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Enter KING Henry, his sons Thomas Duke of CLARENCE and Humphrey Duke of GLOUCESTER , with WARWICK and others
Enter KING Henry, his sons Thomas Duke of CLARENCE and Humphrey Duke of GLOUCESTER , with WARWICK and others

KING

Now, lords, if God doth give successful end
To this debate that bleedeth at our doors,
We will our youth lead on to higher fields
And draw no swords but what are sanctified.
5 Our navy is addressed, our power collected,
Our substitutes in absence well invested,
And everything lies level to our wish.
Only we want a little personal strength;
And pause us till these rebels now afoot
10 Come underneath the yoke of government.

KING

Now, lords, if God doth give successful end
To this debate that bleedeth at our doors,
We will our youth lead on to higher fields
And draw no swords but what are sanctified.
Our navy is addressed, our power collected,
Our substitutes in absence well invested,
And everything lies level to our wish.
Only we want a little personal strength;
And pause us till these rebels now afoot
Come underneath the yoke of government.

WARWICK

Both which we doubt not but your Majesty
Shall soon enjoy.

WARWICK

Both which we doubt not but your Majesty
Shall soon enjoy.

KING

   Humphrey, my son of Gloucester,
Where is the Prince your brother?

KING

   Humphrey, my son of Gloucester,
Where is the Prince your brother?

GLOUCESTER

I think he’s gone to hunt, my lord, at Windsor.

GLOUCESTER

I think he’s gone to hunt, my lord, at Windsor.

KING

15 And how accompanied?

KING

And how accompanied?

GLOUCESTER

   I do not know, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

   I do not know, my lord.

KING

Is not his brother Thomas of Clarence with him?

KING

Is not his brother Thomas of Clarence with him?

GLOUCESTER

No, my good lord, he is in presence here.

GLOUCESTER

No, my good lord, he is in presence here.

CLARENCE

What would my lord and father?

CLARENCE

What would my lord and father?

KING

Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence.
20 How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother?
He loves thee, and thou dost neglect him, Thomas.
Thou hast a better place in his affection
Than all thy brothers. Cherish it, my boy,
And noble offices thou mayst effect
25 Of mediation, after I am dead,
Between his greatness and thy other brethren.
Therefore omit him not; blunt not his love,
Nor lose the good advantage of his grace
By seeming cold or careless of his will.
30 For he is gracious if he be observed;
He hath a tear for pity and a hand
Open as day for melting charity;
Yet notwithstanding, being incensed he is flint,
As humorous as winter, and as sudden
35 As flaws congealed in the spring of day.
His temper therefore must be well observed.
Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,
When thou perceive his blood inclined to mirth;
But, being moody, give him time and scope
40 Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,
Confound themselves with working. Learn this, Thomas,
And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends,
A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in,
That the united vessel of their blood,
45 Mingled with venom of suggestion
(As, force perforce, the age will pour it in),
Shall never leak, though it do work as strong
As aconitum or rash gunpowder.

KING

Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence.
How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother?
He loves thee, and thou dost neglect him, Thomas.
Thou hast a better place in his affection
Than all thy brothers. Cherish it, my boy,
And noble offices thou mayst effect
Of mediation, after I am dead,
Between his greatness and thy other brethren.
Therefore omit him not; blunt not his love,
Nor lose the good advantage of his grace
By seeming cold or careless of his will.
For he is gracious if he be observed;
He hath a tear for pity and a hand
Open as day for melting charity;
Yet notwithstanding, being incensed he is flint,
As humorous as winter, and as sudden
As flaws congealed in the spring of day.
His temper therefore must be well observed.
Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,
When thou perceive his blood inclined to mirth;
But, being moody, give him time and scope
Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,
Confound themselves with working. Learn this, Thomas,
And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends,
A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in,
That the united vessel of their blood,
Mingled with venom of suggestion
(As, force perforce, the age will pour it in),
Shall never leak, though it do work as strong
As aconitum or rash gunpowder.

CLARENCE

I shall observe him with all care and love.

CLARENCE

I shall observe him with all care and love.

KING

50 Why art thou not at Windsor with him, Thomas?

KING

Why art thou not at Windsor with him, Thomas?

CLARENCE

He is not there today; he dines in London.

CLARENCE

He is not there today; he dines in London.

KING

And how accompanied? Canst thou tell that?

KING

And how accompanied? Canst thou tell that?

CLARENCE

With Poins and other his continual followers.

CLARENCE

With Poins and other his continual followers.

KING

Most subject is the fattest soil to weeds,
55 And he, the noble image of my youth,
Is overspread with them; therefore my grief
Stretches itself beyond the hour of death.
The blood weeps from my heart when I do shape,
In forms imaginary, th' unguided days
60 And rotten times that you shall look upon
When I am sleeping with my ancestors.
For when his headstrong riot hath no curb,
When rage and hot blood are his counsellors,
When means and lavish manners meet together,
65 O, with what wings shall his affections fly
Towards fronting peril and opposed decay!

KING

Most subject is the fattest soil to weeds,
And he, the noble image of my youth,
Is overspread with them; therefore my grief
Stretches itself beyond the hour of death.
The blood weeps from my heart when I do shape,
In forms imaginary, th' unguided days
And rotten times that you shall look upon
When I am sleeping with my ancestors.
For when his headstrong riot hath no curb,
When rage and hot blood are his counsellors,
When means and lavish manners meet together,
O, with what wings shall his affections fly
Towards fronting peril and opposed decay!

WARWICK

My gracious lord, you look beyond him quite.
The Prince but studies his companions
Like a strange tongue, wherein, to gain the language,
70 'Tis needful that the most immodest word
Be looked upon and learned; which, once attained,
Your Highness knows, comes to no further use
But to be known and hated. So, like gross terms,
The Prince will, in the perfectness of time,
75 Cast off his followers, and their memory
Shall as a pattern or a measure live,
By which his Grace must mete the lives of others,
Turning past evils to advantages.

WARWICK

My gracious lord, you look beyond him quite.
The Prince but studies his companions
Like a strange tongue, wherein, to gain the language,
'Tis needful that the most immodest word
Be looked upon and learned; which, once attained,
Your Highness knows, comes to no further use
But to be known and hated. So, like gross terms,
The Prince will, in the perfectness of time,
Cast off his followers, and their memory
Shall as a pattern or a measure live,
By which his Grace must mete the lives of others,
Turning past evils to advantages.

KING

'Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb
80 In the dead carrion.

KING

'Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb
In the dead carrion.
Enter WESTMORELAND
Enter WESTMORELAND
   Who’s here? Westmoreland?
   Who’s here? Westmoreland?

WESTMORELAND

Health to my sovereign, and new happiness
Added to that that I am to deliver.
Prince John your son doth kiss your Grace’s hand.
Mowbray, the Bishop Scroop, Hastings, and all
85 Are brought to the correction of your law.
There is not now a rebel’s sword unsheathed
But peace puts forth her olive everywhere.
The manner how this action hath been borne
Here at more leisure may your Highness read
90 With every course in his particular.

WESTMORELAND

Health to my sovereign, and new happiness
Added to that that I am to deliver.
Prince John your son doth kiss your Grace’s hand.
Mowbray, the Bishop Scroop, Hastings, and all
Are brought to the correction of your law.
There is not now a rebel’s sword unsheathed
But peace puts forth her olive everywhere.
The manner how this action hath been borne
Here at more leisure may your Highness read
With every course in his particular.

KING

O Westmoreland, thou art a summer bird,
Which ever in the haunch of winter sings
The lifting up of day.

KING

O Westmoreland, thou art a summer bird,
Which ever in the haunch of winter sings
The lifting up of day.
Enter HARCOURT
Enter HARCOURT
Here comes more news.
Here comes more news.

