No Fear Shakespeare: Henry VI, Part 2: Act 3 Scene 1

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Henry VI, Part 2

William Shakespeare

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Sound a sennet. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, CARDINAL, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, SALISBURY, and WARWICK, and OTHERS to the Parliament.	Sound a sennet. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, CARDINAL, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, SALISBURY, and WARWICK, and OTHERS to the Parliament.
KING HENRY I muse my lord of Gloucester is not come. ’Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man, Whate’er occasion keeps him from us now.	KING HENRY I muse my lord of Gloucester is not come. ’Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man, Whate’er occasion keeps him from us now.
QUEEN MARGARET Can you not see, or will you not observe, 5 The strangeness of his altered countenance? With what a majesty he bears himself, How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? We know the time since he was mild and affable; 10 And if we did but glance a far-off look, Immediately he was upon his knee, That all the court admired him for submission. But meet him now, and, be it in the morn When everyone will give the time of day, 15 He knits his brow and shows an angry eye And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee, Disdaining duty that to us belongs. Small curs are not regarded when they grin, But great men tremble when the lion roars— 20 And Humphrey is no little man in England. First, note that he is near you in descent, And, should you fall, he is the next will mount. Meseemeth then it is no policy, Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears 25 And his advantage following your decease, That he should come about your royal person Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council. By flattery hath he won the Commons’ hearts; And when he please to make commotion, 30 ’Tis to be feared they all will follow him. Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; Suffer them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the garden And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care I bear unto my lord 35 Made me collect these dangers in the Duke. If it be fond, call it a woman’s fear, Which fear, if better reasons can supplant, I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke. My lords of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York, 40 Reprove my allegation if you can, Or else conclude my words effectual.	QUEEN MARGARET Can you not see, or will you not observe, 5 The strangeness of his altered countenance? With what a majesty he bears himself, How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? We know the time since he was mild and affable; 10 And if we did but glance a far-off look, Immediately he was upon his knee, That all the court admired him for submission. But meet him now, and, be it in the morn When everyone will give the time of day, 15 He knits his brow and shows an angry eye And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee, Disdaining duty that to us belongs. Small curs are not regarded when they grin, But great men tremble when the lion roars— 20 And Humphrey is no little man in England. First, note that he is near you in descent, And, should you fall, he is the next will mount. Meseemeth then it is no policy, Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears 25 And his advantage following your decease, That he should come about your royal person Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council. By flattery hath he won the Commons’ hearts; And when he please to make commotion, 30 ’Tis to be feared they all will follow him. Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; Suffer them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the garden And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care I bear unto my lord 35 Made me collect these dangers in the Duke. If it be fond, call it a woman’s fear, Which fear, if better reasons can supplant, I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke. My lords of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York, 40 Reprove my allegation if you can, Or else conclude my words effectual.
SUFFOLK Well hath your Highness seen into this duke, And, had I first been put to speak my mind, I think I should have told your Grace’s tale. 45 The Duchess by his subornation, Upon my life, began her devilish practices; Or if he were not privy to those faults, Yet, by reputing of his high descent— As next the King he was successive heir, 50 And such high vaunts of his nobility— Did instigate the bedlam brainsick duchess By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep, And in his simple show he harbors treason. 55 The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb. No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.	SUFFOLK Well hath your Highness seen into this duke, And, had I first been put to speak my mind, I think I should have told your Grace’s tale. 45 The Duchess by his subornation, Upon my life, began her devilish practices; Or if he were not privy to those faults, Yet, by reputing of his high descent— As next the King he was successive heir, 50 And such high vaunts of his nobility— Did instigate the bedlam brainsick duchess By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep, And in his simple show he harbors treason. 55 The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb. No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.
CARDINAL Did he not, contrary to form of law, Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?	CARDINAL Did he not, contrary to form of law, Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?
YORK 60 And did he not, in his protectorship, Levy great sums of money through the realm For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it, By means whereof the towns each day revolted?	YORK 60 And did he not, in his protectorship, Levy great sums of money through the realm For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it, By means whereof the towns each day revolted?
