The second Part of Henry the Sixt.For what's more miserable then Discontent?Ah Vnckle
Humfrey, in thy face I see
The Map of Honor, Truth, and Loyaltie:
[1405]
And yet, good
Humfrey, is the houre to come,
That ere I prou'd thee false, or fear'd thy faith.What lowring Starre now enuies thy estate?That these great Lords, and
Margaret our Queene,
Doe seeke subuersion of thy harmelesse Life.
[1410]
Thou neuer didst them wrong, nor no man wrong:And as the Butcher takes away the Calfe,And binds the Wretch, and beats it when it strayes,Bearing it to the bloody Slaughter‑house;Euen so remorselesse haue they borne him hence:
[1415]
And as the Damme runnes lowing up and downe,Looking the way her harmelesse young one went,And can doe naught but wayle her Darlings losse;Euen so my selfe bewayles good
Glosters case
With sad unhelpefull teares, and with dimn'd eyes;
[1420]
Looke after him, and cannot doe him good:So mightie are his vowed Enemies.His fortunes I will weepe, and 'twixt each groane,Say, who's a Traytor?
Gloster he is none.
Exit.Queene.Free Lords:
[1425]
Cold Snow melts with the Sunnes hot Beames:Henry, my Lord, is cold in great Affaires,
Too full of foolish pittie: and
Glosters shew
Beguiles him, as the mournefull CrocodileWith sorrow snares relenting passengers;
[1430]
Or as the Snake, roll'd in a flowring Banke,With shining checker'd slough doth sting a Child,That for the beautie thinkes it excellent.Beleeue me Lords, were none more wise then I,And yet herein I judge mine owne Wit good;
[1435]
This
Gloster should be quickly rid the World,
To rid vs from the feare we haue of him.Card.That he should dye, is worthie pollicie,But yet we want a Colour for his death:'Tis meet he be condemn'd by course of Law.Suff.
[1440]
But in my minde, that were no pollicie:The King will labour still to saue his Life,The Commons haply rise, to saue his Life;And yet we haue but triuiall argument,More then mistrust, that shewes him worthy death.Yorke.
[1445]
So that by this, you would not haue him dye.Suff.Ah
Yorke, no man aliue, so faine as I.
Yorke.'Tis
Yorke that hath more reason for his death.
But my Lord Cardinall, and you my Lord of Suffolke,Say as you thinke, and speake it from your Soules:
[1450]
Wer't not all one, an emptie Eagle were set,To guard the Chicken from a hungry Kyte,As place Duke
Humfrey for the Kings Protector?
Queene.So the poore Chicken should be sure of death.Suff.Madame 'tis true: and wer't not madnesse then,
[1455]
To make the Fox surueyor of the Fold?Who being accu
'd a craftie Murtherer,
His guilt should be but idly posted over,Because his purpose is not executed.No: let him dye, in that he is a Fox,
[1460]
By nature prou'd an Enemie to the Flock,Before his Chaps be stayn'd with Crimson blood,As
Humfrey prou'd by Reasons to my Liege.
And doe not stand on Quillets how to slay him:Be it by Gynnes, by Snares, by Subtletie,
[1465]
Sleeping, or Waking, 'tis no matter how,So he be dead; for that is good deceit,Which mates him first, that first intends deceit.
Queene.Thrice Noble
Suffolke, 'tis resolutely spoke.
Suff.Not resolute, except so much were done,
[1470]
For things are often spoke, and seldome meant,But that my heart accordeth with my tongue,Seeing the deed is meritorious,And to preserue my Soueraigne from his Foe,Say but the word, and I will be his Priest.Card.
[1475]
But I would haue him dead, my Lord of Suffolke,Ere you can take due Orders for a Priest:Say you consent, and censure well the deed,And Ile prouide his Executioner,I tender to the safetie of my Liege.Suff.
[1480]
Here is my Hand, the deed is worthy doing.Queene.And so say I.Yorke.And I: and now we three haue spoke it,It skills not greatly who impugnes our doome.