HARCOURT

95 From enemies heaven keep your Majesty,
And when they stand against you, may they fall
As those that I am come to tell you of.
The Earl Northumberland and the Lord Bardolph,
With a great power of English and of Scots,
100 Are by the shrieve of Yorkshire overthrown.
The manner and true order of the fight
This packet, please it you, contains at large.

HARCOURT

From enemies heaven keep your Majesty,
And when they stand against you, may they fall
As those that I am come to tell you of.
The Earl Northumberland and the Lord Bardolph,
With a great power of English and of Scots,
Are by the shrieve of Yorkshire overthrown.
The manner and true order of the fight
This packet, please it you, contains at large.

KING

And wherefore should these good news make me sick?
Will fortune never come with both hands full,
105 But write her fair words still in foulest letters?
She either gives a stomach and no food—

KING

And wherefore should these good news make me sick?
Will fortune never come with both hands full,
But write her fair words still in foulest letters?
She either gives a stomach and no food—
Such are the poor, in health—or else a feast
And takes away the stomach—such are the rich,
That have abundance and enjoy it not.
110 I should rejoice now at this happy news,
And now my sight fails, and my brain is giddy.
O, me! Come near me, now I am much ill.
Such are the poor, in health—or else a feast
And takes away the stomach—such are the rich,
That have abundance and enjoy it not.
I should rejoice now at this happy news,
And now my sight fails, and my brain is giddy.
O, me! Come near me, now I am much ill.

GLOUCESTER

Comfort, your Majesty.

GLOUCESTER

Comfort, your Majesty.

CLARENCE

   O, my royal father!

CLARENCE

   O, my royal father!

WESTMORELAND

My sovereign lord, cheer up yourself, look up.

WESTMORELAND

My sovereign lord, cheer up yourself, look up.

WARWICK

115 Be patient, princes. You do know these fits
Are with his Highness very ordinary.
Stand from him, give him air. He’ll straight be well.

WARWICK

Be patient, princes. You do know these fits
Are with his Highness very ordinary.
Stand from him, give him air. He’ll straight be well.

CLARENCE

No, no, he cannot long hold out these pangs.
Th' incessant care and labor of his mind
120 Hath wrought the mure that should confine it in
So thin that life looks through and will break out.

CLARENCE

No, no, he cannot long hold out these pangs.
Th' incessant care and labor of his mind
Hath wrought the mure that should confine it in
So thin that life looks through and will break out.

GLOUCESTER

The people fear me, for they do observe
Unfathered heirs and loathly births of nature.
The seasons change their manners, as the year
125 Had found some months asleep and leapt them over.

GLOUCESTER

The people fear me, for they do observe
Unfathered heirs and loathly births of nature.
The seasons change their manners, as the year
Had found some months asleep and leapt them over.

CLARENCE

The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between,
And the old folk, time’s doting chronicles,
Say it did so a little time before
That our great-grandsire, Edward, sicked and died.

CLARENCE

The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between,
And the old folk, time’s doting chronicles,
Say it did so a little time before
That our great-grandsire, Edward, sicked and died.

WARWICK

130 Speak lower, princes, for the King recovers.

WARWICK

Speak lower, princes, for the King recovers.

GLOUCESTER

This apoplexy will certain be his end.

GLOUCESTER

This apoplexy will certain be his end.

KING

I pray you, take me up and bear me hence
Into some other chamber. Softly, pray.

KING

I pray you, take me up and bear me hence
Into some other chamber. Softly, pray.
They carry the KING to a bed.
They carry the KING to a bed.
Let there be no noise made, my gentle friends,
135 Unless some dull and favorable hand
Will whisper music to my weary spirit.
Let there be no noise made, my gentle friends,
Unless some dull and favorable hand
Will whisper music to my weary spirit.

WARWICK

Call for the music in the other room.

WARWICK

Call for the music in the other room.

KING

Set me the crown upon my pillow here.

KING

Set me the crown upon my pillow here.

CLARENCE

His eye is hollow, and he changes much.

CLARENCE

His eye is hollow, and he changes much.

WARWICK

140 Less noise, less noise.

WARWICK

Less noise, less noise.
Enter PRINCE HENRY
Enter PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY

   Who saw the Duke of Clarence?

PRINCE HENRY

   Who saw the Duke of Clarence?

CLARENCE

I am here, brother, full of heaviness.

CLARENCE

I am here, brother, full of heaviness.

PRINCE HENRY

How now! Rain within doors, and none abroad?
How doth the King?

PRINCE HENRY

How now! Rain within doors, and none abroad?
How doth the King?

GLOUCESTER

   Exceeding ill.

GLOUCESTER

   Exceeding ill.

PRINCE HENRY

Heard he the good news yet? Tell it him.

PRINCE HENRY

Heard he the good news yet? Tell it him.

GLOUCESTER

145 He altered much upon the hearing it.

GLOUCESTER

He altered much upon the hearing it.

PRINCE HENRY

If he be sick with joy, he’ll recover without physic.

PRINCE HENRY

If he be sick with joy, he’ll recover without physic.

WARWICK

Not so much noise, my lords.—Sweet Prince, speak low.
The King your father is disposed to sleep.

WARWICK

Not so much noise, my lords.—Sweet Prince, speak low.
The King your father is disposed to sleep.

CLARENCE

Let us withdraw into the other room.

CLARENCE

Let us withdraw into the other room.

WARWICK

150 Will ’t please your Grace to go along with us?

WARWICK

Will ’t please your Grace to go along with us?

PRINCE HENRY

No, I will sit and watch here by the King.

PRINCE HENRY

No, I will sit and watch here by the King.
Exeunt all but PRINCE HENRY
Exeunt all but PRINCE HENRY
Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow,
Being so troublesome a bedfellow?
O polished perturbation, golden care,
155 That keep’st the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night! sleep with it now;
Yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet
As he whose brow with homely biggen bound
Snores out the watch of night. O majesty,
160 When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit
Like a rich armor worn in heat of day,
That scald’st with safety. By his gates of breath
There lies a downy feather which stirs not;
Did he suspire, that light and weightless down
165 Perforce must move. My gracious lord, my father,
This sleep is sound indeed. This is a sleep
That from this golden rigol hath divorced
So many English kings. Thy due from me
Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood,
170 Which nature, love, and filial tenderness
Shall, O dear father, pay thee plenteously.
My due from thee is this imperial crown,
Which, as immediate as thy place and blood,
Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow,
Being so troublesome a bedfellow?
O polished perturbation, golden care,
That keep’st the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night! sleep with it now;
Yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet
As he whose brow with homely biggen bound
Snores out the watch of night. O majesty,
When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit
Like a rich armor worn in heat of day,
That scald’st with safety. By his gates of breath
There lies a downy feather which stirs not;
Did he suspire, that light and weightless down
Perforce must move. My gracious lord, my father,
This sleep is sound indeed. This is a sleep
That from this golden rigol hath divorced
So many English kings. Thy due from me
Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood,
Which nature, love, and filial tenderness
Shall, O dear father, pay thee plenteously.
My due from thee is this imperial crown,
Which, as immediate as thy place and blood,
Derives itself to me. (he puts the crown on his head) Lo,
   where it sits,
175 Which God shall guard. And put the world’s whole strength
Into one giant arm, it shall not force
This lineal honor from me. This from thee
Will I to mine leave, as ’tis left to me.
Derives itself to me. (he puts the crown on his head) Lo,
   where it sits,
Which God shall guard. And put the world’s whole strength
Into one giant arm, it shall not force
This lineal honor from me. This from thee
Will I to mine leave, as ’tis left to me.
Exit PRINCE HENRY
Exit PRINCE HENRY

KING

(waking) Warwick! Gloucester! Clarence!