BUCKINGHAM Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown, 65 Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.	BUCKINGHAM Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown, 65 Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.
KING HENRY My lords, at once: the care you have of us To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot Is worthy praise; but, shall I speak my conscience, 70 Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent From meaning treason to our royal person As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove. The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given To dream on evil or to work my downfall.	KING HENRY My lords, at once: the care you have of us To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot Is worthy praise; but, shall I speak my conscience, 70 Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent From meaning treason to our royal person As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove. The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given To dream on evil or to work my downfall.
QUEEN MARGARET 75 Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance? Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrowed, For he’s disposèd as the hateful raven. Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him, For he’s inclined as is the ravenous wolves. 80 Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit? Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.	QUEEN MARGARET 75 Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance? Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrowed, For he’s disposèd as the hateful raven. Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him, For he’s inclined as is the ravenous wolves. 80 Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit? Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.
Enter SOMERSET.	Enter SOMERSET.
SOMERSET All health unto my gracious sovereign!	SOMERSET All health unto my gracious sovereign!
KING HENRY Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?	KING HENRY Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?
SOMERSET 85 That all your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you. All is lost.	SOMERSET 85 That all your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you. All is lost.
KING HENRY Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God’s will be done.	KING HENRY Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God’s will be done.
YORK , aside Cold news for me, for I had hope of France As firmly as I hope for fertile England. 90 Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud, And caterpillars eat my leaves away. But I will remedy this gear ere long, Or sell my title for a glorious grave.	YORK , aside Cold news for me, for I had hope of France As firmly as I hope for fertile England. 90 Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud, And caterpillars eat my leaves away. But I will remedy this gear ere long, Or sell my title for a glorious grave.
Enter GLOUCESTER.	Enter GLOUCESTER.
GLOUCESTER All happiness unto my lord the King! 95 Pardon, my liege, that I have stayed so long.	GLOUCESTER All happiness unto my lord the King! 95 Pardon, my liege, that I have stayed so long.
SUFFOLK Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon, Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art. I do arrest thee of high treason here.	SUFFOLK Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon, Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art. I do arrest thee of high treason here.
GLOUCESTER Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush 100 Nor change my countenance for this arrest. A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. The purest spring is not so free from mud As I am clear from treason to my sovereign. Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?	GLOUCESTER Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush 100 Nor change my countenance for this arrest. A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. The purest spring is not so free from mud As I am clear from treason to my sovereign. Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?
YORK 105 ’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of France And, being Protector, stayed the soldiers’ pay, By means whereof his Highness hath lost France.	YORK 105 ’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of France And, being Protector, stayed the soldiers’ pay, By means whereof his Highness hath lost France.
GLOUCESTER Is it but thought so? What are they that think it? I never robbed the soldiers of their pay 110 Nor ever had one penny bribe from France. So help me God as I have watched the night— Ay, night by night—in studying good for England! That doit that e’er I wrested from the King, Or any groat I hoarded to my use, 155 Be brought against me at my trial day! No, many a pound of mine own proper store, Because I would not tax the needy Commons, Have I dispursèd to the garrisons And never asked for restitution.	GLOUCESTER Is it but thought so? What are they that think it? I never robbed the soldiers of their pay 110 Nor ever had one penny bribe from France. So help me God as I have watched the night— Ay, night by night—in studying good for England! That doit that e’er I wrested from the King, Or any groat I hoarded to my use, 155 Be brought against me at my trial day! No, many a pound of mine own proper store, Because I would not tax the needy Commons, Have I dispursèd to the garrisons And never asked for restitution.
CARDINAL 120 It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.	CARDINAL 120 It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.
GLOUCESTER I say no more than truth, so help me God.	GLOUCESTER I say no more than truth, so help me God.
YORK In your protectorship, you did devise Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defamed by tyranny.	YORK In your protectorship, you did devise Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defamed by tyranny.
