Alan. To say the truth, it is your policie,To saue your Subiects from such massacreAnd ruthlesse slaughters as are dayly seeneBy our proceeding in Hostility,And therefore take this compact of a Truce,Although you breake it, when your pleasure serues
War. How sayst thou Charles?Shall our Condition stand?Char. It Shall:Onely reseru'd, you claime no interestIn any of our Townes of Garrison
Yor. Then sweare Allegeance to his Maiesty,As thou art Knight, neuer to disobey,Nor be Rebellious to the Crowne of England,Thou nor thy Nobles, to the Crowne of England.So, now dismisse your Army when ye please:Hang vp your Ensignes, let your Drummes be still,For heere we entertaine a solemne peace.
Exeunt.
Actus Quintus.
Enter Suffolke in conference with the King, Glocester, and Exeter.
King. Your wondrous rare description (noble Earle)Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me:Her vertues graced with externall gifts,Do breed Loues setled passions in my heart,And like as rigour of tempestuous gustesProuokes the mightiest Hulke against the tide,So am I driuen by breath of her Renowne,Either to suffer Shipwracke, or arriueWhere I may haue fruition of her Loue
Suf. Tush my good Lord, this superficiall tale,Is but a preface of her worthy praise:The cheefe perfections of that louely Dame,(Had I sufficient skill to vtter them)Would make a volume of inticing lines,Able to rauish any dull conceit.And which is more, she is not so Diuine,So full repleate with choice of all delights,But with as humble lowlinesse of minde,She is content to be at your command:Command I meane, of Vertuous chaste intents,To Loue, and Honor Henry as her Lord
King. And otherwise, will Henry ne're presume:Therefore my Lord Protector, giue consent,That Marg'ret may be Englands Royall Queene
Glo. So should I giue consent to flatter sinne,You know (my Lord) your Highnesse is betroath'dVnto another Lady of esteeme,How shall we then dispense with that contract,And not deface your Honor with reproach?Suf. As doth a Ruler with vnlawfull Oathes,Or one that at a Triumph, hauing vow'dTo try his strength, forsaketh yet the ListesBy reason of his Aduersaries oddes.A poore Earles daughter is vnequall oddes,And therefore may be broke without offence
Gloucester. Why what (I pray) is Margaret morethen that?Her Father is no better than an Earle,Although in glorious Titles he excell
Suf. Yes my Lord, her Father is a King,The King of Naples, and Ierusalem,And of such great Authoritie in France,As his alliance will confirme our peace,And keepe the Frenchmen in Allegeance
Glo. And so the Earle of Arminacke may doe,Because he is neere Kinsman vnto Charles
Exet. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,Where Reignier sooner will receyue, than giue
Suf. A Dowre my Lords? Disgrace not so your King,That he should be so abiect, base, and poore,To choose for wealth, and not for perfect Loue.Henry is able to enrich his Queene,And not to seeke a Queene to make him rich,So worthlesse Pezants bargaine for their Wiues,As Market men for Oxen, Sheepe, or Horse.Marriage is a matter of more worth,Then to be dealt in by Atturney-ship:Not whom we will, but whom his Grace affects,Must be companion of his Nuptiall bed.And therefore Lords, since he affects her most,Most of all these reasons bindeth vs,In our opinions she should be preferr'd.For what is wedlocke forced? but a Hell,An Age of discord and continuall strife,Whereas the contrarie bringeth blisse,And is a patterne of Celestiall peace.Whom should we match with Henry being a King,But Margaret, that is daughter to a King:Her peerelesse feature, ioyned with her birth,Approues her fit for none, but for a King.Her valiant courage, and vndaunted spirit,(More then in women commonly is seene)Will answer our hope in issue of a King.For Henry, sonne vnto a Conqueror,Is likely to beget more Conquerors,If with a Lady of so high resolue,(As is faire Margaret) he be link'd in loue.Then yeeld my Lords, and heere conclude with mee,That Margaret shall be Queene, and none but shee
King. Whether it be through force of your report,My Noble Lord of Suffolke: Or for thatMy tender youth was neuer yet attaintWith any passion of inflaming Loue,I cannot tell: but this I am assur'd,I feele such sharpe dissention in my breast,Such fierce alarums both of Hope and Feare,As I am sicke with working of my thoughts.Take therefore shipping, poste my Lord to France,Agree to any couenants, and procureThat Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to comeTo crosse the Seas to England, and be crown'dKing Henries faithfull and annointed Queene.For your expences and sufficient charge,Among the people gather vp a tenth.Be gone I say, for till you do returne,I rest perplexed with a thousand Cares.And you (good Vnckle) banish all offence:If you do censure me, by what you were,Not what you are, I know it will excuseThis sodaine execution of my will.And so conduct me, where from company,I may reuolue and ruminate my greefe.Enter.
Glo. I greefe I feare me, both at first and last.
Exit Glocester.
Suf. Thus Suffolke hath preuail'd, and thus he goesAs did the youthfull Paris once to Greece,With hope to finde the like euent in loue,But prosper better than the Troian did:Margaret shall now be Queene, and rule the King:But I will rule both her, the King, and Realme.
Exit
FINIS. The first Part of Henry the Sixt.
The second Part of Henry the Sixt
with the death of the Good Duke Hvmfrey
Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
Flourish of Trumpets: Then Hoboyes.
Enter King, Duke Humfrey, Salisbury, Warwicke, and Beauford on the one side. The Queene, Suffolke, Yorke, Somerset, and Buckingham, on the other.
Suffolke. As by your high Imperiall Maiesty,I had in charge at my depart for France,As Procurator to your Excellence,To marry Princes Margaret for your Grace;So in the Famous Ancient City, Toures,In presence of the Kings of France, and Sicill,The Dukes of Orleance, Calaber, Britaigne, and Alanson,Seuen Earles, twelue Barons, & twenty reuerend BishopsI haue perform'd my Taske, and was espous'd,And humbly now vpon my bended knee,In sight of England, and her Lordly Peeres,Deliuer vp my Title in the QueeneTo your most gracious hands, that are the SubstanceOf that great Shadow I did represent:The happiest Gift, that euer Marquesse gaue,The Fairest Queene, that euer King receiu'd
King. Suffolke arise. Welcome Queene Margaret,I can expresse no kinder signe of LoueThen this kinde kisse: O Lord, that lends me life,Lend me a heart repleate with thankfulnesse:For thou hast giuen me in this beauteous FaceA world of earthly blessings to my soule,If Simpathy of Loue vnite our thoughts
Queen. Great King of England, & my gracious Lord,The mutuall conference that my minde hath had,By day, by night; waking, and in my dreames,In Courtly company, or at my Beades,With you mine Alder liefest Soueraigne,Makes me the bolder to salute my King,With ruder termes, such as my wit affoords,And ouer ioy of heart doth minister
King. Her sight did rauish, but her grace in Speech,Her words yclad with wisedomes Maiesty,Makes me from Wondring, fall to Weeping ioyes,Such is the Fulnesse of my hearts content.Lords, with one cheerefull voice, Welcome my Loue
All kneel. Long liue Qu[eene]. Margaret, Englands happines
Queene. We thanke you all.