KING

(waking) Warwick! Gloucester! Clarence!
Enter WARWICK , GLOUCESTER , CLARENCE , and the rest
Enter WARWICK , GLOUCESTER , CLARENCE , and the rest

CLARENCE

   Doth the King call?

CLARENCE

   Doth the King call?

WARWICK

180 What would your Majesty? How fares your Grace?

WARWICK

What would your Majesty? How fares your Grace?

KING

Why did you leave me here alone, my lords?

KING

Why did you leave me here alone, my lords?

CLARENCE

We left the Prince my brother here, my liege,
Who undertook to sit and watch by you.

CLARENCE

We left the Prince my brother here, my liege,
Who undertook to sit and watch by you.

KING

The Prince of Wales? Where is he? Let me see him.
185 He is not here.

KING

The Prince of Wales? Where is he? Let me see him.
He is not here.

WARWICK

This door is open. He is gone this way.

WARWICK

This door is open. He is gone this way.

GLOUCESTER

He came not through the chamber where we stayed.

GLOUCESTER

He came not through the chamber where we stayed.

KING

Where is the crown? Who took it from my pillow?

KING

Where is the crown? Who took it from my pillow?

WARWICK

When we withdrew, my liege, we left it here.

WARWICK

When we withdrew, my liege, we left it here.

KING

190 The Prince hath ta'en it hence. Go seek him out.
Is he so hasty that he doth suppose my sleep my death?
Find him, my Lord of Warwick. Chide him hither.

KING

The Prince hath ta'en it hence. Go seek him out.
Is he so hasty that he doth suppose my sleep my death?
Find him, my Lord of Warwick. Chide him hither.
Exit WARWICK
Exit WARWICK
This part of his conjoins with my disease
And helps to end me. See, sons, what things you are,
195 How quickly nature falls into revolt
When gold becomes her object!
For this the foolish overcareful fathers
Have broke their sleep with thoughts,
Their brains with care, their bones with industry.
200 For this they have engrossèd and piled up
The canker’d heaps of strange-achievèd gold.
For this they have been thoughtful to invest
Their sons with arts and martial exercises—
When, like the bee, tolling from every flower
205 The virtuous sweets,
Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths with honey,
We bring it to the hive and, like the bees,
Are murdered for our pains. This bitter taste
Yield his engrossments to the ending father.
This part of his conjoins with my disease
And helps to end me. See, sons, what things you are,
How quickly nature falls into revolt
When gold becomes her object!
For this the foolish overcareful fathers
Have broke their sleep with thoughts,
Their brains with care, their bones with industry.
For this they have engrossèd and piled up
The canker’d heaps of strange-achievèd gold.
For this they have been thoughtful to invest
Their sons with arts and martial exercises—
When, like the bee, tolling from every flower
The virtuous sweets,
Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths with honey,
We bring it to the hive and, like the bees,
Are murdered for our pains. This bitter taste
Yield his engrossments to the ending father.
Enter WARWICK
Enter WARWICK
210 Now, where is he that will not stay so long
Till his friend sickness hath determined me?
Now, where is he that will not stay so long
Till his friend sickness hath determined me?

WARWICK

My lord, I found the Prince in the next room,
Washing with kindly tears his gentle cheeks,
With such a deep demeanor in great sorrow
215 That tyranny, which never quaffed but blood,
Would, by beholding him, have washed his knife
With gentle eyedrops. He is coming hither.

WARWICK

My lord, I found the Prince in the next room,
Washing with kindly tears his gentle cheeks,
With such a deep demeanor in great sorrow
That tyranny, which never quaffed but blood,
Would, by beholding him, have washed his knife
With gentle eyedrops. He is coming hither.

KING

But wherefore did he take away the crown?

KING

But wherefore did he take away the crown?
Enter PRINCE HENRY
Enter PRINCE HENRY
Lo where he comes.—Come hither to me, Harry.—
220 Depart the chamber. Leave us here alone.
Lo where he comes.—Come hither to me, Harry.—
Depart the chamber. Leave us here alone.
Exeunt all but the KING and PRINCE HENRY
Exeunt all but the KING and PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY

I never thought to hear you speak again.

PRINCE HENRY

I never thought to hear you speak again.

KING

Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought.
I stay too long by thee; I weary thee.
Dost thou so hunger for mine empty chair
225 That thou wilt needs invest thee with my honors
Before thy hour be ripe? O foolish youth,
Thou seek’st the greatness that will overwhelm thee.
Stay but a little, for my cloud of dignity
Is held from falling with so weak a wind
230 That it will quickly drop. My day is dim.
Thou hast stol'n that which after some few hours
Were thine without offense, and at my death
Thou hast sealed up my expectation.
Thy life did manifest thou loved’st me not,
235 And thou wilt have me die assured of it.
Thou hid’st a thousand daggers in thy thoughts,
Which thou hast whetted on thy stony heart
To stab at half an hour of my life.
What, canst thou not forbear me half an hour?
240 Then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself,
And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear
That thou art crownèd, not that I am dead.
Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse
Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head;
245 Only compound me with forgotten dust.
Give that which gave thee life unto the worms.
Pluck down my officers, break my decrees,

KING

Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought.
I stay too long by thee; I weary thee.
Dost thou so hunger for mine empty chair
That thou wilt needs invest thee with my honors
Before thy hour be ripe? O foolish youth,
Thou seek’st the greatness that will overwhelm thee.
Stay but a little, for my cloud of dignity
Is held from falling with so weak a wind
That it will quickly drop. My day is dim.
Thou hast stol'n that which after some few hours
Were thine without offense, and at my death
Thou hast sealed up my expectation.
Thy life did manifest thou loved’st me not,
And thou wilt have me die assured of it.
Thou hid’st a thousand daggers in thy thoughts,
Which thou hast whetted on thy stony heart
To stab at half an hour of my life.
What, canst thou not forbear me half an hour?
Then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself,
And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear
That thou art crownèd, not that I am dead.
Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse
Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head;
Only compound me with forgotten dust.
Give that which gave thee life unto the worms.
Pluck down my officers, break my decrees,
For now a time is come to mock at form.
Harry the Fifth is crowned. Up, vanity,
250 Down, royal state, all you sage counsillors, hence,
And to the English court assemble now,
From every region, apes of idleness.
Now, neighbor confines, purge you of your scum.
Have you a ruffian that will swear, drink, dance,
255 Revel the night, rob, murder, and commit
The oldest sins the newest kind of ways?
Be happy, he will trouble you no more.
England shall double gild his treble guilt.
England shall give him office, honor, might,
260 For the fifth Harry from curbed license plucks
The muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent.
O my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows!
When that my care could not withhold thy riots,
265 What wilt thou do when riot is thy care?
O, thou wilt be a wilderness again,
Peopled with wolves, thy old inhabitants.
For now a time is come to mock at form.
Harry the Fifth is crowned. Up, vanity,
Down, royal state, all you sage counsillors, hence,
And to the English court assemble now,
From every region, apes of idleness.
Now, neighbor confines, purge you of your scum.
Have you a ruffian that will swear, drink, dance,
Revel the night, rob, murder, and commit
The oldest sins the newest kind of ways?
Be happy, he will trouble you no more.
England shall double gild his treble guilt.
England shall give him office, honor, might,
For the fifth Harry from curbed license plucks
The muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent.
O my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows!
When that my care could not withhold thy riots,
What wilt thou do when riot is thy care?
O, thou wilt be a wilderness again,
Peopled with wolves, thy old inhabitants.