GLOUCESTER 125 Why, ’tis well known that whiles I was Protector, 125 Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender’s tears, And lowly words were ransom for their fault. Unless it were a bloody murderer 130 Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers, I never gave them condign punishment. Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortured Above the felon or what trespass else.	GLOUCESTER 125 Why, ’tis well known that whiles I was Protector, 125 Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender’s tears, And lowly words were ransom for their fault. Unless it were a bloody murderer 130 Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers, I never gave them condign punishment. Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortured Above the felon or what trespass else.
SUFFOLK My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answered; 135 But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his Highness’ name, And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal To keep until your further time of trial.	SUFFOLK My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answered; 135 But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his Highness’ name, And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal To keep until your further time of trial.
KING HENRY 140 My lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope That you will clear yourself from all suspense. My conscience tells me you are innocent.	KING HENRY 140 My lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope That you will clear yourself from all suspense. My conscience tells me you are innocent.
GLOUCESTER Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous. Virtue is choked with foul ambition, 145 And charity chased hence by rancor’s hand; Foul subornation is predominant, And equity exiled your Highness’ land. I know their complot is to have my life; And if my death might make this island happy 150 And prove the period of their tyranny, I would expend it with all willingness. But mine is made the prologue to their play; For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril, Will not conclude their plotted tragedy. 155 Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice, And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate; Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue The envious load that lies upon his heart; And dogged York, that reaches at the moon, 160 Whose overweening arm I have plucked back, By false accuse doth level at my life.— And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, Causeless have laid disgraces on my head And with your best endeavor have stirred up 165 My liefest liege to be mine enemy. Ay, all of you have laid your heads together— Myself had notice of your conventicles— And all to make away my guiltless life. I shall not want false witness to condemn me 170 Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt. The ancient proverb will be well effected: “A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.”	GLOUCESTER Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous. Virtue is choked with foul ambition, 145 And charity chased hence by rancor’s hand; Foul subornation is predominant, And equity exiled your Highness’ land. I know their complot is to have my life; And if my death might make this island happy 150 And prove the period of their tyranny, I would expend it with all willingness. But mine is made the prologue to their play; For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril, Will not conclude their plotted tragedy. 155 Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice, And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate; Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue The envious load that lies upon his heart; And dogged York, that reaches at the moon, 160 Whose overweening arm I have plucked back, By false accuse doth level at my life.— And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, Causeless have laid disgraces on my head And with your best endeavor have stirred up 165 My liefest liege to be mine enemy. Ay, all of you have laid your heads together— Myself had notice of your conventicles— And all to make away my guiltless life. I shall not want false witness to condemn me 170 Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt. The ancient proverb will be well effected: “A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.”
CARDINAL My liege, his railing is intolerable. If those that care to keep your royal person 175 From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rage Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at, And the offender granted scope of speech, ’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.	CARDINAL My liege, his railing is intolerable. If those that care to keep your royal person 175 From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rage Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at, And the offender granted scope of speech, ’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.
SUFFOLK Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here 180 With ignominious words, though clerkly couched, As if she had subornèd some to swear False allegations to o’erthrow his state?	SUFFOLK Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here 180 With ignominious words, though clerkly couched, As if she had subornèd some to swear False allegations to o’erthrow his state?
QUEEN MARGARET But I can give the loser leave to chide.	QUEEN MARGARET But I can give the loser leave to chide.
GLOUCESTER Far truer spoke than meant. I lose, indeed; 185 Beshrew the winners, for they played me false! And well such losers may have leave to speak.	GLOUCESTER Far truer spoke than meant. I lose, indeed; 185 Beshrew the winners, for they played me false! And well such losers may have leave to speak.
BUCKINGHAM He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day. Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.	BUCKINGHAM He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day. Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.
CARDINAL , to his MEN Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.	CARDINAL , to his MEN Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.
GLOUCESTER 190 Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch Before his legs be firm to bear his body.— Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false; ah, that it were! 195 For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.	GLOUCESTER 190 Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch Before his legs be firm to bear his body.— Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false; ah, that it were! 195 For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.
GLOUCESTER exits, guarded by CARDINAL’S MEN.	GLOUCESTER exits, guarded by CARDINAL’S MEN.
