right] Q₁. thy right Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.
[855] [to an Officer. Capell.
Duke] Q₁ F₃ F₄. D. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ Q₅.
[856] First Her.] 1. Har. F₁ Q₅. Herald. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. 1. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[857] his God] God Q₁.
[858] forward] Q₁ F₃ F₄. forwards Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ Q₅.
[859] Sec. Her.] Herald 2. Q₁. Herald. Q₂. Her. Q₃ Q₄. 2. Har. Ff Q₅.
[860] defend] befend Q₃.
[861] forward] Q₁ Ff Q₅. forth Q₂. foorth Q₃ Q₄.
combatants] conbatants F₂.
[A charge sounded.] Ff Q₅ (after line 115).
[862] Stay] But stay Pope. Yet stay Seymour conj. Stay, stay S. Walker conj. Stay them Keightley conj.
[863] [A long flourish.] Ff Q₅.
[864] Draw near,] Draw near ye fell incensed adversaries Seymour conj.
[865] Draw near, And ... done] Arranged as in Theobald: in Qq Ff the first line ends at list. Omitted by Pope.
[866] which ... fostered] with which it hath been foster'd Malone conj.
hath] hath beene Q₄.
[867] civil] cruell Q₁ (Capell's copy). See note (IX).
neighbours'] neighbour Theobald.
sword] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. swords Ff Q₅.
[868] And for ... sleep] Omitted in Ff Q₅. See note (X).
[869] set on you] set you on Pope.
[870] peace] ease Becket conj. strife Keightley conj.
[871] Draws] Drawes Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Draw Q₁. Drew Anon. conj.
[872] Which so] Which thus Pope. But thus Hanmer.
drums] drumme Q₂.
[873] Which ... fright fair peace] But ... frighted fly Seymour conj.
[874] Which ... blood] Omitted by Capell.
[875] With] And Pope.
[876] wrathful iron] harsh resounding Q₁.
[877] fright fair peace] be affrighted Hanmer.
[878] kindred's] kinreds Q₁ Q₂.
[879] upon] on Pope.
life] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. death Ff Q₅.
[880] fields] Q₁ Ff Q₅. field Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[881] not] nor F₂.
[882] to] unto Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[883] doom] dombe F₁.
[884] sly slow] slie slow Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. slye slow F₁ Q₅ F₃ F₄. flye slow F₂. fly-slow Pope. sly-slow Malone. slide-slow Keightley conj. See note (XI).
[885] dear] drear Anon. conj.
[886] life] death Seymour conj.
[887] merit, not] mede, and not Johnson conj.
[888] learn'd] Ff Q₅. learnt Q₁ Q₂. learnd Q₃ Q₄.
[889] Within ... on me] Put in the margin as spurious by Pope.
[890] engaol'd] F₁ F₂ Q₅. engaold Q₁ Q₂. ingayld Q₃ Q₄. engoal'd F₃ F₄.
[891] portcullis'd] portculist Q₁. portcullist Q₂. percullist Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ F₃. purcullist Q₅. percullis'd F₄.
[892] gaoler] Q₁ Q₂ F₁ F₂ Q₅. Iayler Q₃ Q₄. goaler F₃ F₄.
[893] then] Ff Q₅. om. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[894] be compassionate] be so passionate Singer. become passionate Grant White (Theobald conj.).
[895] too] to F₂.
[896] solemn] sullen S. Walker conj.
[897] thee] ye Rowe.
[898] you owe] Ff Q₅. y' owe Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[899] God] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. heaven Ff Q₅.
[900] never] neuer F₁.
[901] never] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. ever Ff Q₅.
[902] write, regreet] write; regreete Q₃ Q₄. writ, regreet Q₅. write regreet Delius.
nor] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. or Ff Q₅.
[903] louring] lowring Q₁ Q₂ Ff Q₅. louing Q₃ Q₄.
[904] plot ... complot] plot ... compass or plan ... complot Keightley conj.
[905] swear] swear, my liege Seymour conj.