PRINCE HENRY

O pardon me, my liege! But for my tears,
The moist impediments unto my speech,
270 I had forestalled this dear and deep rebuke
Ere you with grief had spoke and I had heard
The course of it so far. There is your crown,
And He that wears the crown immortally
Long guard it yours. If I affect it more
275 Than as your honor and as your renown,
Let me no more from this obedience rise,
Which my most inward true and duteous spirit
Teacheth this prostrate and exterior bending.
God witness with me, when I here came in
280 And found no course of breath within your Majesty,
How cold it struck my heart! If I do feign,
O, let me in my present wildness die

PRINCE HENRY

O pardon me, my liege! But for my tears,
The moist impediments unto my speech,
I had forestalled this dear and deep rebuke
Ere you with grief had spoke and I had heard
The course of it so far. There is your crown,
And He that wears the crown immortally
Long guard it yours. If I affect it more
Than as your honor and as your renown,
Let me no more from this obedience rise,
Which my most inward true and duteous spirit
Teacheth this prostrate and exterior bending.
God witness with me, when I here came in
And found no course of breath within your Majesty,
How cold it struck my heart! If I do feign,
O, let me in my present wildness die
And never live to show th' incredulous world
The noble change that I have purposèd.
285 Coming to look on you, thinking you dead,
And dead almost, my liege, to think you were,
I spake unto this crown as having sense,
And thus upbraided it: “The care on thee depending
Hath fed upon the body of my father;
290 Therefore thou best of gold art worst of gold.
Other, less fine in carat, is more precious,
Preserving life in med'cine potable;
But thou, most fine, most honored, most renowned,
Hast eat thy bearer up.” Thus, my most royal liege,
295 Accusing it, I put it on my head
To try with it, as with an enemy
That had before my face murdered my father,
The quarrel of a true inheritor.
But if it did infect my blood with joy
300 Or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride,
If any rebel or vain spirit of mine
Did with the least affection of a welcome
Give entertainment to the might of it,
Let God forever keep it from my head
305 And make me as the poorest vassal is
That doth with awe and terror kneel to it.
And never live to show th' incredulous world
The noble change that I have purposèd.
Coming to look on you, thinking you dead,
And dead almost, my liege, to think you were,
I spake unto this crown as having sense,
And thus upbraided it: “The care on thee depending
Hath fed upon the body of my father;
Therefore thou best of gold art worst of gold.
Other, less fine in carat, is more precious,
Preserving life in med'cine potable;
But thou, most fine, most honored, most renowned,
Hast eat thy bearer up.” Thus, my most royal liege,
Accusing it, I put it on my head
To try with it, as with an enemy
That had before my face murdered my father,
The quarrel of a true inheritor.
But if it did infect my blood with joy
Or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride,
If any rebel or vain spirit of mine
Did with the least affection of a welcome
Give entertainment to the might of it,
Let God forever keep it from my head
And make me as the poorest vassal is
That doth with awe and terror kneel to it.

KING

O my son,
God put it in thy mind to take it hence
That thou mightst win the more thy father’s love,
310 Pleading so wisely in excuse of it.
Come hither, Harry, sit thou by my bed
And hear, I think, the very latest counsel
That ever I shall breathe. God knows, my son,
By what bypaths and indirect crook’d ways
315 I met this crown, and I myself know well
How troublesome it sat upon my head.
To thee it shall descend with better quiet,

KING

O my son,
God put it in thy mind to take it hence
That thou mightst win the more thy father’s love,
Pleading so wisely in excuse of it.
Come hither, Harry, sit thou by my bed
And hear, I think, the very latest counsel
That ever I shall breathe. God knows, my son,
By what bypaths and indirect crook’d ways
I met this crown, and I myself know well
How troublesome it sat upon my head.
To thee it shall descend with better quiet,
Better opinion, better confirmation,
For all the soil of the achievement goes
320 With me into the earth. It seemed in me
But as an honor snatched with boist'rous hand,
And I had many living to upbraid
My gain of it by their assistances,
Which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed,
325 Wounding supposèd peace. All these bold fears
Thou see’st with peril I have answerèd,
For all my reign hath been but as a scene
Acting that argument. And now my death
Changes the mood, for what in me was purchased
330 Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort.
So thou the garland wear’st successively.
Yet though thou stand’st more sure than I could do,
Thou art not firm enough, since griefs are green,
And all my friends, which thou must make thy friends,
335 Have but their stings and teeth newly ta'en out,
By whose fell working I was first advanced
And by whose power I well might lodge a fear
To be again displaced; which to avoid,
I cut them off and had a purpose now
340 To lead out many to the Holy Land,
Lest rest and lying still might make them look
Too near unto my state. Therefore, my Harry,
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
345 May waste the memory of the former days.
More would I, but my lungs are wasted so
That strength of speech is utterly denied me.
How I came by the crown, O God forgive,
And grant it may with thee in true peace live.
Better opinion, better confirmation,
For all the soil of the achievement goes
With me into the earth. It seemed in me
But as an honor snatched with boist'rous hand,
And I had many living to upbraid
My gain of it by their assistances,
Which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed,
Wounding supposèd peace. All these bold fears
Thou see’st with peril I have answerèd,
For all my reign hath been but as a scene
Acting that argument. And now my death
Changes the mood, for what in me was purchased
Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort.
So thou the garland wear’st successively.
Yet though thou stand’st more sure than I could do,
Thou art not firm enough, since griefs are green,
And all my friends, which thou must make thy friends,
Have but their stings and teeth newly ta'en out,
By whose fell working I was first advanced
And by whose power I well might lodge a fear
To be again displaced; which to avoid,
I cut them off and had a purpose now
To lead out many to the Holy Land,
Lest rest and lying still might make them look
Too near unto my state. Therefore, my Harry,
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
May waste the memory of the former days.
More would I, but my lungs are wasted so
That strength of speech is utterly denied me.
How I came by the crown, O God forgive,
And grant it may with thee in true peace live.

PRINCE HENRY

350 My gracious liege,
You won it, wore it, kept it, gave it me.

PRINCE HENRY

My gracious liege,
You won it, wore it, kept it, gave it me.
Then plain and right must my possession be,
Which I with more than with a common pain
'Gainst all the world will rightfully maintain.
Then plain and right must my possession be,
Which I with more than with a common pain
'Gainst all the world will rightfully maintain.
Enter Lord John of LANCASTER
Enter Lord John of LANCASTER

KING

355 Look, look, here comes my John of Lancaster.

KING

Look, look, here comes my John of Lancaster.

LANCASTER

Health, peace, and happiness to my royal father.

LANCASTER

Health, peace, and happiness to my royal father.

KING

Thou bring’st me happiness and peace, son John,
But health, alack, with youthful wings is flown
From this bare withered trunk. Upon thy sight
360 My worldly business makes a period.
Where is my Lord of Warwick?

KING

Thou bring’st me happiness and peace, son John,
But health, alack, with youthful wings is flown
From this bare withered trunk. Upon thy sight
My worldly business makes a period.
Where is my Lord of Warwick?

PRINCE HENRY

My Lord of Warwick.

PRINCE HENRY

My Lord of Warwick.
Enter WARWICK and others
Enter WARWICK and others

KING

Doth any name particular belong
Unto the lodging where I first did swoon?

KING

Doth any name particular belong
Unto the lodging where I first did swoon?

WARWICK

365 'Tis called Jerusalem, my noble lord.

WARWICK

'Tis called Jerusalem, my noble lord.

KING

Laud be to God! Even there my life must end.
It hath been prophesied to me many years,
I should not die but in Jerusalem,
Which vainly I supposed the Holy Land.
370 But bear me to that chamber; there I’ll lie.
In that Jerusalem shall Harry die.