KING HENRY My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best Do, or undo, as if ourself were here.	KING HENRY My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best Do, or undo, as if ourself were here.
QUEEN MARGARET What, will your Highness leave the Parliament?	QUEEN MARGARET What, will your Highness leave the Parliament?
KING HENRY Ay, Margaret. My heart is drowned with grief, 200 Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes, My body round engirt with misery; For what’s more miserable than discontent? Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see The map of honor, truth, and loyalty; 205 And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith. What louring star now envies thy estate That these great lords and Margaret our queen Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? 210 Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong. And as the butcher takes away the calf And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains, Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse, Even so remorseless have they borne him hence; 215 And as the dam runs lowing up and down, Looking the way her harmless young one went, And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss, Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyes 220 Look after him and cannot do him good, So mighty are his vowèd enemies. His fortunes I will weep and, ’twixt each groan, Say “Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.”	KING HENRY Ay, Margaret. My heart is drowned with grief, 200 Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes, My body round engirt with misery; For what’s more miserable than discontent? Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see The map of honor, truth, and loyalty; 205 And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith. What louring star now envies thy estate That these great lords and Margaret our queen Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? 210 Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong. And as the butcher takes away the calf And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains, Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse, Even so remorseless have they borne him hence; 215 And as the dam runs lowing up and down, Looking the way her harmless young one went, And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss, Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyes 220 Look after him and cannot do him good, So mighty are his vowèd enemies. His fortunes I will weep and, ’twixt each groan, Say “Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.”

Original Text	Modern Text
Sound a sennet. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, CARDINAL, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, SALISBURY, and WARWICK, and OTHERS to the Parliament.	Sound a sennet. Enter KING HENRY, QUEEN MARGARET, CARDINAL, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, SALISBURY, and WARWICK, and OTHERS to the Parliament.
KING HENRY I muse my lord of Gloucester is not come. ’Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man, Whate’er occasion keeps him from us now.	KING HENRY I muse my lord of Gloucester is not come. ’Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man, Whate’er occasion keeps him from us now.
QUEEN MARGARET Can you not see, or will you not observe, 5 The strangeness of his altered countenance? With what a majesty he bears himself, How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? We know the time since he was mild and affable; 10 And if we did but glance a far-off look, Immediately he was upon his knee, That all the court admired him for submission. But meet him now, and, be it in the morn When everyone will give the time of day, 15 He knits his brow and shows an angry eye And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee, Disdaining duty that to us belongs. Small curs are not regarded when they grin, But great men tremble when the lion roars— 20 And Humphrey is no little man in England. First, note that he is near you in descent, And, should you fall, he is the next will mount. Meseemeth then it is no policy, Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears 25 And his advantage following your decease, That he should come about your royal person Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council. By flattery hath he won the Commons’ hearts; And when he please to make commotion, 30 ’Tis to be feared they all will follow him. Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; Suffer them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the garden And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care I bear unto my lord 35 Made me collect these dangers in the Duke. If it be fond, call it a woman’s fear, Which fear, if better reasons can supplant, I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke. My lords of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York, 40 Reprove my allegation if you can, Or else conclude my words effectual.	QUEEN MARGARET Can you not see, or will you not observe, 5 The strangeness of his altered countenance? With what a majesty he bears himself, How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory, and unlike himself? We know the time since he was mild and affable; 10 And if we did but glance a far-off look, Immediately he was upon his knee, That all the court admired him for submission. But meet him now, and, be it in the morn When everyone will give the time of day, 15 He knits his brow and shows an angry eye And passeth by with stiff unbowèd knee, Disdaining duty that to us belongs. Small curs are not regarded when they grin, But great men tremble when the lion roars— 20 And Humphrey is no little man in England. First, note that he is near you in descent, And, should you fall, he is the next will mount. Meseemeth then it is no policy, Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears 25 And his advantage following your decease, That he should come about your royal person Or be admitted to your Highness’ Council. By flattery hath he won the Commons’ hearts; And when he please to make commotion, 30 ’Tis to be feared they all will follow him. Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; Suffer them now, and they’ll o’ergrow the garden And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care I bear unto my lord 35 Made me collect these dangers in the Duke. If it be fond, call it a woman’s fear, Which fear, if better reasons can supplant, I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke. My lords of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York, 40 Reprove my allegation if you can, Or else conclude my words effectual.