[906] [Kissing the King's sword. Collier (Collier MS.).
[907] far] F₄. fare Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁. farre F₂ Q₅ F₃.
enemy:--] Theobald. enemy: Q₁ Q₂. enemie: Q₃ Q₄. enemie, F₁ F₂. enemy, Q₅ F₃. enemy F₄. enemy:--[in salutation] Hanmer. A line omitted. Anon. conj.
[908] the] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. this Ff Q₅.
[909] stray; ... England,] Capell (Roderick conj.). _stray, ... England_ Q₁ Q₂. stray, ... England, Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅. _stray, ... England;_ Rowe.
[910] [Exit.] Q₁ F₁. The rest omit.
[911] SCENE V. Pope.
[912] [To Boling.] Steevens.
[913] a word] one word Q₄. breath] breach Q₃.
[914] thank] think, Rowe (ed. 2).
[915] the six] these six Q₅.
[916] their moons] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁. the moons F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄.
[917] extinct] extint Q₁.
night] nightes Q₁. nights Q₂.
[918] inch] intch Q₁ Q₂.
[919] sullen] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. sudden Ff Q₅.
[920] upon] with Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. advice] Ff Q₅. advise Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[921] party-verdict] Ff Q₅. party verdict Q₁. party, verdict Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[922] lour] lowre Qq Ff.
[923] sour] sowre Qq F₁ F₂ F₃. sowr F₄.
[924] urged] urdge Q₁ urge Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. urg'd Ff Q₅.
[925] O, had ... destroy'd] Omitted in Ff Q₅. See note (XII).
[926] had it] had't Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[927] should] Q₁. would Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[928] sought] Q₃ Q₄. ought Q₁ Q₂.
[929] [Flourish. Exeunt ...] Exit. Flourish. Ff Q₅. on. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[930] SCENE VI. Pope.
[931] return'st] Ff Q₅. returnest Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[932] one hour ten] ten hours of one Seymour conj.
[933] as foil] as foyle Q₁. a foyle Q₂. a soyle Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂ Q₅. a soyl F₃. a soil F₄.
[934] Nay, rather ... light] Omitted in Ff Q₅.
[935] Nay, rather ... grief?] Omitted by Pope.
[936] a deal] deale Q₃ Q₄.
world] world: Q₁.
[937] wise man] Q₃ Q₄. wiseman Q₁ Q₂.
[938] Think not ... borne] Omitted by Pope.
[939] Think not] Therefore think not Ritson conj. Thou must not think Seymour conj. Wherefore think not Keightley conj.
thee,] thee, my son Capell.
[940] king. Woe] Q₁ Q₂. king, who Q₃ Q₄.
[941] strew'd] floor Pope.
[942] For gnarling ... light] Omitted by Pope.
[943] fire] Q₂ Ff Q₅. fier Q₁ Q₃ Q₄.
[944] December] December's Capell conj.
[945] Gives] Give Q₄.
[946] never] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. ever Ff Q₅.
[947] Than] F₄. Then Qq F₁ F₂ F₃.
he] Q₁. it Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.
lanceth] Ff Q₅. launceth Q₁. launcheth Q₂. lancheth Q₃ Q₄.
[948] that] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. which Ff Q₅.
[949] [Exeunt.] om. Ff Q₅.
[950] SCENE IV.] SCENE VII. Pope. ACT II. SC. 1. Johnson conj.
The court.] Theobald.
Enter ... Bagot and Green....] Enter ... Bushie, &c. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Enter King, Aumerle, Green, and Bagot. Ff Q₅.
[951] observe] indeed observe Pope. observe it well Seymour conj. observe it Keightley conj.
Aumerle] Anmerle F₁. Humerle Q₄.
[952] for me] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ F₁. by me F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄.
[953] blew] Qq. grew Ff.
faces] Q₁ Q₂. face Q₃ Q₄ Ff Q₅.
[954] sleeping] Q₁ Q₂. sleepie Q₃ Q₄ F₁ F₂. sleepy Q₅ F₃ F₄.