[Act 5, Scene 1]
Enter a Poste.Post.Great Lords, from Ireland am I come amaine,
[1485]
To signifie, that Rebels there are vp,And put the Englishmen unto the Sword.Send Succours (Lords) and stop the Rage betime,Before the Wound doe grow vncurable;For being greene, there is great hope of helpe.Card.
[1490]
A Breach that craues a quick expedient stoppe.What counsaile giue you in this weightie cause?Yorke.That
Somerset be sent as Regent thither:
'Tis meet that luckie Ruler he imploy'd,Witnesse the fortune he hath had in France.Som.
[1495]
If
Yorke, with all his farre‑set pollicie,
Had beene the Regent there, in stead of me,He neur would haue stay'd in France so long.Yorke.No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done.I rather would haue lost my Life betimes,
[1500]
Then bring a burthen of dis‑honour home,By staying there so long, till all were lost.Shew me one skarre, character'd on thy Skinne,Mens flesh preseru'd so whole, doe seldome winne.Qu.Nay then, this sparke will proue a raging fire,
[1505]
If Wind and Fuell be brought, to feed it with:No more, good
Yorke; sweet
Somerset be still.
Thy fortune,
Yorke, hadst thou beene Regent there,
Might happily haue prou'd farre worse then his.Yorke.What, worse then naught? nay, then a shame
take all.
Somerset.
[1510]
And in the number, thee, that wishest
shame.
Card.My Lord of Yorke, trie what your fortune is:Th'vnciuill Kernes of Ireland are in Armes,And temper Clay with blood of Englishmen.To Ireland will you leade a Band of men,
[1515]
Collected choycely, from each Countie some,And trie your hap against the Irishmen?Yorke.I will, my Lord, so please his Maiestie.Suff.Why, our Authoritie is his consent,And what we doe establish, he confirmes:
[1520]
Then, Noble
Yorke, take thou this Taske in hand.
Yorke.I am content: Prouide me Souldiers, Lords,Whiles I take order for mine owne affaires.Suff.A charge, Lord
Yorke, that I will see perform'd.
But now returne we to the false Duke
Humfrey.
Card.
[1525]
No more of him: for I will deale with him,That henceforth he shall trouble vs no more:And so breake off, the day is almost spent,Lord
Suffolke, you and I must talke of that event.
Yorke. My
[Act 5, Scene 1]
Enter a Poste.Post.Great Lords, from Ireland am I come amaine,
[1485]
To signifie, that Rebels there are vp,And put the Englishmen unto the Sword.Send Succours (Lords) and stop the Rage betime,Before the Wound doe grow vncurable;For being greene, there is great hope of helpe.Card.
[1490]
A Breach that craues a quick expedient stoppe.What counsaile giue you in this weightie cause?Yorke.That
Somerset be sent as Regent thither:
'Tis meet that luckie Ruler he imploy'd,Witnesse the fortune he hath had in France.Som.
[1495]
If
Yorke, with all his farre‑set pollicie,
Had beene the Regent there, in stead of me,He neur would haue stay'd in France so long.Yorke.No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done.I rather would haue lost my Life betimes,
[1500]
Then bring a burthen of dis‑honour home,By staying there so long, till all were lost.Shew me one skarre, character'd on thy Skinne,Mens flesh preseru'd so whole, doe seldome winne.Qu.Nay then, this sparke will proue a raging fire,
[1505]
If Wind and Fuell be brought, to feed it with:No more, good
Yorke; sweet
Somerset be still.
Thy fortune,
Yorke, hadst thou beene Regent there,
Might happily haue prou'd farre worse then his.Yorke.What, worse then naught? nay, then a shame
take all.
Somerset.
[1510]
And in the number, thee, that wishest
shame.
Card.My Lord of Yorke, trie what your fortune is:Th'vnciuill Kernes of Ireland are in Armes,And temper Clay with blood of Englishmen.To Ireland will you leade a Band of men,
[1515]
Collected choycely, from each Countie some,And trie your hap against the Irishmen?Yorke.I will, my Lord, so please his Maiestie.Suff.Why, our Authoritie is his consent,And what we doe establish, he confirmes:
[1520]
Then, Noble
Yorke, take thou this Taske in hand.