Florish
Suf. My Lord Protector, so it please your Grace,Heere are the Articles of contracted peace,Betweene our Soueraigne, and the French King Charles,For eighteene moneths concluded by consent
Glo. Reads. Inprimis, It is agreed betweene the French K[ing]. Charles, and William de la Pole Marquesse of Suffolke, Ambassador for Henry King of England, That the said Henry shal espouse the Lady Margaret, daughter vnto Reignier King of Naples, Sicillia, and Ierusalem, and Crowne her Queene of England, ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing. Item, That the Dutchy of Aniou, and the County of Main, shall be released and deliuered to the King her father
King. Vnkle, how now?Glo. Pardon me gracious Lord,Some sodaine qualme hath strucke me at the heart,And dim'd mine eyes, that I can reade no further
King. Vnckle of Winchester, I pray read on
Win. Item, It is further agreed betweene them, That theDutchesse of Aniou and Maine, shall be released and deliueredouer to the King her Father, and shee sent ouer of the King ofEnglands owne proper Cost and Charges, without hauing anyDowry
King. They please vs well. Lord Marques kneel down,We heere create thee the first Duke of Suffolke,And girt thee with the Sword. Cosin of Yorke,We heere discharge your Grace from being RegentI'th parts of France, till terme of eighteene MonethsBe full expyr'd. Thankes Vncle Winchester,Gloster, Yorke, Buckingham, Somerset,Salisburie, and Warwicke.We thanke you all for this great fauour done,In entertainment to my Princely Queene.Come, let vs in, and with all speede prouideTo see her Coronation be perform'd.
Exit King, Queene, and Suffolke.
Manet the rest.
Glo. Braue Peeres of England, Pillars of the State,To you Duke Humfrey must vnload his greefe:Your greefe, the common greefe of all the Land.What? did my brother Henry spend his youth,His valour, coine, and people in the warres?Did he so often lodge in open field:In Winters cold, and Summers parching heate,To conquer France, his true inheritance?And did my brother Bedford toyle his wits,To keepe by policy what Henrie got:Haue you your selues, Somerset, Buckingham,Braue Yorke, Salisbury, and victorious Warwicke,Receiud deepe scarres in France and Normandie:Or hath mine Vnckle Beauford, and my selfe,With all the Learned Counsell of the Realme,Studied so long, sat in the Councell house,Early and late, debating too and froHow France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe,And hath his Highnesse in his infancie,Crowned in Paris in despight of foes,And shall these Labours, and these Honours dye?Shall Henries Conquest, Bedfords vigilance,Your Deeds of Warre, and all our Counsell dye?O Peeres of England, shamefull is this League,Fatall this Marriage, cancelling your Fame,Blotting your names from Bookes of memory,Racing the Charracters of your Renowne,Defacing Monuments of Conquer'd France,Vndoing all as all had neuer bin
Car. Nephew, what meanes this passionate discourse?This preroration with such circumstance:For France, 'tis ours; and we will keepe it still
Glo. I Vnckle, we will keepe it, if we can:But now it is impossible we should.Suffolke, the new made Duke that rules the rost,Hath giuen the Dutchy of Aniou and Mayne,Vnto the poore King Reignier, whose large styleAgrees not with the leannesse of his purse
Sal. Now by the death of him that dyed for all,These Counties were the Keyes of Normandie:But wherefore weepes Warwicke, my valiant sonne?War. For greefe that they are past recouerie.For were there hope to conquer them againe,My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes no teares.Aniou and Maine? My selfe did win them both:Those Prouinces, these Armes of mine did conquer,And are the Citties that I got with wounds,Deliuer'd vp againe with peacefull words?Mort Dieu
Yorke. For Suffolkes Duke, may he be suffocate,That dims the Honor of this Warlike Isle:France should haue torne and rent my very hart,Before I would haue yeelded to this League.I neuer read but Englands Kings haue hadLarge summes of Gold, and Dowries with their wiues,And our King Henry giues away his owne,To match with her that brings no vantages
Hum. A proper iest, and neuer heard before,That Suffolke should demand a whole Fifteenth,For Costs and Charges in transporting her:She should haue staid in France, and steru'd in FranceBefore -Car. My Lord of Gloster, now ye grow too hot,It was the pleasure of my Lord the King
Hum. My Lord of Winchester I know your minde.'Tis not my speeches that you do mislike:But 'tis my presence that doth trouble ye,Rancour will out, proud Prelate, in thy faceI see thy furie: If I longer stay,We shall begin our ancient bickerings:Lordings farewell, and say when I am gone,I prophesied, France will be lost ere long.
Exit Humfrey.
Car. So, there goes our Protector in a rage:'Tis knowne to you he is mine enemy:Nay more, an enemy vnto you all,And no great friend, I feare me to the King;Consider Lords, he is the next of blood,And heyre apparant to the English Crowne:Had Henrie got an Empire by his marriage,And all the wealthy Kingdomes of the West,There's reason he should be displeas'd at it:Looke to it Lords, let not his smoothing wordsBewitch your hearts, be wise and circumspect.What though the common people fauour him,Calling him, Humfrey the good Duke of Gloster,Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voyce,Iesu maintaine your Royall Excellence,With God preserue the good Duke Humfrey:I feare me Lords, for all this flattering glosse,He will be found a dangerous Protector
Buc. Why should he then protect our Soueraigne?He being of age to gouerne of himselfe.Cosin of Somerset, ioyne you with me,And altogether with the Duke of Suffolke,Wee'l quickly hoyse Duke Humfrey from his seat
Car. This weighty businesse will not brooke delay,Ile to the Duke of Suffolke presently.
Exit Cardinall.
Som. Cosin of Buckingham, though Humfries prideAnd greatnesse of his place be greefe to vs,Yet let vs watch the haughtie Cardinall,His insolence is more intollerableThen all the Princes in the Land beside,If Gloster be displac'd, hee'l be Protector
Buc. Or thou, or I Somerset will be Protectors,Despite Duke Humfrey, or the Cardinall.
Exit Buckingham, and Somerset.
Sal. Pride went before, Ambition followes him.While these do labour for their owne preferment,Behooues it vs to labor for the Realme.I neuer saw but Humfrey Duke of Gloster,Did beare him like a Noble Gentleman:Oft haue I seene the haughty Cardinall,More like a Souldier then a man o'th' Church,As stout and proud as he were Lord of all,Sweare like a Ruffian, and demeane himselfeVnlike the Ruler of a Common-weale.Warwicke my sonne, the comfort of my age,Thy deeds, thy plainnesse, and thy house-keeping,Hath wonne the greatest fauour of the Commons,Excepting none but good Duke Humfrey.And Brother Yorke, thy Acts in Ireland,In bringing them to ciuill Discipline:Thy late exploits done in the heart of France,When thou wert Regent for our Soueraigne,Haue made thee fear'd and honor'd of the people,Ioyne we together for the publike good,In what we can, to bridle and suppresseThe pride of Suffolke, and the Cardinall,With Somersets and Buckinghams Ambition,And as we may, cherish Duke Humfries deeds,While they do tend the profit of the Land
War. So God helpe Warwicke, as he loues the Land,And common profit of his Countrey
Yor. And so sayes Yorke,For he hath greatest cause
Salisbury. Then lets make hast away,And looke vnto the maine
Warwicke. Vnto the maine?Oh Father, Maine is lost,That Maine, which by maine force Warwicke did winne,And would haue kept, so long as breath did last:Main-chance father you meant, but I meant Maine,Which I will win from France, or else be slaine.