[955] our] your Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[956] Farewell ... tongue] Arranged as by Pope: as one line in Qq Ff.
[957] that] om. Long MS. and Seymour conj.
[958] words] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. word Ff Q₅.
[959] Marry] But Pope.
have] had F₂ F₃ F₄.
[960] cousin, cousin] cosin (cosin) F₁ F₂ Q₅ F₃. cousin (cousin) F₄. coosins coosin Q₁. coosens cosin Q₂. coosins coosin Q₃ Q₄. kinsman, cousin Pope.
[961] come] comes Q₂ Q₃.
[962] friends ... Green] friends, Our selfe, and Bushy, Bagot here and Greene Q₅. friends, Our selfe, and Bushy: heere Bagot and Greene Ff. friends. Our selfe and Bushie, Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[963] What] Ff Q₅. With Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[964] smiles] Qq. soules F₁ F₂. souls F₃ F₄.
[965] affects] affections Hanmer.
[966] subjects'] subject's Pope.
[967] them further] the futher F₂. the further Q₅.
[968] revenue ... that] revenues ... they Heath conj.
[969] hand: if that] F₁. hand if that Q₁ Q₂ Q₃. hand, if that Q₄. hand: if they F₂ Q₅ F₃ F₄.
short,] short. Q₅.
[970] Enter Bushy. Bushy, what news?] Ff Q₅. Enter Bushie with newes. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Enter Bushy. K. Rich. What news? Rowe.
[971] John of Gaunt] John a Gaunt Q₅.
grievous] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. verie F₁ F₂. very Q₅ F₃ F₄. om. Pope.
[972] lies he] does he lie Seymour conj. lies he now Collier (Collier MS.).
[973] Ely House] Ely-house, my liege Collier (Seymour conj.). Ely-house, my lord Keightley conj.
[974] God] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. heaven Ff Q₅.
[975] in the] Q₁. into the Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. in his Ff Q₅.
[976] All. Amen.] Staunton. Amen. Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. om. Ff Q₅.
[Exeunt.] Q₁ Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Exit. Ff Q₅.
Act II, Scene I — Ely House.
Enter JOHN of GAUNT sick, with the DUKE of YORK, &c.[977]
Gaunt. Will the king come, that I may breathe my last In wholesome counsel to his unstaid youth?
York. Vex not yourself, nor strive not with your breath; For all in vain comes counsel to his ear.
Gaunt. O, but they say the tongues of dying men 5 Enforce attention like deep harmony: Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain, For they breathe truth that breathe their words in pain. He that no more must say is listen'd more[978] Than they whom youth and ease have taught to glose;[978][979] 10 More are men's ends mark'd than their lives before:[978] The setting sun, and music at the close,[978][980] As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last,[978][981] Writ in remembrance more than things long past:[978] Though Richard my life's counsel would not hear,[978][982] 15 My death's sad tale may yet undeaf his ear.[978]
York. No; it is stopp'd with other flattering sounds,[983] As praises, of whose taste the wise are fond,[984] Lascivious metres, to whose venom sound[985] The open ear of youth doth always listen;[986] 20 Report of fashions in proud Italy,[987] Whose manners still our tardy apish nation[988] Limps after in base imitation.[989] Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity-- So it be new, there's no respect how vile-- 25 That is not quickly buzz'd into his ears?[990] Then all too late comes counsel to be heard,[991] Where will doth mutiny with wit's regard. Direct not him whose way himself will choose:[992] 'Tis breath thou lack'st, and that breath wilt thou lose.[992][993] 30
Gaunt. Methinks I am a prophet new inspired And thus expiring do foretell of him: His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last, For violent fires soon burn out themselves;[994] Small showers last long, but sudden storms are short; 35 He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes; With eager feeding food doth choke the feeder: Light vanity, insatiate cormorant,[995] Consuming means, soon preys upon itself. This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,[996] 40 This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,[996] This other Eden, demi-paradise;[996][997] This fortress built by Nature for herself[996] Against infection and the hand of war;[996][998] This happy breed of men, this little world,[996][999] 45 This precious stone set in the silver sea,[996] Which serves it in the office of a wall,[996] Or as a moat defensive to a house,[996][1000] Against the envy of less happier lands;[996][1001] This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,[996][1002] 50 This nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings,[996] Fear'd by their breed and famous by their birth,[996][1003] Renowned for their deeds as far from home,[996][1004][1005] For Christian service and true chivalry,[996][1004][1006] As is the sepulchre in stubborn Jewry[996] 55 Of the world's ransom, blessed Mary's Son; This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land, Dear for her reputation through the world, Is now leased out, I die pronouncing it, Like to a tenement or pelting farm:[1007] 60 England, bound in with the triumphant sea, Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege[1008] Of watery Neptune, is now bound in with shame,[1009] With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds:[1010] That England, that was wont to conquer others, 65 Hath made a shameful conquest of itself. Ah, would the scandal vanish with my life,[1011] How happy then were my ensuing death!