Yorke.I am content: Prouide me Souldiers, Lords,Whiles I take order for mine owne affaires.Suff.A charge, Lord
Yorke, that I will see perform'd.
But now returne we to the false Duke
Humfrey.
Card.
[1525]
No more of him: for I will deale with him,That henceforth he shall trouble vs no more:And so breake off, the day is almost spent,Lord
Suffolke, you and I must talke of that event.
Yorke.My Lord of Suffolke, within foureteene dayes
[1530]
At Bristow I expect my Souldiers,For there Ile shippe them all for Ireland.Suff.Ile see it truly done, my Lord of Yorke.Exeunt.Manet Yorke.Yorke.Now
Yorke, or neuer, steele thy fearfull thoughts,
And change misdoubt to resolution;
[1535]
Be that thou hop'st to be, or what thou art;Resigne to death, it is not worth th'enioying:Let pale‑fac't feare, keepe with the meane‑borne man,And finde no harbor in a Royall heart.Faster
thē
them Spring‑time showres, comes thoght on thoght,
[1540]
And not a thought, but thinkes on Dignitie.My Brayne, more busie then the laboring Spider,Weaues tedious Snares to trap mine Enemies.Well Nobles, well: 'tis politikely done,To send me packing with an Hoast of men:
[1545]
I feare me, you but warme the starued Snake,Who cherisht in your breasts, will sting your hearts.'Twas men I lackt, and you will giue them me;I take it kindly: yet be well assur'd,You put sharpe Weapons in a mad‑mans hands.
[1550]
Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mightie Band,I will stirre up in England some black storme,Shall blowe ten thousand Soules to Heauen, or Hell:And this fell Tempest shall not cease to rage,Vntill the Golden Circuit on my Head,
[1555]
Like to the glorious Sunnes transparant Beames,Doe calme the furie of this mad‑bred Flawe.And for a minister of my intent,I haue seduc'd a head‑strong Kentishman,Iohn Cade of Ashford,
[1560]
To make Commotion, as full well he can,Vnder the Title of
Iohn Mortimer.
In Ireland haue I seene this stubborne
CadeOppose himselfe against a Troupe of Kernes,And fought so long, till that his thighes with Darts
[1565]
Were almost like a sharpe‑quill'd Porpentine:And in the end being rescued, I haue seeneHim capre vpright, like a wilde Morisco,Shaking the bloody Darts, as he his Bells.Full often, like a shag‑hayr'd craftie Kerne,
[1570]
Hath he conuersed with the Enemie,And vndiscouer'd, come to me againe,And giuen me notice of their Villanies.This Deuill here shall be my substitute;For that
Iohn Mortimer, which now is dead,
[1575]
In face, in gate, in speech he doth resemble.By this, I shall perceiue the Commons minde,How they affect the House and Clayme of
Yorke.
