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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


of  CALIFORNIA 
Lu  ^S 


THE 

PLAYS 

O    F 

WILLIAM   SHAKSPEARE. 

VOL.  VI. 


8  f          10 


THE 


PLAYS 


WILLIAM     SHAKSPEARE, 


VOLUME  the   S  I  X  T  H. 


CONTAINING 

KING  HENRY    V. 

KING  HENRY   VI.   Part  I. 

KING  HENRY   VI.   Part  II. 

KING  HENRY  VI.  Part  III. 


LONDON, 

Printed  for  C.  Bathurft,  W.  Strahan.  J.  F.  and  C.  Rivington, 
J.  Hinton,  L.  Davis,  W.  Owen,  T.  Caflon,  E.  Johnfon,  S.  Crowder, 
B.  White,  T.  Longman,  B.  Law,  E  and  C.  Dilly,  C.  Corbett, 
T.  Cadell,  H.  L.  Gardener,  J.  Nichols,  J.  Bew,  J.  Beecroft, 
W.  Stuart,  T.  Lowndes,  J.  Rcbibn,  T.  Payne,  T.  Becket, 
F.  Newberv,  G.  Robinfon,  R.  Baldwin,  J.  Williams,  J.Ridley, 
T.  Evans,  W.  Davies,  W.  Fox,  and  J.  Murray, 

J.1PCCLXXVI1I. 


30323 


51 


VOL.  VI.  B 


***** 

On 


HENRY      V, 


PirfSfis   Reprefented. 

King  Henry  the  Fifth.  * 
J 


Earl  of  Salifbury. 

Earl  of  Weftmoreland. 

Earl  of  Warwick. 

Archbifhop  of  Canterbury. 

Bifhop  of  Ely. 

Earl  of  Cambridge,  n 

Lord  Scroop,  >  confpirators  again/I  tie  king. 

Sir  Thomas  Grey,      * 

Sir  Thomas  Erpingham,  Gower,  Fluellen,  Mack- 

morris,  Jamy,  officers  In  king  Henrys  army* 
Nym,    Bardolph,    Piftol,  Boy,  formerly  fervants  t% 

Falftaff,  now  foldiers  in  the  king's  army. 
Bates,  Court,  Williams,  foldiers. 
Charles,  the  Sixth,  king  of  France. 
The  Dauphin. 
Duke  of  Burgundy. 
Conltable,  Orleans,  Rambures,  Bourbon,  Grandpree, 

French  lords. 
Governor  of  Harfleur. 
Montjoy,  a  her  aid. 
Ambajfadors  to  the  king  of  England. 

Ifabel,  queen  of  France. 

Katharine,  daughter  to  the  king  of  France. 

Alice,  a  lady  attending  on  the  princefs  Katharine. 

Quickly,  Piftofs  wife,  an  hojicfs. 

Chorus. 

Lords,    Mejfengers,'  French  and  Englijh   Soldiers,  "Joit'k 
other  Attendants. 

The  SCENE,  at  tie  beginning  of  the  play,  lies  inJLng- 
land  ;  but  afterwards,  wholly  in  France. 


CHORUS* 

*  O,  for  a  mufe  of  fire,  that  would  afcend 
The  brighteft  heaven  of  invention  ! 
A  kingdom  for  a  ftagc,  2  princes  to  aft* 
And  monarchs  to  behold  the  fwelling  fcene  ! 
Then  fhould  the  warlike  Harry,  like  himfelf^ 
Affume  the  port  of  Mars ;  and,  at  his  heels, 
Leaih'din  like  hounds,  fhould  famine,  fword,and  fire, 
Crouch  for  employment J.     But  pardon,  gentles  all, 
The  flat  unraifed  fpirit,  that  hath  dar'd, 
On  this  unworthy  fcaffold,  to  bring  forth 
So  great  an  objedt :  Can  this  cock-pit  hold 

1  O  for  a  mufe.  ofjfre,  &c.]  This  goes  upon  the  notion  of  tht 
Peripatetic  fyitem,  which  imagines  feveral  heavens  one  above 
another ;  the  laft  and  higheft  or  which  was  one  of  fire. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

It  alludes  likewife  to  the  afpiring  nature  of  fire,  which,  by 
its  levity,  at  the  reparation  of  the  chaos,  took  the  higheft  feat  of 
all  the  elements.  JOHNSON. 

*   princes  to  aft, 

And  monarch  s  to  behold *• ] 

Shakefpeare  does  not  feem  to  fet  diftance  enough  between  th« 
performers  and  fpedtators.     JOHNSON. 

3  Leajbt  in  like  hounds,  Jbould famine t  fword,  and  fire. 

Crouch  for  employment. — J 

In  K.  Henry  VI.  "  Lean  famine,  quartering  fteel,  and  climb- 
ing fire,"  are  called  the  three  attendants  on  the  Englifh  general, 
lord  Talbot ;  and,  as  I  fuppofe,  are  the  dogs  of  ivar  mentioned 
in  Julius  Cafar. 

This  image  of  the  warlike  Henry  very  much  refembles  Mont- 
faucotfs  defcription  of  the  Mars  discovered  at  JBreJJe,  who  leads  a 
lyon  and  a  lyonefs  in  couples,  and  crouching  as  for  employ- 
ment. TOLLET* 

Warner,  in  his  Albion 's  England;  1602,  fpeaking  of  King 
Henry  V.  fays  : 

**  He  led  good  fortune  in  a  line,  and  did  but  war  and  win." 
Holinflied,  (p.  567*)  when  the  people  of  Roan  petitioned  king 
Henry  V.  has  put  this  fentiment  into  his  mouth  :  ««  He  declared 
that  the  goddefle  of  battell,  called  Bellona,  had  three  hand* 
maidens,  ever  of  neceflitie  attending  upon  her,  as  Hand)  Jire^ 
'  STEEVENS, 

B  a  The 


iv  CHORUS. 

The  vafty  field  of  France  ?  or  may  we  cram, 
4  Within  this  wooden  O,  5  the  very  cafques 
That  did  affright  the  air  at  Agincourt  ? 
O,  pardon  !  fince  a  crooked  figure  may 
Atteil,  in  little  place,  a  million  ;  « 

And  let  us,  cyphers  to  this  great  accompfr 
6  On  your  imaginary  forces  work  : 
Suppofe,  within  the  girdle  of  thefe  walls 
Are  now  confin'd  two  mighty  monarchies, 
-  7  Whofe  high-upreared  and  abutting  fronts 
The  perilous  narrow  ocean  parts  afunder. 
Piece  out  our  imperfections  with  your  thoughts ; 

4  Within  this  wooden  O, ]  Nothing  fhews  more  evidently 

the  power  of  cuftorh  over  language,-  than  that  the  frequent  ufe 
of  calling  a  circle  an  O  could  fo  much  hide  the  meannefs  of  the 
metaphor  from  Shakefpeare,  that  he  has  ufed  it   many   times 
tvhere  he  makes  his  molt  eager  attempts  at  dignity  of  ftile. 

JOHNSON. 

5  The  very  ca/ijucs]  The  helmets.     JOHNSON. 

6  Imaginary  forces'— ^— }  Imaginary   for  imaginative,   or   your 
powers  of  fancy.     Adive  and  paflive  words  are  by  this  author 
frequently  confounded.    JOHNSON. 

7  Whofc  high-uprearcd,  and  abutting  fronts 

The  perilous  narrow  ocean  parts  afufider.} 
Without  doubt  the  author  wrote : 

lfrbofe  higb-vpreared  and  abutting  fronts, 
Perilous,  the  narrow  ocean  parts  afunder. .] 

For  his  purpofe  is  to  fliew,  that  the  higheft  danger  ariles  from 
the  fliock  of  their  meeting,  and  that  it  is  but  a  little  thing  which 
keeps  them  afunder.  This  fenfe  my  emendation  gives  us,  as  the 
common  reading  gives  us  a  contrary  ;  for  thofe  whom  a  perilous 
ocean  parts  af under,  are  in  no  danger  of  meeting.  WAR  BUR  TON. 
Perilous  narrwj  in  burlefque  and  common  language  meant  no 
more  than  very  narrow.  In  old  books  this  mode  of  exprellion  oc- 
curs perpetually.  A  perilous  broad  brim  to  a  hat,  a  perilous  long 
jhvord,  &c.  So,  in  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Humourous  Lieu- 
tenant : 

"  She  is  perilous  crafty." 
Thus,  villainous  is  only  ufed  to  exaggerate,  in  the  Tempeft  : 

'*  be  turn'd  to  barnacles  or  apes 

"  With  foreheads  villanous  low." 
Again,  in  John  Florio's  Preface  to  his  Tranjlation  of  Montaigne : 

"  in  this  perilous  crook  'd  paflage " 

STEEVENS 

Into 


CHORUS.  v 

Into  a  thoufand  parts  divide  one  man, 

8  And  make  imaginary  puiflance  : 

Think,  when  we  talk  of  horfes,  that  you  fee  them 
Printing  their  proud  hoofs  i*  the  receiving  earth  ; 

9  For  'tis  your  thoughts  that  now  muft  deck  our  kings, 
^TJry  them  here  and  there  ;  jumping  o'er  times; 
Turning  the  accomplifhment  of  many  years 

Into  an  hour-glafs  ;  For  the  which  fupply, 
Admit  me  chorus  to  this  hiftory  ; 
Who,  prologue-like,  your  humble  patience  pray, 
Gently  to  hear,  kindly  to  judge,  our  play. 

8  And  make  imaginary  puiffance :]  This  fhews  that  Shakefpeare 
was  fully  fenfible  of  the  abiurdity  of  (hewing  battles  on  the  thea- 
tre, which  indeed  is  never  done  but  tragedy  becomes  farce.    No- 
thing can  be  reprefented  to  the  eye  but  by  fomething  like  it,  and 
fwitkhi  a  wooden  O  nothing  very  like  a  battle  can  be  exhibited. 

JOHNSON. 

Other  authors  of  that  age  feem  to  have  been  fenfible  of  the 
fame  abfurdities.  In  Heywood's  Fair  Maid  of  the  Wejlt  1631  ; 
a  Chorus  enters  and  fays  : 

w  Our  ftage  fo  lamely  can  exprefs  a  fea, 

"  That  we  are  forc'd  by  Chorus  to  difcourfe 

*'  What  (hould  have  been  in  action,  £sV."    STEEVENS. 

9  For  'tis  your  thoughts  that  novj  muft  deck  our  kings  ; 

Carry  them  here  and  there ;  — ] 

We  may  read  king  for  kings.  The  prologue  relates  only  to  this 
lingle  play.  The  miftake  was  made  by  referring  them  to  kings 
which  belongs  to  thoughts.  The  fenfe  is,  your  thoughts  muft  give 
the  king  his  proper  greatnefs  ;  carry  therefore  your  thoughts  here  and 
there,  jumping  over  time,  and  crowding  years  into  an  hour. 

JOHNSON. 

I  am  not  fure  that  Dr.  Johnfon's  obfervation  is  juft.  In  this 
play,  the  king  of  France  as  well  as  England,  makes  his  appearance  ; 

and  the  fenfe  may  be  this  ; //  muft  be  to  your  imaginations  that 

our  kings  are  indebted  for  their  royalty.  Let  the  fancy  of  the  fpec- 
tator  furnifli  out  thole  appendages  to  greatnefs  which  the  poverty 
of  our  ilage  is  unable  to  fupply.  The  poet  is  ilill  apologizing 
for  the  defects  of  theatrical  reprefentation. 


B3  LIFE 


KING     HENRY   V, 

ACT      I.        SCENE     I. 

An   anflchamber  in  the   Engliflj  court,   at  Kenelworth. 
the  archbijhop  of  Canterbury,  and  bijhop  of  Ely. 


*Cant.  My  lord,  I'll  tell  you,—  that  felf  bill  is 
urg'd, 

Which 

1  &fe  of  Henry  V.~\  This  play  was  writ  (as  appears  from  a 
pafiage  in  the  chorus  to  the  fifth  a£t)  at  the  time  of  the  earl  of 
Eflex's  commanding  the  forces  in  Ireland  in  the  reign  of  queen 
Elizabeth,  and  not  'till  after  Henry  the  Vlth  had  been  played, 
as  may  be  feen  by  the  concluiion  of  this  play.  POPE. 

Life  of  Henry  V.~\  The  tranfadlions  comprifed  in  this  hifto- 
rical  play  commence  about  the  latter  end  of  the  firit,  and  terminate 
in  the  eighth  year  of  this  king's  reign  :  when  he  matried  Katha- 
rine princefs  of  France,  and  clofed  up  the  differences  betwixt 
England  and  that  crown.  THEOBALD. 

This  play  in  the  quarto  edition,  1608,  is  flyled  the  Chronicle 
Hijlory  of  Henry,  &c.  which  feems  to  have  been  the  title  anci- 
ently appropriated  to  all  Shakefpeare's  hiltorical  dramas.  So,  in 
The  Antipodes,  a  comedy  by  R.  Brome,  1638  : 

**  Thefe  lads  can  a£t  the  emperor's  lives  all  over, 
*'  And  Shakefpeare's  Chronicled  Hijiories  to  boot." 
The  players  likewife  in  the  folio  edition,  162?,  rank  thefe  pieces 
under  the  title  of  Hiftories. 

It  is  evident,  that  a  play  on  this  fubje&  had  been  performed 
before  the  year  1595.  Nafli,  in  Pierce  Pennilefs  bis  Supplication  to 
the  Devil  )  dated  1159;,  fays  :  "  —  what  a  glorious  thing  it  is  to 
have  Henry  the  Fift  reprefented  on  the  ftage  leading  the  French 
king  prifoner,  and  forcing  both  him  and  the  dolphin  to  fweare 
fealtie."  STEEVENS. 

1  Archlijhop  of  Canterbury.'}  This  firft  fcene  was  added  fince 

the  edition  of  1608,  which  is  much  fliort  of  theprefent  editions, 

B  4  whcreia 


S  K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

Which,  in  the  eleventh  year  o'the  laft.  king's  re  i^n 
Was  like,  and  had  indeed  againft  us  paft, 

But 

wherein  the  fpeeches  are  generally  enlarged  and  railed  :  feveral 
whole  fcenes  befides,  and  all  the  chorufes  alfo,  were  fince  addtd 
by  Shakefpeare.  POPE. 

On  this  fubjeft  a  play  was  written  about  the  time  of  Shake- 
fpeare ;  but  whether  betore  or  after  his  Henry  V.  made  its  ap- 
pearance, has  not  yet  been  abfolutely  determined.  (It  is  thus 
entered  in  the  books  of  the  Stationers'  company.  "  Tho.  Strode] 
May  2,  1594-  A  booke  entituled  the  famous  Victories  of  Henry 
the  Fift,  containing  the  honorable  Battell  of  Agincourt."  There 
are  two  more  entries  of  a  play  of  Henry  V.  viz.  between  1596 
and  1615,  and  one  Augufl  i4th,  1600.)  I  have  two  copies^  of 
it  in  my  pofleffion :  one  without  date  (which  fecms  much  the 
elder  of  the  two)  and  another  (apparently  printed  from  it)  dated 
1617,  though  printed  by  Bernard  Alfop  (who  was  printer  of  the 
other  edition)  and  fold  by  the  fame  perfon  and  at  the  fame  place. 
Alfop  appears  to  have  been  a  printer  before  the  year  1 6co,  and  was 
afterwards  one  of  the  twenty  appointed  by  decree  of  the  ftai  - 
chamber  to  print  for  this  kingdom.  I  believe,  however,  this 
piece  to  have  been  prior  to  that  of  Shakefpeare  for  feveral  reaforis. 
Firft,  becaufe  it  is  highly  probable  that  it  is  the  very  "  difpleaf- 
ing  play"  alluded  to  in  the  epilogue  to  the  fecond  p'art  of  King 
H'.nry  IV.- for  Oldcaftle  died  a  martyr.  Oldcaille  is  the  Falitaff 
of  the  piece,  which  is  defpicable,  and  full  of  ribaldry  and  im- 
piety from  the  firil  fcene  to  the  laft. — Secondly,  becaufe  Shake- 
fpeare feems  to  have  taken  not  a  few  hints  from  it ;  for  it  com- 
prehends in  fome  meafure  the  ftory  of  the  two  parts  of  Hairy  IV. 
as  well  as  of  Henry  V.  and  no  ignorance  I  think  could  debafe  the 
gold  of  Shakefpeare  into  fuch  drofs  ;  though  no  chemiilry  but 

that  of  Shakefpeare  could  exalt  fuch  bafe  metal  into  gold. 

When  the  prince  of  Wales  in  Henry  IV.  calls  Falitaff  my  old  lad 
of  the  Caf.lc,  it  is  probably  but  a  fneering  allufion  to  the  deferved 
tate  which  this  performance  met  with  ;  tor  there  is  no  proof  that 
our  poet  was  ever  obliged  to  change  the  name  of  Oldcaftle  into 
that  of  Falilaff,  though  there  is  an  abfolute  certainty  that  this 
piece  muft  have  been  condemned  by  any  audience  before  whom 
it  was  ever  reprefentcd. 

Laftly,  becaufe  it  appears  (as  Dr.  Farmer  has  obferved)  from 
the  Jefts  of  the  famous  comedian  Tarlton,  410.  1611,  that  he 
had  been  particularly  celebrated  in  the  part  of  the  Clown  f  in 

Henry 

f  Mr.  OMys,  in  a  manurcript  note  in  his  copy  of  Langbnine,  fays, 
that  Tarlton  appear'd  in  thccharacler  of  the  Judge  who  receives  the 
box  on  the  car.  This  Judge  is  likewifc  a  character  in  the  old  play. 

I  may 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V.  9 

But  that  the  fcambling  and  unquiet  time* 
Did  pulh  it  out  of  further  queftion. 

Ely. 

Henry  V.  and  though  this  character  does  pot  exift  in  our  play, 
we  find  it  in  the  other,  which,  for  the  reafons  already  enumerat- 
ed, I  fuppofe  to  have  been  prior  to  this. 

-  This  anonymous  play  of  Henry  V.  is  neither  divided  into  a£hs 
or  fcenes,  is  uncommonly  fhort,  and  has  all  the  appearance  of 
having  been  imperfectly  taken  down  during  the  reprefentation. 
As  much  of  it  appears  to  have  been  omitted,  we  may  fuppofe 
that  the  author  did  not  think  it  convenient  for  his  reputation  to 
publifh  a  more  ample  copy. 

There  is,  indeed,  a  play,  called  Sir  John  Oldcaftle,  publifhed 
in  1600,  with  the  name  of  William  iSbakefpeare  prefixed  to  it. 
The  prologue  being  very  fhort,  I  fhall  quote  it,  as  it  ferves  to 
prove,  that  a  former  piece,  in  which  the  character  of  Oldcaftit 
yvas  introduced,  had  given  great  offence  : 

"  The  doubtfull  title  (gentlemen)  prefixtr 

**  Upon  the  argument  we  have  in  hajid, 

*'  May  breed  fufpence,  and  wrongfully  difturbe 

'*  The  peaceful  quiet  of  your  fettled  thoughts  : 

*'  To  flop  which  fcruple,  let  this  breefe  fuflice. 

"  It  is  no  pampe  r  V  glutton  we  prefent, 

*'  Nor  aged  counce  Hour  to  youtbfull  Jinne  ; 

*'  But  one,  whofe  vertue  fhone  above  the  reft, 

"  A  valiant  martyr,  and  a  vertuous  peere, 

*'  In  whofe  true  faith  and  loyalty  expreft 

*'  Unto  his  foveraigne,  and  his  countries  weale  : 

*'  We  flrive  to  pay  that  tribute  of  our  love 

*'  Your  favours  merit  :  let  faire  truth  be  grac'd 

'.'  Since  forg'd  invention  former  time  defac'd." 

STEEVENS. 

3  Tie  fcambling  and  unquiet  time."]  In  the  old  houfliold  book  of 
the  jth  earl  of  Northumberland,  there  is  a  particular  fe&ion  ap- 
pointing the  order  of  fervice  for  ihc  fcambling  days  in  lent,  that 
is,  days  on  which  no  regular  meals  were  provided,  but  every  one 
Ji-amb'lea'i  i.  e.  fcrambled  and  ihifted  for  himfelf  as  well  as  he  could. 
-  r  So,  in  the  old  noted  book  intitled,  "  Leicefter's  Common- 
one  of  the  marginal  heads  is,  "  Scumbling  between  Lei- 


I  may  add,  on  the  authority  of  the  books  at  Stationer's-Hall,  that 
Tarlton  publifhed  what  he  called  his  Farewell,  a  ballad,  in  Sept. 
1588.  In  Oft.  1589,  was  enter'd,  "  Tarlton"  s  Repentance,  and  his 
Farewell  to  his  Friends  in  his  Sicknefs  a  little  before  his  Death  j"  in  1590, 
«'.  Tarlton  s  Neives  out  of  Purgatorie  :"  and  in  the  fame  year,  "  A 
pleafaunt  Ditty  Dialogue-wife,  between  Tarlton's  Ghofl  and  Rohn  Cood- 
Jellowe."  STEEVENS, 

ceflet 


io  K  I  N  G    n  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Ely.  But  how,  my  lord,  fhall  we  refifl  it  now  ? 

Cant.  It  muft  be  thought  on.    If  it  pafs  againft  USA 
We  lofe  the  better  half  of  our  pofleflion  : 
For  all  the  temporal  lands,  which  men  devout 
By  teftament  have  given  to  the  church, 
Would  they  ftrip  from  us  ;  being  valu'd  thus,— 
As  much  as  would  maintain,  to  the  king's  honour, 
Full  fifteen  earls,  and  fifteen  hundred  knights  ; 
Six  thoufand  and  two  hundred  good  efquires  ; 
And,  to  relief  of  lazars,  and  weak  age, 
Of  indigent  faint  fouls,  paft  corporal  toil, 
A  hundred  alms-houfes,  right  well  iupply'd; 
And  to  the  coffers  of  the  king,  betide, 
A  thoufand  pounds  by  the  year  :  Thus  runs  the  bill, 

Ely-  This  would  drink  deep. 

Cant.  'Twould  drink  the  cup  and  all, 

Ely-  But  what  prevention  ? 

Cant.  The  king  is  full  of  grace,  and  fair  regard, 

Ely.  And  a  true  lover  of  the  holy  church. 

Cant.  The  courfes  of  his  youth  promis'd  it  not. 
The  breath  no  fooner  left  his  father's  body; 
But  that  his  wildnefs,  mortify'd  in  him, 
Seem'd  to  die  too  ;  yea,  at  that  verv  moment, 

cefter  and  Huntlngton  at  the  upftiot."  Where  in  the  text,  the 
author  fays,  "  Haflings,  for  ought  I  fee,  when  he  cometh  to 
ihzfcambling,  is  like  to  have  no  better  luck  by  the  bear  [Lei-, 
cefler]  then  his  anceftors  had  by  the  boare  [K.  Rich.  III.]"  edit. 
1641,  1 2mo.  p.  87.  So  again,  Shakefpearc  himfelf  makes  king 
Hen.  V.  fay  to  the  princefs  Katharine,  "  I  get  thee  with  fcamb- 
li'i?,  and  thou  mufl  therefore  prove  a  good  foldier-breeder.'* 
ActV.  PERCY. 

Shakefpeare  ufes  the  fame  word  in  Much  Ado  about  Nothing ; 

"  Shambling)  out-facing,  raflnon-mong'ring  boys." 
Again,  in  Ram- Alley,  or  Merry  Tricks,   1611  : 

*'  the  widow  and  myielf 

"  W\\\fcamllc  out  the  fhakiug  of  the  fhccts, 

*'  Without  your  mufic." 
Again,  in  the  Merry  Devil  of  Edmonton,  1626  : 

*'  Leave  us  to  ft  amble  for  her  getting  out."    STEEVENS. 

Confi- 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V.  u 

4  Confederation  like  an  angel  came, 

And  whipp'd  the  offending  Adam  out  of  him  $ 

Leaving  his  body  as  a  paradife, 

To  envelop  and  contain  celeftial  fpirits. 

Never  was  fuch  a  fudden  fcholar  made  : 

Never  came  reformation  in  a  flood  5, 

With  fuch  a  heady  current,  fcouring  faults  j 

Nor  never  Hydra-headed  wilfulnefs 

So  foon  did  lofe  his  feat,  and  all  at  once, 

As  in  this  king. 

Ely.  We  are  blefled  in  the  change. 

Cant.  Hear  him  but  reafon  in  divinity  6, 

And, 

4  Confederation,  like  an  angel,  &c.]  As  pnradife,  when  fin  and 
Adam  were  driven  out  by  the  angel,  became  the  habitation  of 
celeftial  fpirits,  fo  the  king's  heart,  fmce  confederation  has  driven 
put  his  follies,  is  now  the  receptacle  of  wifdom  and  of  virtue. 

JOHNSON. 

5  Never  came  reformation  in  afload^\  Alluding  to  the  method 
by  which  Hercules  cleanfed  the  famous  ftables  when  he  turned  a 
a  river  through  them.     Hercules  flill  is  in  our  author's  head 
when  he  mentions  the  Hydra,     JOHNSON. 