KING

Laud be to God! Even there my life must end.
It hath been prophesied to me many years,
I should not die but in Jerusalem,
Which vainly I supposed the Holy Land.
But bear me to that chamber; there I’ll lie.
In that Jerusalem shall Harry die.
Exeunt
Exeunt

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter KING Henry, his sons Thomas Duke of CLARENCE and Humphrey Duke of GLOUCESTER , with WARWICK and others
Enter KING Henry, his sons Thomas Duke of CLARENCE and Humphrey Duke of GLOUCESTER , with WARWICK and others

KING

Now, lords, if God doth give successful end
To this debate that bleedeth at our doors,
We will our youth lead on to higher fields
And draw no swords but what are sanctified.
5 Our navy is addressed, our power collected,
Our substitutes in absence well invested,
And everything lies level to our wish.
Only we want a little personal strength;
And pause us till these rebels now afoot
10 Come underneath the yoke of government.

KING

Now, lords, if God doth give successful end
To this debate that bleedeth at our doors,
We will our youth lead on to higher fields
And draw no swords but what are sanctified.
Our navy is addressed, our power collected,
Our substitutes in absence well invested,
And everything lies level to our wish.
Only we want a little personal strength;
And pause us till these rebels now afoot
Come underneath the yoke of government.

WARWICK

Both which we doubt not but your Majesty
Shall soon enjoy.

WARWICK

Both which we doubt not but your Majesty
Shall soon enjoy.

KING

   Humphrey, my son of Gloucester,
Where is the Prince your brother?

KING

   Humphrey, my son of Gloucester,
Where is the Prince your brother?

GLOUCESTER

I think he’s gone to hunt, my lord, at Windsor.

GLOUCESTER

I think he’s gone to hunt, my lord, at Windsor.

KING

15 And how accompanied?

KING

And how accompanied?

GLOUCESTER

   I do not know, my lord.

GLOUCESTER

   I do not know, my lord.

KING

Is not his brother Thomas of Clarence with him?

KING

Is not his brother Thomas of Clarence with him?

GLOUCESTER

No, my good lord, he is in presence here.

GLOUCESTER

No, my good lord, he is in presence here.

CLARENCE

What would my lord and father?

CLARENCE

What would my lord and father?

KING

Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence.
20 How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother?
He loves thee, and thou dost neglect him, Thomas.
Thou hast a better place in his affection
Than all thy brothers. Cherish it, my boy,
And noble offices thou mayst effect
25 Of mediation, after I am dead,
Between his greatness and thy other brethren.
Therefore omit him not; blunt not his love,
Nor lose the good advantage of his grace
By seeming cold or careless of his will.
30 For he is gracious if he be observed;
He hath a tear for pity and a hand
Open as day for melting charity;
Yet notwithstanding, being incensed he is flint,
As humorous as winter, and as sudden
35 As flaws congealed in the spring of day.
His temper therefore must be well observed.
Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,
When thou perceive his blood inclined to mirth;
But, being moody, give him time and scope
40 Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,
Confound themselves with working. Learn this, Thomas,
And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends,
A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in,
That the united vessel of their blood,
45 Mingled with venom of suggestion
(As, force perforce, the age will pour it in),
Shall never leak, though it do work as strong
As aconitum or rash gunpowder.

KING

Nothing but well to thee, Thomas of Clarence.
How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother?
He loves thee, and thou dost neglect him, Thomas.
Thou hast a better place in his affection
Than all thy brothers. Cherish it, my boy,
And noble offices thou mayst effect
Of mediation, after I am dead,
Between his greatness and thy other brethren.
Therefore omit him not; blunt not his love,
Nor lose the good advantage of his grace
By seeming cold or careless of his will.
For he is gracious if he be observed;
He hath a tear for pity and a hand
Open as day for melting charity;
Yet notwithstanding, being incensed he is flint,
As humorous as winter, and as sudden
As flaws congealed in the spring of day.
His temper therefore must be well observed.
Chide him for faults, and do it reverently,
When thou perceive his blood inclined to mirth;
But, being moody, give him time and scope
Till that his passions, like a whale on ground,
Confound themselves with working. Learn this, Thomas,
And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends,
A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in,
That the united vessel of their blood,
Mingled with venom of suggestion
(As, force perforce, the age will pour it in),
Shall never leak, though it do work as strong
As aconitum or rash gunpowder.

CLARENCE

I shall observe him with all care and love.

CLARENCE

I shall observe him with all care and love.

KING

50 Why art thou not at Windsor with him, Thomas?

KING

Why art thou not at Windsor with him, Thomas?

CLARENCE

He is not there today; he dines in London.

CLARENCE

He is not there today; he dines in London.

KING

And how accompanied? Canst thou tell that?

KING

And how accompanied? Canst thou tell that?

CLARENCE

With Poins and other his continual followers.

CLARENCE

With Poins and other his continual followers.

KING

Most subject is the fattest soil to weeds,
55 And he, the noble image of my youth,
Is overspread with them; therefore my grief
Stretches itself beyond the hour of death.
The blood weeps from my heart when I do shape,
In forms imaginary, th' unguided days
60 And rotten times that you shall look upon
When I am sleeping with my ancestors.
For when his headstrong riot hath no curb,
When rage and hot blood are his counsellors,
When means and lavish manners meet together,
65 O, with what wings shall his affections fly
Towards fronting peril and opposed decay!

KING

Most subject is the fattest soil to weeds,
And he, the noble image of my youth,
Is overspread with them; therefore my grief
Stretches itself beyond the hour of death.
The blood weeps from my heart when I do shape,
In forms imaginary, th' unguided days
And rotten times that you shall look upon
When I am sleeping with my ancestors.
For when his headstrong riot hath no curb,
When rage and hot blood are his counsellors,
When means and lavish manners meet together,
O, with what wings shall his affections fly
Towards fronting peril and opposed decay!

WARWICK

My gracious lord, you look beyond him quite.
The Prince but studies his companions
Like a strange tongue, wherein, to gain the language,
70 'Tis needful that the most immodest word
Be looked upon and learned; which, once attained,
Your Highness knows, comes to no further use
But to be known and hated. So, like gross terms,
The Prince will, in the perfectness of time,
75 Cast off his followers, and their memory
Shall as a pattern or a measure live,
By which his Grace must mete the lives of others,
Turning past evils to advantages.

WARWICK

My gracious lord, you look beyond him quite.
The Prince but studies his companions
Like a strange tongue, wherein, to gain the language,
'Tis needful that the most immodest word
Be looked upon and learned; which, once attained,
Your Highness knows, comes to no further use
But to be known and hated. So, like gross terms,
The Prince will, in the perfectness of time,
Cast off his followers, and their memory
Shall as a pattern or a measure live,
By which his Grace must mete the lives of others,
Turning past evils to advantages.

KING

'Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb
80 In the dead carrion.

KING

'Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb
In the dead carrion.
Enter WESTMORELAND
Enter WESTMORELAND
   Who’s here? Westmoreland?
   Who’s here? Westmoreland?

WESTMORELAND

Health to my sovereign, and new happiness
Added to that that I am to deliver.
Prince John your son doth kiss your Grace’s hand.
Mowbray, the Bishop Scroop, Hastings, and all
85 Are brought to the correction of your law.
There is not now a rebel’s sword unsheathed
But peace puts forth her olive everywhere.
The manner how this action hath been borne
Here at more leisure may your Highness read
90 With every course in his particular.

WESTMORELAND

Health to my sovereign, and new happiness
Added to that that I am to deliver.
Prince John your son doth kiss your Grace’s hand.
Mowbray, the Bishop Scroop, Hastings, and all
Are brought to the correction of your law.
There is not now a rebel’s sword unsheathed
But peace puts forth her olive everywhere.
The manner how this action hath been borne
Here at more leisure may your Highness read
With every course in his particular.

KING

O Westmoreland, thou art a summer bird,
Which ever in the haunch of winter sings
The lifting up of day.

KING

O Westmoreland, thou art a summer bird,
Which ever in the haunch of winter sings
The lifting up of day.
Enter HARCOURT
Enter HARCOURT
Here comes more news.
Here comes more news.