Exit Warwicke, and Salisbury. Manet Yorke.
Yorke. Aniou and Maine are giuen to the French,Paris is lost, the state of NormandieStands on a tickle point, now they are gone:Suffolke concluded on the Articles,The Peeres agreed, and Henry was well pleas'd,To change two Dukedomes for a Dukes faire daughter.I cannot blame them all, what is't to them?'Tis thine they giue away, and not their owne.Pirates may make cheape penyworths of their pillage,And purchase Friends, and giue to Curtezans,Still reuelling like Lords till all be gone,While as the silly Owner of the goodsWeepes ouer them, and wrings his haplesse hands,And shakes his head, and trembling stands aloofe,While all is shar'd, and all is borne away,Ready to sterue, and dare not touch his owne.So Yorke must sit, and fret, and bite his tongue,While his owne Lands are bargain'd for, and sold:Me thinkes the Realmes of England, France, & Ireland,Beare that proportion to my flesh and blood,As did the fatall brand Althaea burnt,Vnto the Princes heart of Calidon:Aniou and Maine both giuen vnto the French?Cold newes for me: for I had hope of France,Euen as I haue of fertile Englands soile.A day will come, when Yorke shall claime his owne,And therefore I will take the Neuils parts,And make a shew of loue to proud Duke Humfrey,And when I spy aduantage, claime the Crowne,For that's the Golden marke I seeke to hit:Nor shall proud Lancaster vsurpe my right,Nor hold the Scepter in his childish Fist,Nor weare the Diadem vpon his head,Whose Church-like humors fits not for a Crowne.Then Yorke be still a-while, till time do serue:Watch thou, and wake when others be asleepe,To prie into the secrets of the State,Till Henrie surfetting in ioyes of loue,With his new Bride, & Englands deere bought Queen,And Humfrey with the Peeres be falne at iarres:Then will I raise aloft the Milke-white-Rose,With whose sweet smell the Ayre shall be perfum'd,And in my Standard beare the Armes of Yorke,To grapple with the house of Lancaster,And force perforce Ile make him yeeld the Crowne,Whose bookish Rule, hath pull'd faire England downe.
Exit Yorke.
Enter Duke Humfrey and his wife Elianor.
Elia. Why droopes my Lord like ouer-ripen'd Corn,Hanging the head at Ceres plenteous load?Why doth the Great Duke Humfrey knit his browes,As frowning at the Fauours of the world?Why are thine eyes fixt to the sullen earth,Gazing on that which seemes to dimme thy sight?What seest thou there? King Henries Diadem,Inchac'd with all the Honors of the world?If so, Gaze on, and grouell on thy face,Vntill thy head be circled with the same.Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious Gold.What, is't too short? Ile lengthen it with mine,And hauing both together heau'd it vp,Wee'l both together lift our heads to heauen,And neuer more abase our sight so low,As to vouchsafe one glance vnto the ground
Hum. O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost loue thy Lord,Banish the Canker of ambitious thoughts:And may that thought, when I imagine illAgainst my King and Nephew, vertuous Henry,Be my last breathing in this mortall world.My troublous dreames this night, doth make me sad
Eli. What dream'd my Lord, tell me, and Ile requite itWith sweet rehearsall of my mornings dreame?Hum. Me thought this staffe mine Office-badge inCourtWas broke in twaine: by whom, I haue forgot,But as I thinke, it was by'th Cardinall,And on the peeces of the broken WandWere plac'd the heads of Edmond Duke of Somerset,And William de la Pole first Duke of Suffolke.This was my dreame, what it doth bode God knowes
Eli. Tut, this was nothing but an argument,That he that breakes a sticke of Glosters groue,Shall loose his head for his presumption.But list to me my Humfrey, my sweete Duke:Me thought I sate in Seate of Maiesty,In the Cathedrall Church of Westminster,And in that Chaire where Kings & Queens wer crownd,Where Henrie and Dame Margaret kneel'd to me,And on my head did set the Diadem
Hum. Nay Elinor, then must I chide outright:Presumptuous Dame, ill-nurter'd Elianor,Art thou not second Woman in the Realme?And the Protectors wife belou'd of him?Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command,Aboue the reach or compasse of thy thought?And wilt thou still be hammering Treachery,To tumble downe thy husband, and thy selfe,From top of Honor, to Disgraces feete?Away from me, and let me heare no more
Elia. What, what, my Lord? Are you so chollerickeWith Elianor, for telling but her dreame?Next time Ile keepe my dreames vnto my selfe,And not be check'd
Hum. Nay be not angry, I am pleas'd againe.Enter Messenger.
Mess. My Lord Protector, 'tis his Highnes pleasure,You do prepare to ride vnto S[aint]. Albons,Where as the King and Queene do meane to Hawke
Hu. I go. Come Nel thou wilt ride with vs?
Ex[it]. Hum[frey]
Eli. Yes my good Lord, Ile follow presently.Follow I must, I cannot go before,While Gloster beares this base and humble minde.Were I a Man, a Duke, and next of blood,I would remoue these tedious stumbling blockes,And smooth my way vpon their headlesse neckes.And being a woman, I will not be slackeTo play my part in Fortunes Pageant.Where are you there? Sir Iohn; nay feare not man,We are alone, here's none but thee, & I.Enter Hume.
Hume. Iesus preserue your Royall Maiesty
Elia. What saist thou? Maiesty: I am but Grace
Hume. But by the grace of God, and Humes aduice,Your Graces Title shall be multiplied
Elia. What saist thou man? Hast thou as yet confer'dWith Margerie Iordane the cunning Witch,With Roger Bollingbrooke the Coniurer?And will they vndertake to do me good?Hume. This they haue promised to shew your HighnesA Spirit rais'd from depth of vnder ground,That shall make answere to such Questions,As by your Grace shall be propounded him
Elianor. It is enough, Ile thinke vpon the Questions:When from Saint Albones we doe make returne,Wee'le see these things effected to the full.Here Hume, take this reward, make merry manWith thy Confederates in this weightie cause.