Enter KING RICHARD and QUEEN, AUMERLE, BUSHY, GREEN, BAGOT, ROSS, and WILLOUGHBY.[1012]
York. The king is come: deal mildly with his youth;[1013] For young hot colts being raged do rage the more.[1014] 70
Queen. How fares our noble uncle, Lancaster?
K. Rich. What comfort, man? how is't with aged Gaunt?
Gaunt. O, how that name befits my composition![1015] Old Gaunt indeed, and gaunt in being old:[1015] Within me grief hath kept a tedious fast;[1015] 75 And who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?[1015] For sleeping England long time have I watch'd;[1015] Watching breeds leanness, leanness is all gaunt:[1015] The pleasure that some fathers feed upon,[1015] Is my strict fast; I mean, my children's looks;[1015] 80 And therein fasting, hast thou made me gaunt:[1015][1016] Gaunt am I for the grave, gaunt as a grave,[1015] Whose hollow womb inherits nought but bones.[1015]
K. Rich. Can sick men play so nicely with their names?[1015]
Gaunt. No, misery makes sport to mock itself:[1015] 85 Since thou dost seek to kill my name in me,[1015] I mock my name, great king, to flatter thee.[1015][1017]
K. Rich. Should dying men flatter with those that live?[1015][1018]
Gaunt. No, no, men living flatter those that die.[1015]
K. Rich. Thou, now a-dying, say'st thou flatterest me.[1015][1019] 90
Gaunt. O, no! thou diest, though I the sicker be.[1015]
K. Rich. I am in health, I breathe, and see thee ill.[1015][1020]
Gaunt. Now, He that made me knows I see thee ill;[1015] Ill in myself to see, and in thee seeing ill.[1021] Thy death-bed is no lesser than thy land[1022] 95 Wherein thou liest in reputation sick; And thou, too careless patient as thou art, Commit'st thy anointed body to the cure[1023] Of those physicians that first wounded thee: A thousand flatterers sit within thy crown, 100 Whose compass is no bigger than thy head;[1024] And yet, incaged in so small a verge,[1025] The waste is no whit lesser than thy land.[1026] O, had thy grandsire with a prophet's eye Seen how his son's son should destroy his sons, 105 From forth thy reach he would have laid thy shame, Deposing thee before thou wert possess'd, Which art possess'd now to depose thyself.[1027] Why, cousin, wert thou regent of the world,[1028] It were a shame to let this land by lease;[1029] 110 But for thy world enjoying but this land, Is it not more than shame to shame it so? Landlord of England art thou now, not king:[1030] Thy state of law is bondslave to the law;[1031] And thou--
K. Rich. A lunatic lean-witted fool,[1032] 115 Presuming on an ague's privilege, Barest with thy frozen admonition Make pale our cheek, chasing the royal blood[1033] With fury from his native residence.[1034] Now, by my seat's right royal majesty, 120 Wert thou not brother to great Edward's son, This tongue that runs so roundly in thy head Should run thy head from thy unreverent shoulders.[1035]
Gaunt. O, spare me not, my brother Edward's son,[1036] For that I was his father Edward's son; 125 That blood already, like the pelican, Hast thou tapp'd out and drunkenly caroused:[1037] My brother Gloucester, plain well-meaning soul, Whom fair befal in heaven 'mongst happy souls! May be a precedent and witness good 130 That thou respect'st not spilling Edward's blood:[1038] Join with the present sickness that I have; And thy unkindness be like crooked age,[1039][1040] To crop at once a too long wither'd flower.[1039] Live in thy shame, but die not shame with thee![1041] 135 These words hereafter thy tormentors be! Convey me to my bed, then to my grave: Love they to live that love and honour have.