HARCOURT

95 From enemies heaven keep your Majesty,
And when they stand against you, may they fall
As those that I am come to tell you of.
The Earl Northumberland and the Lord Bardolph,
With a great power of English and of Scots,
100 Are by the shrieve of Yorkshire overthrown.
The manner and true order of the fight
This packet, please it you, contains at large.

HARCOURT

From enemies heaven keep your Majesty,
And when they stand against you, may they fall
As those that I am come to tell you of.
The Earl Northumberland and the Lord Bardolph,
With a great power of English and of Scots,
Are by the shrieve of Yorkshire overthrown.
The manner and true order of the fight
This packet, please it you, contains at large.

KING

And wherefore should these good news make me sick?
Will fortune never come with both hands full,
105 But write her fair words still in foulest letters?
She either gives a stomach and no food—

KING

And wherefore should these good news make me sick?
Will fortune never come with both hands full,
But write her fair words still in foulest letters?
She either gives a stomach and no food—
Such are the poor, in health—or else a feast
And takes away the stomach—such are the rich,
That have abundance and enjoy it not.
110 I should rejoice now at this happy news,
And now my sight fails, and my brain is giddy.
O, me! Come near me, now I am much ill.
Such are the poor, in health—or else a feast
And takes away the stomach—such are the rich,
That have abundance and enjoy it not.
I should rejoice now at this happy news,
And now my sight fails, and my brain is giddy.
O, me! Come near me, now I am much ill.

GLOUCESTER

Comfort, your Majesty.

GLOUCESTER

Comfort, your Majesty.

CLARENCE

   O, my royal father!

CLARENCE

   O, my royal father!

WESTMORELAND

My sovereign lord, cheer up yourself, look up.

WESTMORELAND

My sovereign lord, cheer up yourself, look up.

WARWICK

115 Be patient, princes. You do know these fits
Are with his Highness very ordinary.
Stand from him, give him air. He’ll straight be well.

WARWICK

Be patient, princes. You do know these fits
Are with his Highness very ordinary.
Stand from him, give him air. He’ll straight be well.

CLARENCE

No, no, he cannot long hold out these pangs.
Th' incessant care and labor of his mind
120 Hath wrought the mure that should confine it in
So thin that life looks through and will break out.

CLARENCE

No, no, he cannot long hold out these pangs.
Th' incessant care and labor of his mind
Hath wrought the mure that should confine it in
So thin that life looks through and will break out.

GLOUCESTER

The people fear me, for they do observe
Unfathered heirs and loathly births of nature.
The seasons change their manners, as the year
125 Had found some months asleep and leapt them over.

GLOUCESTER

The people fear me, for they do observe
Unfathered heirs and loathly births of nature.
The seasons change their manners, as the year
Had found some months asleep and leapt them over.

CLARENCE

The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between,
And the old folk, time’s doting chronicles,
Say it did so a little time before
That our great-grandsire, Edward, sicked and died.

CLARENCE

The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between,
And the old folk, time’s doting chronicles,
Say it did so a little time before
That our great-grandsire, Edward, sicked and died.

WARWICK

130 Speak lower, princes, for the King recovers.

WARWICK

Speak lower, princes, for the King recovers.

GLOUCESTER

This apoplexy will certain be his end.

GLOUCESTER

This apoplexy will certain be his end.

KING

I pray you, take me up and bear me hence
Into some other chamber. Softly, pray.

KING

I pray you, take me up and bear me hence
Into some other chamber. Softly, pray.
They carry the KING to a bed.
They carry the KING to a bed.
Let there be no noise made, my gentle friends,
135 Unless some dull and favorable hand
Will whisper music to my weary spirit.
Let there be no noise made, my gentle friends,
Unless some dull and favorable hand
Will whisper music to my weary spirit.

WARWICK

Call for the music in the other room.

WARWICK

Call for the music in the other room.

KING

Set me the crown upon my pillow here.

KING

Set me the crown upon my pillow here.

CLARENCE

His eye is hollow, and he changes much.

CLARENCE

His eye is hollow, and he changes much.

WARWICK

140 Less noise, less noise.

WARWICK

Less noise, less noise.
Enter PRINCE HENRY
Enter PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY

   Who saw the Duke of Clarence?

PRINCE HENRY

   Who saw the Duke of Clarence?

CLARENCE

I am here, brother, full of heaviness.

CLARENCE

I am here, brother, full of heaviness.

PRINCE HENRY

How now! Rain within doors, and none abroad?
How doth the King?

PRINCE HENRY

How now! Rain within doors, and none abroad?
How doth the King?

GLOUCESTER

   Exceeding ill.

GLOUCESTER

   Exceeding ill.

PRINCE HENRY

Heard he the good news yet? Tell it him.

PRINCE HENRY

Heard he the good news yet? Tell it him.

GLOUCESTER

145 He altered much upon the hearing it.

GLOUCESTER

He altered much upon the hearing it.

PRINCE HENRY

If he be sick with joy, he’ll recover without physic.

PRINCE HENRY

If he be sick with joy, he’ll recover without physic.

WARWICK

Not so much noise, my lords.—Sweet Prince, speak low.
The King your father is disposed to sleep.

WARWICK

Not so much noise, my lords.—Sweet Prince, speak low.
The King your father is disposed to sleep.

CLARENCE

Let us withdraw into the other room.

CLARENCE

Let us withdraw into the other room.

WARWICK

150 Will ’t please your Grace to go along with us?

WARWICK

Will ’t please your Grace to go along with us?

PRINCE HENRY

No, I will sit and watch here by the King.

PRINCE HENRY

No, I will sit and watch here by the King.
Exeunt all but PRINCE HENRY
Exeunt all but PRINCE HENRY
Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow,
Being so troublesome a bedfellow?
O polished perturbation, golden care,
155 That keep’st the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night! sleep with it now;
Yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet
As he whose brow with homely biggen bound
Snores out the watch of night. O majesty,
160 When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit
Like a rich armor worn in heat of day,
That scald’st with safety. By his gates of breath
There lies a downy feather which stirs not;
Did he suspire, that light and weightless down
165 Perforce must move. My gracious lord, my father,
This sleep is sound indeed. This is a sleep
That from this golden rigol hath divorced
So many English kings. Thy due from me
Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood,
170 Which nature, love, and filial tenderness
Shall, O dear father, pay thee plenteously.
My due from thee is this imperial crown,
Which, as immediate as thy place and blood,
Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow,
Being so troublesome a bedfellow?
O polished perturbation, golden care,
That keep’st the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night! sleep with it now;
Yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet
As he whose brow with homely biggen bound
Snores out the watch of night. O majesty,
When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit
Like a rich armor worn in heat of day,
That scald’st with safety. By his gates of breath
There lies a downy feather which stirs not;
Did he suspire, that light and weightless down
Perforce must move. My gracious lord, my father,
This sleep is sound indeed. This is a sleep
That from this golden rigol hath divorced
So many English kings. Thy due from me
Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood,
Which nature, love, and filial tenderness
Shall, O dear father, pay thee plenteously.
My due from thee is this imperial crown,
Which, as immediate as thy place and blood,
Derives itself to me. (he puts the crown on his head) Lo,
   where it sits,
175 Which God shall guard. And put the world’s whole strength
Into one giant arm, it shall not force
This lineal honor from me. This from thee
Will I to mine leave, as ’tis left to me.
Derives itself to me. (he puts the crown on his head) Lo,
   where it sits,
Which God shall guard. And put the world’s whole strength
Into one giant arm, it shall not force
This lineal honor from me. This from thee
Will I to mine leave, as ’tis left to me.
Exit PRINCE HENRY
Exit PRINCE HENRY

KING

(waking) Warwick! Gloucester! Clarence!