Exit Elianor
Hume. Hume must make merry with the Duchesse Gold:Marry and shall: but how now, Sir Iohn Hume?Seale vp your Lips, and giue no words but Mum,The businesse asketh silent secrecie.Dame Elianor giues Gold, to bring the Witch:Gold cannot come amisse, were she a Deuill.Yet haue I Gold flyes from another Coast:I dare not say, from the rich Cardinall,And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolke;Yet I doe finde it so: for to be plaine,They (knowing Dame Elianors aspiring humor)Haue hyred me to vnder-mine the Duchesse,And buzze these Coniurations in her brayne.They say, A craftie Knaue do's need no Broker,Yet am I Suffolke and the Cardinalls Broker.Hume, if you take not heed, you shall goe neereTo call them both a payre of craftie Knaues.Well, so it stands: and thus I feare at last,Humes Knauerie will be the Duchesse Wracke,And her Attainture, will be Humphreyes fall:Sort how it will, I shall haue Gold for all.Enter.
Enter three or foure Petitioners, the Armorers Man being one.
1.Pet. My Masters, let's stand close, my Lord Protector will come this way by and by, and then wee may deliuer our Supplications in the Quill
2.Pet. Marry the Lord protect him, for hee's a good man, Iesu blesse him. Enter Suffolke, and Queene.
Peter. Here a comes me thinkes, and the Queene withhim: Ile be the first sure
2.Pet. Come backe foole, this is the Duke of Suffolk,and not my Lord Protector
Suff. How now fellow: would'st any thing with me?1.Pet. I pray my Lord pardon me, I tooke ye for myLord Protector
Queene. To my Lord Protector? Are your Supplications to his Lordship? Let me see them: what is thine? 1.Pet. Mine is, and't please your Grace, against Iohn Goodman, my Lord Cardinals Man, for keeping my House, and Lands, and Wife and all, from me
Suff. Thy Wife too? that's some Wrong indeede. What's yours? What's heere? Against the Duke of Suffolke, for enclosing the Commons of Melforde. How now, Sir Knaue? 2.Pet. Alas Sir, I am but a poore Petitioner of our whole Towneship
Peter. Against my Master Thomas Horner, for saying,That the Duke of Yorke was rightfull Heire to theCrowne
Queene. What say'st thou? Did the Duke of Yorkesay, hee was rightfull Heire to the Crowne?Peter. That my Mistresse was? No forsooth: my Mastersaid, That he was, and that the King was an Vsurper
Suff. Who is there?Enter Seruant.
Take this fellow in, and send for his Master with a Purseuant presently: wee'le heare more of your matter before the King.
Enter.
Queene. And as for you that loue to be protectedVnder the Wings of our Protectors Grace,Begin your Suites anew, and sue to him.
Teare the Supplication.
Away, base Cullions: Suffolke let them goe
All. Come, let's be gone.Enter.
Queene. My Lord of Suffolke, say, is this the guise?Is this the Fashions in the Court of England?Is this the Gouernment of Britaines Ile?And this the Royaltie of Albions King?What, shall King Henry be a Pupill still,Vnder the surly Glosters Gouernance?Am I a Queene in Title and in Stile,And must be made a Subiect to a Duke?I tell thee Poole, when in the Citie ToursThou ran'st a-tilt in honor of my Loue,And stol'st away the Ladies hearts of France;I thought King Henry had resembled thee,In Courage, Courtship, and Proportion:But all his minde is bent to Holinesse,To number Aue-Maries on his Beades:His Champions, are the Prophets and Apostles,His Weapons, holy Sawes of sacred Writ,His Studie is his Tilt-yard, and his LouesAre brazen Images of Canonized Saints.I would the Colledge of the CardinallsWould chuse him Pope, and carry him to Rome,And set the Triple Crowne vpon his Head;That were a State fit for his Holinesse
Suff. Madame be patient: as I was causeYour Highnesse came to England, so will IIn England worke your Graces full content
Queene. Beside the haughtie Protector, haue we BeaufordThe imperious Churchman; Somerset, Buckingham,And grumbling Yorke: and not the least of these,But can doe more in England then the King
Suff. And he of these, that can doe most of all,Cannot doe more in England then the Neuils:Salisbury and Warwick are no simple Peeres
Queene. Not all these Lords do vex me halfe so much,As that prowd Dame, the Lord Protectors Wife:She sweepes it through the Court with troups of Ladies,More like an Empresse, then Duke Humphreyes Wife:Strangers in Court, doe take her for the Queene:She beares a Dukes Reuenewes on her backe,And in her heart she scornes our Pouertie:Shall I not liue to be aueng'd on her?Contemptuous base-borne Callot as she is,She vaunted 'mongst her Minions t' other day,The very trayne of her worst wearing Gowne,Was better worth then all my Fathers Lands,Till Suffolke gaue two Dukedomes for his Daughter
Suff. Madame, my selfe haue lym'd a Bush for her,And plac't a Quier of such enticing Birds,That she will light to listen to the Layes,And neuer mount to trouble you againe.So let her rest: and Madame list to me,For I am bold to counsaile you in this;Although we fancie not the Cardinall,Yet must we ioyne with him and with the Lords,Till we haue brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.As for the Duke of Yorke, this late ComplaintWill make but little for his benefit:So one by one wee'le weed them all at last,And you your selfe shall steere the happy Helme.Enter.
Sound a Sennet.
Enter the King, Duke Humfrey, Cardinall, Buckingham, Yorke,Salisbury,Warwicke, and the Duchesse.
King. For my part, Noble Lords, I care not which,Or Somerset, or Yorke, all's one to me
Yorke. If Yorke haue ill demean'd himselfe in France,Then let him be denay'd the Regentship
Som. If Somerset be vnworthy of the Place,Let Yorke be Regent, I will yeeld to him
Warw. Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or no,Dispute not that, Yorke is the worthyer
Card. Ambitious Warwicke, let thy betters speake
Warw. The Cardinall's not my better in the field
Buck. All in this presence are thy betters, Warwicke
Warw. Warwicke may liue to be the best of all
Salisb. Peace Sonne, and shew some reason BuckinghamWhy Somerset should be preferr'd in this?Queene. Because the King forsooth will haue it so
Humf. Madame, the King is old enough himselfeTo giue his Censure: These are no Womens matters
Queene. If he be old enough, what needs your GraceTo be Protector of his Excellence?Humf. Madame, I am Protector of the Realme,And at his pleasure will resigne my Place
Suff. Resigne it then, and leaue thine insolence.Since thou wert King; as who is King, but thou?The Common-wealth hath dayly run to wrack,The Dolphin hath preuayl'd beyond the Seas,And all the Peeres and Nobles of the RealmeHaue beene as Bond-men to thy Soueraigntie
Card. The Commons hast thou rackt, the Clergies BagsAre lanke and leane with thy Extortions
Som. Thy sumptuous Buildings, and thy Wiues AttyreHaue cost a masse of publique Treasurie
Buck. Thy Crueltie in executionVpon Offendors, hath exceeded Law,And left thee to the mercy of the Law
Queene. Thy sale of Offices and Townes in France,If they were knowne, as the suspect is great,Would make thee quickly hop without thy Head.