[Exit, borne off by his Attendants.[1042]
K. Rich. And let them die that age and sullens have; For both hast thou, and both become the grave.[1043] 140
York. I do beseech your majesty, impute his words[1044][1045] To wayward sickliness and age in him:[1044] He loves you, on my life, and holds you dear As Harry Duke of Hereford, were he here.
K. Rich. Right, you say true: as Hereford's love, so his; 145 As theirs, so mine; and all be as it is.[1046]
Enter NORTHUMBERLAND.[1047]
North. My liege, old Gaunt commends him to your majesty.
K. Rich. What says he?
North. Nay, nothing; all is said:[1048] His tongue is now a stringless instrument; Words life and all, old Lancaster hath spent. 150
York. Be York the next that must be bankrupt so! Though death be poor, it ends a mortal woe.
K. Rich. The ripest fruit first falls, and so doth he; His time is spent, our pilgrimage must be. So much for that. Now for our Irish wars: 155 We must supplant those rough rug-headed kerns,[1049] Which live like venom where no venom else But only they have privilege to live.[1050] And for these great affairs do ask some charge, Towards our assistance we do seize to us 160 The plate, coin, revenues and moveables,[1051] Whereof our uncle Gaunt did stand possess'd.
York. How long shall I be patient? ah, how long[1052] Shall tender duty make me suffer wrong? Not Gloucester's death, nor Hereford's banishment,[1053] 165 Not Gaunt's rebukes, nor England's private wrongs, Nor the prevention of poor Bolingbroke About his marriage, nor my own disgrace, Have ever made me sour my patient cheek, Or bend one wrinkle on my sovereign's face. 170 I am the last of noble Edward's sons,[1054] Of whom thy father, Prince of Wales, was first: In war was never lion raged more fierce,[1055] In peace was never gentle lamb more mild, Than was that young and princely gentleman. 175 His face thou hast, for even so look'd he, Accomplish'd with the number of thy hours;[1056] But when he frown'd, it was against the French And not against his friends; his noble hand Did win what he did spend and spent not that 180 Which his triumphant father's hand had won; His hands were guilty of no kindred blood,[1057] But bloody with the enemies of his kin. O Richard! York is too far gone with grief, Or else he never would compare between.[1058] 185
K. Rich. Why, uncle, what's the matter?[1059]
York. O my liege,[1059] Pardon me, if you please; if not, I, pleased[1059][1060] Not to be pardon'd, am content withal.[1059][1060] Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands The royalties and rights of banish'd Hereford? 190 Is not Gaunt dead, and doth not Hereford live? Was not Gaunt just, and is not Harry true? Did not the one deserve to have an heir? Is not his heir a well-deserving son? Take Hereford's rights away, and take from time[1061] 195 His charters and his customary rights; Let not to-morrow then ensue to-day: Be not thyself; for how art thou a king But by fair sequence and succession? Now, afore God--God forbid I say true!--[1062] 200 If you do wrongfully seize Hereford's rights,[1063] Call in the letters patents that he hath[1064] By his attorneys-general to sue His livery and deny his offer'd homage, You pluck a thousand dangers on your head, 205 You lose a thousand well-disposed hearts[1065] And prick my tender patience to those thoughts Which honour and allegiance cannot think.