Say he be taken, rackt, and tortured;I know, no paine they can inflict vpon him,
[1580]
Will make him say, I mou'd him to those Armes.Say that he thriue, as 'tis great like he will,Why then from Ireland come I with my strength,And reape the Haruest which that Rascall sow'd.For
Humfrey; being dead, as he shall be,
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1" rend="notPresent">
<head type="supplied">[Act 5, Scene 1]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter a Poste.</stage>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pos">
<speaker rend="italic">Post.</speaker>
<l n="1484">Great Lords, from Ireland am I come amaine,</l>
<l n="1485">To signifie, that Rebels there are vp,</l>
<l n="1486">And put the Englishmen unto the Sword.</l>
<l n="1487">Send Succours (Lords) and stop the Rage betime,</l>
<l n="1488">Before the Wound doe grow vncurable;</l>
<l n="1489">For being greene, there is great hope of helpe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-win">
<speaker rend="italic">Card.</speaker>
<l n="1490">A Breach that craues a quick expedient stoppe.</l>
<l n="1491">What counsaile giue you in this weightie cause?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pla">
<speaker rend="italic">Yorke.</speaker>
<l n="1492">That<hi rend="italic">Somerset</hi>be sent as Regent thither:</l>
<l n="1493">'Tis meet that luckie Ruler he imploy'd,</l>
<l n="1494">Witnesse the fortune he hath had in France.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-som">
<speaker rend="italic">Som.</speaker>
<l n="1495">If<hi rend="italic">Yorke</hi>, with all his farre‑set pollicie,</l>
<l n="1496">Had beene the Regent there, in stead of me,</l>
<l n="1497">He neur would haue stay'd in France so long.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pla">
<speaker rend="italic">Yorke.</speaker>
<l n="1498">No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done.</l>
<l n="1499">I rather would haue lost my Life betimes,</l>
<l n="1500">Then bring a burthen of dis‑honour home,</l>
<l n="1501">By staying there so long, till all were lost.</l>
<l n="1502">Shew me one skarre, character'd on thy Skinne,</l>
<l n="1503">Mens flesh preseru'd so whole, doe seldome winne.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-mar">
<speaker rend="italic">Qu.</speaker>
<l n="1504">Nay then, this sparke will proue a raging fire,</l>
<l n="1505">If Wind and Fuell be brought, to feed it with:</l>
<l n="1506">No more, good<hi rend="italic">Yorke</hi>; sweet<hi rend="italic">Somerset</hi>be still.</l>
<l n="1507">Thy fortune,<hi rend="italic">Yorke</hi>, hadst thou beene Regent there,</l>
<l n="1508">Might happily haue prou'd farre worse then his.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pla">
<speaker rend="italic">Yorke.</speaker>
<l n="1509">What, worse then naught? nay, then a shame
<lb/>take all.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-som">
<speaker rend="italic">Somerset.</speaker>
<l n="1510">And in the number, thee, that wishest
<lb/>shame.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-win">
<speaker rend="italic">Card.</speaker>
<l n="1511">My Lord of Yorke, trie what your fortune is:</l>
<l n="1512">Th'vnciuill Kernes of Ireland are in Armes,</l>
<l n="1513">And temper Clay with blood of Englishmen.</l>
<l n="1514">To Ireland will you leade a Band of men,</l>
<l n="1515">Collected choycely, from each Countie some,</l>
<l n="1516">And trie your hap against the Irishmen?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pla">
<speaker rend="italic">Yorke.</speaker>
<l n="1517">I will, my Lord, so please his Maiestie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-suf">
<speaker rend="italic">Suff.</speaker>
<l n="1518">Why, our Authoritie is his consent,</l>
<l n="1519">And what we doe establish, he confirmes:</l>
<l n="1520">Then, Noble<hi rend="italic">Yorke</hi>, take thou this Taske in hand.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pla">
<speaker rend="italic">Yorke.</speaker>
<l n="1521">I am content: Prouide me Souldiers, Lords,</l>
<l n="1522">Whiles I take order for mine owne affaires.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-suf">
<speaker rend="italic">Suff.</speaker>
<l n="1523">A charge, Lord<hi rend="italic">Yorke</hi>, that I will see perform'd.</l>
<l n="1524">But now returne we to the false Duke<hi rend="italic">Humfrey</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-win">