Exit Humfrey.
Giue me my Fanne: what, Mynion, can ye not?
She giues the Duchesse a box on the eare.
I cry you mercy, Madame: was it you?Duch. Was't I? yea, I it was, prowd French-woman:Could I come neere your Beautie with my Nayles,I could set my ten Commandements in your face
King. Sweet Aunt be quiet, 'twas against her will
Duch. Against her will, good King? looke to't in time,Shee'le hamper thee, and dandle thee like a Baby:Though in this place most Master weare no Breeches,She shall not strike Dame Elianor vnreueng'd.
Exit Elianor.
Buck. Lord Cardinall, I will follow Elianor,And listen after Humfrey, how he proceedes:Shee's tickled now, her Fume needs no spurres,Shee'le gallop farre enough to her destruction.
Exit Buckingham.
Enter Humfrey.
Humf. Now Lords, my Choller being ouer-blowne,With walking once about the Quadrangle,I come to talke of Common-wealth Affayres.As for your spightfull false Obiections,Proue them, and I lye open to the Law:But God in mercie so deale with my Soule,As I in dutie loue my King and Countrey.But to the matter that we haue in hand:I say, my Soueraigne, Yorke is meetest manTo be your Regent in the Realme of France
Suff. Before we make election, giue me leaueTo shew some reason, of no little force,That Yorke is most vnmeet of any man
Yorke. Ile tell thee, Suffolke, why I am vnmeet.First, for I cannot flatter thee in Pride:Next, if I be appointed for the Place,My Lord of Somerset will keepe me here,Without Discharge, Money, or Furniture,Till France be wonne into the Dolphins hands:Last time I danc't attendance on his will,Till Paris was besieg'd, famisht, and lost
Warw. That can I witnesse, and a fouler factDid neuer Traytor in the Land commit
Suff. Peace head-strong Warwicke
Warw. Image of Pride, why should I hold my peace?Enter Armorer and his Man.
Suff. Because here is a man accused of Treason,Pray God the Duke of Yorke excuse himselfe
Yorke. Doth any one accuse Yorke for a Traytor?King. What mean'st thou, Suffolke? tell me, what arethese?Suff. Please it your Maiestie, this is the manThat doth accuse his Master of High Treason;His words were these: That Richard, Duke of Yorke,Was rightfull Heire vnto the English Crowne,And that your Maiestie was an Vsurper
King. Say man, were these thy words?Armorer. And't shall please your Maiestie, I neuer saydnor thought any such matter: God is my witnesse, I amfalsely accus'd by the Villaine
Peter. By these tenne bones, my Lords, hee did speake them to me in the Garret one Night, as wee were scowring my Lord of Yorkes Armor
Yorke. Base Dunghill Villaine, and Mechanicall,Ile haue thy Head for this thy Traytors speech:I doe beseech your Royall Maiestie,Let him haue all the rigor of the Law
Armorer. Alas, my Lord, hang me if euer I spake the words: my accuser is my Prentice, and when I did correct him for his fault the other day, he did vow vpon his knees he would be euen with me: I haue good witnesse of this; therefore I beseech your Maiestie, doe not cast away an honest man for a Villaines accusation
King. Vnckle, what shall we say to this in law?Humf. This doome, my Lord, if I may iudge:Let Somerset be Regent o're the French,Because in Yorke this breedes suspition;And let these haue a day appointed themFor single Combat, in conuenient place,For he hath witnesse of his seruants malice:This is the Law, and this Duke Humfreyes doome
Som. I humbly thanke your Royall Maiestie
Armorer. And I accept the Combat willingly
Peter. Alas, my Lord, I cannot fight; for Gods sake pitty my case: the spight of man preuayleth against me. O Lord haue mercy vpon me, I shall neuer be able to fight a blow: O Lord my heart
Humf. Sirrha, or you must fight, or else be hang'd
King. Away with them to Prison: and the day ofCombat, shall be the last of the next moneth. ComeSomerset, wee'le see thee sent away.
Flourish. Exeunt.
Enter the Witch, the two Priests, and Bullingbrooke.
Hume. Come my Masters, the Duchesse I tell you expectsperformance of your promises
Bulling. Master Hume, we are therefore prouided: willher Ladyship behold and heare our Exorcismes?Hume. I, what else? feare you not her courage
Bulling. I haue heard her reported to be a Woman of an inuincible spirit: but it shall be conuenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while wee be busie below; and so I pray you goe in Gods Name, and leaue vs.
Exit Hume.
Mother Iordan, be you prostrate, and grouell on theEarth; Iohn Southwell reade you, and let vs to our worke.Enter Elianor aloft.
Elianor. Well said my Masters, and welcome all: Tothis geere, the sooner the better
Bullin. Patience, good Lady, Wizards know their times:Deepe Night, darke Night, the silent of the Night,The time of Night when Troy was set on fire,The time when Screech-owles cry, and Bandogs howle,And Spirits walke, and Ghosts breake vp their Graues;That time best fits the worke we haue in hand.Madame, sit you, and feare not: whom wee rayse,Wee will make fast within a hallow'd Verge.
Here doe the Ceremonies belonging, and make the Circle,Bullingbrooke orSouthwell reades, Coniuro te, &c. It Thunders and Lightensterribly: thenthe Spirit riseth.
Spirit. Ad sum
Witch. Asmath, by the eternall God,Whose name and power thou tremblest at,Answere that I shall aske: for till thou speake,Thou shalt not passe from hence
Spirit. Aske what thou wilt; that I had sayd, anddone
Bulling. First of the King: What shall of him become?Spirit. The Duke yet liues, that Henry shall depose:But him out-liue, and dye a violent death
Bulling. What fates await the Duke of Suffolke?Spirit. By Water shall he dye, and take his end
Bulling. What shall befall the Duke of Somerset?Spirit. Let him shun Castles,Safer shall he be vpon the sandie Plaines,Then where Castles mounted stand.Haue done, for more I hardly can endure
Bulling. Discend to Darknesse, and the burning Lake:False Fiend auoide.
Thunder and Lightning. Exit Spirit.
Enter the Duke of Yorke and the Duke of Buckingham with their Guard, and breake in.
Yorke. Lay hands vpon these Traytors, and their trash:Beldam I thinke we watcht you at an ynch.What Madame, are you there? the King & CommonwealeAre deepely indebted for this peece of paines;My Lord Protector will, I doubt it not,See you well guerdon'd for these good deserts
Elianor. Not halfe so bad as thine to Englands King,Iniurious Duke, that threatest where's no cause
Buck. True Madame, none at all: what call you this?Away with them, let them be clapt vp close,And kept asunder: you Madame shall with vs.Stafford take her to thee.Wee'le see your Trinkets here all forth-comming.All away.Enter.
Yorke. Lord Buckingham, me thinks you watcht her well:A pretty Plot, well chosen to build vpon.Now pray my Lord, let's see the Deuils Writ.What haue we here?
Reades.