6  Hear  him  but  reafon  in  divinity,  &c.]  This   Ipeech   feems   to 
have  been  copied  from  king  James's  prelates,  fpeaking  of  their 
Solomon  :  when  archbifhop  VVhitgift,  who,  as  an  eminent  wri- 
ter fays,  died  foon  afterwards,  and  probcbiy  doatcd  then,  at  the 
Hampton-Court  conference,    declared  himfelf  verily  perfuadcd^ 
that  bis  facred  majefty  fpoke  by  the  fpirit  of  God.     And,  in  eftect, 
this  fcene  was  added  after  king  James's  acceffion  to  the  crown  : 
fo  that  we  have  no  way  of  avoiding  its  being  efteemed  a  compli- 
jnent  to  him,  but  by  fuppofmg  it  was  a  fatire  on  his  bifiops. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

Why  thefe  lines  fhould  be  divided  from  the  reft  of  the  ipeech 
and  applied  to  king  James,  I  am  not  able  to  conceive  ;  nor  why 
an  opportunity  fliould  be  fo  eagerly  fnatched  to  treat  with  con- 
tempt  that  part  of  his  character  which  was  leaft  contemptible. 
King  James's  theological  knowledge  was  not  inconliderable.  To 
prefide  at  difputations  is  not  very  fuitable  to  a  king,  but  to  un- 
<1erftand  the  queftions  is  furely  laudable.  The  poet,  if  he  had 
Barnes  in  his  thoughts,  was  no  fkilful  encomiaft  ;  for  the  men- 
tion of  Harry's  Ikill  in  war,  forced  upon  the  remembrance  of 
his  audienCC  the  great  deficiency  of  their  preient  king ;  who  yet 
ivith  all  his  faults,  and  many  faults  he  had,  was  fuch,  that  fir 

Robert 


12  KINGHENRYV. 

And,  all-admiring,  with  an  inward  vvifh 
You  would  defire,  the  king  were  made  a  prelate  r 
Hear  him  debate  of  common-wealth  affairs, 
You  would  fay, — it  hath  been  all-in-all  his  fludy  ; 
Lift  his  difcourfe  of  war,  and  you  fhall  hear 
A  fearful  battle  rendered  you  in  mufic  : 
Turn  hkn  to  any  caufe  of  policy, 
The  Gordian  knot  of  it  he  will  unloofe, 
Familiar  as  his  garter  ;  that,  when  he  fpcaks^ 
7  The  air,  a  charter'd  libertine,  is  ftill, 
And  the  mute  wonder  lurketh  in  men's  ears, 
To  fleal  his  fvveet  and  honey'd  fentences ; 
*  So  that  the  art,  and  pradtic  part  of  life 

Muft 

Robert  Cotton  fays,  be  would  le  content  that  England .JhouU  never 
toave  a  better,  provided  that  itfoould  never  have  a  ivorfe. 

JOHNSON. 

Thofe  who  are  felicitous  that  juftice  ihould  be  done  to  the 
theological  knowledge  of  our  Britilh  Solomon,  may  very  eafily 
furnilh  themfelves  with  fpecimens  of  it  from  a  book  entitled, 
Rex  Platonicus,  Jive  de  potentijjlmi  Principle  Jacobi  Britanniariun 
Regis  ad  Ulujlrijjimam  AcaJemiam  Qxonieiifcm  adventu,  Aug.  27, 
Anno  1 60^.  In  this  performance  we  may  ftill  bear  him  rcafoning 
in  Divinity,  Phyfic,  Jurifprudence,  and  Philofophy.  On  the 
fecond  of  thefe  fubjects  he  has  not  failed  to  exprefs  his  well- 
known  enmity  to  tobacco,  and  throws  out  many  a  royal  witticifm 
on  the  "  Medici  Nicotianilhe,"  and  "  Tobacconiftae"  of  the  age  j 
infomuch  thnt  Ifaac  Wake,  the  chronicler  of  his  triumphs  at 
Oxford,  declares,  thnt  "  nemo  nifi  iniquilfimus  rerum  aeftimator, 
bonique  publici  peflime  invidus,  Jacobo  noftro  recufabit  immor- 
talem  gloriae  aram  figere,  qui  ipfe  adeo  mirabilem  in  Thcologia^y 
yttrifprutlcntirt  et  ^Icdicina  arcanis  peritiam  eamque  plane  aivi- 
vitus  aflecutus  eft,  ut  &c."  STEEVEXS. 

7  The  air,  &c.J  This  line  is  exquifitely  beautiful.  JOHNSON, 
The  fame  thought  occurs  in  As  You  Like  It.  Aft  II.  fc.  7  : 

'*  — I  muft.  have  liberty 

*'  Withal,  as  large  a  charier  as  the  ivinJ, 
*'  To  blow  on  whom  I  pleafe."    MAI.OKE. 
*  So  that  the  art,  and  pra&ic/rfr/  of  life,']  All  the  editions,  if 
I  am  not  deceived,  are  guilty  of  a 'flight  corruption  in  this  paf- 
fage.     The  archbifhop  has  been  fhewing  what  a  mafter  the  king 
was  in  the  theory  of  divinity,  war,  and  policy  :  fo  that  it  muft 
be  expected  (as,  I  conceive  he  would  infer)  thut  the  kingfhould 

now 


KING    HENRY    V.  i3 

Muft  be  the  miftrefs  to  this  theorique  9 : 

Which  is  a  wonder,  how  his  grace  fhould  glean  it, 

Since  his  addition  was  to  courfes  vain  ; 

His  companies  unletter'd,  rude,  and  lhallow ; 

His  hours  fill'd  up  with  riots,  banquets,  fports  ; 

And  never  noted  in  him  any  ftudy, 

Any  retirement,  any  fequeflration 

From  open  haunts  and  popularity. 

Ely.  The  flrawberry  grows  underneath  the  nettle  ' ; 
And~wholibme  berries  thrive,  and  ripen  beft, 
Neighbour'd  by  fruit  of  bafer  quality  : 
And  fo  the  prince  obfcur'd  his  contemplation 
Under  the  veil  of  wildnefs  ;  which,  no  doubt, 
Grew  like  the  fuminer  grafs,  fafteft  by  night, 

now  wed  mat  theory  to  aftion,  and  the  putting  the  feveral  parts 
of  his  knowledge  into  practice.  If  this  be  our  author's  meau- 
ing,  I  think,  we  can  hardly  doubt  but  he  wrote  : 

So'that  tie  aft,  andprattic^  &c. 

Thus  we  have  a  confonance  in  the  terms  and  fenfe.  For  theory 
is  the  art  and  ftudy  of  the  rules  of  any  fcience ;  and  action,  the 
exemplification  of  thofe  rules  by  proof  and  experiment. 

THEOBALD. 

This  emendation  is  received  by  Dr.  Warburton,  but  it  appears 
to  me  founded  upon  a  mifreprefentation.  The  true  meaning 
deems  to  be  this.  He  difcourfes  with  fo  much  Ikill  on  all  fub- 
je6ts,  that  the  art  and  praflice  of  life  muft  be  the  mijlrefs  or  teachtr 
of  bis  thecrique ;  that  is,  that  his  theory  muft  have  been  taught  by 
art  and  praflice ;  which,  fays  he,  is  ftrange,  fince  he  could  fee 
little  of  the  true  art  or  practice  among  his  loofe  companions,  nor 
ever  retired  to  digeft  his  practice  into  theory  :  art  is  ufed  by  the 
author  (or  praftice,  as  diitinguiftied  fromfcience  or  theory. 

JOHNSON. 

9  •  to  this  theorique  :~\  Tljcoric  is  what  terminates  in  fpe- 

culation      So,  in  The  Valiant  Welchman^   1615: 
«   i  ,  fon  Caradoc, 

*  *Tis  yet  unfit  that  on  this  fudden  warning 
'  You  leave  your  fair  wife,  to  the  theorique 
'  Of  matrimonial  pleafure  and  delight/' 
Bookifh  theorique  is  mentioned  in  Othello.     STEEVENS. 

1  The  Jlrawlerry  &c.]  i.  e.  the  wild  fruit  fo  called,  that  groWS 
in  the  woods,  STEEVENS, 

;r".%  Unfeen, 


i4  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  V    V. 

Unfeen,  yet  crefcive  in  his  faculty  *. 

Cant,  It  muft  be  fo  :  for  miracles  are  ceas'd ; 
And  therefore  we  muft  needs  admit  the  means, 
How  things  are  perfected. 

Ely.  But,  my  good  lord, 
How  now  for  mitigation  of  this  bill 
Urg'd  by  the  commons  ?  Doth  his  majefty 
Incline  to  it,  or  no  ? 

Cant.  He  leems  indifferent ; 
Or,  rather,  fwaying  more  upon  our  part, 
Than  cherifhing  the  cxhibiters  againft  us  : 
For  I  have  made  an  offer  to  his  majefty, — 
Upon  our  fpiritual  convocation  ; 
And  in  regard  of  caufes  now  in  hand, 
Which  I  have  open'd  to  his  grace  at  large, 
As  touching  France, — to  give  a  greater  funi 
Than  ever  at  one  time  the  clergy  yet 
Did  to  his  predeceflbrs  part  withal. 

Ely.  How  did  this  offer  feem  received,  my  lord  ? 

Cant.  With  good  acceptance  of  his  majefty  : 
Save,  that  there  was  not  time  enough  to  hear 
(As,  I  perceiv'd,  his  grace  would  fain  have  done) 
The  feverals,  ar.d  unhidden  paffages  J, 
Of  his  true  titles  to  fome  certain  dukedoms ; 
And,  generally,  to  the  crown  and  feat  of  France, 
Dcriv'd  from  Edward,  his  great  grandfather. 

a         •  crefcive  in  bis  faculty.]  Increafing  in  its  proper  power. 

JOHNSON. 

Grt-~M  like  thefummergrafs,  fnjlefi  by  night , 
Unfeen^yet  crefcive  in  his  faculty  ,~\ 
Crefcit  occulto  vclut  arbor  aevo 
Fama  Marcelli. 

Cre/dve  is  a  word  ufed  by  Drant  in  his  tranflation  of  Horace's 
Art  of  Poetry,    i  567  : 

"  As  lufty  youths  of  crefcive  age  doe  flouriflie  frefhe  and 

grow."    STEEVENS. 

3  Tlxfeverals,  and unhidden  pajjages ,]  This  line  I  fufpecr,  of 
corruption,  though  it  may  be  fairly  enough  explained:  the/rf/*- 
fages  of  his  titles  are  the  lines  of  fucceffion  by  which  his  claims  de- 
1'cend.  Unhidden  is  ofcnt  clear.  JOHNSON, 

Eh. 


KING    HENRY    V.  i5 

Ely.  What  was  the  impediment  that  broke  this  off? 

Cant.  The  French  ambaflador,  upon  that  inftant, 
Crav'd  audience  :  and  the  hour,  I  think,  is  come, 
To  give  him  hearing ;  Is  it  four  o'clock  ? 

Ely.  It  is. 

Cant.  Then  go  we  in,  to  know  his  embaffy ; 
Which  I  could,  with  a  ready  guefs,  declare, 
Before  the  Frenchman  fpeaks  a  word  of  it. 

Ely.  I'll  wait  upon  you  ;  and  I  long  to  hear  it. 

[Exeunt, 

SCENE    II. 

Opens  to  the  prefence. 

Enter  king  Henry,  Glo/ter,    Bedford,    Warwick,    Weft- 
'/norland,  and  Exeter. 

K.  Henry.  Where  is  my  gracious  lord  of  Canter- 
bury ? 

Exe.  Not  here  in  prefence. 
K.  Henry.  Send  for  him,  good  uncle  *. 
Weft.  5  Shall  we  call  in  the  ambaflador,  my  liege  ? 
K.  Hemy>  Not  yet,  my  coufm 6 ;  we  would  be  re- 

folv'd, 

Before  we  hear  him,  of  fome  things  of  weight, 
That 7  talk  our  thoughts,  concerning  us  and  France.' 

Enter  the  archbfoop  of  Canterbury,  and  bifJiop  of  Ely. 

Cant.  God,  and  his  angels,  guard  your  facred  throne, 
And  make  you  long  become  it ! 

4  Good  Uncle.'}  John  Holland,  duke  of  Exeter,  was  married  to 
to  Elizabeth  the  king's  aunt.         STEEVENS. 

*  Shall  we  call  in,  &c,]  Here  began  the  old  play.     POPE. 
'  Notyet,  my  con/in  ;  &c.]  The  410.  1600  and  1608,  read 
Not  yet,  my  coujin,  till  ive  be  refold d 
Of  fome  Jcrious  matters  touching  us  and  France. 

STEEVENS. 

»  —  tafi—~\  Keep  bufied  with  fcruples  and  laborious  difquifi- 
tions.    JOHNSON. 

K.  Henry. 


16  KING    HENRY    V. 

K.  Henry.  Sure,  we  thank  you. 
My  learned  lord,  we  pray  you  to  proceed ; 
And  juftly  and  religioufly  unfold, 
Why  the  law  Salique,  that  they  have  in  France, 
Or  fhould,  or  mould  not,  bar  us  in  our  claim. 
And  God  forbid,  my  dear  and  faithful  lord, 
That  you  Ihould  fafhion,  wreft,  or  bow  your  reading, 
8  Or  nicely  charge  your  underftanding  foul 
With  opening  titles 9  mifcreate,  whofe  right 
Suits  not  in  native  colours  with  the  truth  ; 
For  God  doth  know,  how  many,  now  in  health, 
Shall  drop  their  blood  in  approbation  ' 
Of  what  your  reverence  ihall  incite  us  to  : 
Therefore  *  take  heed  how  you  impawn  our  perfon, 
How  you  awake  the  fleeping  fword  of  war  ; 
We  charge  you  in  the  name  of  God,  take  heed  : 
For  never  two  fuch  kingdoms  did  contend, 
Without  much  fall  of  blood  ;  whofe  guiltlefs  drops 

8  Or  nicely  charge  your  underjlanding  foul]  Take  heed  left  by  nice 
and  fubtle  fophillry  you  burthen  your  knowing  foul,  or  know- 
ingly burthen  your  foul,  with  the  guilt  of  advancing  a  falfe  title, 
or  of  maintaining,  by  fpecious  fallacies,  a  claim  which,  if  flie\vn. 
in  its  native  and  true  colours,  would  appear  to  be  falfe. 

JOHNSON. 

9  — mifcrcate, — ]  Ill-begotten,  illegitimate,  fpurious. 

JOHNSON. 

»  — in  approbation]  i.e.  in  proving  nnd  fupporting  that  title 
which  fliall  be  now  fet  up.  So,  in  Brathwaite's  Survey  of  Hif- 
tories,  1614.  "  Compofing  what  he  wrote,  not  by  report  of 
others,  but  by  the  approbation  of  his  own  eyes."  Again,  in  the 
Winter's  Tale: 

"  That  lack'd  fight  only  ; — nought  for  approbation 
"  But  only  feeing."    MALONE. 

*  — take  heed  bovj  you  impawn  our  perfon,~\  The  whole  drift 
of  the  king  is  to  imprefs  upon  the  archbilhop  a  due  fenfe  of  the 
caution  with  which  he  is  to  fpeak.  He  tells  him  that  the  crime 
of  unjufl  war,  if  the  war  be  unjuft,  fhall  reft  upon  him. 

Therefore  take  heed  how  you  impawn  your perfon. 
So,  I  think  it  fhould  be  read.     Take  heed  how  you  pledge  yourfelf, 
your  honour,  your  happinefs,  in  fupport  of  bad  advice. 

Dr.  Warburton  explains  impawn  by  engage^  and  fo  efcapes  the 
difficulty.  JOHNSON. 

Arc 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V.  17 

Arc  every  one  a  woe,  a  fore  complaint, 
*Gainft  him,  vvhofe  wrong  gives  edge  unto  the  fvvord 
That  makes  fuch  wafte  in  brief  mortality  \ 
4  Under  this  conjuration,  fpcak,  my  lord  ; 
For  we  will  hear,  note,  and  believe  in  heart, 
That  what  you  fpeak  is  in  your  confcience  wafh'd 
"As  pure  as  fin  with  baptifm. 

Cant.  Then  hear  me,  gracious  fovcreign, — and  you 

peers, 

That  owe  your  lives,  your  faith,  and  fervices, 
To  this  imperial  throne  ; — There  is  no  bar  * 
To  make  againft  your  highnefs'  claim  to  France, 
But  this,  which  they  produce  from  Pharamond,— - 
In  t  err  am  Salicam  mulleres  ne  fuccedant  69 
No  woman  Jhall  fv.ccesd  in  Saliqus  land: 
Which  Sdique  land  the  French  unjuftly  gloze 
To  be  the  realm  of  France,  and  Pharamond 
The  founder  of  this  law  and  female  bar. 
Yet  their  own  authors  faithfully  affirm, 
That  the  land  Salique  lies  in  Germany, 
Between  the  floods  of  Sala  and  of  Elbe  : 
Where  Charles  the  great,  having  fubdu'd  the  Saxons^ 
There  left  behind  and  fettled  certain  French  ; 
Who,  holding  in  difdain  the  German  women, 
For  fomc  dilhoneft  manners  of  their  life, 
Eftabliih'd  there  this  law, — to  wit,  no  female 
Should  be  inheritrix  in  Salique  land ; 

*  Irlcf  mortality. "J 

"  Nulla  brcvcm  dominum  fequetur.     Hor.     STEEVENS, 

*  Under  this  conjuration,]  The  4tos  1600  and  1608,  read  : 

After  this  conjuration.     STEEVF.NS. 

5  • There  is  no  bar  &c.]   This    whole  fpeech  is  copied  (in 

a  manner  <vcrlatltn)  from  Hall's  Chronicle  Henrv  V.  year  the  fe- 
cond,  folio  4.  xx.  xxx.  xl,  &c.     In  the  firft  edition   it  is  very 
imperfeft,  and  the  whole  hiftory  and   names   of  the   princes  are 
confounded ;  but  this  was   afterwards   fet    right,  and   corrected 
from  his  original,  Hall's  Chronicle,.     POPE. 

6  This  ipeech  (together  with  the  Latin  paflage  in  it)   may  as 
well  be  faid  to  be  taken  from  Holinfned  as  from  Hall.  STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  C  Which 


18  KING     HENRY    V. 

Which  Salique,  as  I  faid,  'twixt  Elbe  and  Sala, 

Is  at  this  day  in  Germany  call'd — Meifen. 

Thus  doth  it  well  appear,  the  Salique  law 

Was  not  devifed  for  the  realm  of  France  : 

Nor  did  the  French  poflefs  the  Salique  land 

Until  four  hundred  one  and  twenty  years 

After  defun&ion  of  king  Pharamond, 

Idly  fuppos'd  the  founder  of  this  law  ; 

Who  died  within  the  year  of  our  redemption 

Four  hundred  twenty-fix  ;  and  Charles  the  gieat, 

Subdu'd  the  Saxons,  and  did  feat  the  French 

Beyond  the  river  Sala,  in  the  year 

Eight  hundred  five.     Befides,  their  writers  fay, 

King  Pepin,  which  depofed  Childerick, 

Did,  as  heir  general,  being  defcended 

Of  Blithild,  which  was  daughter  to  king  Clothair, 

Make  claim  and  title  to  the  crown  of  France. 

Hugh  Capet  alib, — that  ufurp'd  the  crown 

Of  Charles  the  duke  of  Lorain,  fole  heir  male 

Of  the  true  line  and  ftock  of  Charles  the  great,-— 

7  To  fine  his  title  with  fome  fliew  of  truth, 

(Though,  in  pure  truth,  it  was  corrupt  and  naught) 

Convey'd  himlelf  as  heir  to  the  lady  Lingare, 

Daughter  to  Charlemain,  who  was  the  fon 

To  Lewis  the  emperor,  and  Lewis  the  fon 

Of  Charles  the  great.     Alfo  king  Lewis  the  ninth, 

7  To  fine  bis  title  &c.]  This  is  the  reading  of  the  quarto  of 
1608,  that  of  the  folio  is,  To  find  bis  title.  I  would  read  : 

To  line  bis  title  ^MtthfvmeJbe-TU  of  truth. 

To  line  may  fignify  at  once  to  decorate  and  to  ftrengthen.     In 
Macbeth : 

"  He  «//'</ line  the  rebels  ivitb  hidden  help  and  vantage" 
Dr.  Warburton  fays,  that  to  fine  bis  title,  is  to  refine  or  improve 
it.     The  reader  is  to  judge. 

I  now  believe  that^W  is  right ;  the  jury  finds  for  the  plaintiff, 
or  finds  for  the  defendant :  to  find  his  title  is,  to  determine  in  fa- 
vour of  bis  title  with  fame  flew  of  truth.  JOHNSON. 

Both  the  quartos,  1600  and  1608,  read — 'To  fine  his  title,  i.  e. 
to  nuke  itjleiiy  or  Jfieciom  by  loine  appearance  of  juftice. 

STEEVENS. 

Who 


KING    HENRY    V.  I9 

Who  was  folc  heir  to  the  ufurper  Capet, 

Could  not  keep  quiet  in  his  confcience, 

Wearing  the  crown  of  France,  'till  fatisfy'd 

That  fair  queen  Ifabel,  his  grandmother, 

Was  lineal  of  the  lady  Ermengare, 

Daughter  to  Charles  the  forefaid  duke  of  Lorain; 

By  the  which  marriage,  the  line  of  Charles  the  great; 

Was  re-united  to  the  crown  of  France. 

So  that,  as  clear  as  is  the  fummer's  fun, 

King  Pepin's  title,  and  Hugh  Capet's  claim, 

King  Lewis  his  fatisfa&ion,  all  appear 

To  hold  in  right  and  title  of  the  female  : 

So  do  the  kings  of  France  unto  this  day ; 

Howbeit  they  would  hold  up  this  Salique  law, 

To  bar  your  highnefs  claiming  from  the  female; 

And  rather  chule  to  hide  them  in  a  net, 

Than  amply  to  imbare  their  crooked  titles8, 

Ufuro'd  from  you  and  your  progenitors. 

K.  Henry. 

*  — imbare  their  crooked  titles^]  Mr.  Pope  reads : 

Than  openly  imbrace]  But  where  is  the  antithefis  betwixt 
bide  in  the  preceding  line,  and  imbrace  in  this  ?  The  two  old  fo« 

lios  read,  Than  amply  to  imbarre. We  certainly  muft  read,  a$ 

Mr.  Warburton  advifed  me,  Than  amply  to  imbare  lay  open, 
difplay  to  view.  I  am  furpriz'd  Mr.  Pope  did  not  flart  this  con- 
jecture, as  Mr.  Rowe  had  led  the  way  to  it  in  his  edition  j  who 
reads : 

Than  amply  to  make  bare  their  crooked  titles.    THEOBALD. 

Mr.  Theobald  might  have  found  in  the  quarto  of  1608,  this 
reading : 

Than  amply  to  embrace  their  crooked  caufes ; 
out  of  which  line  Mr.  Pope  formed  his  reading,  erroneous  in- 
deed, but  not  merely  capricious.    JOHNSON. 

The  410  1600,  reads imbace. 

I  know  of  no  fuch  word  as  imbare.     To  unbar  is  to  open,  which 
I  fuppofe  to  be  the  word  fet  down  by  the  poet,  and  was  probably 
oppofed  to  bar. 
So,  in  the  firft  fcene  of  Timoa,  the  poet  fays,  "  I'll  unbolt  to  you." 

To  embar^  however,  teems,  from  the  following  paflage  in  the 
firrt  book  of  Stanyhurfl's  tranflation  of  Virgilt  1582,  to  fignify 
to  break  or  cut  off  abruptly  : 

"  Heere  Venus  embarring  his  tale,  &c." 

C  2  Yet. 


20  K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

K.  Henry.  May  I,-  with  right  and  confcience,  make 
this  claim  ? 

Cant.  The  fin  upon  my  head,  dread  fovereign  I 
For  in  the  book  of  Numbers  is  it  writ — 
When  the  fon  dies,  let  the  inheritance 
Defcend  unto  the  daughter.     Gracious  lord, 
Stand  for  your  own  ;.  unwind  your  bloody  flag ; 
Look  back  unto  your  mighty  anceilors : 
Go,  my  dread  lord,  to  your  great  grandfire's  tomb, 
From  whom  you  claim  ;  invoke  his  warlike  fpirit, 
And  your  great  uncle's,  Edward  the  black  prince ;. 
Who  on  the  French  ground  play'd  a  tragedy, 
Making  defeat  on  the  full  power  of  France ; 
Whiles  his  moft  mighty  father  on  a  hill, 
Stood  fmiling,  to  behold  his  lion's  whelp 
Forage  in  blood  of  French  nobility. — 
O  noble  Englifh,  that  could  entertain 
With  half  their  forces  the  full  pride  of  France  j 
And  let  another  half  ftand  laughing  by, 
All  out  of  xvork,  and  cold  for  action  9 ! 

Ely.  Awake  remembrance  of  thefc  valiant  dead, 
And  with  your  puiflant  arm  renew  their  feats  : 
You  are  their  heir,  you  fit  upon  their  throne  ; 
The  blood  and  courage,  that  renowned  them, 
Runs  in  your  veins  ;  and  my  thrice-puillant  Hege 
Is  in  the  very  May-morn  of  his  youth, 
Ripe  for  exploits  and  mighty  entcrprizes. 

Exe.  Your  brother  kings  and  monarchs  of  the  earth 
Do  all  expert  that  you  Ihould  roufe  yourfclf, 
As  did  the  former  lions  of  your  blood. 


Yet,  as  to  lar,  in  Mud  Ado  alout  Nothing,  is  to  flrengthen,— • 

**  that  is  llronger  made 

44  Which  was  before  barrel  up  with  ribs  of  iron. '*' 

SoJ  amply  to  unbar  may  mean  to  weaken  by  an  open  difplay  of 
invalidity.     STEEVENS. 

9  — — —  cold  for  aftion  /]  The  next  fpeeches  of  Ely,  Exeter, 
Weftmoreland,  and  Canterbury,  were  added  after  the  quartos 
1600  and  i6ob'.  STEEVENS. 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V.  21 

Weft*  l  They  know,  your  grace   hath  caufe,  and 

means  and  might ; 

So  hath  your  highncfs ;  never  king  of  England 
Had  nobles  richer,  and  more  loyal  fubjcdts ; 
Whofe  hearts  have  left  their  bodies  here  in  England, 
And  lie  pavilion'd  in  the  fields  of  France. 