<speaker rend="italic">Card.</speaker>
<l n="1525">No more of him: for I will deale with him,</l>
<l n="1526">That henceforth he shall trouble vs no more:</l>
<l n="1527">And so breake off, the day is almost spent,</l>
<l n="1528">Lord<hi rend="italic">Suffolke</hi>, you and I must talke of that event.</l>
</sp>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0489-0.jpg" n="133"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pla">
<speaker rend="italic">Yorke.</speaker>
<l n="1529">My Lord of Suffolke, within foureteene dayes</l>
<l n="1530">At Bristow I expect my Souldiers,</l>
<l n="1531">For there Ile shippe them all for Ireland.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-2h6-suf">
<speaker rend="italic">Suff.</speaker>
<l n="1532">Ile see it truly done, my Lord of Yorke.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">Manet Yorke.</stage>
<sp who="#F-2h6-pla">
<speaker rend="italic">Yorke.</speaker>
<l n="1533">Now<hi rend="italic">Yorke</hi>, or neuer, steele thy fearfull thoughts,</l>
<l n="1534">And change misdoubt to resolution;</l>
<l n="1535">Be that thou hop'st to be, or what thou art;</l>
<l n="1536">Resigne to death, it is not worth th'enioying:</l>
<l n="1537">Let pale‑fac't feare, keepe with the meane‑borne man,</l>
<l n="1538">And finde no harbor in a Royall heart.</l>
<l n="1539">Faster<choice>
<abbr>thē</abbr>
<expan>them</expan>
</choice>Spring‑time showres, comes thoght on thoght,</l>
<l n="1540">And not a thought, but thinkes on Dignitie.</l>
<l n="1541">My Brayne, more busie then the laboring Spider,</l>
<l n="1542">Weaues tedious Snares to trap mine Enemies.</l>
<l n="1543">Well Nobles, well: 'tis politikely done,</l>
<l n="1544">To send me packing with an Hoast of men:</l>
<l n="1545">I feare me, you but warme the starued Snake,</l>
<l n="1546">Who cherisht in your breasts, will sting your hearts.</l>
<l n="1547">'Twas men I lackt, and you will giue them me;</l>
<l n="1548">I take it kindly: yet be well assur'd,</l>
<l n="1549">You put sharpe Weapons in a mad‑mans hands.</l>
<l n="1550">Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mightie Band,</l>
<l n="1551">I will stirre up in England some black storme,</l>
<l n="1552">Shall blowe ten thousand Soules to Heauen, or Hell:</l>
<l n="1553">And this fell Tempest shall not cease to rage,</l>
<l n="1554">Vntill the Golden Circuit on my Head,</l>
<l n="1555">Like to the glorious Sunnes transparant Beames,</l>
<l n="1556">Doe calme the furie of this mad‑bred Flawe.</l>
<l n="1557">And for a minister of my intent,</l>
<l n="1558">I haue seduc'd a head‑strong Kentishman,</l>
<l n="1559">
<hi rend="italic">Iohn Cade</hi>of Ashford,</l>
<l n="1560">To make Commotion, as full well he can,</l>
<l n="1561">Vnder the Title of<hi rend="italic">Iohn Mortimer</hi>.</l>
<l n="1562">In Ireland haue I seene this stubborne<hi rend="italic">Cade</hi>
</l>
<l n="1563">Oppose himselfe against a Troupe of Kernes,</l>
<l n="1564">And fought so long, till that his thighes with Darts</l>
<l n="1565">Were almost like a sharpe‑quill'd Porpentine:</l>
<l n="1566">And in the end being rescued, I haue seene</l>
<l n="1567">Him capre vpright, like a wilde Morisco,</l>
<l n="1568">Shaking the bloody Darts, as he his Bells.</l>
<l n="1569">Full often, like a shag‑hayr'd craftie Kerne,</l>
<l n="1570">Hath he conuersed with the Enemie,</l>
<l n="1571">And vndiscouer'd, come to me againe,</l>
<l n="1572">And giuen me notice of their Villanies.</l>
<l n="1573">This Deuill here shall be my substitute;</l>
<l n="1574">For that<hi rend="italic">Iohn Mortimer</hi>, which now is dead,</l>
<l n="1575">In face, in gate, in speech he doth resemble.</l>
<l n="1576">By this, I shall perceiue the Commons minde,</l>
<l n="1577">How they affect the House and Clayme of<hi rend="italic">Yorke</hi>.</l>
<l n="1578">Say he be taken, rackt, and tortured;</l>
<l n="1579">I know, no paine they can inflict vpon him,</l>
<l n="1580">Will make him say, I mou'd him to those Armes.</l>
<l n="1581">Say that he thriue, as 'tis great like he will,</l>
<l n="1582">Why then from Ireland come I with my strength,</l>
<l n="1583">And reape the Haruest which that Rascall sow'd.</l>
<l n="1584">For<hi rend="italic">Humfrey</hi>; being dead, as he shall be,</l>
<l n="1585">And<hi rend="italic">Henry</hi>put apart: the next for me.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>