The Duke yet liues, that Henry shall depose:But him out-liue, and dye a violent death.Why this is iust, Aio aeacida Romanos vincere posso.Well, to the rest:Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolke?By Water shall he dye, and take his end.What shall betide the Duke of Somerset?Let him shunne Castles,Safer shall he be vpon the sandie Plaines,Then where Castles mounted stand.Come, come, my Lords,These Oracles are hardly attain'd,And hardly vnderstood.The King is now in progresse towards Saint Albones,With him, the Husband of this louely Lady:Thither goes these Newes,As fast as Horse can carry them:A sorry Breakfast for my Lord Protector
Buck. Your Grace shal giue me leaue, my Lord of York,To be the Poste, in hope of his reward
Yorke. At your pleasure, my good Lord.Who's within there, hoe?Enter a Seruingman.
Inuite my Lords of Salisbury and WarwickTo suppe with me to morrow Night. Away.
Exeunt.
Enter the King, Queene, Protector, Cardinall, and Suffolke, with Faulkners hallowing.
Queene. Beleeue me Lords, for flying at the Brooke,I saw not better sport these seuen yeeres day:Yet by your leaue, the Winde was very high,And ten to one, old Ioane had not gone out
King. But what a point, my Lord, your Faulcon made,And what a pytch she flew aboue the rest:To see how God in all his Creatures workes,Yea Man and Birds are fayne of climbing high
Suff. No maruell, and it like your Maiestie,My Lord Protectors Hawkes doe towre so well,They know their Master loues to be aloft,And beares his thoughts aboue his Faulcons Pitch
Glost. My Lord, 'tis but a base ignoble minde,That mounts no higher then a Bird can sore:Card. I thought as much, hee would be aboue theClouds
Glost. I my Lord Cardinall, how thinke you by that?Were it not good your Grace could flye to Heauen?King. The Treasurie of euerlasting Ioy
Card. Thy Heauen is on Earth, thine Eyes & ThoughtsBeat on a Crowne, the Treasure of thy Heart,Pernitious Protector, dangerous Peere,That smooth'st it so with King and Common-weale
Glost. What, Cardinall?Is your Priest-hood growne peremptorie?Tantęne animis Coelestibus irę, Church-men so hot?Good Vnckle hide such mallice:With such Holynesse can you doe it?Suff. No mallice Sir, no more then well becomesSo good a Quarrell, and so bad a Peere
Glost. As who, my Lord?Suff. Why, as you, my Lord,An't like your Lordly Lords Protectorship
Glost. Why Suffolke, England knowes thine insolence
Queene. And thy Ambition, Gloster
King. I prythee peace, good Queene,And whet not on these furious Peeres,For blessed are the Peace-makers on Earth
Card. Let me be blessed for the Peace I makeAgainst this prowd Protector with my Sword
Glost. Faith holy Vnckle, would't were come to that
Card. Marry, when thou dar'st
Glost. Make vp no factious numbers for the matter,In thine owne person answere thy abuse
Card. I, where thou dar'st not peepe:And if thou dar'st, this Euening,On the East side of the Groue
King. How now, my Lords?Card. Beleeue me, Cousin Gloster,Had not your man put vp the Fowle so suddenly,We had had more sport.Come with thy two-hand Sword
Glost. True Vnckle, are ye aduis'd?The East side of the Groue:Cardinall, I am with you
King. Why how now, Vnckle Gloster?Glost. Talking of Hawking; nothing else, my Lord.Now by Gods Mother, Priest,Ile shaue your Crowne for this,Or all my Fence shall fayle
Card. Medice teipsum, Protector see to't well, protectyour selfe
King. The Windes grow high,So doe your Stomacks, Lords:How irkesome is this Musick to my heart?When such Strings iarre, what hope of Harmony?I pray my Lords let me compound this strife.Enter one crying a Miracle
Glost. What meanes this noyse?Fellow, what Miracle do'st thou proclayme?One. A Miracle, a Miracle
Suffolke. Come to the King, and tell him what Miracle
One. Forsooth, a blinde man at Saint Albones Shrine,Within this halfe houre hath receiu'd his sight,A man that ne're saw in his life before
King. Now God be prays'd, that to beleeuing SoulesGiues Light in Darknesse, Comfort in Despaire.Enter the Maior of Saint Albones, and his Brethren, bearing themanbetweene two in a Chayre.
Card. Here comes the Townes-men, on Procession,To present your Highnesse with the man
King. Great is his comfort in this Earthly Vale,Although by his sight his sinne be multiplyed
Glost. Stand by, my Masters, bring him neere the King,His Highnesse pleasure is to talke with him
King. Good-fellow, tell vs here the circumstance,That we for thee may glorifie the Lord.What, hast thou beene long blinde, and now restor'd?Simpc. Borne blinde, and't please your Grace
Wife. I indeede was he
Suff. What Woman is this?Wife. His Wife, and't like your Worship
Glost. Hadst thou been his Mother, thou could'st hauebetter told
King. Where wert thou borne?Simpc. At Barwick in the North, and't like yourGrace
King. Poore Soule,Gods goodnesse hath beene great to thee:Let neuer Day nor Night vnhallowed passe,But still remember what the Lord hath done
Queene. Tell me, good-fellow,Cam'st thou here by Chance, or of Deuotion,To this holy Shrine?Simpc. God knowes of pure Deuotion,Being call'd a hundred times, and oftner,In my sleepe, by good Saint Albon:Who said; Symon, come; come offer at my Shrine,And I will helpe thee
Wife. Most true, forsooth:And many time and oft my selfe haue heard a Voyce,To call him so
Card. What, art thou lame?Simpc. I, God Almightie helpe me
Suff. How cam'st thou so?Simpc. A fall off of a Tree
Wife. A Plum-tree, Master
Glost. How long hast thou beene blinde?Simpc. O borne so, Master
Glost. What, and would'st climbe a Tree?Simpc. But that in all my life, when I was a youth
Wife. Too true, and bought his climbing very deare
Glost. 'Masse, thou lou'dst Plummes well, that would'stventure so
Simpc. Alas, good Master, my Wife desired someDamsons, and made me climbe, with danger of myLife
Glost. A subtill Knaue, but yet it shall not serue:Let me see thine Eyes; winck now, now open them,In my opinion, yet thou seest not well
Simpc. Yes Master, cleare as day, I thanke God andSaint Albones
Glost. Say'st thou me so: what Colour is this Cloakeof?Simpc. Red Master, Red as Blood
Glost. Why that's well said: What Colour is myGowne of?Simpc. Black forsooth, Coale-Black, as Iet
King. Why then, thou know'st what Colour Iet isof?Suff. And yet I thinke, Iet did he neuer see
Glost. But Cloakes and Gownes, before this day, amany
Wife. Neuer before this day, in all his life
Glost. Tell me Sirrha, what's my Name?Simpc. Alas Master, I know not
Glost. What's his Name?Simpc. I know not
Glost. Nor his?Simpc. No indeede, Master
Glost. What's thine owne Name?Simpc. Saunder Simpcoxe, and if it please you, Master
Glost. Then Saunder, sit there,The lying'st Knaue in Christendome.If thou hadst beene borne blinde,Thou might'st as well haue knowne all our Names,As thus to name the seuerall Colours we doe weare.Sight may distinguish of Colours:But suddenly to nominate them all,It is impossible.My Lords, Saint Albone here hath done a Miracle:And would ye not thinke it, Cunning to be great,That could restore this Cripple to his Legges againe
Simpc. O Master, that you could?Glost. My Masters of Saint Albones,Haue you not Beadles in your Towne,And Things call'd Whippes?Maior. Yes, my Lord, if it please your Grace
Glost. Then send for one presently
Maior. Sirrha, goe fetch the Beadle hither straight.Enter.