Cant.  O,  let  their  bodies  follow,    my  dear  liege*, 
With  blood,  and  fvvord,  and  fire,  to  win  your  right : 
In  aid  whereof,  we  of  the  fpiritualty 
Will  raife  your  highnefs  fuch  a  mighty  Cum, 
As  never  did  the  clergy  at  one  time 
Bring  in  to  any  of  your  anceftors. 

K.  Henry.  We  mud  not  only  arm  to  invade  the 

French ; 

But  lay  down  our  proportions  to  defend 
Againft  the  Scot,  who  will  make  road  upon  us 
With  all  advantages. 

Cant.  They  of  thofe  marches  J,  gracious  fovereign, 
Shall  be  a  wall  fufficient  to  defend 
Our  inland  from  the  pilfering'borderers. 

K>  Henry..  We  do  not  mean  the  courfing  matchers 
only, 

1   jTZvy  know  your  grace  hath  caufe,  and  means,  and  might) 

So  hath  your  bighnefi ; ] 

\Ve  fliould  read : 

-your  race  had  caufc • 

which  is  carrying    on  the    lenfe  of  the  concluding    words  of 
Exeter : 

j&s  did  the  former  lions  of  your  blood  $ 
meaning  Edward  HI.  and  the  black  prince.     WARBURTOX. 

I  do  not  fee  but  the  prelent  reading  may  Hand  as  I  have 
pointed  it.  JOHNSON. 

*  Thefetwo  lines  Dr.  Warburton  gives  to  Weftmoreland,  but 
with  fo  little  reafon  that  I  have  continued  them  to  Canterbury. 
The  credit  of  old  copies,  though  not  great,  is  yet  more  than 
nothing.  JOHNSON. 

3  They  of  tbofe  marches,]  The  marches  are  the  borders,  the  li- 
mits, the  confines.  Hence  the  Lords  Marchers,  i.  e.  the  lords 
presidents  of  the  marches,  &c.  So,  in  the  firit  canto  of  Drayton's 
Baron?  Wars : 

*'  When  now  the  marchers  well  urxm  their  way,  &c." 

STEEVENS. 

C  2  But 


22  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

But  fear  the  main  intendment  of  the  Scot, 
Who  hath  been  Hill  a4 giddy  neighbour  to  us  : 
For  you  fiiall  read,  that  my  great  grandfather 
*  Never  went  with  his  forces  into  France, 
But  that  the  Scot  on  his  unfurnifh'd  kingdom 
Came  pouring,  like  the  tide  into  a  breach, 
With  ample  and  brim  fulnefs  of  his  force  ; 
Galling  the  gleaned  land  with  hot  affays  ; 
Girding  with  grievous  fiegc  caftles,  and  towns ; 
That  England,  being  empty  of  defence, 
Hath  fliook,  and  trembled  6at  the  ill  neigbourhood. 
Cant.  She  hath  been  then  more  fear'd  than  harm'd^ 

my  liege  : 

For  hear  her  but  exampled  by  herfelf, — . 
When  all  her  chivalry  hath  been  in  France, 
.And  ihe  a  mourning  widow  of  her  nobles, 
She  hath  herfelf  not  only  well  defended, 
But  taken,  and  impounded  as  a  ftray,  . 

4  ~— giddy  neighbour  ]  That  is,  inconftant,  changeable,. 

JOHNSON-. 

5  Never  ivent  with  his  forces  into  France,]  Shakefpeare  wrote 
the  line  thus : 

Nf Vr  ivent  with  his  full  forces  into  France. 

The   following  expreffions  of  unfurnijh'd  kingdom,  gleaned  lan^ 
and  empty  of  defence ,  fhew  this.     WARBURTOX. 
There  is  no  need  of  alteration.    JOHNSON. 
The  4tos  1600  and  1608  read: 

>  never  my  great  grandfather 

Unmaflc'd  bis  power  for  France 

What  an  opinion  the  Scots  entertained  of  the  defencelefs  flate 
of  England,    may    be    known  by   the   following  paflage   from 
The  Battle  of  Floddon,  an  ancient  hiftorical  poem  : 
"  For  England's  king  you  underftand 

"  To  France  is  part  with  all  his  peers : 
*l  There  is  none  at  home  left  in  the  land, 

**  But  joult-head  monks,  and  burften  freers. 
«*  Of  ragged  rufties,  without  rules, 

**  Of  priefts  prating  for  pudding  (hives  ; 
'*  Of  milners  madder  than  their  mules, 

'*  Or  wanton  clerks,  waking  their  wives."   STEEVENS. 
*  •—  at  the  ill  neighbourhood.]  The  4tos  1 600  and  1608  read  ; 
at  the  bruit  thereof.    STEEVENS. 

The 


KING     HENRY     V.  2J 

The  king  of  Scots ;  whom  fhe  did  fend  to  France, 
To  fill  king  Edward's  fame  with  prifcner  kings; 
7  And  make  your  chronicle  as  rich  with  praife, 
As  is  the  ouze  and  bottom  of  the  fea 
With  funken  wreck  *  and  fumlefs  treafuries. 
Exe*  9  But  there's  a  faying,  very  old  and  true,— 
1  If  that  you  will  France  win, 

Then  with  Scotland frjl  be^ln  : 
For  once  the  eagle  England  being  in  prey, 
To  her  unguarded  neft  the  weazcl  Scot 
Comes  fneaking,  and  fo  fucks  her  princely  eggs ; 
Playing  the  moufe,  in  abfence  of  the  cat, 

7  And  make  bis  chronicle  as  rich  with  praife,]  He  is  fpeaking 
of  king    Edward's  prifoners  ;    fo  that   it  appears    Shukefpeare 
wrote  : 

as  rl(h  wit]}  prize, 

i.e.  captures,  booty.     Without  this  there  is  neither  beauty  nor 
likenefs  in  the  fimjlitude.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

The  change  of  praife  to  prize,  I  believe  no  body  will  approve  ; 
the  fimilitude  between  the  chronicle  and  the  fea  confifts  only  in 
this,  that  they  are  both  full,  and  filled  with  fomething  valuable. 
Befides,  Drf  Warburton  prefuppofes  a  reading  which  exifts  in  no 
ancient  copy,  for  hh  chronicle  as  the  later  editions  give  it,  the 
quarto  has  your,  the  folio  their  chronicle. 

Tour  and  their  written  by  contraction  _yr  are  juft  alike,  and  her 
in  the  old  hands  is  not  much  unlike yr.  I  believe  we  ftiould  read 
her  chronicle.  JOHNSON. 

8  and  fumlefs  treafuries.'}    The  quartos    1600  and   1608 

read : 

and  fhiplefs  treafury.     STEEVENS. 

9  Ely.  But  there's  q  faying,  &c.]  This  fpeech,  which  is   dif» 
fuafive  of  war  with   France,  is  abfurdly  given  to   one  of  the 
churchmen  in  confederacy  to  pufli  the  king  upon  it,  as  appears 
by  the  firft  fcene  of  this  aft.     Befides,  the  poet  had  here  an  eye 
to  Hall,  who  gives  this  obfervation  to  the  duke  of  Exeter.    But 
the  editors   have  made  Ely  and  Exeter  change  fides,   and  fpeak 
one  another's  fpeeches  ;  for  this,  which  is  given  to  Ely,  is  Exe- 
ter's ;  and  the  following  given  to  Exeter  is  Ely's. 

WARBURTON. 

1  If  that  you  will  France  win,  &c.]  Hall's  Chronicle.  Hen.  V. 
year  2.  fol.  7.  p.  2.  x.  POPE. 

It  is  likewife  found  in  Holinfhed,  and  in  the  old  anonymoui 
play  of  K.  Henry  V,  STEEVENS. 

C  4.  To 


24  K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

*  To  taint  and  havock  more  than  Ihe  can  cat. 

Ely.  It  follows  then,  the  cat  muft  ftay  at  home  : 
}  Yet  that  is  but  a  curs'd  neceffity ; 
Since  we  have  locks  to  fafcguard  neceffaries, 
4  And  pretty  traps  to  catch  the  petty  thieves. 
While  that  the  armed  hand  doth  fight  abroad, 
The  advifed  head  defends  itfelf  at  home  : 

*  To  tear  ami  havock  more  than  Jlie  can  eat."]  It  is  not  much 
the  quality  of  the  moufe  to  tear  the  food  it  comes  at,  but  to  run 
over  and  defile  it.  The  old  quarto  reads,  fpoile  \  and 'the  two 
firfl  folios,  tame :  from  which  laft  corrupted  word,  I  think,  I 
have  retrieved  the  poet's  genuine  reading,  taint.  THEOBALD. 

3  Tet  that  is  bvt  a  curs'd  nccejjlty  ;]  So  the  old  quarto.  The 
folios  read  cruflfd:  neither  of  the  words  convey  any  tolerable 
idea ;  but  give-  us  a  counter-reafoning,  and  not  at  all  pertinent, 
We  fbould  read,  'fcus'd  nectjpty.  It  is  Ely's  bufinefs  to  '{hew 
there  is  no  real  neceffity  for  flaying  at  home  :  he  mull  therefore 
mean,  that  though  there  be  a  leeming  neceffity,  yet  it  is  one  that 
may  be  well  e xcufd  and  got  over.  WAR  BUR  TON*. 

Neither  the  old  readings  nor  the  emendation  feem  very  futif- 
factory.  A  curfed  nccejjlty  has  no  fenfe  ;  a  'fcus'd  neceffity  is  fo 
harfh  that  one  would  not  admit  it,  if  any  thing  elfe  can  be 
found.  A  crufh'd  neceffity  may  mean,  a  neceffity  which  is  fubdued 
and  over-powered  by  contrary  reafons.  We  might  read  a  crude 
neceffity,  a  neccjjlty  not  complete^  or  not  well  confidered  and  dU 
gelled,  but  it  is  too  harfh. 
Sir.  T.  Hanmer  reads : 

Tet  that  is  not  o'courfe  a  necejpty.     JOHNSON. 
A  curfd  neceffity  means,  I  believe,  only  an   unfortunate  necef- 
Jity.     Cursed,  in  colloquial  phrafe,  figmfies  any  thing  unfortunate^ 
So  we  fny,  fuch  a  one  leads  a  curfed  life  ;  another  has  got  into  a 
curfed  fcrape.     It  may  mean,  a  neceffity  to  It  execrated. 
t    This  vulgarifm  is  often  ufed  by  fir  Arthur  Gorges  in  his  tranf- 
lation  of  Lucan,   1614.     So,  B.  vii.  p.  293  : 
"  His  curfed  fortune  he  condemned." 
Again,  p.  297  : 

"  — : -on  the  cruel  deftinies 

"  The  people  pour  out  curfed  cries." 
Again,   in  Chapman's  tranllation  of  the  5th  OdyJJey  : 

" while  thus  difcourfe  beheld, 

"  A  curs'd  furge  *gainfl  a  cutting  rock  impell'd 
««  His  naked  body."    STEEVENS. 

*  And  pretty  traps ]  Thus  the  old  copy  j  but  I  believe  we 

fliould  read  petty.    STEEVENS. 

For 


KING    HENRY    V.  25 

5  For  government,  though  high,  and  low,  and  lower, 
Put  into  parts,  doth  keep  in  one  confent 6 ; 
Congruing  in  a  full  and  natural  clofe, 
Like  mufick. 

Cant.  True  :  therefore  doth  heaven  divide 
The  ftate  of  man  in  divers  functions, 

7  Setting  endeavour  in  continual  motion ; 
To  which  is  fixed,  as  an  aim  or  butt, 
Obedience  :  for  fo  work  the  honey  bees ; 
Creatures,  that,  by  a  rule  in  nature,  teach 
The  art  of  order  to  a  peopled  kingdom. 
They  have  a  king,  and  officers  of  forts  : 
Where  fome,  like  magiftrates,  correct  at  home  ; 

8  Others,  like  merchants,  venture  trade  abroad ; 
Others,  like  foldiers,  armed  in  their  ftings, 
Make  boot  upon  the  fummer's  velvet  buds ; 
Which  pillage  they  with  merry  march  bring  home 

5  For  government,  though  high,  and  low,  and  lower,]  The 
foundation  and  expreffion  of  this  thought  feems  to  be  borrowed 
from  Cicero  de  Rcpnblica,  lib.  ?.  Sic  ex  fummis,  &  mediis,  & 
infimis  interjects  ordinibus,  ut  fonis,  moderatam  ratione  civitatem9 
Confenfu  diflimiliorum  concinere  j  &  qua  harmonia  a  muficis  did-* 
tttr  in  cantu,  tarn  ejje  in  civitate  concordiam.  THEOBALD. 

6 in  one  confent,]  Confent  is  unifon.     STEEVENS. 

7  Setting  endeavour  in  continual  motion  ; 
To  which  is  fixed,  as  an  aim  or  butt, 

Obedience—'}  Neither  the  fenfe  nor  the  conftruclion  of  this 
paflage  is  very  obvious.     The  conftruclion  is,  endeavour — as  ax 
aim  or  butt  to  which  endeavour,  obedience  is  fixed.     The  fenfe  is 
that  all  endeavour  is  to  terminate  in  obedience,  to  be  fubordinate 
to  the  publick  good  and  general  defign  of  government. 

JOHNSON. 

8  Others,  like  merchants,  venture  trade  abroad  j]   What   is  the 
venturing  trade  ?    I  am  perfuaded  we  fhould  read  and  point  it 
thus  : 

Others,  like  merchant  venturers,  trade  abroad. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

If  the  whole  difficulty  of  this  paflage  confifts  in  the  obfcurity 
of  the  phrafe  to  venture  trade  it  may  be  eafily  cleared.  To  ven- 
ture trade  is  a  phrafe  of  the  fame  import  and  flruclure  as  to  hazard 
battle.  Nothing  could  have  raifed  an  objection  but  the  defire  of 
being  bufy.  JOHNSON, 

To 


26  KING     HENRY     V. 

To  the  tent-royal  of  their  emperor  : 
Who,  bufy'd  in  his  majefly,  furveys 
The  tinging  mafons  building  roofs  of  gold  ; 
9  The  civil  citizens  kneading  up  the  honey  ; 
The  poor  mechanick  porters  crowding  in 
Their  heavy  burdens  at  his  narrow  gate ; 
The  fad-ey'd  juftice,  with  his  furly  hum, 
Delivering  o'er  to  executors  pale 
The  lazy  yawning  drone.     I  this  infer,— 
That  many  things,  having  full  reference 
To  one  confent,  may  work  contrarioufly  ; 
As  many  arrows,  loofed  feveral  ways, 
Fly  to  one  mark ; 

As  many  feveral  ways  meet  in  one  town ; 
As  many  frefh  ftreams  run  in  one  felf  fca  ; 
As  many  lines  clofe  in  the  dial's  center; 
1  So  may  a  thoufand  actions,  once  afoot, 
End  in  one  purpofe,  and  be  all  well  borne 

9  The  civil  citizens  kneading  up  the  honey  ;]  This  may  poflibly 
be  right :  but  I  rather  think  that  Shakefpeare  wrote — heading  up 
the  honey;  alluding  to  the  putting  up  merchandife  in  calks.  And 
this  is  in  faft  the  cafe.  The  honey  being  beaded  up  in  feparate 
and  diftinft  cells  by  a  thin  membrane  of  wax  drawn  over  the 
mouth  of  each  of  them,  to  hinder  the  liquid  matter  from  run- 
ning out.  WARBURTON. 

To  head  the  honey  can  hardly  be  right ;  for  though  we  head  the 
cafk,  no  man  talks  of  heading  the  commodities.  To  knead  gives 
an  eafy  fenfe,  though  not  phyfically  true.  The  bees  do  in  faft 
knead  the  wax  more  than  the  honey,  but  that  Shakefpeare  per- 
haps did  not  know.  JOHNSON. 

The  old  quartos  read— -lading  up  the  honey.     STEEVENS. 

1  So  may  a  thnufand  attions,  once  afoot ,]  The  fpeaker  is  en- 
deavouring to  (hew  that  the  Hate  is  able  to  execute  many  pro- 
jected actions  at  once,  and  conduct  them  all  to  their  completion, 
without  impeding  or  joftling  one  another  in  their  courfe.  Shake- 
fpeare, therefore,  muft  have  wrote,  aftions  '/  once  a  foot,  i.  e, 
at  once  ;  or,  on  foot  together.  WARBURTON. 

Sir  T.  Hanmer  is  more  kind  to  this  emendation  by  reading  aft. 
at  once.  The  change  is  not  neceflary,  the  old  text  may  ftand. 

JOHNSON. 

With- 


KING     HENRY    V.  2J 

*  Without  defeat.     Therefore  to  France,  my  liege. 
Divide  your  happy  England  into  four ; 
Whereof  take  you  one  quarter  into  France, 
.And  you  withal  fhall  make  all  Galliafhake. 
If  we,  with  thrice  that  power  left  at  home, 
Cannot  defend  our  own  door  from  the  dog, 
Let  us  be  worried  ;  and  our  nation  lofe 
The  name  of  hardinefs,  and  policy. 

K.  Henry.    Call  in  the  meflengers  fent  from  the 

Dauphin. 

Now  are  we  well  refolv'd  :  and, — by  God's  help ; 
And  yours,  the  noble  finews  of  our  power, — 
France  being  ours,  we'll  bend  it  to  our  awe, 
Or  break  it  all  to  pieces  :  Or  there  we'll  fit, 
Ruling,  in  large  and  ample  empery', 
O'er  France,  and  all  her  alrnoft  kingly  dukedoms ; 
Or  lay  thefe  bones  in  an  unworthy  urn, 
Tomblefs,  with  no  remembrance  over  them  : 
Either  our  hiflory  fhall,  with  full  mouth, 
Speak  freely  of  our  ad:s  ;  or  elfe  our  grave, 
Like  Turkifh  mute,  fhall  have  a  tonguelefs  mouth, 
Not  worfhip'd  4  with  a  waxen  epitaph. 

Enter 

4  Without  defeat.—]  The  quartos  1600  and  1608  read,  With- 
out defect.  STEEVENS, 

3  emperyj  This  word  which  fignifies  dominion^  is  now  obfb- 
lete,  though  formerly  in  general  ufe.     So,  in  Claudius  Tiberius 
Nero,   1607  : 

"  Within  the  circuit  of  our  empery"    STEEVENS. 

4  with  a  waxen  epitaph.]  The  quarto  1608  reads,  with  a 

paper  epitaph. 

Either  a  waxen  or  a  paper  epitaph,  is  an  epitaph  eafily  obli- 
terated or  deftroyed  ;  one  which  can  confer  no  lafting  honour  on 
the  dead.  Shakefpeare  employs  the  former  epithet  in  a  fimilar 
fenfe  in  K.  Richard  II : 

"  That  it  may  enter  Mowbray's  "Max en  coat." 

Again,  in  G.  Whetftone's  Garden  of  Unthriftines,   1576  :       / 

"  In  ivaxe,  fay  I,  men  eafily  grave  their  will  ; 

**  In  marble  ftone  the  worke  with  paine  is  wonne  : 
"  But  perfect  once,  the  print  remaineth  ftill, 
"  When  waxen  feales  by  every  browfe  are  donne." 

STEEVENS. 
The 


23  K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

Enter  ambafladors  of  France. 

Now  we  are  well  prepared  to  know  the  pleafure 
Of  our  fair  coufin  Dauphin  ;  for,  we  hear, 
Your  greeting  is  from  him,  not  from  the  king. 

Amb.  May't  pleafe  your  majefty,  to  give  us  leavQ 
Freely  to  render  what  we  have  in  charge  ; 
Or  fhall  we  fparingly  ftiew  you  far  off 
The  Dauphin's  meaning;,  and  our  embafly  ? 

K.  Henry.  We  are  no  tyrant,  but  a  Chriftian  king  ; 
Unto  whofe  grace  our  paflion  is  as  fubjedt, 
As  are  our  wretches  fetter'd  in  our  prifons  : 
Therefore,  with  frank  and  with  uncurbed  plainnefs, 
Tell  us  the  Dauphin's  mind. 

Amb.  Thus  then,  in  few. 
Your  highnefs,  lately  fending  into  France, 
Did  claim  fome  certain  dukedoms,  in  the  right 
Of  your  great  predeceflbr,  king  Edward  the  third. 
In  anfwer  of  which  claim,  the  prince  our  matter 
Says,  —  that  you  favour  too  much  of  your  youth  ; 
And  bids  you  be  advis'd,  there's  nought  in  France, 
That  can  be  with  a  nimble  galliard  *  won  ; 
You  cannot  revel  into  dukedoms  there  : 
He  therefore  fends  you,  meeter  for  your  fpirit, 
This  tun  of  treafure  ;  and,  in  lieu  of  this,     . 
Defires  you,  let  the  dukedoms,  that  you  claim, 
Hear  no  more  of  you.     This  the  Dauphin  fpeaks^ 

K.  Henry.  What  treafure,  uncle  ? 

Exe.  6  Tennis-balls,  my  liege. 

The  fecond  reading  is  more  unintelligible,  to  me  at  leaft,  than 
the  other  :  a  grave  not  digni/ied  with  the  llightell  memorial. 

JOHNSON. 

s  —a  nimble  galliard  tuon  :~\  A  galliard  was  an  ancient  dance, 
no^v  obfolete.     So,  in  All  for  Money,   1574: 

"  Where  fhall  we  get  a  pipe  to  play  the  devil  z  galliard  fM 

STEEVENS. 


*  Tennis-balls,  my  lie%e.~\  In  the  old  play  of  Henry  V.  already 
mentioned,  this  prefent  confiils  of  a  gilded  tun  of  tennis-balls  and 

K.  Henry. 


a  g 
a  carpet 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V.  29 

K.  Henry.  7  We  are  glad,  the  Dauphin  is  fo  pleafant 

with  us ; 

His  present,  and  your  pains,  we  thank  you  for  : 
When  we  have  match'd  our  rackets  to  thefe  balls, 
We  will,  in  France,  by  God's  grace,  play  a  fet, 
Shall  flrike  his  father's  crown  into  the  hazard  : 
Tell  him,  he  hath  made  a  match  with  fuch  a  wrangler, 
That  all  the  courts  of  France  will  be  difturb'd 
With  8  chaces.     And  we  underftand  him  well, 
How  he  comes  o'er  us  with  our  wilder  days, 
Not  meafuring  what  ufe  we  made  of  them. 
We  never  valu'd  this  poor  feat  of  England  ; 
9  And  therefore,  living  hence,  did  give  ourfelf 
To  barbarous  licence  ;  As  'tis  ever  common, 
That  men  are  merneft  when  they  are  from  home. 
But  tell  the  Dauphin, — I  will  keep  my  flate  ; 
Be  like  a  king,  and  Ihew  my  fail  of  greatnefs, 
When  I  do  roufe  me  in  my  throne  of  France : 

7  We  are  glad  the  dauphin  is  fo  pleafant  ivith  us ;  ]  Thus  ilandi 
the  anfwer  of  K.  Henry  in  the  fame  old  play  : 

44  My  lord,  prince  Dolphin  is  very  pleafant  with  me. 
'*  But  tell  him,  that  inltead  of  balls  of  leather, 
*'  We  will  tots  him  balls  of  brafs  and  of  iron : 
"  Yea,  fuch  balls  as  never  were  tofs'd  in  France. 
44  The  proudeft  tennis-court  in  France  fhall  rue  it." 

And  the  following  paflkge  is  in  Michael  Drayton's  Battle  of  Agin* 

court : 

"  I'll  fend  him  balls  and  rackets  if  I  live, 

"  That  they  fuch  racket  fhall  in  Paris  fee, 

«*  When  over  line  with  bandies  I  fliall  drive  ; 

44  As  that,  before  the  fet  be  fully  done, 

*4  France  may  perhaps  into  the  hazard  run."    STEEVENS. 

8  Cbace  is  a  term  at  tennis.     JOHNSON. 

So  is  the  hazard;  a  place  in  the  tennis-court   into  which  the 
ball  is  fometimes  ftruck.     STEEVENS. 

9  And  t  +:re fore,  living  hence, — ]  This  expreflion  has  (Irength 
and  energy :  he  never    valued   England ;    and   therefore   lived 
hence;  i.e.  as  if  abfent  from  it.     But  the  Oxford  editor  alters 
hence  to  here.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

Living  hence  means,  I  believe,  withdrawing  from  the  court, 
the  place  in  which  he  is  now  fpeaking.    STEEVENS. 

For 


30  KING    HENRY    V. 

1  For  that  I  have  laid  by  my  majefty, 

And  plodded  like  a  man  for  working-days ; 

But  I  will  rife  there  with  fo  full  a  glory, 

That  I  will  dazzle  all  the  eyes  of  France, 

Yea,  flrike  the  Dauphin  blind  to  look  on  us. 

And  tell  the  pleafant  prince, — this  mock  of  his 

Hath  turn'd1  his  balls  to  gun-flones  ;  and  his  foul 

Shall  fland  fore  charged  for  the  wafteful  vengeance 

That  fliall  fly  with  them  :  for  many  a  thoufand  widows 

Shall  this  his  mock  mock  out  of  their  dear  hufbands ; 

Mock  mothers  from  their  fons,  mock  caftles  down  ; 

And  fome  are  yet  ungotten,  and  unborn, 

That  fhall  have  caufe  to  curfe  the  Dauphin's  fcorn. 

But  this  lies  all  within  the  will  of  God, 

To  whom  I  do  appeal ;   And  in  whofe  name, 

Tell  you  the  Dauphin,  I  am  coming  on, 

To  venge  me  as  I  may,  and  to  put  forth 

My  rightful  hand  in  a  well-hallow'd  caufe* 

So,  get  you  hence  in  peace  ;  and  tell  the  Dauphin, 

His  jeft  will  favour  but  of  lhallow  wit, 

When  thoufands  weep,  more  than  did  laugh  at  it.— 

Convey  them  with  fafe  conduct. — Fare  you  well. 