KING

(waking) Warwick! Gloucester! Clarence!
Enter WARWICK , GLOUCESTER , CLARENCE , and the rest
Enter WARWICK , GLOUCESTER , CLARENCE , and the rest

CLARENCE

   Doth the King call?

CLARENCE

   Doth the King call?

WARWICK

180 What would your Majesty? How fares your Grace?

WARWICK

What would your Majesty? How fares your Grace?

KING

Why did you leave me here alone, my lords?

KING

Why did you leave me here alone, my lords?

CLARENCE

We left the Prince my brother here, my liege,
Who undertook to sit and watch by you.

CLARENCE

We left the Prince my brother here, my liege,
Who undertook to sit and watch by you.

KING

The Prince of Wales? Where is he? Let me see him.
185 He is not here.

KING

The Prince of Wales? Where is he? Let me see him.
He is not here.

WARWICK

This door is open. He is gone this way.

WARWICK

This door is open. He is gone this way.

GLOUCESTER

He came not through the chamber where we stayed.

GLOUCESTER

He came not through the chamber where we stayed.

KING

Where is the crown? Who took it from my pillow?

KING

Where is the crown? Who took it from my pillow?

WARWICK

When we withdrew, my liege, we left it here.

WARWICK

When we withdrew, my liege, we left it here.

KING

190 The Prince hath ta'en it hence. Go seek him out.
Is he so hasty that he doth suppose my sleep my death?
Find him, my Lord of Warwick. Chide him hither.

KING

The Prince hath ta'en it hence. Go seek him out.
Is he so hasty that he doth suppose my sleep my death?
Find him, my Lord of Warwick. Chide him hither.
Exit WARWICK
Exit WARWICK
This part of his conjoins with my disease
And helps to end me. See, sons, what things you are,
195 How quickly nature falls into revolt
When gold becomes her object!
For this the foolish overcareful fathers
Have broke their sleep with thoughts,
Their brains with care, their bones with industry.
200 For this they have engrossèd and piled up
The canker’d heaps of strange-achievèd gold.
For this they have been thoughtful to invest
Their sons with arts and martial exercises—
When, like the bee, tolling from every flower
205 The virtuous sweets,
Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths with honey,
We bring it to the hive and, like the bees,
Are murdered for our pains. This bitter taste
Yield his engrossments to the ending father.
This part of his conjoins with my disease
And helps to end me. See, sons, what things you are,
How quickly nature falls into revolt
When gold becomes her object!
For this the foolish overcareful fathers
Have broke their sleep with thoughts,
Their brains with care, their bones with industry.
For this they have engrossèd and piled up
The canker’d heaps of strange-achievèd gold.
For this they have been thoughtful to invest
Their sons with arts and martial exercises—
When, like the bee, tolling from every flower
The virtuous sweets,
Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths with honey,
We bring it to the hive and, like the bees,
Are murdered for our pains. This bitter taste
Yield his engrossments to the ending father.
Enter WARWICK
Enter WARWICK
210 Now, where is he that will not stay so long
Till his friend sickness hath determined me?
Now, where is he that will not stay so long
Till his friend sickness hath determined me?

WARWICK

My lord, I found the Prince in the next room,
Washing with kindly tears his gentle cheeks,
With such a deep demeanor in great sorrow
215 That tyranny, which never quaffed but blood,
Would, by beholding him, have washed his knife
With gentle eyedrops. He is coming hither.

WARWICK

My lord, I found the Prince in the next room,
Washing with kindly tears his gentle cheeks,
With such a deep demeanor in great sorrow
That tyranny, which never quaffed but blood,
Would, by beholding him, have washed his knife
With gentle eyedrops. He is coming hither.

KING

But wherefore did he take away the crown?

KING

But wherefore did he take away the crown?
Enter PRINCE HENRY
Enter PRINCE HENRY
Lo where he comes.—Come hither to me, Harry.—
220 Depart the chamber. Leave us here alone.
Lo where he comes.—Come hither to me, Harry.—
Depart the chamber. Leave us here alone.
Exeunt all but the KING and PRINCE HENRY
Exeunt all but the KING and PRINCE HENRY

PRINCE HENRY

I never thought to hear you speak again.

PRINCE HENRY

I never thought to hear you speak again.

KING

Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought.
I stay too long by thee; I weary thee.
Dost thou so hunger for mine empty chair
225 That thou wilt needs invest thee with my honors
Before thy hour be ripe? O foolish youth,
Thou seek’st the greatness that will overwhelm thee.
Stay but a little, for my cloud of dignity
Is held from falling with so weak a wind
230 That it will quickly drop. My day is dim.
Thou hast stol'n that which after some few hours
Were thine without offense, and at my death
Thou hast sealed up my expectation.
Thy life did manifest thou loved’st me not,
235 And thou wilt have me die assured of it.
Thou hid’st a thousand daggers in thy thoughts,
Which thou hast whetted on thy stony heart
To stab at half an hour of my life.
What, canst thou not forbear me half an hour?
240 Then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself,
And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear
That thou art crownèd, not that I am dead.
Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse
Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head;
245 Only compound me with forgotten dust.
Give that which gave thee life unto the worms.
Pluck down my officers, break my decrees,

KING

Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought.
I stay too long by thee; I weary thee.
Dost thou so hunger for mine empty chair
That thou wilt needs invest thee with my honors
Before thy hour be ripe? O foolish youth,
Thou seek’st the greatness that will overwhelm thee.
Stay but a little, for my cloud of dignity
Is held from falling with so weak a wind
That it will quickly drop. My day is dim.
Thou hast stol'n that which after some few hours
Were thine without offense, and at my death
Thou hast sealed up my expectation.
Thy life did manifest thou loved’st me not,
And thou wilt have me die assured of it.
Thou hid’st a thousand daggers in thy thoughts,
Which thou hast whetted on thy stony heart
To stab at half an hour of my life.
What, canst thou not forbear me half an hour?
Then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself,
And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear
That thou art crownèd, not that I am dead.
Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse
Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head;
Only compound me with forgotten dust.
Give that which gave thee life unto the worms.
Pluck down my officers, break my decrees,
For now a time is come to mock at form.
Harry the Fifth is crowned. Up, vanity,
250 Down, royal state, all you sage counsillors, hence,
And to the English court assemble now,
From every region, apes of idleness.
Now, neighbor confines, purge you of your scum.
Have you a ruffian that will swear, drink, dance,
255 Revel the night, rob, murder, and commit
The oldest sins the newest kind of ways?
Be happy, he will trouble you no more.
England shall double gild his treble guilt.
England shall give him office, honor, might,
260 For the fifth Harry from curbed license plucks
The muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent.
O my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows!
When that my care could not withhold thy riots,
265 What wilt thou do when riot is thy care?
O, thou wilt be a wilderness again,
Peopled with wolves, thy old inhabitants.
For now a time is come to mock at form.
Harry the Fifth is crowned. Up, vanity,
Down, royal state, all you sage counsillors, hence,
And to the English court assemble now,
From every region, apes of idleness.
Now, neighbor confines, purge you of your scum.
Have you a ruffian that will swear, drink, dance,
Revel the night, rob, murder, and commit
The oldest sins the newest kind of ways?
Be happy, he will trouble you no more.
England shall double gild his treble guilt.
England shall give him office, honor, might,
For the fifth Harry from curbed license plucks
The muzzle of restraint, and the wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent.
O my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows!
When that my care could not withhold thy riots,
What wilt thou do when riot is thy care?
O, thou wilt be a wilderness again,
Peopled with wolves, thy old inhabitants.