Glost. Now fetch me a Stoole hither by and by. Now Sirrha, if you meane to saue your selfe from Whipping, leape me ouer this Stoole, and runne away
Simpc. Alas Master, I am not able to stand alone:You goe about to torture me in vaine.Enter a Beadle with Whippes.
Glost. Well Sir, we must haue you finde your Legges.Sirrha Beadle, whippe him till he leape ouer that sameStoole
Beadle. I will, my Lord.Come on Sirrha, off with your Doublet, quickly
Simpc. Alas Master, what shall I doe? I am not able tostand.
After the Beadle hath hit him once, he leapes ouer the Stoole, and runnes away: and they follow, and cry, A Miracle.
King. O God, seest thou this, and bearest so long?Queene. It made me laugh, to see the Villaine runne
Glost. Follow the Knaue, and take this Drab away
Wife. Alas Sir, we did it for pure need
Glost. Let the[m] be whipt through euery Market Towne,Till they come to Barwick, from whence they came.Enter.
Card. Duke Humfrey ha's done a Miracle to day
Suff. True: made the Lame to leape and flye away
Glost. But you haue done more Miracles then I:You made in a day, my Lord, whole Townes to flye.Enter Buckingham.
King. What Tidings with our Cousin Buckingham?Buck. Such as my heart doth tremble to vnfold:A sort of naughtie persons, lewdly bent,Vnder the Countenance and ConfederacieOf Lady Elianor, the Protectors Wife,The Ring-leader and Head of all this Rout,Haue practis'd dangerously against your State,Dealing with Witches and with Coniurers,Whom we haue apprehended in the Fact,Raysing vp wicked Spirits from vnder ground,Demanding of King Henries Life and Death,And other of your Highnesse Priuie Councell,As more at large your Grace shall vnderstand
Card. And so my Lord Protector, by this meanesYour Lady is forth-comming, yet at London.This Newes I thinke hath turn'd your Weapons edge;'Tis like, my Lord, you will not keepe your houre
Glost. Ambitious Church-man, leaue to afflict my heart:Sorrow and griefe haue vanquisht all my powers;And vanquisht as I am, I yeeld to thee,Or to the meanest Groome
King. O God, what mischiefes work the wicked ones?Heaping confusion on their owne heads thereby
Queene. Gloster, see here the Taincture of thy Nest,And looke thy selfe be faultlesse, thou wert best
Glost. Madame, for my selfe, to Heauen I doe appeale,How I haue lou'd my King, and Common-weale:And for my Wife, I know not how it stands,Sorry I am to heare what I haue heard,Noble shee is: but if shee haue forgotHonor and Vertue, and conuers't with such,As like to Pytch, defile Nobilitie;I banish her my Bed, and Companie,And giue her as a Prey to Law and Shame,That hath dis-honored Glosters honest Name
King. Well, for this Night we will repose vs here:To morrow toward London, back againe,To looke into this Businesse thorowly,And call these foule Offendors to their Answeres;And poyse the Cause in Iustice equall Scales,Whose Beame stands sure, whose rightful cause preuailes.
Flourish. Exeunt.
Enter Yorke, Salisbury, and Warwick.
Yorke. Now my good Lords of Salisbury & Warwick,Our simple Supper ended, giue me leaue,In this close Walke, to satisfie my selfe,In crauing your opinion of my Title,Which is infallible, to Englands Crowne
Salisb. My Lord, I long to heare it at full
Warw. Sweet Yorke begin: and if thy clayme be good,The Neuills are thy Subiects to command
Yorke. Then thus:Edward the third, my Lords, had seuen Sonnes:The first, Edward the Black-Prince, Prince of Wales;The second, William of Hatfield; and the third,Lionel, Duke of Clarence; next to whom,Was Iohn of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster;The fift, was Edmond Langley, Duke of Yorke;The sixt, was Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloster;William of Windsor was the seuenth, and last.Edward the Black-Prince dyed before his Father,And left behinde him Richard, his onely Sonne,Who after Edward the third's death, raign'd as King,Till Henry Bullingbrooke, Duke of Lancaster,The eldest Sonne and Heire of Iohn of Gaunt,Crown'd by the Name of Henry the fourth,Seiz'd on the Realme, depos'd the rightfull King,Sent his poore Queene to France, from whence she came,And him to Pumfret; where, as all you know,Harmelesse Richard was murthered traiterously
Warw. Father, the Duke hath told the truth;Thus got the House of Lancaster the Crowne
Yorke. Which now they hold by force, and not by right:For Richard, the first Sonnes Heire, being dead,The Issue of the next Sonne should haue reign'd
Salisb. But William of Hatfield dyed without anHeire
Yorke. The third Sonne, Duke of Clarence,From whose Line I clayme the Crowne,Had Issue Phillip, a Daughter,Who marryed Edmond Mortimer, Earle of March:Edmond had Issue, Roger, Earle of March;Roger had Issue, Edmond, Anne, and Elianor
Salisb. This Edmond, in the Reigne of Bullingbrooke,As I haue read, layd clayme vnto the Crowne,And but for Owen Glendour, had beene King;Who kept him in Captiuitie, till he dyed.But, to the rest
Yorke. His eldest Sister, Anne,My Mother, being Heire vnto the Crowne,Marryed Richard, Earle of Cambridge,Who was to Edmond Langley,Edward the thirds fift Sonnes Sonne;By her I clayme the Kingdome:She was Heire to Roger, Earle of March,Who was the Sonne of Edmond Mortimer,Who marryed Phillip, sole DaughterVnto Lionel, Duke of Clarence.So, if the Issue of the elder SonneSucceed before the younger, I am King
Warw. What plaine proceedings is more plain then this?Henry doth clayme the Crowne from Iohn of Gaunt,The fourth Sonne, Yorke claymes it from the third:Till Lionels Issue fayles, his should not reigne.It fayles not yet, but flourishes in thee,And in thy Sonnes, faire slippes of such a Stock.Then Father Salisbury, kneele we together,And in this priuate Plot be we the first,That shall salute our rightfull SoueraigneWith honor of his Birth-right to the Crowne
Both. Long liue our Soueraigne Richard, EnglandsKing
Yorke. We thanke you Lords:But I am not your King, till I be Crown'd,And that my Sword be stayn'dWith heart-blood of the House of Lancaster:And that's not suddenly to be perform'd,But with aduice and silent secrecie.Doe you as I doe in these dangerous dayes,Winke at the Duke of Suffolkes insolence,At Beaufords Pride, at Somersets Ambition,At Buckingham, and all the Crew of them,Till they haue snar'd the Shepheard of the Flock,That vertuous Prince, the good Duke Humfrey:'Tis that they seeke; and they, in seeking that,Shall finde their deaths, if Yorke can prophecie
Salisb. My Lord, breake we off; we know your mindeat full
Warw. My heart assures me, that the Earle of WarwickShall one day make the Duke of Yorke a King
Yorke. And Neuill, this I doe assure my selfe,Richard shall liue to make the Earle of WarwickThe greatest man in England, but the King.