[Exeunt  AmbaJJadors. 

Exe.  This  was  a  merry  meffage. 

A".  Henry.  We  hope  to  make  the  fender  blufh  at  it. 
Therefore,  my  lords,  omit  no  happy  hour, 
That  may  give  furtherance  to  our  expedition  : 
For  we  have  now  no  thought  in  us,  but  France  ; 
Save  thofe  to  God,  that  run  before  our  bufmefs. 
Therefore,  let  our  proportions  for  thefe  wars 

1  For  that  I  have  laidly — ]  To  qualify  myfelf  for  this  un- 
dertaking, I  have  defcended  from  my  ftation,  and  fludied  the  arts 
of  life  iii  a  lower  character.  JOHNSON. 

The  quartos  1600  and  i6c8  read— -for  this.     STEEVENS. 

"*•  ——bislallstogTin-Jtones; ]  When  ordinance  was  firft 

ufed,  they  difcharged  balls,  not  of  iron,  but  of  ftone.  JOHNSON. 
So  Holinflied,  p.  947.  "  About  feaven  of  the  clocke  marched 
foi"ward  the  light  peeces  of  ordinance,  wiihjlone  and  powder." 

STEEVENS. 

Be 


KING    HENRY    V.  3* 

Be  foon  collected  ;  and  all  things  thought  upon, 
That,  may,  with  reafonable  fwiftnefs,  add 
More  feathers  to  our  wings  :  for,  God  before, 
We'll  chide  this  Dauphin  at  his  father's  door. 
Therefore,  let  every  man  now  talk  his  thought, 
That  this  fair  a&ion  may  on  foot  bebrought.  [Exeunt. 


ACT       II. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Chor.  Now  all  the  youth  of  England  are  on  fire  *, 
And  filken  dalliance  in  the  wardrobe  lies ; 

Now 

3  In  this  place,  in  all  the  editions  hitherto,  is  inferted  the 
chorus  which  I  have  poftponed.  That  chorus  manifeftly  is  in- 
tended to  advertife  the  fpeftators  of  the  change  of  the  fcene  to 
Southampton,  and  therefore  ought  to  be  placed  juft  before  that 
change,  and  not  here,  where  the  fcene  is  uill  continued  in  Lon- 
don. POPE. 

Now  all  the  youth  of  England — ]  I  have  replaced  this  chorus 
here,  by  the  authority  of  the  old  folios ;  and  ended  the  firft  a&, 
as  the  poet  certainly  intended.  Mr.  Pope  removed  it,  becaufe, 
fays  he,  "  This  chorus  manifeftly  is  intended  to  advertife  the 
fpeclators  of  the  change  of  the  fcene  to  Southampton ;  and 
therefore  ought  to  be  placed  jufl  before  that  change,  and  not 
here."  It  is  true,  the  fpedlators  are  to  be  informed,  that,  when 
they  next  fee  the  king,  they  are  to  fuppofe  him  at  Southampton 
But  this  does  not  imply  any  neceffity  of  this  chorus  being  con- 
tiguous to  that  change.  On  the  contrary,  the  very  concluding 
lines  vouch  abfclutely  againft  it  : 

But  till  the  king  comefortb^  ana1  not  till  then, 
Unto  Southampton  do  wejlrift  our  fcene, 

For  how  abfurd  is  fuch  a  notice,  if  the  fcene  is  to  change,  fo 
foon  as  ever  the  chorus  quits  the  ftage  ?  Befides,  unlefs  this  cho- 
rus be  prefixed  to  the  fcene  betwixt  Nym,  Bardolph,  &c.  we 
fliall  draw  the  poet  into  another  abfurdity.  Piftol,  Nym,  and 
Bardolph  are  in  this  fcene  talking  of  going  to  the  wars  or  France : 
but  the  king  had  but  juft,  at  his  quitting  the  ftage,  declared  hi$ 
refolution  of  commencing  this  war ;  and  without  the  interval  of 


3i  KING    HENRY    V. 

Now  thrive  the  armourers,  and  honour's  thought 

Reigns  folely  in  the  breaft  of  every  man  : 

They  fell  the  pafture  now,  to  buy  the  horfe  ; 

Following  the  mirror  of  all  Chrillian  kings, 

With  winged  heels,  as  Englifh  Mercuries. 

4  For  mw  fits  Expectation  in  the  air  ; 

And  hides  a  fword,  from  hilts  unto  the  point, 

With  crowns  imperial,  crowns,  and  coronets., 

Promis'd  to  Harry,  and  his  followers. 

The  French,  advis'd  by  good  intelligence 

Of  this  moft  dreadful  preparation, 

Shake  in  their  fear  ;  and  with  pale  policy 

Seek  to  divert  the  Englifh  purpofes. 

O  England  ! — model  to  thy  inward  greatnefs, 

Like  little  body  with  a  mighty  heart, — 

What  might'fl  thou  do,  that  honour  would  thee  do, 

an  aft,  betwixt  the  fcene  and  the  comic  characters  entering,  how 
could  they  with  any  probability  be  informed  of  this  intended  ex- 
pedition ?  THEOBALD. 

I  think  Mr.  Pope  miftaken  in  tranfpofing  this  chorus,  and 
Mr.  Theobald  in  concluding  the  aft  with  it.  The  chorus  evi- 
dently introduces  that  which  follows,  not  comments  on  that  which 
precedes,  and  therefore  rather  begins  than  ends  the  aft,  and 
Ib  I  have  printed  it.  Dr.  Warburton  follows  Mr.  Pope. 

JOHNSON. 
4  For  noi'jjtts  Expectation  In  the  air, 

And  bides  afivord,  from  bills  unto  ike  point, 
With  crowns  imperial,  &c.]  The  imagery  is  wonderfully 
fine,  and  the  thought  exquifite.  Expcttation  fitting  in  the  air, 
defigns  the  height  of  their  ambition  ;  and  the/twn/  b'ul from  tbc 
hilt  to  tbc  point  ivitb  crowns  and  coronets,  that  all  fentiments  of 
danger  were  loft  in  the  thoughts  of  glory.  WARBURTON. 

The  idea  is  taken  from  the  ancient  reprefentations  of  trophies 
in  tapeftry  or  painting.  Among  thefe  it  is  very  common  to  fee 
fwords  encircled  with  naval  or  mural  crowns.  Expectation  is  like- 
wife  perfonified  by  Milton,  Par.  Loft,  b.  vi. 

"  while  Expectation  flood 

"  In  horror." STEEVENS. 

In  the  horfe  armoury  in  the  Tower  of  London,  Edward  III.  is 
reprefented  with  two  crowns  on  his  fword,  alluding  to  the  two 
kingdoms,  France  and  England,  of  both  which  he  was  crowned 
heir.  Perhaps  the  poet  took  the  thought  from  this  reprefenta- 
tion.  TOLLET. 

Were 


it  ING    HENRY    V.  33 

Were  all  thy  children  kind  and  natural  ! 

But  fee  thy  fault !  France  hath  in  thee  found  out 

A  neft  of  hollow  bofoms,  which  fhe  fills 

With  treacherous  crowns:  and  three  corrupted  men,-— 

One,  Richard  earl  of  Cambridge  ;  and  the  fecond, 

Henry  lord  Scroop  of  Malham  ;  and  the  third, 

Sir  Thomas  Grey  knight  of  Northumberland,-— 

Have  for  the  gilt  of  France  *,  (O  guilt,  indeed  !) 

Confirm 'd  confpiracy  with  fearful  France  ; 

5  And  by  their  hands  this 6  grace  of  kings  mufl  die, 

(if 

*  the  gilt  of  France}  Gilt,  which  in  our  author,  gene- 
rally fignifies  a  difplay  of  gold  (as  in  this  play: 

*'  Our  gaynefs  and  our  gilt  are  all  befmirch'd.") 
in  the  prefent  inilance  means  golden  money.     So,  in  An  Alarun 
for  London,   1602  : 

"  To  fpend  the  victuals  of  our  citizens, 

"  Which  we  can  fcarcely  compafs  now  for  £•///." 

STEEVEXS. 

5  And  ly  their  bands  this  grace  of  kings  mujl  die, 
(If  bell  and  treafon  bold  their  promifes,) 
Ere  be  take  j)Ap  for  France,  and  in  Southampton* 
Linger  your  patience  on ;   and  well  digcjl 
The  alufe  of  diflance,  while  we  force  a  play* 
The  ftim  is  paid ;  the  traitors  are  agreed ; 
The  king  isfetfrom  London  ;  and  the  fcexe 
Is  'ioi'.'  traitfportcd,  gentles,  to  Southampton  : 
There  h  the  phy-houfe  now, — ]  I  fuppofe  every  one  that 
reads  thefc  lines  looks  about  for  a  meaning  which  he  cannot  find. 
There  is  no  connexion  of  ienfe  nor  regularity  of  tranfition  from, 
one  thought  to  the  other.     It  may  be  fufpefted  that  fome  lines 
are  loft,  j».nd  in  that  cafe  the  fenfe  is  irretrievable.    I  rather  think 
the  meaning  is  obfcured  by  an  accidental  tranfpofuion,  which  I 
would  reform  thus  : 

And  ly  their  hands  this  grace  of  kings  mujl  dict 
.  If  hell  and  treafun  hold  their  promifes. 
The  fiuii  is  paid,  the  traitors  are  agreed, 
The  king  isfetfrom  London,  and  tbefcene 
Is  no-iv  tranfported,  gentles,   to  Southampton, 
Ere  he  take  Jhip  for  France.     And  in  Southampton^ 
Linger  your  patience  on,  and  well  digejl 
The  abufe  of  dijlunce,  wk'lc  ive  force  a  play* 
There  is  the  play -houfe  novj    "    — • 

'  VOL,  VI,  D  This 


34  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

(If  hell  and  treafon  hold  their  promifes) 
Ere  he  take  fhip  for  France,  and  in  Southampton,' 
Linger  your  patience  on  ;  and  well  digeft 7 
The  abufe  of  diflance,  8  while  we  force  a  play. 
The  ium  is  paid  ;  the  traitors  are  agreed  ; 
The  king  is  fet  from  London ;  and  the  fcene 
Is  now  tranfported,  gentles,  to  Southampton  : 
There  is  the  play-houfe  now,  there  muft  you  fit : 
And  thence  to  France  ihall  we  convey  you  fafe, 
And  bring  you  back,  charming  the  narrow  feas  9 
To  give  you  gentle  pafs  ;  for,  if  we  may, 
'We'll  not  offend  one  ftomach  with  our  play. 

This  alteration  reftores  fenfe,  and  probably  the  true  fenfe.     The 
lines  might  be  otherwife  ranged,  but  this  order  pleafes  me  beft. 

JOHNSON. 

*  —this  grace  of  kings — ]  i.e.  he  who  does  greatcft  honour  to 
the  title.  By  the  fame  kind  of  phrafeology  the  ufurper  in  Ham- 
let is  called  the  Fice  of  kings,  i^e.  the  opprobrium  of  them. 

WARBURTOX. 

Shakefpeare  might  have  found  this  phrafe  in  Chapman's  tranfla- 
tion  of  the  firft  book  of  Homer,  1598  : 

'*  with  her  the  grace  of  kings^ 

"  Wife  Ithacus  afcended " 

Again,  in  the  24th  book  : 

"  Idasus,  guider  of  the  mules,  difcern'd  this  grace  of  men" 

STEEVENS. 

7  well  (ligtfi\  The  folio  in  which  only  thefe  chorufes  are 

found,  reads,  and  perhaps  rightly, — 'we'll  digeft.     STEEVENS. 

*  — while  ive- ]  Thefe  two  words  have  been  added  by  the 

modern  editors,  and  (as  it  fhould  feem)  very  properly.  To 
force  a  play ,  is  to  produce  a  play  by  compelling  many  circumftances 
into  a  narrow  compafs.  STEEVENS. 

9  — charming  the  narrow  feai\  From  the  prologue  to  Every  Man 
in  his  Humcur,  it  appears,  that  Hen.  V.  though  not  printed  till 
1600,    was  performed  before  the  year   1598. — Though  Jonfon 
was  indebted,  as  we  are  told,  to  the  kindnefs  of  Shakefpeare  for 
the  introduction  of  this  his  firft  piece  on  the  ftage,  and  though 
Shakefpeare  himfelf  played  a  part  in  it,  he  has  in  this,  as  iu  many 
other  places,  endeavoured  to  ridicule  and  depreciate  him. 
"  He  rather  prays  you  will  be  pleafed  to  fee, 
*'  One  fuch  to-day  as  other  plays  lliould  be; 
*'  Where  neither  c  harm  wafts  you  o'er  thefeas,  &c."  MA  LONE. 
*   Witt  not  offend  one  ftomach — ]  That  is,  you  fliall  pal's  the- 
fca  without  the  qualms  of  fea-ficknefs.    JOHNSON* 

But 


KING    HENRY    V.  35 

4  "But,  'till  the  king  come  forth,  and  not  'till  then, 
Unto  Southampton  do  we  fhift  our  fcene.         [Exit* 


SCENE    1.  , 

Before  Quickly*  s  loufe  in  Eqftcheap. 
Enter  corporal  Nym,  and  lieutenant  Bardotyl. 

3  Bard.  Well  met,  corporal. 

Nym.  Good  morrow,  4  lieutenant  Bardolph. 

Bard.  What,  are  ancient  Piftol  and  you  friends 

yet? 
Nym.  For  my  part,  I  care  not :  I  fay  little ;  but 

*  But)  'till  the  king  come  forth,— •]  Here  feems  to  be  fomething 
omitted.     Sir  T.  Hanmer  reads : 

But  when  the  king  comes /0rA6,— — 

which,  as  the  paflage  now  ftands,  is  neceflary.     Thefe  lines,  ob- 
fcure  as  they  are,  refute  Mr.  Pope's  conjeftures  on  the  true  place 
of  the  chorus ;  for  they  fliew  that  fomething  is  to  intervene  be- 
fore the  fcene  changes  to  Southampton.     JOHNSON. 
The  Canons  of  Criticifm  read  : 

"  and  but  till  then." 

And  the  Revifal  approves  the  correction. 

STBEVENS. 

s  Bard.  Well  met,  corporal]  I  have  chofe  to  begin  the  fe- 
cond  aft  here,  becaufe  each  aft  may  clofe  regularly  with  a  cho- 
rus. Not  that  I  am  perfuaded  this  was  the  poet's  intention,  to 
mark  the  intervals  of  his  afts^  as  the  chorus  did  on  the  old  Gre- 
cian ftage.  He  had  no  occalion  of  this  fort :  fmce,  in  his  time, 
the  paufes  of  aftion  were  filled  up,  as  now,  with  a  leflbn  of 
mufic  :  but  the  reafons  for  this  diftribution  are  explained  before. 

THEOBALD. 

I  have  already  (hewn  why  in  this  edition  the  act  begins  with 
the  chorus.  JOHNSON. 

*  ——lieutenant  Bardolpb.~\  At  this  fcene  begins  the  connec- 
tion of  this  play  with  the  latter  part  of  Kin?  Henry  IV.     The 
charafters  would  be  indifKnft,  and  the  incidents  unintelligible, 
without  the  knowledge  of  what  pafled  in  the  two  foregoing  plays, 

JOHNSON. 

D  2  when 


3<*  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

when  time  lhall  ferve,  5  there  lhall  be  fmiles  ; — but 
that  lhall  be  as  it  may.  I  dare  not  fight ;  but  I  will- 
wink,  and  hold  out  mine  iron  :  It  is  a  fimple  one ; 
but  what  though  ?  it  will  toaft  cheefc  ;  and  it  will  en- 
dure cold  as  another  man's  fvvord  will  :  and  there's 
6  the  humour  of  it. 

Bard.  I  will  beftow  a  breakfaft,  to  make  you 
friends  ;  7  and  we'll  be  all  three  fworn  brothers  to* 
France  :  let  it  be  fo,  good  corporal  Nym. 

Nym*-  Faith,  I  will  live  fo  long  as  I  may,  that's 
the  certain  of  it ;  and,  when  I  cannot  live  any  longer, 
I  will  do  as  I  may  :  that  is  my  reft,  that  is  the  ren- 
dezvous of  it. 

Bard»  It  is  certain,  corporal,  that  he  is  married  to 
Nell  Quickly  :  and,  certainly,  Ihe  did  you  wrong ;  for 
you  were  troth-plight  to  her. 

Nym.  I  cannot  tell ;  things  muft  be  as  they  may  : 
Menmayfleep,and  they  may  have  their  throats  about 
them  at  that  time ;  and,  fome  fay,.,  knives  have  edges. 

5  — there  Jhallle  fmiles; — ]  I  fufpeft  fmiles  to  be  a  marginal 
direction  crept  into  the  text.     It  is  natural  for  a  man,  when  he 
threatens,  to  break  off  abruptly,  and  conclude,  But  tbct  Jball  Is 
as  it  may.     But  this  fantaftical  fellow  is  made  to  fmile  difdainfully 
while  he  threatens ;    which  circumftance  was  marked   for   the 
player's  direction  in  the  margin.     WARBURTON. 

I  do  not  remember  to  have  met  with  thefe  marginal  directions 
for  expreffion  of  countenance,  in  any  of  the  old  copies :  neither 
do  I  fee  occafion  for  Dr.  Warburton's  emendation,  as  it  is  vain  to 
feek  the  precife  meaning  of  every  whimlical  exprelfion  employed 
by  this  eccentric  character.  Nym,  however,  having  exprefred 
his  indifference  about  the  continuance  of  Piftol's  friendfhip, 
might  have  added,  ivhen  time  ferves  there  Jball  be  fmile  J,  i.e.  he 
fhould  be  merry,  even  though  he  was  to  lofe  it ;  or,  that  his- 
face  would  be  ready  with  a  fmile  as  often  as  occafion  fiiould  call 
one  out  into  fervice,  though  Piftol,  who  had  excited  io  many, 
was  no  longer  near  him.  STEEVENS. 

6  the  humour  of  it.'}  The  folio  reads,— and  there's  tin  end. 

STEEVENS. 

7  —  an J  iv f  II  all  be  fworn  brothers  to  France. — ]   We  fhould 
read,  we'll  all  go/u.w»  brothers  to  Fiance,  or,  we 'tt  all  be  fworn 
Irothtn  in  France.    JOHNSON, 

It 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V.  37 

It  tnuft  be  as  it  may  :  though  8  patience  be  a  tir'd 
.mare,  yet  fhe  will  plod.  There  muft  be  conclufions. 
Well,  I  cannot  tell. 

Enter  Pijlol,  and  Quickly* 

Sard.  Here  comes  ancient  Piftol,  and  his  wife  : — 
.good  corporal,  be  patient  here. — Hotfr  now,  mine 
Iioft  Piftol  ? 

PI/1.  Bafetyke',  call'ft  thou  me— hoft  ? 
Now,  by  this  hand  I  fwear,  I  Icorn  the  term ; 
Nor  fhall  my  Nell  keep  lodgers. 

^uick.  No,  by  my  troth,  not  long  :  for  we  cannot 
lodge  and  board  a  dozen  or  fourteen  gentlewomen, 
that  live  honeftly  by  the  prick  of  their  needles,  but  it 
will  be  thought  we  keep  a  bawdy-houfe  ftraight. — '  O 

well- 

8  -—patience  le  a  frVV  mare, — ; ]  The  folio  reads  by  cor- 
ruption, tired  name  !    from  which  fir   T.  Hanmer,  fagacioufly 
enough,  derived  tired  dame.     Mr.  Theobald  retrieved  from  the 
quarto  tired  mare,  the  true  reading.     JOHNSON. 

9  j^^'tyke,— ]  Tike  is  a  (mail  kind  of  dog.    STEEVENS. 

1  O  well-a-day,  lady,  if  be  be  not  hewn  n<nv  !~\  I  cannot  un- 
derftand  the  drift  of  this  expreflion.  Jf  he  be  not  bewn,  muft 
fignify,  if  he  be  not  cut  down  -,  and  in  that  cafe,  the  very  thing 
is  fuppofed  which  Quickly  was  apprehenfive  of.  But  I  rather 
think  her  fright  ariies  upon  feeing  the  fwords  drawn  :  and  I  have 
ventured  to  make  a  flight  alteration  accordingly.  If  he  le  not 
drawn,  for,  if  he  has  not  his  fword  drawnt  is  an  expreffion  fa- 
niiliar  to  our  poet.  THEOBALD. 

I  have  not  difturbed  Mr.  Theobald's  emendation  ;  but  yet  I 
think  we  might  read — if  he  be  not  hewing.  To  hack  and  he-M  is 
a  common  vulgar  espreffioa.  So,  in  If  you  knovj  not  me  you  kuow 
Nolody,  by  Heywood,  163?. — "  Bones  o'me,  he  would  hew  it.'* 
Again,  in  K.  Edward  III."  1599  : 

'*  The  fin  is  more  to  hack  and  hew  poor  men." 
Again,  in  the  metrical  romance  of  Guy  Earl  of  Warwick^  bl.  !„ 
no  date : 

"  The  noble  knights  with  fpear  and  fhield, 

"  Lay  all  bewen  in  the  field." 

The  fame  expreflion  occurs  many  times  in  the  fame  book. 
After  all  (as  the  late  Mr.  Guthrie  obferved)  to  be  hewn  might 
jnean,  Co  be  drunk.     There  is  yet  a  low  phrafe  in  ufe  on  the  fame 
£)  3  occa-. 


38  KING    HENRY    V. 

well-a-day,  lady,  if  he  be  not  drawn  now  !  We  fhall 
fee  wilful  adultery  and  murder  committee!. 

Bard.  2  Good  lieutenant,  good  corporal,  offer  no- 
thing -here. 

Nym.  Pifti  ! 

Pijl.  Pifh  for  thee,  J  Iceland  dog  !  thou  prick-ear'd 
cur  of  Iceland  \ 


occafion,    which  is  not  much    unlike  ;t  ;    viz.    "  he   is  cut" 
"  Such  a  one  was  cut  a  little  laft  night." 
So,  in  the  #7//y  Fair  One,  by  Shirley,  1633  : 

"  Then,  fir,  there  is  the  cut  of  your  leg.— 
"  —  that's  when  a  man  is  drunk,  is  it  not  ? 
**•  —  Do  not  ftagger  in  your  judgment,  for  this  cut  is  the  grace 
of  your  body." 

Again,  in  the  London  Cbaunticlcres,  1659  :  "  -  when  the  cups 
of  canary  have  made  our  heads  trifle  ;  oh  how  we  (hall  foot  it 
when  we  can  fcarce  ftand,  and  caper  when  we  are  cut  in  the  leg  !" 
Again,  in  Decker's  Guls  Hornbook,  1609  :  "  ——to  accept  the 
courteiy  of  the  cellar  when  it  is  offered  you  by  the  drawers  (and 
you  muft  know  that  kindnefs  never  creepes  upon  them  but  when 
they  lee  you  almoft  cleft  to  the  fhoulders)  &c."  STEEVENS. 

1  Good  lieutenant,  —  ]  We  ftiould  read,  Good  ancient,  for  it  is 
Piftol  to  whom  he  addrertes  himfelf.  STEEVENS. 

.3  —  JJlanddog;  —  ]  I  believe  we  fliould  read  Icelan.i  dog.  He 
feems  to  allude  to  an  account  credited  in  Elizabeth's  time,  that 
in  the  north  there  was  a  nation  with  human  bodies  and  dogs 
heads.  JOHNSON.  • 

The  quartos  confirm  Dr.  Johnfon's  conjecture.  STEEVENS. 
Iceland  dog  is  probubly  the  true  reading  ;  yet  we  often  meet 
with  ijland.  Dray  ton  in  his  Moon-calfe  mentions  water-dogs,  and 
iflands.  And  John  Taylor  dedicates  his  Sculler,  "  To  the  whole 
Icennel  of  Antichrifl's  hounds,  prielts,  friars,  monks,  and  jefuites, 
jnaftiffs,  mongrels,  i/lands,  blood-hounds,  bobtaile-tikes. 

FARMER, 

So,  in  Ram-  Alley  i  or  Merry-Tricks,   1611; 
**  •  -  —  you  fhall  have  jewels, 
"  A  baboon,  a  parrot,  and  an  Izeland  dog" 
Perhaps  this  kind  of  dog  was  then  in  vogue  for  the  ladies  to  carry 
about  with  them. 

So,  in  Tat'tf  Wife  Men,  and  all  the  rejl  Fooh  .- 
««  Enter  Levitia,  cum  Pedifequa,  her  periwig  of  dog*  sbair  white,  &c." 
4  The  head  is  a  dog,  'tis  a  mermaid,  half  dog,  half  woman." 
"  -"-No,  'tis  but  the  hair  of  a  dog  infajhion,  pulled  from  thefe 
Iceland  dogs." 

Again; 


KING    HENRY    V.  3? 

Qttick.  Good  corporal  Nym,  fhew  the  valour  of  a 
•man,  and  put  up  thy  fvvord. 

Nym.  4  Will  you  fhogoff?  I  would  have  youfofas. 

P'lft.  Solus,  egregious  dog  ?  O  viper  vile  ! 
'Fhzfolus  in  thy  moft  marvellous  face; 
The  folus  in  thy  teeth,  and  in  thy  throat, 
And  in  thy  hateful  lungs,  yea,  in  thy  maw,  perdy  ; 
And,  which  is  worfe,  within  thy  nafty  mouth  * ! 
I  do  retort  the  folus  in  thy  bowels  : 
6  For  I  can  talk  ;  and  Piftol's  cock  is  up, 
And  flafhiug  fire  will  follow. 

Nym.  7 1  am  not  Barbaibn;  you  cannot  conjure  me. 
I  have  an  humour  to  knock  you  indifferently  well :  If 
you  grow  foul  with  me,  Piflol,  I  will  fcour  you  with 
my  rapier,  as  I  may,  in  fair  terms  :  If  you  would 
walk  off,  I  would  prick  your  guts  a  little,  in  good 
terms,  as  I  may  j  and  that's  the  riumour  of  it. 