K. Rich. Think what you will, we seize into our hands[1066] His plate, his goods, his money and his lands.[1067] 210
York. I'll not be by the while: my liege, farewell: What will ensue hereof, there's none can tell; But by bad courses may be understood That their events can never fall out good. [Exit.
K. Rich. Go, Bushy, to the Earl of Wiltshire straight: 215 Bid him repair to us to Ely House To see this business. To-morrow next[1068] We will for Ireland; and 'tis time, I trow: And we create, in absence of ourself, Our uncle York lord governor of England; 220 For he is just and always loved us well. Come on, our queen: to-morrow must we part; Be merry, for our time of stay is short.
[Flourish. Exeunt King, Queen, Aumerle, Bushy, Green, and Bagot.[1069]
North. Well, lords, the Duke of Lancaster is dead.[1070]
Ross. And living too; for now his son is duke. 225
Willo. Barely in title, not in revenue.[1071]
North. Richly in both, if justice had her right.
Ross. My heart is great; but it must break with silence, Ere't be disburden'd with a liberal tongue.
North. Nay, speak thy mind; and let him ne'er speak more 230 That speaks thy words again to do thee harm!
Willo. Tends that thou wouldst speak to the Duke of Hereford?[1072] If it be so, out with it boldly, man; Quick is mine ear to hear of good towards him.
Ross. No good at all that I can do for him; 235 Unless you call it good to pity him, Bereft and gelded of his patrimony.
North. Now, afore God, 'tis shame such wrongs are borne[1073] In him a royal prince and many moe[1074] Of noble blood in this declining land. 240 The king is not himself, but basely led By flatterers; and what they will inform. Merely in hate, 'gainst any of us all,[1075] That will the king severely prosecute 'Gainst us, our lives, our children, and our heirs.[1075][1076] 245
Ross. The commons hath he pill'd with grievous taxes,[1077] And quite lost their hearts: the nobles hath he fined[1078] For ancient quarrels, and quite lost their hearts.[1079]
Willo. And daily new exactions are devised, As blanks, benevolences, and I wot not what:[1080] 250 But what, o' God's name, doth become of this?[1081]
North. Wars have not wasted it, for warr'd he hath not,[1082][1083] But basely yielded upon compromise[1082] That which his noble ancestors achieved with blows:[1082][1084] More hath he spent in peace than they in wars.[1082] 255
Ross. The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in farm.
Willo. The king's grown bankrupt, like a broken man.[1085]
North. Reproach and dissolution hangeth over him.[1086]
Ross. He hath not money for these Irish wars, His burthenous taxations notwithstanding, 260 But by the robbing of the banish'd duke.
North. His noble kinsman: most degenerate king! But, lords, we hear this fearful tempest sing, Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm; We see the wind sit sore upon our sails,[1087] 265 And yet we strike not, but securely perish.
Ross. We see the very wreck that we must suffer; And unavoided is the danger now,[1088] For suffering so the causes of our wreck.
North. Not so; even through the hollow eyes of death 270 I spy life peering; but I dare not say[1089] How near the tidings of our comfort is.
Willo. Nay, let us share thy thoughts, as thou dost ours.
Ross. Be confident to speak, Northumberland: We three are but thyself; and, speaking so, 275 Thy words are but as thoughts; therefore, be bold.[1090]
North. Then thus: I have from Port le Blanc, a bay[1091][1092] In Brittany, received intelligence[1092][1093] That Harry Duke of Hereford, Rainold Lord Cobham,[1094] ................................ 280 That late broke from the Duke of Exeter, His brother, Archbishop late of Canterbury,[1095] Sir Thomas Erpingham, Sir John Ramston,[1096] Sir John Norbery, Sir Robert Waterton and Francis Quoint,[1097] All these well furnish'd by the Duke of Bretagne 285 With eight tall ships, three thousand men of war. Are making hither with all due expedience And shortly mean to touch our northern shore: Perhaps they had ere this, but that they stay The first departing of the king for Ireland. 290 If then we shall shake off our slavish yoke,[1098] Imp out our drooping country's broken wing, Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown,[1099] Wipe off the dust that hides our sceptre's gilt[1100] And make high majesty look like itself, 295 Away with me in post to Ravenspurgh;[1101] But if you faint, as fearing to do so, Stay and be secret, and myself will go.