Exeunt.
Sound Trumpets. Enter the King and State, with Guard, to banishtheDuchesse.
King. Stand forth Dame Elianor Cobham,Glosters Wife:In sight of God, and vs, your guilt is great,Receiue the Sentence of the Law for sinne,Such as by Gods Booke are adiudg'd to death.You foure from hence to Prison, back againe;From thence, vnto the place of Execution:The Witch in Smithfield shall be burnt to ashes,And you three shall be strangled on the Gallowes.You Madame, for you are more Nobly borne,Despoyled of your Honor in your Life,Shall, after three dayes open Penance done,Liue in your Countrey here, in Banishment,With Sir Iohn Stanly, in the Ile of Man
Elianor. Welcome is Banishment, welcome were myDeath
Glost. Elianor, the Law thou seest hath iudged thee,I cannot iustifie whom the Law condemnes:Mine eyes are full of teares, my heart of griefe.Ah Humfrey, this dishonor in thine age,Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground.I beseech your Maiestie giue me leaue to goe;Sorrow would sollace, and mine Age would ease
King. Stay Humfrey, Duke of Gloster,Ere thou goe, giue vp thy Staffe,Henry will to himselfe Protector be,And God shall be my hope, my stay, my guide,And Lanthorne to my feete:And goe in peace, Humfrey, no lesse belou'd,Then when thou wert Protector to thy King
Queene. I see no reason, why a King of yeeresShould be to be protected like a Child,God and King Henry gouerne Englands Realme:Giue vp your Staffe, Sir, and the King his Realme
Glost. My Staffe? Here, Noble Henry, is my Staffe:As willingly doe I the same resigne,As ere thy Father Henry made it mine;And euen as willingly at thy feete I leaue it,As others would ambitiously receiue it.Farewell good King: when I am dead, and gone,May honorable Peace attend thy Throne.
Exit Gloster.
Queene. Why now is Henry King, and Margaret Queen,And Humfrey, Duke of Gloster, scarce himselfe,That beares so shrewd a mayme: two Pulls at once;His Lady banisht, and a Limbe lopt off.This Staffe of Honor raught, there let it stand,Where it best fits to be, in Henries hand
Suff. Thus droupes this loftie Pyne, & hangs his sprayes,Thus Elianors Pride dyes in her youngest dayes
Yorke. Lords, let him goe. Please it your Maiestie,This is the day appointed for the Combat,And ready are the Appellant and Defendant,The Armorer and his Man, to enter the Lists,So please your Highnesse to behold the fight
Queene. I, good my Lord: for purposely thereforeLeft I the Court, to see this Quarrell try'de
King. A Gods Name see the Lysts and all things fit,Here let them end it, and God defend the right
Yorke. I neuer saw a fellow worse bestead,Or more afraid to fight, then is the Appellant,The seruant of this Armorer, my Lords.Enter at one Doore the Armorer and his Neighbors, drinking tohim somuch, that hee is drunke; and he enters with a Drumme beforehim, and hisStaffe, with a Sand-bagge fastened to it: and at the other Doore hisMan,with a Drumme and Sand-bagge, and Prentices drinking to him.
1.Neighbor. Here Neighbour Horner, I drinke to you in a Cup of Sack; and feare not Neighbor, you shall doe well enough
2.Neighbor. And here Neighbour, here's a Cuppe ofCharneco
3.Neighbor. And here's a Pot of good Double-BeereNeighbor: drinke, and feare not your Man
Armorer. Let it come yfaith, and Ile pledge you all,and a figge for Peter
1.Prent. Here Peter, I drinke to thee, and be not afraid
2.Prent. Be merry Peter, and feare not thy Master, Fight for credit of the Prentices
Peter. I thanke you all: drinke, and pray for me, I pray you, for I thinke I haue taken my last Draught in this World. Here Robin, and if I dye, I giue thee my Aporne; and Will, thou shalt haue my Hammer: and here Tom, take all the Money that I haue. O Lord blesse me, I pray God, for I am neuer able to deale with my Master, hee hath learnt so much fence already
Salisb. Come, leaue your drinking, and fall to blowes.Sirrha, what's thy Name?Peter. Peter forsooth
Salisb. Peter? what more?Peter. Thumpe
Salisb. Thumpe? Then see thou thumpe thy Masterwell
Armorer. Masters, I am come hither as it were vpon my Mans instigation, to proue him a Knaue, and my selfe an honest man: and touching the Duke of Yorke, I will take my death, I neuer meant him any ill, nor the King, nor the Queene: and therefore Peter haue at thee with a downe-right blow
Yorke. Dispatch, this Knaues tongue begins to double.Sound Trumpets, Alarum to the Combattants.
They fight, and Peter strikes him downe.
Armorer. Hold Peter, hold, I confesse, I confesse Treason
Yorke. Take away his Weapon: Fellow thanke God,and the good Wine in thy Masters way
Peter. O God, haue I ouercome mine Enemies in thispresence? O Peter, thou hast preuayl'd in right
King. Goe, take hence that Traytor from our sight,For by his death we doe perceiue his guilt,And God in Iustice hath reueal'd to vsThe truth and innocence of this poore fellow,Which he had thought to haue murther'd wrongfully.Come fellow, follow vs for thy Reward.
Sound a flourish. Exeunt.
Enter Duke Humfrey and his Men in Mourning Cloakes.
Glost. Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a Cloud:And after Summer, euermore succeedesBarren Winter, with his wrathfull nipping Cold;So Cares and Ioyes abound, as Seasons fleet.Sirs, what's a Clock?Seru. Tenne, my Lord
Glost. Tenne is the houre that was appointed me,To watch the comming of my punisht Duchesse:Vnneath may shee endure the Flintie Streets,To treade them with her tender-feeling feet.Sweet Nell, ill can thy Noble Minde abrookeThe abiect People, gazing on thy face,With enuious Lookes laughing at thy shame,That erst did follow thy prowd Chariot-Wheeles,When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets.But soft, I thinke she comes, and Ile prepareMy teare-stayn'd eyes, to see her Miseries.Enter the Duchesse in a white Sheet, and a Taper burning in herhand, withthe Sherife and Officers.