Again  :  "  — for  torturing  of  thefe  Iceland  imps,  with  eradicat- 
ing their  fleeces,  thereby  to  enjoy  the  roots." 
Again,  in  the  Preface  to  Swetnam's  Arraignment  ef  Wo^en,  1617  : 

"  — But  if  I  had  brought  little  dogs  from  Iceland^  or  tine  glavfes 
from  Venice,  &c." 

It  appears  from  a  proclamation  in  Rymcr's  Fadera,  that  in  the 
reign  of  Hen.  V.  the  Englifli  had  a  fifhery  on  the  coafts  of  Nor- 
way and  Iceland-,  and  Holinfhed,  in  his  Defer Iption  of  Britain^ 
p.  231,  lays,  "  we  have  fholts  or  curs  dailie  brought  out  of  Ife- 
iand.  STEEVENS. 

PL  prick-ear* d  cur  is  likewife  in  the  lift  of  dogs  enumerated  in 
the  Booke  of  Huntyng,  &c.  bl.  no  date  : 

"  — trindle-tails  and  prick-ear'd  curs."     STEEVENS. 

*  Will  you  fhog  off? — ]  This  cant  word  is  ufed  in  Beaumont 
and  Fletcher's  Coxcomb : 

*'  Come,  pr'ythee,  let  \isjhog  ojf" 
Again,  in  Paf quill  and  Katharine,   1601  : 

"  • thus  \tjhogges, "  5.  e.  thus  it  goes.    STEEVENS. 

5  thy  nalty  mouth  ! ]  The  quartos  read  : 

mefsful  mouth.     STEEVENS. 

6  For  I  can  take ; — ]  I  know  not  well  what  he  can  take.     The 
quarto  reads  talk.     In  our  author  to  take,  is  fometimes  to  blajtj 
which  fenfe  may  ferve  in  this  place.     JOHNSON. 

7  /  am  not  Barbafon  ;  you  cannot  conjure  me.~\  Barlafon  is  the 
iiame  of  a  dajmon  mentioned  in  the  Merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

STEEVENS. 

D  4  Ptft^ 


40  KING    HENRY    V. 

Pift.  O  braggard  vile,  and  damned  furious  wight ! 
The  grave  doth  gape,  and  8  doting  death  is  near  ; 
Therefore  exhale. 

Bard.  Hear  me,  hear  me  what  I  fay  : — he  that 
ftrikes  the  firft  flrokea  I'll  run  him  up  to  the  hilts,  as 
J  am  a  foldier. 

Pift.  An  oath  of  mickle  might  ;    and  fury  lhall 

abate. 

Give  me  thy  fift,  thy  fore-foot  to  me  give ; 
Thy  fpirits  are  moft  tall. 

Nym.  I  will  cut  thy  throat,  one  time  or  other,  in 
fair  terms  ;  that  is  the  humour  of  it. 

Pift.  Coupe  k  gorge,  that  is  the  word  ? — I  defy  thee 
again. 

0  hound  of  Crete,  think'ft  thou  my  fpoufe  to  get  ? 
No  ;  to  the  fpital  go, 

And  from  the  powdering  tub  of  infamy 
Fetch  forth  the  lazar  kite  of  Creflid's  kind  9, 
Doll  Tear-fheet  me  by  name,  and  her  efpoufe  : 

1  have,  and  I  will  hold,  the  quondam  Quickly 

For   the  only  ihe  ;    and — Pauca,   there's  enough  : 
go  to '. 

Enter  the  Boy, 

Boy.  Mine  hoft  Piftol,  you  muft  come  to  my  maf- 
ter, — and  you  hoftefs ; — he  is  very  fick,  and  would 
to  bed. — Good  Bardolph,  put  thy  nofe  between  his 

*  —doting  death  is  near  ; — ]  The  quarto  has  groaning  death. 

JOHNSON. 

9    — — —  the  lazar  kite  of  Creflid's  kind.]  The  fame  expref- 
fion  occurs  in  Green's  Card  of  Fancy,  1608  :  "  What  courtefy 
is  to  be  found  in  fuch  kites  of  Crejjid's  kind?" 
Again,  in  Gafcoigne's  Dan  Bartholomew  of  Bathe,  1587  : 

'*  Nor  feldom  feene  in  kites  of  Creflides  kindc." 
Shakefpeare  might  defign  a  ridicule  on  the  hut  of  thefe  paflages.1' 

STEEVENS, 

»  there's  enough  :  go  to. 

The  firit  folio  read?,— there's  enough  to  go  to.    STEEVENS. 

Iheets, 


KING    HENRY    V.  4, 

iheets,  and  do  the  office  of  a  warming-pan  :  faith, 
he's  very  ill. 

Bard.  Away,  you  rogue. 

^uick.  By  my  troth,  he'll  yield  the  crow  a  pudr 
ding  one  of  thefe  days  :  the  king  has  kill'd  his  heart. 
-—Good  hufband,  come  home  prefently. 

[Exit  Quickly. 

Bard.  Come,  fhall  I  make  you  two  friends  ?  We 
muft  to  France  together ;  Why,  the  devil,  Ihould  we 
keep  knives  to  cut  one  another's  throats  ? 

Pi/t.  Let  floods  o'erfwell,  and  fiends  for  food  howl 


on 


Nym.  You'll  pay  me  the  eight  fhillings  I  won  of 
you  at  betting  ? 

Pip.  *  Bafe  is  the  flave  that  pays. 

Nym.  That  now  I  will  have  ;  that's  the  humour  of 
it. 

Pip.  As  manhood  lhall  compound ;  Pufli  home. 

[Draw. 

Bard.  By  this  fword,  he  that  makes  the  firft  thrufl, 
I'll  kill  him  ;  by  this  fword,  I  will. 

Pijt.  Sword  is  an  oath,  and  oaths  muft  have  their 
courie. 

Bard.  Corporal  Nym,  an  thou  wilt  be  friends,  be 
friends :  an  thou  wilt  not,  why  then  be  enemies  with 
me  too.  Pry'thee,  put  up. 

Nym.  I  fhall  have  my  eight  Ihillings,  I  won  of  you 
at  betting  ? 

Pift.  A  noble  ihalt  thou  have,  and  prefent  pay ; 
And  liquor  likewife  will  I  give  to  thee, 
And  friendihip  mall  combine,  and  brotherhood  : 
I'll  live  by  Nym,  and  Nym  lhall  live  by  me  ; — 
Is  not  this  juft  ? — for  I  fhall  futler  be 

2  Bafe  is  the  flaw  that  fays.]  Perhaps  this  expreflion  was  pro- 
verbial. I  meet  with  it  in  The  fair  Maid  of  the  Weft,  by  Hey- 
Wood,  1631  : 

"  My  motto  {hall  be,  Bafe  it  the  man  that  pays." 

STEEVENS. 
Unto 


42  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Unto  the  camp,  and  profits  will  accrue. 
Give  me  thy  hand. 

Nym.  I  lhall  have  my  noble  ? 

Pift.  In  cafh  mod  juftly  paid. 

Nym.  Well  then,  that's  the  humour  of  it. 

Re-enter  Quickly. 

Quick.  As  ever  you  came  of  women,  come  in 
quickly  to  Sir  John  :  Ah,  poor  heart !  he  is  fo  ftiak'd 
of  a  burning  quotidian  tertian,  that  it  is  moft  lament- 
-able  to  behold.  Sweet  men,  come  to  him. 

Nym.  The  king  hath  run  bad  humours  on  the 
knight,  that's  the  even  of  it. 

Pift.  Nym,  thou  haft  fpoke  the  right ; 
His  heart  is  fradted,  and  corroborate. 

Nym.  The  king  is  a  good  king  :  but  it  muft  be  as 
it  may ;  he  paflfes  fome  humours,  and  careers. 

Pijl.  Let  us  condole  the  knigh.t ;  for?  lambkins, 
we  will  live.  [Exeunt, 

SCENE    II. 

Southampton. 
Enter  Exeter,  Bedford,  and  Wejlmoreland. 

Bed.  'Fore  God,  his  grace  is  bold,  to  truft  thefc 

traitors. 

Exe.  They  fliall  be  apprehended  by  and  by. 
Weft.  How  fmooth  and  even  they  do  bear  them-r 

felves  ! 

As  if  allegiance  in  their  bofoms  fat, 
Crowned  with  faith,  and  conftant  loyalty. 

Bed.  The  king  hath  note  of  all  that  they  intend, 
By  interception  which  they  dream  not  of. 

J£xe.  Nay,  but  the  man  that  was  his  bedfellow  % 

Whom 

3  thai  wai  kis  bedfellow,]  So,  Holinflied.     "  The  (aid  Lord 
was  in  fuch  favour  with  the  king,  that  he  admitted  him 

fome- 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  43 

Whom  he  hath  cloy'd  and  grac'd  4  with  princely 

favours,  — 

That  he  fhould,  for  a  foreign  purfe,  fo  fell 
His  fovereign's  life  *  to  death  and  treachery  ! 

[Trumpets  found. 

Enter  the  King,  Scroop,  Cambridge,  Grey,  and  attendants. 

K'  Henry.  Now  fits  the  wind  fair,    and  we  will 

aboard. 

My  lord  of  Cambridge,  —  and  my  kind  lord  of  Mafham, 
And  you,  my  gentle  knight,  —  give  me  your  thoughts: 
Think  you  not,  that  the  powers  we  bear  with  us, 
Will  cut  their  paflage  through  the  force  of  France  ; 
Doing  the  execution,  and  the  aft, 
*  For  which  we  have  in  head  aflembled  them  ? 

Scroop. 


fometime  to  be  his  bedfellow"    The  familiar  appellation 
fcllo<iv,  wliich  appears  ftrange  to  us,  was  common  among  the  an- 
cient nobility.     There  is  a  letter  from  \hzjixth  earl  of  North- 
umberland (flill  preferved  in  the  collection  of  the  prefent  duke) 
addrefled  **  To  his  beloved  coufyn  Thomas  Arundel,  &c."  which 
begins,  "  Bedfcllo---!,    after  my  moft  harte  recommendacion  :" 
So,  in  a  comedy  called  A  Knack  to  know  a  Knave,  1594  : 
Yet,  for  thou  waft  once  bedfellow  to  a  king, 
And  that  I  iov'd  thee  as  my  fecond  felf,  &c." 


Again, 


Again. 


n  Look  about  Tou^  1600  : 

if  I  not  err 

Thou  art  the  prince's  ward. — 

1  am  his  ward,  his  chamberlain  and  bedfellow" 

n  Cynthia's  Revenge,   1613  : 


Her  I'll  beftow,  and  without  prejudice, 
On  thee  alorc,  my  noble  bedfellow"     STEEVENS. 
*  — cloy'd  andgra<?d~~'\  Thus  the  quarto  ;  the  folio  reads— 
JulTd  and  cloy'd.     Perhaps  dull'd  is  a  miftake  for  dofd. 

STEEVENS. 

s   _/,,  death  and  treachery  !~\  Here  the  quartos  infert  a  line 
omitted  in  all  the  following  editions. 

Exet.  O  !  the  lord  of  Majbam  !     JOHNSON. 
6  For  <whicb  ive  have  in  head  ajjembled  them  ?~\  This  is  not  an 
Englifh  phrafeology.     I  am  perfuaded  Shakefpeare  wrote  : 

For  luhich  ive  have  in  aid  ajfembled  them  f 
alluding  to  the  tenures  of  thofe  times.    WARByRTON. 


44  RING     HENRY    V. 

Scroop.  No  doubt,  my  liege,  if  each  man  do  his 
bed. 

K.  Henry.  I  doubt  not  that :  fince  we  are  well  per- 

fuaded, 

We  carry  not  a  heart  with  us  from  hence, 
That  grows  not  in  a  fair  confent  with  ours ; 
Nor  leave  not  one  behind,  that  doth  not  wifh 
Succefs  and  conqueft  to  attend  on  us. 

Cam.  Never  was  monarch  better  fear'd,  and  lov'd, 
Than  is  your  majefty ;  there's  not,  I  think,  a  fubjed:, 
That  fits  in  heart-grief  and  uneafinefs 
Under  the  fweet  fhade  of  your  government. 

Grey.  Even  thofe,  that  were  your  father's  enemies, 
Have  fteep'd  their  galls  in  honey  ;  and  do  ferve  you 
With  7  hearts  create  of  duty  and  of  zeal. 

K.  Henry.  We  therefore  have  great  caufe  of  thanks 

fulnefs ; 

And  fhall  forget  the  office  of  our  hand, 
Sooner  than  quittance  of  defert  and  merit, 
According  to  the  weight  and  worthinefs. 

Scroop.  So  fervice  fhall  with  fleeled  finews  toil  j 
And  labour  fhall  refrefh  itfelf  with  hope, 
To  do  your  grace  inceflant  fervices. 

K.  Henry.  We  judge  no  lefs. — Uncle  of  Exetei'j 
Enlarge  the  man  committed  yeflerday, 
That  rail'd  againfl  our  perfon  :  we  confider, 
It  was  excefs  of  wine  that  fet  him  on  ; 
And,  on  his 8  more  advice,  we  pardon  him. 

Scroop.  That's  mercy,  but  too  much  fecurity  : 
Let  him  be  punifh'd,  fovereign  ;  left  example 
Breed,  by  his  fufTerance,  more  of  luch  a  kind, 

K.  Henry.  O,  let  us  yet  be  merciful. 

It  is  ftrange  that  the  commentator  fhould  forget  a  word  fo 
eminently  obfervable  in  this  writer,  as  bead,  tor  an  army  formed. 

JOHNSON. 

7  — hearts  create— •]  Hearts  compounded  or  made  up  of  duty  and. 
zeal.  JOHNSON. 

*  —more  advice^ — ]  On  bis  return  to  more  coolnefs  of  mind. 

JOHNSON. 

Cam. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  45 

Cam.  So  may  your  highnefs,  and  yet  punilh  too. 

Grey.  Sir,  you  fliew  great  mercy,  if  you  give  him 

life, 
After  the  tafte  of  much  correction. 

K.  Henry.  Alas,  your  too  much  love  and  care  of 

me 

Are  heavy  orifons  'gainft  this  poor  wretch. 
If  little  faults,  9  proceeding  on  diftemper, 
Shall  not  be  winkM  at,  '  how  lhall  we  ftretch  our  eye, 
When  capital  crimes,  chew'd,  fwallovv'd,aad  digefted, 
Appear  before  us  ? — We'll  yet  enlarge  that  man, 
Though  Cambridge,  Scroop,  and  Grey, — in  their 

dear  care 

And  tender  prefervation  of  our  perfon, — 
Would  have  him  punifh'd.    And  now  to  our  French 

caufcs  ; — 
Who  are  the  late  commiffioners  ? 

Cam.  I  one,  my  lord ; 
Your  highnefs  bade  me  afk  for  it  to-day. 

Scroop.  So  did  you  me,  my  liege. 

Grey.  And  me,  my  royal  fovereign. 

9  — proceeding  on  diflemfer — ]  i.  e.  fudden  paffions. 

WAR  BUR  TOY. 

Perturbation  of  mind.  Temper  is  equality  or  calmncfs  of 
mind,  from  an  equipoife  or  due  mixture  of  paffions.  Diftemper 
of  mind  is  the  predominance  of  a  paffion,  as  dijiemper  of  body  is 
the  predominance  of  a.  humour.  JOHNSON. 

It  has  been  juil  faid  by  the  king  that  it  was  exccfs  of  wine  that 
Jet  him  on,  and  dljiemper  may  therefore  mean  intoxication.  D:f- 
tcmper\l  in  //'//.wr,  is  ftiil  a  common  exprellion.  Chapman  in  his 
epicedium  on  the  Death  of  Prince  Henry,  t6l2,  has  perfonified 
this  difiemper: 

"  Frantick  dljlcmper,  and  hare-ey'd  unreft." 
And  Brabantio  fays,  that  Roderigo  is  : 

"  Full  of  fupper  and  dijlemp'rin^r  draughts." 
Again,    Hoiinihed,  Vol.  III.  p.  626,    tc  — gave  him  wine  and 
ilrong  drink  in  fuch  exceffive  fort,  that  he  was  therewith  dijlem- 
perciJ,  and  reel'd  as  he  went."    STEEVENS. 

1  — hovj  Jball  ive  Jtretch  our  eve, — ]  If  we  may  not  ivink  at 
fmall  faults,,  ko-iv  iviae  niujl  ive  open  our  yes  at  great.  JOHNSON. 

#.  Hetty. 


46  KING    HENRY    V. 

K.  Henry.  Then,  Richard,  earl  of  Cambridge,  there 

is  yours ; — 
There  yours,    lord  Scroop  of  Mafharn ; — and,   fir 

knight, 

Grey  of  Northumberland,  this  fame  is  yours  :— 
Read  them  ;  and  know,  I  know  your  vvorthinefs. — 
My  lord  of  Weftmoreland, — and  uncle  Exeter, — 
We  will  aboard  to-night. — Why,  how  now,  gentle- 
men ? 

What  fee  you  in  thofe  papers,  that  you  lofe 
So  much  complexion  ? — look  ye,  how  they  change  1 
Their  cheeks  are  paper. — Why,  what  read  you  there, 
That  hath  fo  cowarded  and  chas'd  your  blood 
Out  of  appearance  ? 

Cam.  I  do  confefs  my  fault  ; 
And  do  fubmit  me  to  your  highnefs'  mercy. 

Grey.  Scroop.  To  which  we  all  appeal. 

K.  Henry.  The  mercy,  that  was  *  quick  in  us  but 

late, 

By  your  own  counfel  is  fupprefs'd  and  kill'd  : 
You  muft  not  dare,  for  fhame,  to  talk  of  mercy ; 
For  your  own  reafons  turn  into  your  bofoms, 
As  dogs  upon  their  matters,  worrying  them. — 
See  you,  my  princes,  and  my  noble  peers, 
Thefe  Englifh  monfters !  My  lord  Cambridge  here,— 
You  know,  how  apt  our  love  was,  to  accord 
To  furnifli  him  with  all  appertinents 
Belonging  to  his  honour  ;  and  this  man 
Hath,  for  a  few  light  crowns,  lightly  confpir'd, 
And  fworn  unto  the  practices  of  France, 
To  kill  us  here  in  Hampton  :  to  the  which, 
This  knight, — no  lefs  for  bounty  bound  to  us 
Than  Cambridge  is, — hath  likewife  fworn. — But  O  I 
What  fhall  I  fay  to  thee,  lord  Scroop  ;  thou  cruel, 
Ingrateful,  favage,  and  inhuman  creature  ! 
Thou,  that  didil  bear  the  key  of  all  my  counfels, 
That  knew'ft  the  very  bottom  of  my  foul, 

*  — — "quick    i          ]    That  is,  living.     JOHNSON. 

That 


£  I  N  G    HENRY    V.  4? 

That  almoft  might'ft  have  coin'd  me  into  gold, 
Would'ft  thou  have  pradtis'd  on  me  for  thy  ufe  ? 
May  it  be  poffible,  that  foreign  hire 
Could  out  of  thee  extradt  one  fpark  of  evil, 
That  might  annoy  my  finger  ?  'tis  fo  flrange, 
That,  '  though  the  truth  of  it  {lands  off  as  grofs 
As  black  from  white,  my  eye  will  fcarcely  fee  it. 

4  Treafon,  and  murder,  ever  kept  together, 
As  two  yoke-devils  fworn  to  cither's  purpofe, 

5  Working  fo  grofsly  in  a  natural  caufe, 
That  admiration  did  not  whoop  at  them  : 

But  thou,  'gainft  all  proportion,  didft  bring  inr 

Wonder,  to  wait  on  treafon,  and  on  murder  : 

And  whatfoever  cunning  fiend  it  was, 

That  wrought  upon  thee  fo  prepofteroufly, 

He  hath  got  the  voice  in  hell  for  excellence  : 

And  other  devils,  that  fuggeft  by  treafons, 

Do  botch  and  bungle  up  damnation 

With  patches,  colours,  and  with  forms  being  fetched 

From  glittering  femblances  of  piety  ; 

But 6  he,  that  temper'd  thee,  bade  thee  ftand  up, 

Gave  thee  no  inftance  why  thou  Ihouldft  do  treafon, 

Unlefs  to  dub  thee  with  the  name  of  traitor. 

If  that  fame  daemon,  that  hath  gull'd  thee  thus,. 

3  though  the  truth  fiand  off  as  grofs 

As  black  and  ivhite , — ] 

Though  the  truth  be  as  apparent  and  vifibJe  as  black  and  white 
contiguous  to  each  other.  To  Jland  off  is  etre  rekve,  to  be  pro- 
minent to  the  eye.  as  the  ftrong  parts  of  a  picture.  JOHNSON. 

+  Treafon  and  murder  y j   What  follows  to  the  end  of  this 

fpeech  is  additional  fuice  the  firit  edition.     POPE. 

5   Working  fo  grofsly ]  Grofsly  for  commonly  ^  which  the  Ox- 
ford editor  not  underitanding,  alters  it  to   dofdy. 

WARBURTXW. 

Grofly  is  neither  clofely  nor  commonly,    but  palpably ;    with  a 
plain  and  vifible  connexion  of  caufe  and  effect.     JOHNSON. 

— he  that  temper'd  thee,—}  Though  temper'd  may  ftand  for 
formed  or  moulded,  yet  I  fancy  tempted  was  the  author's  word,  for 
it  anfwers  better  tofuggcji  in  the  oppofition.  JOHNSON. 

Temper* d)  I  believe,  is  the  true  reading.      Falftaff  fays  of  Shal- 
low, that  he  has  him  "  tempering  between  his  thumb  and  finger." 

STEEVENS. 
Should 


43  KING     HENRY    V. 

Should  with  his  lion  gait  walk  the  whole  world^ 
He  might  return  to  vafly  Tartar  back  7, 
And  tell  the  legions  —  I  ean  never  win 
A  foul  fo  eafy  as  that  Englishman's. 

8  Oh,  how  haft  thou  with  jealoufy  infefted 
The  fweetnefs  of  affiance  !  Shew  men  dutiful  ? 
Why,  fo  didft  thou  :  Seem  they  grave  and  learned  ? 
Why,  fo  didft  thou  :  Come  they  of  noble  family  ? 
Why,  fo  didft  thou  :  Seem  they  religious  ? 
Why,  fo  didft  thou  :  Or  are  they  fpare  in  diet  ;, 
Free  from  grofs  paflion,  or  of  mirth,  or  anger  ; 
Conftant  in  fpirit,  not  fwerving  with  the  blood  ; 

9  Garnifh'd  and  deck'd  in  modeft  complement  ; 
*  Not  working  with  the  eye,  without  the  ear, 

And, 


1  —  vajly  Tartar]  i.e.  Tartarus,  the  fabled  place  of  future 
puniftiment.  So,  in  Hey  wood's  Brazen  Age  ,  1613: 

"  With  Aconitum  that  in  Tartar  Iprings."    STEEVENS. 
8  Ob,  how  haft  thou  with  jealoufy  infcfled 

The  fwcetnefs  cf  affiance  /] 

Shakefpeare  urges  this  aggravation  of  the  guilt  of  treachery  with 
great  judgment.  One  of  the  worft  confequences  of  breach  of 
truil  is  the  diminution  of  that  confidence  which  makes  the  happi- 
nefs  of  life,  and  the  diflemination  of  fufpicion,  which  is  the  poi- 
fon  of  fociety.  JOHNSON. 

9  Garni/b'd  and  deck'd  in  modcjl  complement  ;  —  ]  Modeft  comple- 
ment, that  is,  fulnefs.  WAR  BURTON. 

This  note  will  not  much  help  the  reader,  unlefs  he  knows  to 
what  fulnefs  is  to  be  applied.  I  take  the  meaning  to  be  this^ 
The  king,  having  mentioned  Scroop's  temperance  in  diet, 
pafles  on  to  his  decency  in  drefs,  and  fays,  that  he  was  decked 
in  mtdeft  complement',  that  is,  he  was  decorated  with  ornaments, 
but  fuch  as  might  be  worn  without  vain  oltentation.  Comple- 
ment means  fomething  more  than  is  necefiary  ;  fo  complement  in 
language  is  what  we  fay  ad  condliandam  gratiamt  more  than  is 
ilri&ly  or  literally  meant.  JOHNSON. 

Complement  has  in  this  inftance  the  fame  fenfe  as  in  Love's 
"Labour's  Loft,  Ac"t  I.  Complements,  in  the  age  of  Shakefpeare, 
meant  the  fame  as  acfomplijbments  :n  the  prcfcnt  one.  STEE  VENS* 

1-  Not  working  with  the  eye  without  the  ear,  —  ]  He  is  here 
giving  the  character  of  a  complete  gentleman,  and  fays,  he  did 
not  truft  the  eye  without  the  confirmation  of  his  ear.  But  when 
men  have  eye-light  proof,  they  think  they  have  fufficient  evi- 

dence, 


KING     HENRY    V.  49 

And,  but  in  purged  judgment,  trailing  neither  ? 
Such,  *  and  fo  finely  bbulted,  didft  thou  feem  : 
And  thus  thy  fall  hath  left  a  kind  of  blot, 
3  To  mark  the  full-fraught  man,  the  beft  endu'd, 
With  fome  fufpicion.     I  will  weep  for  thee ; 
For  this  revolt/of  thine,  methinks,  is  like 

Another  fall  of  man. Their  faults  are  open, 

Arreft  them  to  the  anfwer  pf  the  law  ; — 
And  God  acquit  them  of  their  practices  ! 

Exe.  I  arreft  thee  of  high  treafon,  by  the  name  of 
Richard  earl  of  Cambridge. 

I  arreft  thee  of  high  treafon,  by  the  name  of  Henry 
lord  Scroop  of  Mafham. 