SUFFOLK Well hath your Highness seen into this duke, And, had I first been put to speak my mind, I think I should have told your Grace’s tale. 45 The Duchess by his subornation, Upon my life, began her devilish practices; Or if he were not privy to those faults, Yet, by reputing of his high descent— As next the King he was successive heir, 50 And such high vaunts of his nobility— Did instigate the bedlam brainsick duchess By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep, And in his simple show he harbors treason. 55 The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb. No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.	SUFFOLK Well hath your Highness seen into this duke, And, had I first been put to speak my mind, I think I should have told your Grace’s tale. 45 The Duchess by his subornation, Upon my life, began her devilish practices; Or if he were not privy to those faults, Yet, by reputing of his high descent— As next the King he was successive heir, 50 And such high vaunts of his nobility— Did instigate the bedlam brainsick duchess By wicked means to frame our sovereign’s fall. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep, And in his simple show he harbors treason. 55 The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb. No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit.
CARDINAL Did he not, contrary to form of law, Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?	CARDINAL Did he not, contrary to form of law, Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?
YORK 60 And did he not, in his protectorship, Levy great sums of money through the realm For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it, By means whereof the towns each day revolted?	YORK 60 And did he not, in his protectorship, Levy great sums of money through the realm For soldiers’ pay in France, and never sent it, By means whereof the towns each day revolted?
BUCKINGHAM Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown, 65 Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.	BUCKINGHAM Tut, these are petty faults to faults unknown, 65 Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.
KING HENRY My lords, at once: the care you have of us To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot Is worthy praise; but, shall I speak my conscience, 70 Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent From meaning treason to our royal person As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove. The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given To dream on evil or to work my downfall.	KING HENRY My lords, at once: the care you have of us To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot Is worthy praise; but, shall I speak my conscience, 70 Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent From meaning treason to our royal person As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove. The Duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given To dream on evil or to work my downfall.
QUEEN MARGARET 75 Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance? Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrowed, For he’s disposèd as the hateful raven. Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him, For he’s inclined as is the ravenous wolves. 80 Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit? Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.	QUEEN MARGARET 75 Ah, what’s more dangerous than this fond affiance? Seems he a dove? His feathers are but borrowed, For he’s disposèd as the hateful raven. Is he a lamb? His skin is surely lent him, For he’s inclined as is the ravenous wolves. 80 Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit? Take heed, my lord; the welfare of us all Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man.
Enter SOMERSET.	Enter SOMERSET.
SOMERSET All health unto my gracious sovereign!	SOMERSET All health unto my gracious sovereign!
KING HENRY Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?	KING HENRY Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France?
SOMERSET 85 That all your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you. All is lost.	SOMERSET 85 That all your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you. All is lost.
KING HENRY Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God’s will be done.	KING HENRY Cold news, Lord Somerset; but God’s will be done.
YORK , aside Cold news for me, for I had hope of France As firmly as I hope for fertile England. 90 Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud, And caterpillars eat my leaves away. But I will remedy this gear ere long, Or sell my title for a glorious grave.	YORK , aside Cold news for me, for I had hope of France As firmly as I hope for fertile England. 90 Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud, And caterpillars eat my leaves away. But I will remedy this gear ere long, Or sell my title for a glorious grave.
Enter GLOUCESTER.	Enter GLOUCESTER.
GLOUCESTER All happiness unto my lord the King! 95 Pardon, my liege, that I have stayed so long.	GLOUCESTER All happiness unto my lord the King! 95 Pardon, my liege, that I have stayed so long.
SUFFOLK Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon, Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art. I do arrest thee of high treason here.	SUFFOLK Nay, Gloucester, know that thou art come too soon, Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art. I do arrest thee of high treason here.