PRINCE HENRY

O pardon me, my liege! But for my tears,
The moist impediments unto my speech,
270 I had forestalled this dear and deep rebuke
Ere you with grief had spoke and I had heard
The course of it so far. There is your crown,
And He that wears the crown immortally
Long guard it yours. If I affect it more
275 Than as your honor and as your renown,
Let me no more from this obedience rise,
Which my most inward true and duteous spirit
Teacheth this prostrate and exterior bending.
God witness with me, when I here came in
280 And found no course of breath within your Majesty,
How cold it struck my heart! If I do feign,
O, let me in my present wildness die

PRINCE HENRY

O pardon me, my liege! But for my tears,
The moist impediments unto my speech,
I had forestalled this dear and deep rebuke
Ere you with grief had spoke and I had heard
The course of it so far. There is your crown,
And He that wears the crown immortally
Long guard it yours. If I affect it more
Than as your honor and as your renown,
Let me no more from this obedience rise,
Which my most inward true and duteous spirit
Teacheth this prostrate and exterior bending.
God witness with me, when I here came in
And found no course of breath within your Majesty,
How cold it struck my heart! If I do feign,
O, let me in my present wildness die
And never live to show th' incredulous world
The noble change that I have purposèd.
285 Coming to look on you, thinking you dead,
And dead almost, my liege, to think you were,
I spake unto this crown as having sense,
And thus upbraided it: “The care on thee depending
Hath fed upon the body of my father;
290 Therefore thou best of gold art worst of gold.
Other, less fine in carat, is more precious,
Preserving life in med'cine potable;
But thou, most fine, most honored, most renowned,
Hast eat thy bearer up.” Thus, my most royal liege,
295 Accusing it, I put it on my head
To try with it, as with an enemy
That had before my face murdered my father,
The quarrel of a true inheritor.
But if it did infect my blood with joy
300 Or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride,
If any rebel or vain spirit of mine
Did with the least affection of a welcome
Give entertainment to the might of it,
Let God forever keep it from my head
305 And make me as the poorest vassal is
That doth with awe and terror kneel to it.
And never live to show th' incredulous world
The noble change that I have purposèd.
Coming to look on you, thinking you dead,
And dead almost, my liege, to think you were,
I spake unto this crown as having sense,
And thus upbraided it: “The care on thee depending
Hath fed upon the body of my father;
Therefore thou best of gold art worst of gold.
Other, less fine in carat, is more precious,
Preserving life in med'cine potable;
But thou, most fine, most honored, most renowned,
Hast eat thy bearer up.” Thus, my most royal liege,
Accusing it, I put it on my head
To try with it, as with an enemy
That had before my face murdered my father,
The quarrel of a true inheritor.
But if it did infect my blood with joy
Or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride,
If any rebel or vain spirit of mine
Did with the least affection of a welcome
Give entertainment to the might of it,
Let God forever keep it from my head
And make me as the poorest vassal is
That doth with awe and terror kneel to it.

KING

O my son,
God put it in thy mind to take it hence
That thou mightst win the more thy father’s love,
310 Pleading so wisely in excuse of it.
Come hither, Harry, sit thou by my bed
And hear, I think, the very latest counsel
That ever I shall breathe. God knows, my son,
By what bypaths and indirect crook’d ways
315 I met this crown, and I myself know well
How troublesome it sat upon my head.
To thee it shall descend with better quiet,

KING

O my son,
God put it in thy mind to take it hence
That thou mightst win the more thy father’s love,
Pleading so wisely in excuse of it.
Come hither, Harry, sit thou by my bed
And hear, I think, the very latest counsel
That ever I shall breathe. God knows, my son,
By what bypaths and indirect crook’d ways
I met this crown, and I myself know well
How troublesome it sat upon my head.
To thee it shall descend with better quiet,
Better opinion, better confirmation,
For all the soil of the achievement goes
320 With me into the earth. It seemed in me
But as an honor snatched with boist'rous hand,
And I had many living to upbraid
My gain of it by their assistances,
Which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed,
325 Wounding supposèd peace. All these bold fears
Thou see’st with peril I have answerèd,
For all my reign hath been but as a scene
Acting that argument. And now my death
Changes the mood, for what in me was purchased
330 Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort.
So thou the garland wear’st successively.
Yet though thou stand’st more sure than I could do,
Thou art not firm enough, since griefs are green,
And all my friends, which thou must make thy friends,
335 Have but their stings and teeth newly ta'en out,
By whose fell working I was first advanced
And by whose power I well might lodge a fear
To be again displaced; which to avoid,
I cut them off and had a purpose now
340 To lead out many to the Holy Land,
Lest rest and lying still might make them look
Too near unto my state. Therefore, my Harry,
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
345 May waste the memory of the former days.
More would I, but my lungs are wasted so
That strength of speech is utterly denied me.
How I came by the crown, O God forgive,
And grant it may with thee in true peace live.
Better opinion, better confirmation,
For all the soil of the achievement goes
With me into the earth. It seemed in me
But as an honor snatched with boist'rous hand,
And I had many living to upbraid
My gain of it by their assistances,
Which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed,
Wounding supposèd peace. All these bold fears
Thou see’st with peril I have answerèd,
For all my reign hath been but as a scene
Acting that argument. And now my death
Changes the mood, for what in me was purchased
Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort.
So thou the garland wear’st successively.
Yet though thou stand’st more sure than I could do,
Thou art not firm enough, since griefs are green,
And all my friends, which thou must make thy friends,
Have but their stings and teeth newly ta'en out,
By whose fell working I was first advanced
And by whose power I well might lodge a fear
To be again displaced; which to avoid,
I cut them off and had a purpose now
To lead out many to the Holy Land,
Lest rest and lying still might make them look
Too near unto my state. Therefore, my Harry,
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
May waste the memory of the former days.
More would I, but my lungs are wasted so
That strength of speech is utterly denied me.
How I came by the crown, O God forgive,
And grant it may with thee in true peace live.

PRINCE HENRY

350 My gracious liege,
You won it, wore it, kept it, gave it me.

PRINCE HENRY

My gracious liege,
You won it, wore it, kept it, gave it me.
Then plain and right must my possession be,
Which I with more than with a common pain
'Gainst all the world will rightfully maintain.
Then plain and right must my possession be,
Which I with more than with a common pain
'Gainst all the world will rightfully maintain.
Enter Lord John of LANCASTER
Enter Lord John of LANCASTER

KING

355 Look, look, here comes my John of Lancaster.

KING

Look, look, here comes my John of Lancaster.

LANCASTER

Health, peace, and happiness to my royal father.

LANCASTER

Health, peace, and happiness to my royal father.

KING

Thou bring’st me happiness and peace, son John,
But health, alack, with youthful wings is flown
From this bare withered trunk. Upon thy sight
360 My worldly business makes a period.
Where is my Lord of Warwick?

KING

Thou bring’st me happiness and peace, son John,
But health, alack, with youthful wings is flown
From this bare withered trunk. Upon thy sight
My worldly business makes a period.
Where is my Lord of Warwick?

PRINCE HENRY

My Lord of Warwick.

PRINCE HENRY

My Lord of Warwick.
Enter WARWICK and others
Enter WARWICK and others

KING

Doth any name particular belong
Unto the lodging where I first did swoon?

KING

Doth any name particular belong
Unto the lodging where I first did swoon?

WARWICK

365 'Tis called Jerusalem, my noble lord.

WARWICK

'Tis called Jerusalem, my noble lord.

KING

Laud be to God! Even there my life must end.
It hath been prophesied to me many years,
I should not die but in Jerusalem,
Which vainly I supposed the Holy Land.
370 But bear me to that chamber; there I’ll lie.
In that Jerusalem shall Harry die.

KING

Laud be to God! Even there my life must end.
It hath been prophesied to me many years,
I should not die but in Jerusalem,
Which vainly I supposed the Holy Land.
But bear me to that chamber; there I’ll lie.
In that Jerusalem shall Harry die.
Exeunt
Exeunt
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