Ross. To horse, to horse! urge doubts to them that fear.
Willo. Hold out my horse, and I will first be there. 300
[Exeunt.
Act II, Scene II — The palace.[1102]
Enter QUEEN, BUSHY, and BAGOT.
Bushy. Madam, your majesty is too much sad.[1103] You promised, when you parted with the king, To lay aside life-harming heaviness,[1104] And entertain a cheerful disposition.
Queen. To please the king I did; to please myself 5 I cannot do it; yet I know no cause Why I should welcome such a guest as grief, Save bidding farewell to so sweet a guest As my sweet Richard: yet again, methinks, Some unborn sorrow, ripe in fortune's womb, 10 Is coming towards me, and my inward soul[1105] With nothing trembles: at some thing it grieves,[1106] More than with parting from my lord the king.
Bushy. Each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows,[1107] Which shows like grief itself, but is not so;[1108] 15 For sorrow's eye, glazed with blinding tears,[1109] Divides one thing entire to many objects; Like perspectives, which, rightly gazed upon,[1110] Show nothing but confusion, eyed awry,[1110] Distinguish form: so your sweet majesty,[1111] 20 Looking awry upon your lord's departure, Find shapes of grief, more than himself, to wail;[1112] Which, look'd on as it is, is nought but shadows[1113] Of what it is not. Then, thrice-gracious queen,[1114][1115] More than your lord's departure weep not: more's not seen;[1115][1116] 25 Or if it be, 'tis with false sorrow's eye,[1117] Which for things true weeps things imaginary.[1118]
Queen. It may be so; but yet my inward soul Persuades me it is otherwise: howe'er it be,[1119] I cannot but be sad; so heavy sad,[1120] 30 As, though on thinking on no thought I think,[1121][1122] Makes me with heavy nothing faint and shrink.[1121][1123]
Bushy. 'Tis nothing but conceit, my gracious lady.
Queen. 'Tis nothing less: conceit is still derived[1124] From some forefather grief; mine is not so, 35 For nothing hath begot my something grief;[1125][1126] Or something hath the nothing that I grieve:[1125][1127] 'Tis in reversion that I do possess;[1125][1128] But what it is, that is not yet known; what[1125][1129] I cannot name; 'tis nameless woe, I wot.[1125][1129] 40
Enter GREEN.[1130]
Green. God save your majesty! and well met, gentlemen:[1131] I hope the king is not yet shipp'd for Ireland.
Queen. Why hopest thou so? 'tis better hope he is; For his designs crave haste, his haste good hope:[1132] Then wherefore dost thou hope he is not shipp'd? 45
Green. That he, our hope, might have retired his power, And driven into despair an enemy's hope,[1133] Who strongly hath set footing in this land: The banish'd Bolingbroke repeals himself, And with uplifted arms is safe arrived[1134] 50 At Ravenspurgh.[1134][1135]
Queen. Now God in heaven forbid!
Green. Ah madam, 'tis too true: and that is worse,[1136] The Lord Northumberland, his son young Henry Percy,[1137] The Lords of Ross, Beaumond, and Willoughby, With all their powerful friends, are fled to him. 55
Bushy. Why have you not proclaim'd Northumberland And all the rest revolted faction traitors?[1138]
Green. We have: whereupon the Earl of Worcester[1139] Hath broke his staff, resign'd his stewardship,[1140] And all the household servants fled with him[1141] 60 To Bolingbroke.[1141][1142]
Queen. So, Green, thou art the midwife to my woe,[1143] And Bolingbroke my sorrow's dismal heir: Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy, And I, a gasping new-deliver'd mother,[1144] 65 Have woe to woe, sorrow to sorrow join'd.
Bushy. Despair not, madam.