I  arreft  thee  of  high  treafon,  by  the  name  of  Tho- 
mas Grey,  knight  of  Northumberland. 

Scroop.  Our  purpofes  God  juftly  hath  difcover'd  ; 
And  I  repent  my  fault,  more  than  my  death ; 
Which  I  befeech  your  highnefs  to  forgive, 
Although  my  body  pay  the  price  of  it. 

dence,  and  do  not  flay  for  the  confirmation  of  an  hear-fay. 
Prudent  men,  on  the  contrary,  won't  trull  the  credit  of  the  ear, 
till  it  be  confirmed  by  the  demonflration  of  the  eye.  And  this 
is  that  conduit  for  which  the  king  would  here  commend  him.  So 
that  we  mufl  read  : 

Not  wording  with  the  ear,  but  with  the  eye. 

WAR  BUR  TON-. 

The  author's  meaning  I  fhould  have  thought  not  fo  difficult 
to  find,  as  that  an  emendation  fhould  have  been  propofed.  The 
king  means  to  fay  of  Scroop,  that  he  was  a  cautious  man,  who 
knew  that  fronti  nulla  fides,  that  a  fpecious  appearance  was  de- 
ceitful, and  therefore  did  not  work  with  the  eye  without  the  ear, 
did  not  trufl  the  air  or  look  of  any  man  till  [he  had  tried  him  by 
enquiry  and  converfation.  Surely  this  is  the  character  of  a  pru- 
dent man.  JOHNSON, 

*  andfo  finely  boulted,  dldjl  thou  f cent :~\  i.e.  refined  or 

purged  from  all  faults.    POPE. 

Boithed\$  the  fame  with  Jifted,  and  has  confequently  the  mean- 
ing  of  refined.  JOHNSON. 

3  To  make  the  full-fraught  man,—'}  We  fhould  read  : 

To  mark  lie  full-fraught  maa, 
\.  e.  marked  by  the  blot  he  fpeaks  of  in  the  preceding  line. 

WAR  BUR  TON-. 
VOL.  VI.  E  Cam. 


fo  KING     HENRY     V. 

Cam.  *  For  me, — the  gold  of  France  did  not  feduce; 
Although  I  did  admit  it  as  a  motive, 
The  fooner  to  effeft  what  I  intended  : 
But  God  be  thanked  for  prevention  ; 
Which  I  in  fufferance  heartily  will  rejoice, 
Befeeching  God,  and  you,  to  pardon  me. 

Grey.  Never  did  faithful  fubjedt  more  rejoicp 
At  the  difcovery  of  moft  dangerous  treafon, 
Than  I  do  at  this  hour  joy  o'er  myfelf, 
Prevented  from  a  damned  enterprize  : 
J  My  fault,  but  not  my  body,  pardon,  fovereign. 

K.  Henry.  God  quit  you  in  his  mercy  !  Hear  your 

lentence. 

You  have  confpir'd  againft  our  royal  perfon, 
Join'd  with  an  enemy  prociaim'd,  and  Irom  his  coffers 
Keceiv'd  the  golden  earned  of  our  death  ; 
Wherein  you  would  have  fold  your  king  to  flaughterj 
His  prince^  and  his  peers  to  fervitude, 

4  For  me,  t}x  gold  of  France  did  not  feduce  ;]  Hojinflied,  p.  549, 
ofcferves  from  Hull,  that  "  diverfe  write  that  Richard  earle  or* 
Cambridge  did  not  confpire  wirh  the  lord  Scroope  and  Thoma^ 
jGraie  for  the  murthering  of  king  Henrie  to  pleafe  the  French 
king  wirhall,  but  onlie  to  the  intent  to  exalt  to  the  crowne  his 
brother-in-law  Edmunde  E.  of  March  as  heire  to  Lionell  duke 
cf  Clarence  :  after  the  death  of  which  earle  of  March,  for  di- 
yetfe  fecret  impediments  not  able  to  have  iflue,  the  E.  of  Cam- 
bridge was  fure  that  the  crowne  fhould  come  to  him  by  his  wife, 
and  to  his  children  of  her  begotten.  And  therefore  (as  was 
thought)  he  rather  confeffed  himfelfe  for  ueede  of  monie  to  be 
corrupted  by  the  French  king,  than  he  would  declare  his  inward 
Tnind,  &c.  which  if  it  were  efpied,  he  faw  plainlie  that  the  earle 
of  March  fhould  have  tailed  of  the  fame  cuppe  that  he  had 
drunken,  and  what  Ihould  hare  come  to  his  owne  children,  he 
much  doubted,  Sec."  STEEVE^S. 

5  My  fault, — ]  One  of  the  confpirators  againft  queen  Eliza- 
beth, I  think  Parry,  concludes  his  letter  to  her  with  thcfc  words, 
a  culpa,  but  not  a  pocna,  a'ifolve  me,  n;ojl  d\ar  lady.  This 
letter  was  much  read  at  that  time,  and  the  author  doubtlefs  co- 
pied it. 

This  whole  fcene  was  much  enlarged  and  improved  after  the 
firft  edition  ;  the  particular  iafertkma  it  would  be  tedious  to  men- 
tion, ind  tediouc  without  much  ufe.  JOHNSON. 

His 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  51 

His  fuhj.ed:s  to  oppreflion  and  contempt, 

And  his  whole  kingdom  unto  defolation. 

Touching  our  pcrfon,  feck  \ve  no  revenge  ; 

But  we  our  kingdom's  fafety  muft  fo  tender, 

Whofe  ruin  you  three  fought,  that  to  her  laws 

We  do  deliver  you.     6  Get  you.  therefore  he  ace, 

Poor  miferable  wretches,  to  your  death  : 

The  tafte  whereof,  God,  of  his  mercy,  give  you 

Patience  to  endure,  and  true  repentance 

Of  all  your  dear  offences  !  —  Bear  them  hence. 


Now,  lords,  for  France  ;  the  enterprizc  w  hereof 

Shall  be  to  you,  as  us,  like  glorious. 

We  doubt  not  of  a  fair  and  lucky  war; 

Since  God  fo  gracioufly  hath  brought  to  ligtjt 

This  dangerous  treafon,  lurking  in  our  way, 

To  hinder  our  beginnings,  we  doubt  not  now, 

But  every  rub  is  fmoothed  in  our  way. 

Then,  forth,  dear  countrymen  j  let  us  deliver 

Our  puiflance  into  the  hand  of  God, 

Putting  it  ftraight  in  expedition. 

Chearly  to  fea  ;  the  ligns  of  war  advance  : 

3  No  king  of  England,  if  not  king  of  France. 

[Bicamt, 
SCENE    III. 

§)v.ickly\s  boitfe  in  Eaftcleap. 
Enter  Pijlol,  fym,  Bardotyb,  Boy,  and  Quid'fy. 

Qu'ukly.  Pr'ythee,   honcy-fwee.t  Jiufband,    let  me 
bripg  thee  to  Staines. 

6  —  Get  you  therefore  hence,]  So,  in    Holinflied  ;    "  —  Get  ye 
Jience  therefore,  ye  poor  raiierable  wretches,  to  the  receiving 
of  your  juft  reward  :    wherein  God's  jua'iefty  give  you    grace, 
fe"c-."    STEEVENS. 

7  No  king  of  EnglaiiJi  if  not  k'ng  of  France.]  So  in  the  old 


play  before  that  ot  Shakelpcarct 
**  If  not  king  of  France, 


then  of  nothing  mutt  I  he  king." 

STEEVENB. 
K  2  Pijl. 


52  KING    HENRY    V. 

Pi/I.  No  ;  for  my  manly  heart  doth  yern.  — 
Bardolph,  be  blith;—  Nym,roufe  thy  vaunting  veins  ; 
Boy,  brittle  thy  courage  up  ;  for  Falftaff  he  is  dead, 
And  we  muft  yern  therefore. 

^  Sard.  Would,  I  were  with  him,  wherefome'er  he  is, 
either  in  heaven,  or  in  hell  ! 

Quick.  Nay,  fure,  he's  not  in  hell  ;  he's  in  Arthur's 
bofom,  if  ever  man  went  to  Arthur's  bolbm.  'A 
made  a8  finer  end,  and  went  away,  9  an  it  had  been 

any 

8  —finer  end,]  for  final.     JOHNSON. 

9  an  it  bad  been  any  chrifom'd  child:          ]   The  old  quarto 
has  it   crifomV  d  child. 

"  The  chryfom  was  no  more  than  the  white  cloth  put  on  the 
w  baptifed  child."  .See  Johnfon^s    Canons  of  Ecclef.   Lavjy 


new 
1720. 

I  have  fomewhere  (but  cannot  recollect  where)  met  with  this 
further  account  of  it  ;  that  the  chryfom  was  allowed  to  be  car- 
ried out  of  the  church,  to  enwrap  inch  children  as  were  in  too 
weak  a  condition  to  be  borne  thither  ;  the  chryfom  being  fup- 
pofed  to  make  every  place  holy.  This  cuftom  would  rather 
ftrengthen  the  allufion  to  the  weak  condition  of  FalftafF. 

The  child  itfelf  was  fometimes  called  a  chryfom^  as  appears  from 
the  following  paflage  in  The  Fancies,   1638:  "  —  the  boy  furely 
I  ever  faid  was  a  very  chrifome  in  the  thing  you  wot." 
Again,  in  The  Wits,  by  Sir  W.  Davenant,   1637  : 

**  -  and  would'tl  not  join  thy  halfpenny 
•*  To  fend  for  milk  for  the  poor  chryfome" 
Again,  in  fir  W.  Davenant's  Juft  Italian,   1630  : 
«  -  and  they  do  awe 
"  The  chryfome  babe." 

Again,  in  his  Albovine,  1629  :  "  Sir,  I  would  fain  depart  in 
quiet  like  other  young  cbryfomes."  Again,  in  Tour  Five  Gal- 
lants, by  Middleton  :  **  —  —  —  a  fine  old  man  to  his  father,  it 
would  kill  his  heart  i'  faith  :  he'd  away  like  a  chryfom." 

STEEVENS. 

In  the  Liturgie,  2  E.  6.  Form  of  private  Baptifm,  is  this  di- 
rection. "  Then  the  minifter  mail  put  the  white  vefture, 
"  commonly  called  the  chrifome,  upon  the  child,"  feV.  The 

explains  this  ceremony 
>tizatorum,  ftatiin  atque 
<ia  dejlucret,  capita  pannn 

canJido  obvolvebantur,  qui  oftava  demum  die  ab  iis  auterebatur." 
During  the  time  therefore  of  their  wearing  this  vefture,  the  chil- 
dren were,  I  fuppofe,  called  cbrifoms.  One  is  regiflered  under 

this 


«'  commonly  called  tne  cbnjome,  upon 
Gloflary  of  Du  Cange,  vide  Chrifmale,   < 
thus :  **  Quippe  olim  ut  et  hodie,  bapt 
chrifmate  in  fronte  ungebantur,  ne  chrifmc, 


KING     HENRY    V.  53 

any  chrifom'd  child  ;  'a  parted  even  juft  between 
twelve  and  one,  e'en  at  '  turning  o'the  tide  :  for 
after  I  faw  him  l  fumble  with  the  fheets,  and  play 
with  flowers,  and  fmile  upon  his  fingers'  ends,  I  knew 
there  was  but  one  way  5 ;  4  for  his  nofe  was  as  lharp  as 

a  pen, 

this   defer! ption    in   the   regifter    of    Tbatcbam,    Berks,     160^. 
[Hearne's  Append,  to  the  Hiftory  of  Glajlonbury,  p.  275.]      *'  A 
younge  crifome  being  a  man  child,  beinge  found  drowned,"  &c. 
»  TYRWHITT. 

1  — — turning  o'tbe  tide — ]  It  has  been  a  very  old  opinion, 
which  Mead,  de  imperio  foils,  quotes,  as  if  he  believed  it,  that 
nobody  dies  but  in  the  time  of  ebb  :  half  the  deaths  in  London 
confute  the  notion  ;  but  we  find  that  it  was  common  among  the 
women  of  the  poet's  time.  JOHNSON. 

*  fumble  ivitb  thejheets, — ]  This  paflage  is  burlefqued  by 

Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  in  The  Captain  : 

**  i.  How  does  my  mailer  ? 

"2.  Faith,  he  lies  drawing  on  apace* 

"   i.  That's  an  ill  fign. 

"  2.  And  fumbles  with  the  pots  too. 

*'   i.  Then  there's  no  -way  but  one  with  him." 
In  the  fpurious  play  of  King  John,   161 1,  when  Faulconbridge 
fees  that  prince  at  the  point  ot  deith,  he  lays : 

"  O  piercing  fight  !   he  fumbletb  in  the  mouth, 

"  His  Ipeech  doth  fail." 

and  Pliny  in  his  chapter  on  Tie  Signcs  of  Death,  makes  mention 
of  "  Q.  fumbling  and  pleiting  or  the  bed-cloths."  See  P.  Holland's 
Tranjlation,  chap.  li.  STEEVENS. 

The  fame  indication  of  approaching  death  is  enumerated  by 
Celfus,  Lommius,  Hippocrates,  and  Galen.  The  teftimony  of 
the  latter  is  fuffident  to  fliew  that  fuch  a  fymptom  is  by  no  means 
imaginary.  "  Manus  ante  faciem  attoliere,  mufcas  quafi  venari 
inani  opera,  floccos  carpere  de  veftibus,  vel  pariete.  Et  in  fe- 
ipfo  hoc  expertus  fuit  Galenus.  Quum  enim,  &c."  Van  Swieten 
Comm.  t.  ii.  fed.  708.  COLLINS. 

3  /  knew  there  ivas  but  one  '•May  ;  ]  I  believe  this  phrafe  is  pro- 
verbial.    I  meet  with  it  again  in,  If  you  know  not  me,  you  know 
Nobody,  1613  : 

"  I  heard  the  do&ors  whifper  it  in  fecret 
"  There  is  no  way  but  one."     STEEVENS. 

4  —  for  his  nofe  was  as  Jliarp  as  a  fen,    and  a  table  of  green 
folds.]    Thefe  words,  and  a  table  of  green-fields,  are  not  to  be 

found  in  the  old  editions  of  1600  and   1608.      This  nonfenfe 

got  into  all  the  tallowing  editions  by  a  plealant  n\iilake  of  the 

E  3  %e 


54  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  V    V. 

a  pen,  and  'a  babbled  of  green  fields.  How  now,  Sir- 
John  ?  quoth  I :  \vhatr  man  !  be  of  good  cheer.  So 

'a  cried 

ffoge  editors,  vrho  printed  from  the  common  piece-meal  writ-' 
ten  p.irts  in  the  play-houfe.  A  table  was  here  directed  to  be 
brought  in  (it  being  a  fcene  in  a  tavern  where  they  drink  at 
parting)  and  this  direction  crept  into  the  text  from  the  margin. 
Greenfield  was  the  name  of  the  property-man  in  that  time,  who 
.furniihed  implements,'  &c.  for  the  actors,  A  table  of  Greenfields. 

Po  re. 

So  reafonable  nn  account  of  this  blunder  Mr.  Theobald 
vrould  not  accjuiefce  in.  He  thought  a  tnble  of  Greenfield'' s  part 
of  the  text,  only  corrupted,  and  that  it  fhould  be  read,  be 
lalblcd  of  green  fields,  bfcaufe  men  do  Ib  in  the  ravings  of  a  ca- 
lenture. But  be  did  not  confider  how  ill  this  agrees  with  the 
ntuure  of  the  knight's  illnefs,  who  was  now  in  no  babbling  hu- 
jhour ;  and  fa  far  from  wanting  cooling  in  green  fields,  that  his 
feet  were  cpld,  and  he  juft  expiring.  WAR  BUR  TON. 

Upon  this  paflage  Mr.  Theobald  has  a  note  that  fills  a  page, 
which  I  omit  in  pity  to  my  readers,  lince  he  only  endeavours 
to  prove,  xvhat  I  think  every  reader  perceives  to  be  true,  that* 
at  this  time  no  table  could  be  wanted.  Mr.  Pope,  in  an  appen- 
dix to  his  own  edition  in  i  zmo,  feems  to  admit  Theobald's  emen- 
dation, which  we  would  have-  allowed  to  be  uncommonly  happy, 
had  we  not  been  prejudiced  againit  it  by  Mr.  Pope's  firft  note, 
with  which,  as  it  excites  merriment,  we  are  loath  to  part. 

JbHNbON. 

Had  the  former  editors  been  apprized,  that  table,  in  our  au- 
thor, iignifies  a  pocket-book,  I  believe  they  would  have  re- 
tained it,  with  the  following  alteration;  for  tils  ?wfe  was  as 
Jbarp  as  a  pen  upon  a  table  of  grew  fe!!s*>—Qn  tallt-books,  filver 
or  ileel  pens,  very  fliarp  pointed,  were  formerly  and  are  Hill- 
fixed  to  the  backs  or  covers.  Mother  Quickly  compares  Fal- 
IfofPs  nofe  (which  in  dying  perfons  grows  thin  and*  fharp)  to' 
<",.e  of  thofe  pens,  very  properly,  and  ilie  meant  probably  to 
have  faid,  on  a  table-book  with  a  JJwgreen  cover1,  or  Jbagreen- 
/«'/,•;  bur,  in  her  ufual  blundering  way,  fhe  calls  it  a  table  of 
grrtn  fells,  or  a  table  covered  with  green-jkiu,  which  the  blun- 
dering tranfcriber  turned  into  green  fields,  and  our  editors  have 
turned  the  prettieft  blunder  in  Snakefpeare  quite  out  of  doors. 

SMITH. 

Green  fe/h  and  green  ficlh  might  anciently  have  had  the  fame 
meaning.  So,  in  the  countcfs  of  Pembroke's  fragile  of  Auto* 
«/>,  1593,  izmo: 

•'  As  juice  of  Tynan  fhe!L 
"  When  clarified  well,. 

"  To 


KING    HENRY    V.  55 

*a  cried  out — God,  God,  God  !  three  or  four  times  : 
now  I,  to  comfort  him,  bid  him  'afhould  not  think 
tef  God  J ;  I  hop'd,  there  was  no  need  to  trouble  him- 
felf  with  any  fuch  thoughts  yet  :  So  'a  bade  me  lay 
more  cloaths  OR  his  feet  :  I  put  my  hand  into  the 
bed,  and  felt  them,  and  they  were  as  cold  as  any  Hone  ; 
then  I  felt  to  his  knees,  and  fo  upward,  and  upward, 
arid  all  was  as  6  cold  as  any  (lone. 


'«  To  wolleof  fineit>/</f 

"  A  purple  glofle  it  yields."     STEEVE?TS< 

$  — no-iv  Iy  to  comfort  him,  bade  him  *  a  Jbould  not  thin 
Perhaps  Shakefpeare  Was  indebted  to  the  following  flory  \\\  //'//., 
Fits,  and  Fancies,  &c.  1595,  for  this  very  charadteriitic  exhor- 
tation :  **  A  gentlewoman  fearing  to  be  drovvneJ,  faid,  now  Jefu 
receive  our  foules  !  Soft,  rrtiilrefsj  anfa'ered  the  waterman.  I  trow 
ivr  are  not  come  to  that  pajfi  yet."  MALONE. 

6  —  cold  at  any  fione.\  Such  is  the  end  of  FalftafF,  from 
whom  Shakefpeare  had  promiied  us  in  his  epilogue  to  Henry  W. 
that  we  fhould  receive  more  entertainment.  It  happened  to 
Shakefpeare  as  to  other  writers,  to  have  his  imagination 
crowded  with  a  tumultuary  confufioo  of  images,  which,  while 
they  were  yet  unforted  and  unexamined,  teemed  fufficient  to 
furnifh  a  long  train  of  incidents,  and  a  new  variety  of  merriment ; 
but  which,  when  he  was  to  produce  them  to  view,  fhrunk  fud- 
denly  from  him,  or  could  not  be  accommodated  to  his  general 
defign.  That  he  once  defigned  to  have  brought  Falftaff  on  the 
fcene  again,  we  know  from  himfelf ;  but  whether  he  could  con- 
trive no  train  of  adventures  fuitable  to  his  character,  or  could 
match  him  with  no  companions  likely  to  quicken  his  humour, 
of  could  open  no  new  vein  of  pleafantry,  and  was  afraid  to  conti- 
nue the  fame  ftrain  left  it  ihould  not  find  the  fame  reception,  h« 
has  here  for  ever  difcarded  him,  and  made  hade  to  difpatch  him, 
perhaps  for  the  fame  reafon  for  which  Addilbn  killed  Sir  Roger, 
that  no  other  hand  might  attempt  to  exhibit  him. 

Let  meaner  authors  learn  from  this  example,  that  it  is  dan- 
gerous to  fell  the  bear  which  is  yet  not  hunted ;  to  promife  to 
the  public  what  they  have  not  written. 

This  difappointment  probably  inclined  queen  Elizabeth  to 
command  the  poet  to  produce  him  once  again,  and  to  (hew 
him  in  love  or  courtfhip.  This  was  indeed  a  new  fource  of  hu- 
mour, and  produced  a  new  play  irom  the  former  characters. 

JOHNSON. 

E  4  Nym. 


56        KING        H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Nytn.  They  fay,  he  cried  out  of  fack. 

Quick.  Ay,  that  'a  did. 

Bard*  And  of  women.  , 

Quick.  Nay,  that 'a  did  not. 

Boy.  Yes,  that  'a  did  ;  and  faid,  they  were  devils 
incarnate. 

§>uickt  'A  could  never  abide  carnation ;  'twas  a 
colour  he  never  lik'd. 

Boy.  'A  faid  once,  the  devil  would  have  him  about 
women. 

§)uick.  'A  did  in  fome  fort,  indeed,  handle  wo- 
men :  but  then  he  was  rheumatic  ;  and  talk'd  of  the 
whore  of  Babylon. 

Boy.  Do  you  not  remember,  'a  faw  a  flea  flick 
upon  Bardolph's  nofe ;  and  'a  faid,  it  was  a  black  foul 
burning  in  hell-fire  ? 

Bard.  Well,  the  fuel  is  gone,  that  maintain'd  that 
fire  :  that's  all  the  riches  I  got  in  his  fervice. 

Nym.  Shall  we  fliog  ?  the  king  will  be  gone  from 
Southampton. 

Pift.  Come,  let's  away. — My  love,  give  me  thy  lips. 
Look  to  my  chattels,  and  my  moveables  : 
7  Let  fenfes  rule  ;  the  word  is,  8  Pitch  and  pay, 

Trufl 

7  Let  fenfes  rule ; ]  I  think  this  is  wrong,  but  how  to  re- 
form it  I  do  not  well  fee.  Perhaps  we  may  read  : 

Let  fenfe  us  rule. 

Piftol  is  taking  leave  of  his  wife,  and  giving  her  advice  as  hekifles 
her ;  he  fees  her  rather  weeping  than  attending,  and  fuppofing 
that  in  her  heart  fhe  is  ftill  longing  to  go  with  him  part  of  the 
way,  he  cries,  Let  fenfe  us  ruley  that  is,  let  us  not  give  way  to 
foolifhfondnefS)  but  be  ruled  by  our  better  underjtanding.  He  then 
continues  his  directions  for  her  conduct  in  his  abience. 

JOHNSOK. 

Let  fenfes  rule."]  TfuYevidently  means,  let  prudence  govern  you  : 
conduft  yourfelf  fenfibly ;  and  it  agrees  with  what  precedes  and 
what  follows.  STEEVENS. 

*  — Pitch  and  pay  ;]  The  caution  was  a  very  proper  one  to 
Mrs.  Quickly,  who  had  fuffered  before,  by  letting  Falflaff  run 

ia 


KING    HENRY    V.  5? 

Truft  none ; 

For  oaths  are  ftraws,  men's  faiths  are  wafer-cakes, 

And  hold-fail  is  the  only  dog,  my  duck ; 

s  Therefore,  caveto  be  thy  counfellor. 

Go,  "  clear  thy  cryftals. — Yoke-fellows  in  arms, 

Let  us  to  France  !  like  horfe-leeches,  my  boys ; 

To  fuck,  to  fuck,  the  very  blood  to  fuck  ! 

in  her  debt.     The  fame  expreffion  occurs  in  Blurt  Mafler  Con- 
flable,  1602  : 

"  I  will  commit  you,  fignior,  to  my   houfe;  but  will  you 
pitch  and  pay,  or  will  your  vvorfliip  run———" 
So,  again,  in  Herod  and  Antipater,   1622: 

"  he  that  will  purchafe  this, 

"  Mutt,  pitch  and  pay" 

Again,  in  7 he  Majlive,  an  ancient  collection  of  epigrams  : 

•'  Sufan  when  fhe  firft  bore  fway, 

"  Had  for  one  night  a  French  crown,  pitch  and  pay" 

STEEVENS, 
Old  Tufler,  in  his  defcription  of  Norwich,  tells  us  it  is 

*'  A  city  trim 

"  Where  Grangers  well,  may  feeme  to  dwell, 
"  That  pitch  andpaie,  or  keepe  their  daye." 
John  Florio  fays,  "  Pitch  and  paie,   and  goe  your  waie." 

One  of  the  old  laws  of  Blackwell-hall,  was,  that,  "  a  penny 
le  paid  by  the  owner  of  every  bale  of  cloth  for  pitching" 

FARMER. 
9  Therefore,  caveto  be  thy  counfellor.     The  old  quartos  read  : 

Therefore  Cophetua  be  thy  councillor.     STEEVENS. 
1  — —  clear  thy  cryjlah. — ]  Dry  thine  eyes  :  but  I  think  it  may 
better  mean  in  this  place,  ivajh  thy  glafjes.     JOHNSON. 