GLOUCESTER Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush 100 Nor change my countenance for this arrest. A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. The purest spring is not so free from mud As I am clear from treason to my sovereign. Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?	GLOUCESTER Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me blush 100 Nor change my countenance for this arrest. A heart unspotted is not easily daunted. The purest spring is not so free from mud As I am clear from treason to my sovereign. Who can accuse me? Wherein am I guilty?
YORK 105 ’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of France And, being Protector, stayed the soldiers’ pay, By means whereof his Highness hath lost France.	YORK 105 ’Tis thought, my lord, that you took bribes of France And, being Protector, stayed the soldiers’ pay, By means whereof his Highness hath lost France.
GLOUCESTER Is it but thought so? What are they that think it? I never robbed the soldiers of their pay 110 Nor ever had one penny bribe from France. So help me God as I have watched the night— Ay, night by night—in studying good for England! That doit that e’er I wrested from the King, Or any groat I hoarded to my use, 155 Be brought against me at my trial day! No, many a pound of mine own proper store, Because I would not tax the needy Commons, Have I dispursèd to the garrisons And never asked for restitution.	GLOUCESTER Is it but thought so? What are they that think it? I never robbed the soldiers of their pay 110 Nor ever had one penny bribe from France. So help me God as I have watched the night— Ay, night by night—in studying good for England! That doit that e’er I wrested from the King, Or any groat I hoarded to my use, 155 Be brought against me at my trial day! No, many a pound of mine own proper store, Because I would not tax the needy Commons, Have I dispursèd to the garrisons And never asked for restitution.
CARDINAL 120 It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.	CARDINAL 120 It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.
GLOUCESTER I say no more than truth, so help me God.	GLOUCESTER I say no more than truth, so help me God.
YORK In your protectorship, you did devise Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defamed by tyranny.	YORK In your protectorship, you did devise Strange tortures for offenders, never heard of, That England was defamed by tyranny.
GLOUCESTER 125 Why, ’tis well known that whiles I was Protector, 125 Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender’s tears, And lowly words were ransom for their fault. Unless it were a bloody murderer 130 Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers, I never gave them condign punishment. Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortured Above the felon or what trespass else.	GLOUCESTER 125 Why, ’tis well known that whiles I was Protector, 125 Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender’s tears, And lowly words were ransom for their fault. Unless it were a bloody murderer 130 Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers, I never gave them condign punishment. Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortured Above the felon or what trespass else.
SUFFOLK My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answered; 135 But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his Highness’ name, And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal To keep until your further time of trial.	SUFFOLK My lord, these faults are easy, quickly answered; 135 But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his Highness’ name, And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal To keep until your further time of trial.
KING HENRY 140 My lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope That you will clear yourself from all suspense. My conscience tells me you are innocent.	KING HENRY 140 My lord of Gloucester, ’tis my special hope That you will clear yourself from all suspense. My conscience tells me you are innocent.
GLOUCESTER Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous. Virtue is choked with foul ambition, 145 And charity chased hence by rancor’s hand; Foul subornation is predominant, And equity exiled your Highness’ land. I know their complot is to have my life; And if my death might make this island happy 150 And prove the period of their tyranny, I would expend it with all willingness. But mine is made the prologue to their play; For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril, Will not conclude their plotted tragedy. 155 Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice, And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate; Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue The envious load that lies upon his heart; And dogged York, that reaches at the moon, 160 Whose overweening arm I have plucked back, By false accuse doth level at my life.— And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, Causeless have laid disgraces on my head And with your best endeavor have stirred up 165 My liefest liege to be mine enemy. Ay, all of you have laid your heads together— Myself had notice of your conventicles— And all to make away my guiltless life. I shall not want false witness to condemn me 170 Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt. The ancient proverb will be well effected: “A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.”	GLOUCESTER Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous. Virtue is choked with foul ambition, 145 And charity chased hence by rancor’s hand; Foul subornation is predominant, And equity exiled your Highness’ land. I know their complot is to have my life; And if my death might make this island happy 150 And prove the period of their tyranny, I would expend it with all willingness. But mine is made the prologue to their play; For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril, Will not conclude their plotted tragedy. 155 Beaufort’s red sparkling eyes blab his heart’s malice, And Suffolk’s cloudy brow his stormy hate; Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue The envious load that lies upon his heart; And dogged York, that reaches at the moon, 160 Whose overweening arm I have plucked back, By false accuse doth level at my life.— And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, Causeless have laid disgraces on my head And with your best endeavor have stirred up 165 My liefest liege to be mine enemy. Ay, all of you have laid your heads together— Myself had notice of your conventicles— And all to make away my guiltless life. I shall not want false witness to condemn me 170 Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt. The ancient proverb will be well effected: “A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.”