Queen. Who shall hinder me? I will despair, and be at enmity With cozening hope: he is a flatterer,[1145] A parasite, a keeper back of death, 70 Who gently would dissolve the bands of life, Which false hope lingers in extremity.
Enter YORK.[1146]
Green. Here comes the Duke of York.[1147]
Queen. With signs of war about his aged neck; O, full of careful business are his looks![1148] 75 Uncle, for God's sake, speak comfortable words.[1149]
York. Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts:[1150] Comfort's in heaven; and we are on the earth, Where nothing lives but crosses, cares and grief.[1151] Your husband, he is gone to save far off, 80 Whilst others come to make him lose at home:[1152] Here am I left to underprop his land, Who, weak with age, cannot support myself: Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made;[1153] Now shall he try his friends that flatter'd him.[1154] 85
Enter a Servant.[1155]
Serv. My lord, your son was gone before I came.[1156]
York. He was? Why, so! go all which way it will! The nobles they are fled, the commons they are cold,[1157] And will, I fear, revolt on Hereford's side. Sirrah, get thee to Plashy, to my sister Gloucester;[1158] 90 Bid her send me presently a thousand pound:[1159] Hold, take my ring.[1160]
Serv. My lord, I had forgot to tell your lordship,[1156][1161] To-day, as I came by, I called there;[1160][1162][1163] But I shall grieve you to report the rest.[1163] 95
York. What is't, knave?[1164]
Serv. An hour before I came, the duchess died.[1156]
York. God for his mercy! what a tide of woes[1165] Comes rushing on this woeful land at once![1166] I know not what to do: I would to God,[1165] 100 So my untruth had not provoked him to it, The king had cut off my head with my brother's. What, are there no posts dispatch'd for Ireland?[1167] How shall we do for money for these wars? Come, sister,--cousin, I would say,--pray, pardon me. 105 Go, fellow, get thee home, provide some carts[1168] And bring away the armour that is there. [Exit Servant.[1169] Gentlemen, will you go muster men?[1170] If I know how or which way to order these affairs[1171] Thus thrust disorderly into my hands,[1172] 110 Never believe me. Both are my kinsmen:[1173] The one is my sovereign, whom both my oath[1174] And duty bids defend; the other again[1175] Is my kinsman, whom the king hath wrong'd,[1176] Whom conscience and my kindred bids to right. 115 Well, somewhat we must do. Come, cousin, I'll[1177] Dispose of you.[1177] Gentlemen, go, muster up your men,[1177][1178] And meet me presently at Berkeley.[1179] I should to Plashy too;[1180] 120 But time will not permit: all is uneven,[1180] And every thing is left at six and seven.[1180]
[Exeunt York and Queen.[1181]
Bushy. The wind sits fair for news to go to Ireland,[1182] But none returns. For us to levy power Proportionable to the enemy[1183] 125 Is all unpossible.[1183][1184]
Green. Besides, our nearness to the king in love Is near the hate of those love not the king.
Bagot. And that's the wavering commons: for their love[1185] Lies in their purses, and whoso empties them[1186] 130 By so much fills their hearts with deadly hate.
Bushy. Wherein the king stands generally condemn'd.[1187]
Bagot. If judgement lie in them, then so do we, Because we ever have been near the king.[1188]
Green. Well, I will for refuge straight to Bristol castle:[1189][1190] 135 The Earl of Wiltshire is already there.
Bushy. Thither will I with you; for little office[1191] The hateful commons will perform for us,[1192] Except like curs to tear us all to pieces.[1193] Will you go along with us?[1194] 140
Bagot. No; I will to Ireland to his majesty.[1189][1195] Farewell: if heart's presages be not vain, We three here part that ne'er shall meet again.[1196]
Bushy. That's as York thrives to beat back Bolingbroke.
Green. Alas, poor duke! the task he undertakes[1197] 145 Is numbering sands and drinking oceans dry: Where one on his side fights, thousands will fly. Farewell at once, for once, for all, and ever.[1198]
Bushy. Well, we may meet again.[1198]
Bagot. I fear me, never.[1198]
[Exeunt.[1199]