The  firft  explanation  is  certainly  the  true  one.     So,  in  Tie 
Gentkman  Ufier,  by  Chapman,   1602  : 

'* an  old  wife's  eye 

"  Is  a  blue  chryjlal  full  of  forcery." 
Again,  in  A  Match  at  Midnight,   1633  : 

'* ten  thouiand  Cupids 

*'  Methought  fat  playing  on  that  pair  of  chryftah?* 
Again,  in  The  Double  Marriage,  by  B.  and  Fletcher  : 

"  ileep,  you  fweet  glafles, 

"  An  everlafting  {lumber  dole  thofe  cbryftah" 
Again,  in  Coriolanus,  act  III.  fc.  2  : 

" the  glaffes  of  my  fight." 

The  old  quartos  1600  and  1608,  read  : 

dear  up  thy  chr/Jfals.     SrEEVKxs. 


58  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  V    V. 

Boy.  And  that  is  but  unwholefome  food,  th'ey  fay. 

Pift.  Touch  her  foft  mouth,  and  march. 

Bard.  Fa  re  we  1,  beliefs. 

Nym.  I  cannot  kifs,  that  is  the  humour  of  it ;  but 
adieu. 

Pift.  Let  houfewifry  appear  ;  *  keep  clofe,  I  thee' 
command. 

<%uick.  Farewel ;  adieu.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE    iV. 

The  French  kings  paldce; 

Enter  the  French  king,  the  Dauphin,  the  duke  of  Bar- 
gundy,  and  the  Conjlable. 

Fr.  King.  Thus  come  the  Englilh  with  full  power 

upon  us  ; 
3  And  more  than  carefully  it  us  concerns, 

4  — keep  clofe, — ]  The  quartos  1600  and  1608  read  : 

keep  faft  thy  baggie  boe, 

which  certainly  is  not  nonfenfe,  as  the  fame  expreflioa  is  tried  by 
Shirky  in  his  'Gentleman  of  Venice  : 

'* -the  courtifans  of  Venice, 

"  Shall  keep  their  bugle  bowcs  for  thee,  dear  uticle." 
Perhaps,  indeed,  it  is  a  Scotch   term  ;  for  in  Ane  •vsrle  excellent 
anddeltSlainiTreailfeintitulit  Philotus,  &i:  printed  at  Edinburgh, 
1603,  I  find  it  again  : 

"  What  reck  to  tak  the  %///-&>, 

**  My  bonieburd,  for  anes." 

The  reader  may  fuppofe  bungle  bot  to  be  juft  what  he  pleafes. 

STEEVENS. 

3  And  more  than  carefully  it  us  concerns,]  This  was  a  bulincfs 
indeed,  that  required  more  than  care  to  dilcharge  it.  I  am  per- 
fuaded  Shakefpeare  wrote  : 

more  than  carelefly • 

The  king  is  fuppoied  to  hint  here  at  the  Dauphin's  wanton  affront 
in  fending  over  tennis-balls  to  Henry  ;  which  arifing  from  over- 
great  confidence  of  their  own  power,  or  contempt  of  their  ene- 
mies, would  naturally  breed  carele/Jnefe.  WARBURTO.V, 

I  do  not  fee  any  defect  in  the  prefent  reading  :  more  than  care- 
fully is  with  more  than  common  care ;  a  phrafe  of  the  fame  kind 
with  letter  than  cw//,  JOHNSON. 

To 


KING    HENRY    V.  5$ 

*f  6  anfwer  royally  in  our  defences. 

Therefore  the  dukes  of  Berry,  and  of  Bretagne, 

Of  Brabant,  and  of  Orleans;  fhall  make  forth,  — 

And  you,  prince  Dauphin,  —  with  all  fwiftdifpatch, 

To  line,'  and  new  repair,  our  towns  of  war, 

With  men  of  courage,  and  with  means  defendant  : 

For  England  his  approaches  makes  as  fierce, 

As  waters  to  the  fucking  of  a  gulph. 

It  fits  us  then,  to  be  as  provident 

As  fear  may  teach  us,  out  of  late  examples 

Left  by  the  fatal  arid  neglected  EnglriK 

Upon  our  fields. 

Dau.  My  moft  redoubted  father, 
It  is  moft  meet  we  arm  us  'gainft  the  foe  : 
For  peace  itfelf  fiiould  not  to  dull  a  kingdom, 
(Though  war,  nor  no  known  quarrel,  were  in  quef- 

tion) 

But  that  defences,  muf!ers>  preparations, 
Should  be  fnaintain'd,  affembled,  and  collected, 
As  were  -a  war  in  expectation. 
Therefore;  I  fay,  'tis  meet  we  all  go  forth, 
To  view  the  (rck  and  feeble  parts  of  France  : 
And  let  us  do  it  with  no  fhew  of  fear  ; 
No,  with  no  more,  than-  if  we  heard  that  England 
Were  bulled  *  with  a  Whitfun  morris-dance  : 
For,  my  good  liege,  fhe  is  fo  idly  king'd  s, 
Her  fcepter  fo  fantaftically  borne 
By  a  vain,  giddy,  (hallow,  humourous  youth, 
That  fear  attends  her  not. 

Con.  O  peace,  prince  Dauphin  \ 
I  You  are  too  much  miilaken  in  this  king  : 

*  Were  bufied—  ]  The  410  1608  reack,—  were  tn*l>ltd— 


s  -  -fa  idly  king'd,]  Shakefpeare  is  not  fingular  in  his  ufe  of 
this  verb  to  king.  I  find  it  in  YVarner's^/4/os'jjEa^/a/^,  B.  VIII. 
chap,  xlii  : 

"  and  k'myfd  his  lifter's  Con."    STEEVENS. 

6  You  are  too  much  mljlaken  in  this  king  :]  This  part  is  mucl) 
enlarged  fince  the  firft  writing,  POPE, 

Queltion 


60  KING     HENRY    V. 

Queftion  your  grace  the  late  ambaffadors, — 
With  what  great  ftate  he  heard  their  embafly, 
How  well  fupply'd  with  noble  counfellors, 

7  How  modeft  in  exception,  and,  withal, 
How  terrible  in  conftant  refolution, — 
And  you  lhall  find,  his  vanities  fore-fpent 

8  Were  but  the  out-fide  of  the  Roman  Brutus, 
Covering  difcretion  with  a  coat  of  folly  ; 

As  gardeners  do  with  ordure  hide  thofe  roots 
That  ftiall  firft  fpring,  and  be  moft  delicate. 

Dau.  Well,  'tis  not  fo,  my  lord  high  conftable, 
But  though  we  think  it  fo,  it  is  no  matter  ; 
In  cafes  of  defence,  'tis  belt  to  weigh 
The  enemy  more  mighty  than  he  feems, 
So  the  proportions  of  defence  are  fill'd ; 
Which,  of  a  weak  and  niggardly  projection, 
Doth,  like  a  mifer,  fpoil  his  coat,  with  fcanting 
A  little  cloth, 

Fr.  King.  Think  we  king  Harry  flrong ; 
And,  princes,  look,  you  ftrongly  arm  to  meet  him, 
The  kindred  of  him  hath  been  flefh'd  upon  us ; 
And  he  is  bred  out  of  that  bloody  {train, 


7  HOVJ  modeft  in  exception, — ]  How  diffident  and  decent   m 
making  objections.     JOHNSON. 

8  Were  but  the  out-fide  of  the  Roman  Brutus,]  Shakefpeare  not 
having  given  us,  in  the  Firft  or  Second  Part  of  Henry  IV.  or  in 
any  other  place  but  this,  the  remoteft  hint  of  the  circumftance 
here  alluded  to,  the  comparifon  muft  needs  be  a  little  obfcure  to 
thofe  who  do  not  know  or  reflect  that  fome  hiftorians  have  told 
us,  that  Henry  IV.  had  entertained  a  deep  jeuloufy  of  his  fon's 
afpiring  fuperior  genius.    Therefore  to  prevent  all  umbrage,  the 
prince  withdrew  from  public  affairs,  and  amufed  himfelf  in  con- 
forting  with  a  diflblute  crew  of  robbers.     It  feems  to  me,  that 
Shakelpeare  was  ignorant  of  this  circumftance  when  he  wrote  the 
two  parts  of  Henry  IV.  for  it  might  have  been  fo  managed  as  to 
have  given  new  beauties  to  the  character  of  Hal,  and  great  im- 
provements  to  the  plot.      And  with   regard  to  thefe  matters, 
Shakefpeare  generally  tells  us  all  he  knew,  and  as   foon  as   he 
knew  it.    WARBURTON. 

That 


KING    HENRY    V.  61 

*  That  haunted  us  in  our  familiar  paths  : 

Witnefs  our  too  much  memorable  fhame, 

When  Creffy  battle  fatally  was  ftruck, 

And  all  our  princes  captiv'd,  by  the  hand 

Of  that  black  name,  Edward  black  prince  of  Wales ; 

1  Whiles  that  his  mountain  fire, — on  mountain  ftand- 

ing> 

Up  in  the  air,  crown'd  with  the  golden  fun  % — 
Saw  his  heroical  feed,  and  fmil'd  to  fee  him 
Mangle  the  work  of  nature,  and  deface 
The  patterns  that  by  God  and  by  French  fathers 
Had  twenty  years  been  made.     This  is  a  ftem 

9  Wat  haunted  «j— <]  We  fhould  afluredly  read  bunted:  the 
integrity  of  the  metaphor  requires  it.  So,  foon  after,  the  king 
again  fays  : 

Toufte  this  chafe  is  hotly  followed.     WAR  BURTON. 
The  emendation  weakens  the  paflage.     To  haunt  is  a  word  of 
the  utmoft  horror,  which  (hews  that  they  dreaded  the  Englilh  as 
goblins  and  fpirits.     JOHNSON. 

1   While  that  his  mountain  fire,  on  mountain  ftanding,  ]  We  fhould 
read,  mounting,  ambitious,  afpiring.     WAR  BUR  TON. 
Thus,  in  Love's  Labour's  Loft,  aft  IV  : 

"  Whoe'er  he  was,  he  fliew'd  a  mounting  mind." 
Dr.  Warburton's  emendation  may  be  right,  and  yet  I  believe 
the  poet  meant  to  give  an  idea  of  more  than  human  proportion  in 
the  figure  of  the  king  : 

"  Quantus  Athos,  aut  quantus  Eryx,  &c."     Virg. 

"  Like  Tenerifte  or  Atlas  unremov'd."    Milton. 
Drayton,  in  the  i8th  fong  of  his  Polyolbion,  has  a  fimilar  thought : 

"  Then  he,  above  them  all,  himfelf  that  fought  to  raife, 

"  Upon  fome  mountain  top,  like  a  pyramides." 
Again,  in  Spenier's  Faerie  Queen,  B.  I.  c.  si  : 

**  Where  ftretch'd  he  lay  upon  the  funny  fide 

"  Of  a  great  hill,   bimfef  like  a  great  hill." 
— agmcn  agens,  magnique  ipfe  agminis  injtar. 
Mr.  Toilet  thinks  this  paflage  may  be  explained  by  another  in 
aft  I.  fc.  i : 

his  moft  mighty  father  on  a  hill.    STEEVENS. 

a  Up  in  the  air,  cr0<ivn'd  ivifh  the  golden  fun, — ]  Dr.  Warbur- 
ton  calls  this  "  the  nonfenfical  line  of  fome  player."  The  idea, 
however,  might  have  been  taken  from  Chaucer's  Legende  of  good 
Women  : 

"  Her  gilt  here  wzsjcrownid  with  afon."    STEEVENS. 

Of 


62  KING    HENRY    V. 

Of  that  victorious  flock  ;  and  let  us  fe€r 
The  native  mightineis  and  *  fate  of  him. 

Enter  a  Mejfcngcr. 

Me$.  AmbafTadors   from  Henry  king  of  England 
Do  crave  admittance  to  your  majefly. 

Fr.  King.  We'll  give  them  prefeut  audience.     Go, 

and  bring  them. 
You  fee,  this  chafe  is  hotly  follow'd,  friends, 

Dau.  Turn  head,  and  ftop  puriuit :  for  coward  dogs 
4  fpend  their  mouths,   when  what  they  fecm  tq 

threaten, 

Runs  far  before  them.     Good  my  fovereign, 
Take  up  the  Englifh  ihort;  and  let  them  know 
Of  what  a  monarchy  you  are  the  head  : 
Self-love,  my  liege,  is  not  fo  vile  a  fin, 
As  felf-negjecting. 

Enter  Exeter. 

Fr.  King.  From  our  brother  England  ? 

Exe.  From  him  ;  and  thus  he  greets  your  majefty, 
He  wills  you,  in  the  name  of  God  Almighty, 
That  yqu  diveft  yourfclf,  and  lay  apart 
The  borrow'd  glories,  that,  by  gift  of  heaven, 
By  law  of  nature,  and  of  nations,  'long 
To  him,  and  to  his  heirs ;  namely,  the  crown, 
And  all  wide-ftretched  honours  that  pertain 
By  cuftom,  and  the  ordinance  of  times, 
Unto  the  crown  of  France.     That  you  may  know, 
'Tis  no  finifter,  nor  no  aukward  claim, 

3  —fate  of  him.]    His  fate  is  what  is  allotted  him  by  deftiny, 
or  what  he  is  fated  to  perform.     JOHN-SOX. 

So  Virgil,  fpeaking  of  the  future  deeds  of  the  defcendants  of 
j£neas :  "  Attollens  humeris  lamamque  et  fata  nepotum." 

STEEVEKS. 

*  —ftend  their  mouths t — ]  That  is,  lark  ;  the  fportfman's  term . 

JOHNSON. 

'Pick'd 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V.  65 

Pick'd  from  the  worm-holes  of  long-vaniih'd  days, 
Nor  from  the  duft  of  old  oblivion  rak'd, 
He  fends  you  this  mofl  *  memorable  line, 
Jn  every  branch  truly  demonftrative  ; 

[Gives  the  French  king  a  paper, 
Willing  you,  overlook  this  pedigree  : 
And,  when  you  find  him  evenly  cleriv'd 
From  his  moft  fam'd  of  famous  anceftors, 
JLdward  the  third,  he  bids  you  then  refign 
Your  crown  and  kingdom,  indirectly  held 
From  him  the  native  and  true  challenger. 

jpr.  King.  Or  elfe  what  follows  ? 

Exe.  Bloody  constraint ;  for  if  you  hide  the  crown 
Even  in  your  hearts,  there  will  he  rake  for  it : 
And  therefore  in  fierce  tempeft  is  he  coming, 
In  thunder,  and  in  earthquake,  like  a  Jove, 
That,  if  requiring  fail,  he  will  compel. 
He  bi(]s  you,  in  the  bowels  of  the  Lord, 
Deliver  up  the  crown  ;  and  to  take  mercy 
On  the  poor  fouls,  for  whpm  this  hungry  war 
Opens  his  vafty  jaws  :  and  on  your  head 
Turns  he  the  widows'  tears,  the  orphans'  cr jes, 
r6  The  dead  mens'  blood,  the  pining  maidens' groans, 

s  —  memorable  line,'}  This  genealogy;  thl$  deduction  of  his 
lineage.     JOHNSON. 

'     6  The  dead  mem''  Hood, — ]  The  difpofition  of  the  images  were 
more  regular  if  \ve  were  to  read  thus : 
upon  your  bead 

Turning  the  dead  men?  blood,  tie  ^vido-ivs*  tears, 
„      The  orphan?  cries,  the  pining  maidens' groans,     JoHKSoy. 
The  quartos  1600  and  i6c8,  exhibit  the  pafiage  thus  : 

And  on  your  treads  turns  he  the  widows'  tears9 

The  orphans1  cries,  the  dead  mens*  bones, 

The  pining  maidens*  groans, 

for  hujbands,  fathers,  and  d'JireJJed  lovers, 

Which,  c\'c. 

Thefe  quartos  of  1600  and  )6c8,  agree  in  all  but  the  mereft  tri- 
-fles  ;  and  therefore  tor  the  future  I  fhall  content  myfelf  in  general 
to  quote  the  tonner  of  them,  which  is  the  more  correct  of  the  two. 

STEiiVENS. 

For 


64  K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

For  hufbands,  fathers,  and  betrothed  lovers, 

That  fhall  be  fwallow'd  in  this  controverfy. 

This  is  his  claim,  his  threatning,  and  my  mefiage  ; 

Unlefs  the  Dauphin  be  in  prefencc  here, 

To  whom  exprefsly  I  bring  greeting  too. 

Pr.  King.  For  us,  we  will  confider  of  this  further  : 
To-morrow  fhall  you  bear  our  full  intent 
Back  to  our  brother  of  England. 

Dau.  For  the  Dauphin, 
I  ftand  here  for  him  ;  What  to  him  from  England  ? 

Rxe.  Scorn,  and  defiance;  flight  regard,  contempt, 
And  any  thing  that  may  not  mifbecome 
The  mighty  fender,  doth  he  prize  you  at. 
Thus  fays  my  king  :  and,  if  your  father's  highnefs 
Do  not,  in  grant  of  all  demands  at  large, 
Sweeten  the  bitter  mock  you  fent  his  majefty, 
He'll  call  you  to  fo  hot  an  anfwer  for  it, 
That  caves  and  womby  vaultages  of  France 
4  Shall  chide  your  trefpafs,  and  return  your  mock 
In  fecond  accent  of  his  ordinance. 

Dau.  Say,  if  my  father  render  fair  reply, 
It  is  againft  my  will :  for  I  defire 
Nothing  but  odds  with  England  ;  to  that  end, 
As  matching  to  his  youth  and  vanity, 
I  did  prefent  him  with  thofe  Paris  balls. 

Exe.  He'll  make  your  Paris  Louvre  lhake  for  it. 
Were  it  the  miftrefs  court  of  mighty  Europe  : 

*  Shall  hide^o«r  tre/pafs, ]  Mr.  Pope  rightly  corrected  it, 

Shall  chide WARBURTON. 

I  doubt  whether  it  be  rightly  corrected.  The  meaning  is, 
that  the  authors  of  this  infult  fhall  fly  to  caves  for  refuge. 

JOHNSON. 

Mr.  Pope  reflored  chide  from  the  quarto.  I  have  therefore  in- 
ferted  it  in  the  text.  To  chide  is  to  rcJounJt  to  echo.  So,  in, 
The  Midfummcr  Night's  Dream  : 

««  never  did  I  hear 

"  Such  gallant  chiding." 
So,  in  Henry  VIII  : 

"  As  doth  a  rock  aga'.nft  the  chiding  flood."    STEEVENS. 

And, 


KINGHENRYV.  <^ 

And,  be  affur'd,  you'll  find  a  difference, 

(As  we,  his  fubje&s,  have  in  wonder  found) 

Between  the  promife  of  his  greener  days, 

And  thefe  he  matters  now  s ;  now  he  weighs  time, 

Even  to  the  utmoft  grain ;  which  you  fhall  read 

lii  your  own  lotTes,  if  he  (lay  in  France. 

Fr>  King.  To-morrow  you  fnall  know  our  mind  at 
full.  [Flourifi. 

Exe.  Difpatch  us  with  all  fpeed,  left  that  our  king 
Come  here  himfelf  to  queilion  our  delay ; 
For  he  is  footed  in  this  land  already. 

Fr.  King.  You  ftiall  be  foon  difpatch'd,  with  fair 

conditions  : 

A  night  is  but  fmall  breath,  and  little  paufe, 
To  anfwer  matters  of  this  confequence.          [Exeunt t 


ACT          III. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Cbor.  Thus  with  imagin'd  wing  our  fwiftfcene  flies, 
In  motion  of  no  lefs  celerity 

Than  that  of  thought.  Suppofe,  that  you  have  feea 
*  The  well-appointed  king  at  Hampton  pier 

Embark 

s  — fa  matters  MOW  ;]  Thus  the  folio.     The  quartos  r6co  and 
1608,  read  luujlers.    STEEVENS. 

6   The  well-appointed  king  at  Dover  pier 

Emlark  his  royalty  ; ]  _ 

Thus  all  the  editions  downwards,  implicitly,  after  the  firft  folio. 
But  could  the  poet  potfibly  be  fo  difcordant  from  himfelf  (and 
the  Chronicles,  which  he  copied)  to  make  the  king  here  embark 
at  Dover ;  when  he  has  before  told  us  fo  precifely,  and  that  fo 
often  over,  that  he  embarked  at  Southampton  ?  I  dare  acquit  the 
poet  from  fo  flagrant  a  variation.  The  indolence  of  a  tranfcriber, 
or  a  compofitor  at  prefc,  ruuft  give  rife  to  luch  an  error.  They, 

VOL.  VI.  F  feeing 


66          K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V* 

Embark  his  royalty  ;  and  his  brave  fleet 
With  filkcn  ttreamers  the  young  Phoebus  fanning. 
Play  with  your  fancies  ;  and  in  them  behold, 
Upon  the  hempen  tackle,  Ihip-boys  climbing  : 
Hear  the  Ihrill  whittle,  which  doth  order  give 
To  founds  confns'd  :  behold  the  threaden  fails, 
Borne  with  the  invifible  and  creeping  wind, 
Draw7  the  huge  bottoms  through  the  furrow'd  feay 
Breafting  the  lofty  furge  :  O,  do  but  think,. 
You  ftand  upon  the 7  rivage,  and  behold 
A  city  on  the  inconftant  billows  dancing  ; 
For  fo  appears  this  fleet  rnajeftical, 
Holding  due  courfe  to  Harfleur.     Follow,  follow  ? 
Grapple  your  minds  s  to  tternage  of  this  navy  ; 
And  leave  your  England,  as  dead  midnight,  ttill, 
Guarded  with  grandfires,  babies,  and  old  women, 
Or  paft,  or  not  arriv'd  to,  pith  and  puiflance  : 
For  who  is  he,  whofe  chin  is  but  enriclTd 
With  one  appearing  hair,  that  will  not  follow 
Thefe  cull  u  and  choice-drawn  cavaliers  to  France  ? 
Work,  w  ork,  your  thoughts,  and  therein  fee  a  fiege  ; 

feeing  pier  at  the  end  of  the  verfe,  unluckily  thought  of  Dover 
//«*,  as  the  beft  known  to  them  ;  and  fo  unawares  corrupted  the 
text.  THEOBALD. 

Hampton  pitr]  It  is  obvious,  that  this,  and  not  Dover  pier  ac- 
cording to  the  folios,  was  the  true  reading.  Among  the  records 
of  the  town  ofr  Southampton,  they  have  a  minute  and  aurhentic 
account  (drawn  up  at  that  time)  of  the  encampment  of  Henry 
the  fifth  near  the  town,  befure  this  embarkment  for  France.  It 
is  remarkable,  that  the  place  where  the  army  was  encamped, 
then  a  low  level  plain  ur  a  down,  is  now  entirely  covered  with 
fea,  and  called  Wefiport.  WARTON. 

1  — rivage, —  ]  T.ne  lai.k  or  fhore.     JOHNSON. 
Rivage:  French.     So,  in  Spenfer's  Fairy  £>uecny  B.  IV.  c.  i. 
"  Paclolus  with  his  waters  (here 

"  Throws  forth  upon  the  rivage  round  about  him  nere." 
Again,  in  Gower,  Dt  Conj'ejjione  Amantis,  lib.  viii.  fol.  186: 

"  Upon  the  ftronde  at  r/trarr."    STEEVENS. 
8  —  to  fternage  of  tbis  navy ;]  1  he  ftern  being  the  hinder  part 
of  the  Ihip,  the  meaning  is,  let  your  minds  follow  dofe  after  the- 
navy.    STEEVEXS. 

Behold 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V.  67 

Behold  the  ordnance  on  their  carriages, 
With  fatal  mouths  gaping  on  girded  Harfleur. 
Suppofc,   the  ambaflador  from  the   French  comes 

back  ; 

Tells  Harry — that  the  king  doth  offer  him 
Katharine  his  daughter;  and  with  her,  to  dowry, 
Some  petty  and  unprofitable  dukedoms. 
The  offer  likes  not :  and  the  nimble  gunner 
With  9  linftock  now  the  devilifti  cannon  touches, 

[Alarum  ;  and  chambers  go  off* 
And  down  goes  all  before  him.     Still  be  kind, 
And  eke  out  our  performance  with  your  mind.  [Exitt 

SCENE     I. 

Before  Harfleur* 
\_Alar  um^ 

Enter  king  Henry,  Exeter,  Bedford,  Glofter,  and  foldiers> 
with  fooling  ladders. 

K.  Henry.  Once  more  unto  the  breach,  dear  friends, 

once  more ; 

*  Or  clofe  the  wall  up  with  the  Englim  dead  ! 
In  peace,  there's  nothing  fo  becomes  a  man, 

0  linjlock ]  The  ftaff  to  which  the  match  is  fixed 

when  ordnance  is  fired.     JOHNSON. 

So,  in  Middleton's  comedy  of  Blurt  Mafter  Conftable,   1602  t 

. "  O  Cupid,   grant  that  my  blufhing  prove  not  a  linjlocke^ 

and  give  fire  too  fuddenly,  &c" 
Again,  in  the  Jew  of  Malta,  by  Marlow,   1633  : 
"  Till  you  fhall  hear  a  culverin  difcharg'd 
"  By  him  that  bears  the  linjlock  kindled  thus/' 

STEEVENSi 

1  Or  clofe  the  wall ]  Here  is  apparently  a  chaftn.    One 

line  at  leaft  is  loft,    which  contained  the  other  part  of  a  disjunc-" 
tive  proportion.     The  king's  fpeech  is,  dear  friends,  either  win 
the  town,  or  c lofe  up  the  wall  with  dead.     The  old  quarto  gives 
no  help.    JOHNSON. 

This  fpeech  was  added  after  the  quartos  1600  and  1608. 

^S. 