CARDINAL My liege, his railing is intolerable. If those that care to keep your royal person 175 From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rage Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at, And the offender granted scope of speech, ’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.	CARDINAL My liege, his railing is intolerable. If those that care to keep your royal person 175 From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rage Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at, And the offender granted scope of speech, ’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.
SUFFOLK Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here 180 With ignominious words, though clerkly couched, As if she had subornèd some to swear False allegations to o’erthrow his state?	SUFFOLK Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here 180 With ignominious words, though clerkly couched, As if she had subornèd some to swear False allegations to o’erthrow his state?
QUEEN MARGARET But I can give the loser leave to chide.	QUEEN MARGARET But I can give the loser leave to chide.
GLOUCESTER Far truer spoke than meant. I lose, indeed; 185 Beshrew the winners, for they played me false! And well such losers may have leave to speak.	GLOUCESTER Far truer spoke than meant. I lose, indeed; 185 Beshrew the winners, for they played me false! And well such losers may have leave to speak.
BUCKINGHAM He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day. Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.	BUCKINGHAM He’ll wrest the sense and hold us here all day. Lord Cardinal, he is your prisoner.
CARDINAL , to his MEN Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.	CARDINAL , to his MEN Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.
GLOUCESTER 190 Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch Before his legs be firm to bear his body.— Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false; ah, that it were! 195 For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.	GLOUCESTER 190 Ah, thus King Henry throws away his crutch Before his legs be firm to bear his body.— Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false; ah, that it were! 195 For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.
GLOUCESTER exits, guarded by CARDINAL’S MEN.	GLOUCESTER exits, guarded by CARDINAL’S MEN.
KING HENRY My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best Do, or undo, as if ourself were here.	KING HENRY My lords, what to your wisdoms seemeth best Do, or undo, as if ourself were here.
QUEEN MARGARET What, will your Highness leave the Parliament?	QUEEN MARGARET What, will your Highness leave the Parliament?
KING HENRY Ay, Margaret. My heart is drowned with grief, 200 Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes, My body round engirt with misery; For what’s more miserable than discontent? Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see The map of honor, truth, and loyalty; 205 And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith. What louring star now envies thy estate That these great lords and Margaret our queen Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? 210 Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong. And as the butcher takes away the calf And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains, Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse, Even so remorseless have they borne him hence; 215 And as the dam runs lowing up and down, Looking the way her harmless young one went, And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss, Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyes 220 Look after him and cannot do him good, So mighty are his vowèd enemies. His fortunes I will weep and, ’twixt each groan, Say “Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.”	KING HENRY Ay, Margaret. My heart is drowned with grief, 200 Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes, My body round engirt with misery; For what’s more miserable than discontent? Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see The map of honor, truth, and loyalty; 205 And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come That e’er I proved thee false or feared thy faith. What louring star now envies thy estate That these great lords and Margaret our queen Do seek subversion of thy harmless life? 210 Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong. And as the butcher takes away the calf And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains, Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse, Even so remorseless have they borne him hence; 215 And as the dam runs lowing up and down, Looking the way her harmless young one went, And can do naught but wail her darling’s loss, Even so myself bewails good Gloucester’s case With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimmed eyes 220 Look after him and cannot do him good, So mighty are his vowèd enemies. His fortunes I will weep and, ’twixt each groan, Say “Who’s a traitor, Gloucester he is none.”