As 


68  KING    HENRY    V. 

As  modeft  flillnefs,  and  humility  : 

But  when  the  blaft  of  war  bldws  in  our  ears  % 

Then  imitate  the  aftion  of  the  tyger  ; 

Stiffen  the  finews,  iummon  up  the  blood, 

Difguife  fair  nature  with  hard-favour'd  rage  : 

Then  lend  the  eye  a  terrible  afped: ; 

Let  it  pry  through  the  3  portage  of  the  head, 

Like  the  brafs  cannon  ;  let  the  brow  o'erwhelm  it, 

As  fearfully,  as  doth  a  galled  rock 

O'er-hang  and  jutty 4  his  confounded  bafe, 

S'.vill'd  with  the  wild  and  wafteful  ocean. 

Now  fet  the  teeth,  and  ftretch  the  noftril  wide  ; 

Hold  hard  the  breath,  and 'bend  up  every  fpirit 

To  his  full  height ! — On,  on,  you  nobleft  Englifh, 

Whofe  blood  is  fet  from  fathers  of  war-proof6 ! 

Fa* 

*  — '<wben  the  Haft  of  war  Hows  in  our  earst 

Then  im:taie  the  aflion  of  the  tyger  ;  ] 

Sir  Tho.  Hanmer  has  obferved  on  the  following  paflage  in  7'roilus 
and  CrejjiJa,  that  in  Jlorms  and  bigb  winds  tbs  tyger  roars  and 
rages  moft  furioufly. 

even  fo 

Doth  valour's  fiiew  and  valour's  worth  divide 

In  florms  of  fortune  :  for,  in  her  ray  and  brightnefs, 

The  herd  hath  more  annoyance  by  the  brize 

Than  by  the  tyger  :  but  when  iplitting  winds 

Make  flexible  the  knees  of  knotted  oaks,  ' 

And   flies  flee  under  fhadej  why  then  the  thing  of 

courage, 

*'  As  rouz'd  with  rage,  with  rage  doth  fympathize,  &c." 

STEEVHXS. 

3  portage  of  the  bead,  —  ]  Portage,  open  fpace,  fit>mj»r/, 

a  gate.  Let  the  eye  appear  in  the  head  as  cannon  through  the 
buttlements,  or  ernbraiures,  of  a  fortification.  JOHNSON. 

*  bis  confounded  u^fc, ]  His  worn  or  wafted  bafe. 

JOHNSON. 

5  —   "  bend  up  every  fpirit ]  A  metaphor  from  the  bow. 

JOHNSOK. 

6  Wl:of<:  blond  is  feifiom  fathers  of  war-proof  !~\   Thus  the  folio 
l6zj,  «ud  rightly.     So  Spcnfer's  Faery  Queen,  o.  Ill': 

"  Whom  ftrauge  adventure  did  from  Britain^/.'* 
Again,  in  the  Prologue  to  Ben  Jonfon's  Silent  Woman  : 

*'  Though  there  be  none  tariff,  there  will  dear  bought." 

Again, 


.KING    HENRY    V.  69 

Fathers,  that,  like  fo  many  Alexanders, 
Have,  in  thefe  parts,  from  morn  'till  even  fought, 
And  fheath'd  their  fvvords  for  lack  of  7  argument. 
Difhonour  not  your  mothers  ;  now  atteft, 
That  thofe,  whom  you  call'd  fathers,  did  beget  you  ! 
Be  copy  now  to  men  of  grofler  blood, 
And  teach  them  how  to  war ! — And  you,  good  yeo- 
men, 

Whofe  limbs  were  made  in  England,  fhew  us  here 
The  mettle  of  your  pafture  ;  let  us  fwear 
That  you  are  worth  your  breeding :  which  I  doubt  not; 
For  there  is  none  of  you  fo  mean  and  bafe, 
That  hath  not  noble  luftre  in  your  eyes. 
I  fee  you  ftand  like  greyhounds  in  the  flips, 
Straining  upon  the  ftart.     The  game's  afoot ; 
Follow  your  fpirit  :  and,  upon  this  charge, 
Cry — God  for  Harry  !  England  !  and  faint  George ! 

[Exctint  King  and  train. 

[Alarm,  and  chambers  go  off. 

SCENE    II. 

Enter  Njm,  Bardolpk,  Plflol,  and  Boy. 

Bard.  On,  on,  on,  on,  on  !  to  the  breach,  to  the 
breach ! 

Nym.  Tray  thee,  8  corporal,  flay ;  the  knocks  are 
too  hot ;  and,  for  mine  own  part,  I  have  not9  a  cafe 

Again,  in  Lord  Surrey's  Tranflation  of  the  fecond  book  of  Vir- 
gil's JEneld : 

"  And  with  that  winde  had/^  the  land  of  Grece." 
The  facred  writings  afford  many  inftances  to  the  fame  purpofe. 
Mr.  Pope  firll  made  the  change,  which  I,  among  others,  had  in- 
advertently followed.    STEEVENS. 

7   argument.}   Is  matter,  orfubjetf.     JOHNSON. 

8  — corporal, ]  We  fliould  read  lieutenant.     It  is  Bardolph 

to  whom  he  fpeaks.     STEEVENS. 

9  —  a  cafe  of  lives : — ]   A  fet  of  lives,  of  which,  when  one 
is  worn  out,  another  may  ferve.     JOHNSON. 

F  3  of 


70  KINGHENRYV. 

of  lives  :  the  humour  of  it  is  too  hot,  that  is  the 
very  plain-fong  ot  it. 

Pift.  The  plain-fong  is  mofi  juft  :  for  humours  do. 

abound ; 

Knocks  go  and  come  ;  God's  vaflals  drop  and  die  ; 
And  fword  and  Jhiekl, 
In  bloody  field, 
Doth  win  immortal,  fame. 

Boy.  'Would  I  were  in  an  ale-houfe  in  London-!  I 
tvould  give  all  my  fame  for  a  pot  of  ale,  and  fafety, 
Pift.  And  I : 

1  If  wifhes  would  prevail  with  me, 
My  purpofe  ihould  not  fail  with  me, 

But  thither  would  I  hye. 

Soy.  *  As  duly,  but  not  as  truly,  as  bird  doth  fing 
On  bough. 

Enter  Fluellen. 

Flu.  'Splood  ! — Up  to  the  preaches  ;,  you  rafcals ! 
will  you  not  up  to  the  preaches  ? 

P'lft.  Be  merciful,  great  duke,  4  to  men  of  mould  ! 
Abate  thy  rage,  abate  thy  manly  rage  ! 
Good  bawcock,   bate  thy  rage  !    ufe  lenity,  fvveet 
chuck  ! 

Nym.  Thefe  be  good  humours ! — your  honour  wins 
bad  humours.  [Exeunt. 

*  If  wlfics  &c.]  This  pafiage  I  have  replaced  from  the  firft 
folio,  which  is  the  only  Authentic  copy   ot   this  play.     Thefe 
lines,  which  perhaps  are  part  of  a  fong,  Mr.  Pope  did  not  like, 
and  therefore  changed  them  in  conformity  to  the  imperfect  play 
in  quarto,  and  was  followed  by  the  fucceeding  editors,     for  pre- 
vail I  (hould  read  avail.     JOHNSON. 

*  A3  duly,  &c.J  This  fpeech  I  have  reftored  from  the  folio. 

STEEVENS. 

3  up  to  the  preaches,  feV.]  Thus  the  410,  with  only  the 

difference  of  breaches  inftead  of  preaches.  Modern  editors  have 
been  very  liberal  of  their  Welch  dialed!.  The  folio  reads,  Up 
to  the  breach  you  dogges,  avaunt  you  cullions.  STEEVENS. 

+  to  men  /  mould! — ]  To  men  of  earth^  to  poor  mortaj 

men.    JOHNSON, 

Boy. 


•  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  JT    V.  ?l 

Eoy.  As  young  as  I  am,  I  have  obferv'd  thcfc  three 
fw?fhcrs.  1  am  boy  to  them  all  three  :  but  all  they 
three,  though  they  would  ferve  me,  could  not  be  man 
to  me  ;  for,  indeed,  three  fuch  anticks  do  not  amount 
to  a  man.  For  Bardolph, — he  is  white-liver'd,  and 
red-fac'd  ;  by  the  means  whereof,  'a  faces  it  out,  but 
fights  not.  For  Piflol, — he  hath  a  kill  ing  tongue,  and 
a  quiet  fword  ;  by  the  means  whereof  Ja  breaks  words, 
and  keeps  whole  weapons.  For  Nym, — he  hath  heard, 
that  men  of  few  words  are  the  5  beft  men ;  and  there- 
fore he  fcorns  to  fay  his  prayers,  left  'a  fhould  be 
thought  a  coward  :  but  his  few  bad  words  are  match'd 
with  as  few  good  deeds ;  for  'a  never  broke  any  man's 
head  but  his  own ;  and  that  was  againft  a  poft,  when 
he  was  drunk.  They  will  fteal  any  thing,  and  call  it — 
pur  chafe.  Bardolph  ftole  a  lute-cafe  ;  bore  it  twelve 
leagues,  and  fold  it  for  three  half-pence.  Nym,  and 
Bardolph,  are  fworn  brothers  in  filching;  and  in  Calais 
they  ftole  a  fire-fhovel :  I  knew,  by  that  piece  of  fer- 
vice, 6  the  men  would  carry  coals.  They  would  have 
me  as  familiar  with  men's  pockets,  as  their  gloves  or 
their  handkerchiefs  :  which  makes  much  againftmy 
manhood,  if  I  (Iiould  take  from  another's  pocket,  to 
put  into  mine  ;  for  it  is  plain  pocketing  up  of 
wrongs.  I  muft  leave  them,  and  leek  fome  better 
fervice  :  their  villainy  goes  againft  my  weak  ftomach, 
and  therefore  I  muft  caft  it  up.  [Exit  Boy. 

5  left  men; ]  That  is,  Ira-'cft ;   fo  in  the  next  lines, 

good  deeds  are  brave  aflions.     JOHNSON. 

6  the  men  would  carry  coaL. — ]  It  appears  that  in  Shake- 

fpeare's  age,  to  cany  coals  was,  I  know  not  why,  tf>  endure  af- 
fronts.    So,  in  Romeo  and  Juliet,  one  fervinginan  aflcs  another 

whether  he  will  carry  coals.     JOHXSON. 

Cant  phral'es  are  the  ephemerons  of  literature.     In  the  quartos 
1600  and  1608,  the  pafTage  Itands  thus  : 

I  knew  by  that  they  meant  to  carry  coales.     STEEVENS. 


F  4  R<- 


72  K  I  N  G     PI  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Re-enter  Fluclkn^  Go^cr  following* 

Gvwer.  Captain  Fluellen,  you  mutt  conic  prcfently' 
to  the  mines ;  the  duke  of  Gloiler  would  (peak; 
with  you. 

Flu.  To  the  mines  !  tell  you  the  duke,  it  is  not  fa 
good  to  come  to  the  mines  t  For,  look  you,  the  mines 
are  not  according  to  the  difciplines  of  the  war  ;  the 
concavities  of  it  is  not  fufficient ;  for,  look  you,  th" 
athverfary  (you  may  difcufs  unto  the  duke,  look  you  j. 
17  is  digt  himfclf 'four  yards  under  the  countermines  : 
by  Chelhu,  I  think,  'a,8  will  plow  up  all,  if  there  is 
not  better  directions. 

Cower.  The  duke  of  Glofter,  to  whom  the  order 
of  the  fiege  is  given,  is  altogether  directed  by  an  Irilh- 
man  ;  a  very  valiant  gentleman,  i'faith. 

Flu.  It  is  captain  Macmorris,  is  it  not  ? 

Goiuer.  I  think,  it  be. 

Flu.  By  Chelhu,  he  is  an  afs,  as  in  the  'orld  :  I 
will  verify  as  much  in  his  peard  :  he  has  no  more 
directions  in  the  true  difciplines  of  the  wars,  look  you. 
of  the  Reman  difciplines,  than  is  a  puppy-dog. 

Enter  Macmorris,  and  captain  Jamy. 

G(  :;YT.  Here  'a  comes  ;  and  the  Scots  captain,  cap- 
tain Jamy,  with  him. 

Flu.  Captain  Jamy  is  a  marvellous  falorous  gentle- 
man, that  is  certain  ;  and  of  great  expedition,  and 
knowledge,  in  the  ancient  wars,  upon  my  particular 
knowledge  of  his  directions  :  by  Cheihu,  he  will  main- 
tain his  argument  as  well  as  any  military  man  in  the 
'orld,  in  the  difciplines  of  the  priftine  wars  of  the 
Romans. 

7  '  is  digt  blmfelf  four  y  arils  unfar  the  countermines :         •  ] 

Fluellen  means,  that  the  enemy  had  digged  himfclf  countermines 
four  yards  under  the  mines.    JOHNSON, 

•  willffau  up  all)— ]   That  is,  kt  will  blow  up  till. 

JOHNSON. 
Jamy. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  7j 

Jamy.  I  fay,  gud-day,  captain  Fluellen. 

flu.  God-den  to  your  worfhip,  goot  captain  Jamy. 

Govuer.  How  now,  captain  Macmorris  ?  have  you 
quit  the  mines  ?  have  the  pioneers  given  o'er  ? 

Mac.  By  Chrifh  la,  tifh  ill  done  :  the  work  ifh  give 
over,  the  trumpet  found  the  retreat.  By  my  hand, 
I  fwear,  and  by  my  father's  foul,  the  work  ilh  ill 
done  ;  it  iili  give  over  :  I  would  have  blowed  up  the 
town,  fo  Chrifh  fave  me,  la,  in  an  hour.  O  tifh  ill 
done,  tifh  ill  done  ;  by  my  hand,  tifh  ill  done  ! 

Flu.  Captain  Macmorris,  I  pefeech  you  now,  will 
you  voutfafe  me,  look  you,  a  few  difputations  with 
you,  as  partly  touching  or  concerning  the  difciplines 
of  the  war,  the  Roman  wars,  in  the  way  of  argument, 
look  you,  and  friendly  communication  ;  partly,  to  fa- 
tisfy  my  opinion,  and  partly,  for  the  fatisfa&ion,  look 
you,  of  my  mind,  as  touching  the  direction  of  the 
military  discipline  ;  that  is  the  point. 

Jamy.  It  fall  be  very  gud,  gud  feith,  gud  captains 
bath  :  and 9 1  fall  quit  you  with  gud  leve,  as  I  may 
pick  occafion  ;  that  fall  I,  marry. 

Mac.  It  is  no  time  to  difcourfe,  fo  Chrifh  fave  me; 
|heday  is  hot,  and  the  weather,  and  the  wars,  and  the 
king,  and  the  dukes  ;  it  is  no  time  to  difcourfe.  The 
town  is  befeech'd,  and  the  trumpet  calls  us  to  the 
breach  ;  and  we  talk,  and,  by  Chrifh,  do  nothing ;  'tis 
lhame  for  us  all  :  fo  God  fa' me,  'tis  fhame  to  ftand 
flill ;  it  is  fhame,  by  my  hand  :  and  there  is  throats 
to  be  cut,  and  works  to  be  done ;  and  there  ish  nothing 
done,  fo  Chrifh  fa'  me,  la. 

Jamy.  By  the  mefs,  ere  theife  eyes  of  mine  take 
themfelves  to  flumber,  aile  do  gud  fervice,or  aile  liggc 
i'the  grund  for  it ;  ay,  or  go  to  death  ;  and  aile  pay 
it  as  valoroufly  as  I  may,  that  fal  I  furelydo,  that  is 

9  — I  fall-  quit  you—"]  That  is,  I  (hall,  with  your  permiflion, 
requite  you,  that  is,  anfiver  youy  or  interpofe  with  my  arguments, 
as  I  lhall  find  opportunity.  JoHNsow. 

the 


74  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

the  breff  and  the  long  :  Mary,  I  wad  full  fain  heard 
fome  queflion  'tween  you  tway. 

Flu.  Captain  Macmorris,  I  think,  look  you,  under 
your  correction,  there  is  not  many  of  your  nation — 

Mac.  Of  my  nation  ?  What  ifh  my  nation  ?  ilh  a 
villain,  and  a  baftard,  and  a  knave,  and  a  rafcal  ? 
What  ilh  my  nation  ?  Who  talks  of  my  nation  ? 

Flu.  Look  you,  if  you  take  the  matter  otherwife 
than  is  meant,  captain  Macmorris,  peradventure,  I 
ihall  think  you  do  not  ufe  me  with  that  affability  as  in 
difcretion  you  ought  to  ufe  me,  look  you ;  being  as 
goot  a  man  as  yourfelf,  both  in  the  difciplines  of  wars, 
and  in  the  derivation  of  my  birth,  and  in  other  par- 
ticularities. 

Mac.  I  do  not  know  you  fo  good  a  man  as  myfelf : 
fo  Chriih  fave  me,  I  will  cut  off  your  head. 

Gffwer.  Gentlemen  both,  you  will  miflake  each 
other. 

Jamy.  Au  !  that's  a  foul  fault.      [_A  parley  founded. 

Gffiver.  The  town  founds  a  parley. 

Flu.  Captain  Macmorris,  when  there  is  more  better 
opportunity  to  be  requir'd,  look  you,  I  will  be  fobold 
as  to  tell  you,  I  know  the  difciplines  of  war ;  and 
there's  an  end T. 

SCENE    III. 

Before  the  gates  of  Harfleur. 
Enter  King  Henry  and  bis  train. 

K.  Henry.  How  yet  refolves  the  governor  of  the 

town  ? 

This  is  the4ateft  parle  we  will  admit : 
Therefore,  to  our  beft  mercy  give  yourfelves  ; 

'  — there's  an  end.}  It  were  to  be  wiflied  that  the  poor  merri- 
ment of  this  dialogue  had  not  been  purchaled  with  fo  much 
profanenefs.  JOHNSON. 

Or, 


KING    HENRY    V.  75 

Or,  like  to  men  proud  of  deftrudticn. 

Defy  us  to  our  worft :  for,  as  I  am  a  foldier, 

(A  name,  that,  in  my  thoughts,  becomes  me  beft) 

If  I  begin  the  battery  once  again, 

I  will  not  leave  the  half-atchieved  Harfleur, 

'Till  in  her  allies  fhe  He  buried. 

The  gates  of  mercy  lhall  be  all  fhut  up  a ; 

And  the  flcfh'd  foldier, — rough  and  hard  of  heart,— 

In  liberty  of  bloody  hand,  fhall  range 

With  confcience  wide  as  hell ;  mowing  like  grafs 

Your  frefli  fair  virgins,' and  your  flowering  infants. 

What  is  it  then  to  me,  if  impious  war, — 

Array 'd  in  flames,  like  to  the  prince  of  fiends, — 

Do,  with  his  fmirch'd  complexion,  all  3  fell  feats 

Enlink'd  to  wafte  and  defolation  ? 

What  is't  to  me,  when  you  yourfelves  are  caufe, 

If  your  pure  maidens  fall  into  the  hand 

Of  hot  and  forcing  violation  ? 

What  rein  can  hold  licentious  wickednefs, 

When  down  the  hill  he  holds  his  fierce  career  ? 

We  may  as  bootlefs  fpend  our  vain  command 

Upon  the  enraged  foldiers  in  their  fpoil, 

As  fend  precepts  to  the  Leviathan 

To  come  afliore.    Therefore,  you  men  of  Harfleur, 

Take  pity  of  your  town,  and  of  your  people, 

Whiles  yet  my  foldiers  are  in  my  command  ; 

4  Whiles  yet  the  cool  and  temperate  wind  of  grace 

O'er-blows  the  filthy  and  contagious  clouds 

a  The  gates  of  mercy  Jhall  le  all  Jhut  up  ;]   Mr.  Gray  has  bor- 
rowed this  thought  in  his  -Elegy  : 

*'  And  fhut  the  gates  of  mercy  on  mankind."  STEEVEXS. 

3    f ell f fats, 

Enlink'd  to  waftc  and  defolation  ?  ] 

All  the  favage  pra&ices  naturally  concomitant  to  the  fack  of  ci- 
ties.    JOHNSON. 

*  Whiles  yet  the  cool  and  temp*  rate  wind  of  grace 

O  er-Uowt  the  fitly  and  contagious  doudi\ 

This  is  a  very  harfli  metaphor.     To  gver-llovj  is  to  drive  aivay% 
or  to  keep  off.    JOHNSON. 

Of 


76  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Of  heady  murder,  fpoil,  and  villainy. 

If  not,  why,  in  a  moment,  look  to  fee 

The  blind  and  bloody  foldier  with  foul  hand 

5  Defile  the  locks  of  your fhrill-ihriek ing  daughters; 

Your  fathers  taken  by  the  filver  beards, 

And  their  moft  reverend  heads  dafh'd  to  the  walls ; 

Your  naked  infants  fpitted  upon  pikes  ; 

Whiles  the  rriad  mothers  with  their  howls  confus'd 

Do  break  the  clouds,  as  did  the  wives  of  Jewry 

At  Herod's  bloody-hunting  flaughtermen. 

What  fay  you  ?  will  you  yield,  and  this  avoid  ? 

Or,  guilty  in  defence,  be  thus  deflroy'd  ? 

Enter  Governor,  upon  the  'walls. 

Gov.  Our  expectation  hath  this  day  an  end  : 
The  Dauphin,  whom  of  fuccour  we  entreated, 
Returns  us — that  his  powers  are  not  yet  ready 
To  raife  fo  great  a  liege.     Therefore,  dread  king, 
We  yield  our  town,  and  lives,  to  thy  foff  mercy  : 
Enter  our  gates  ;  difpofc  of  us,  and  ours  ; 
For  we  no  longer  are  defenfible. 

K*  Henry.  Open  your  gates. — Come,  uncle  Exeter, 
Go  you  and  enter  Harfleur  ;  there  remain, 
And  fortify  it  ftrongly  'gainfl  the  French  : 
Ufe  mercy  to  them  all.     For  us,  dear  uncle,—- 
The  winter  coming  on,  and  ficknefs  growing 
Upon  our  foldiers, — we'll  retire  to  Calais. 
To-night  in  Harfleur  will  we  be  your  guefl ; 
To-morrow  for  the  march  arc  we  addreft 6. 

[Flourifh,  and  enter  the  town. 

SCEN  E 

*  Defile  ffa  locks  &:c.]     The  folio  reads : 
De/ire  the  locks,  £«?r.     STEEVENS. 

8  "Me  are  addreft.]  i.  e.  prepared.    So,  in  Heywood's  Rapt 

*f  Lucrecc,   1630  : 

"   — . ourfliidd 

**  We  muft  addreff  next,  for  tomorrow's  field." 

Again, 


KINGHENRYV.  77 

I  S  C  E  N  E    IV. 

The  French  camp. 
Enter  Katharine,  and  an  old  gentlewoman. 

8  Kath.  Alice,  tu  as  efts  en  AngkUne,  &f  tu  parks 
lien  le  language. 

Alice. 

Again,  in  the  Brazen  dge,  1613  : 

"  . clamours  from  afar, 

"  Tell  us  thefe  champions  are  addreft  for  war."  - 
Again  : 

"  See  I  am  addrejl 

"  With  this,  to  thunder  on  thy  captive  creft." 

STEEVENS. 

7  Scene  IV.  ]  I  have  left  this  ridiculous  fcene  as  I  found  it  ; 
and  am  lorry  to  have  no  colour  left,  from  any  of  the  editions,  to 
imagine  it  interpolated.  WARBURTON. 

Sir  T.  Hanmer  has  rejected  it.  The  fcene  is  indeed  mean 
enough,  when  it  is  read  ;  but  the  grimaces  of  two  French  wo- 
men, and  the  odd  accent  with  which  they  uttered  the  Knglifii, 
made  it  divert  upon  the  ftage.  It  may  be  obferv'd,  that  there 
is  in  it  not  only  the  French  language,  but  the  French  fpirit. 
Alice  compliments  the  princefs  upon  her  knowledge  of  four 
words,  and  tells  her  that  Ihe  pronounces  like  the  Englifli  them- 
ielves.  The  princefs  fufpe&s  no  deficiency  in  her  inflrudlrefs, 
nor  the  inftruclrefs  in  herfelf.  Throughout  the  whole  fcene 
there  may  be  found  French  fervility,  and  French  vanity. 

I  cannot  forbear  to  tranfcribe  the  firft  fentence  of  this  dialogue 
from  the  edition  of  1608,  that  the  reader  who  has  not  looked 
into  the  old  copies  may  judge  of  the  flrange  negligence  with 
which  they  are  printed. 

"  Kate.  Alice  venecia,  vous  aves  cates  en,  vou  parte  fort  bon 
Angloys  englatara,  comau  fae  palla  vou  la  main  en  francoy." 

JOHNSON. 

We  may  obferve  in  general,  that  the  early  editions  have  not 
halt"  the  quantity  ;  and  every  fentence,  or  rather  every  word, 
woft  ridiculoufly  blundered.  Thefe,  for  feveral  reafons,  could 
not  poflibly  be  published  by  the  author  ,•  and  it  is  extremely  pro- 
bable, that  the  French  ribaldry  was  at  firil  inferted  by  a  different 
hand,  as  the  many  additions  moft  certainly  were  after  he  had  left 
the  ftage.— Indeed,  every  friend  to  his  memory  will  not  eafily 
believe,  that  he  was  acquainted  with  the  fcene  between  Katharine 
and  the  old  Gentlewoman  :  or  furely  he  would  not  have  admitted 
fuch  obfcenity  and  nonfenfe.  FARMER. 

It 


78  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Alice.  Unpeu,  madam?. 

Kath.  Je  te  prie,  nttnfsigne&i  il  font  quefapprenni 
aparler.     Comment  appellezvom  la  main,  en  Anglois? 

Alice.  1x3-  main  ?  elle  eft  appellee,  de  hand. 

Kath.  De  hand.     Et  les  doigts  ? 

Alice.  Les  doigts  f  mayfoy,  je  oublie  les  doigts ;  maisje 
mefouviendray.  Les  doigts  ?  je  penfe,  qifilsfont  appelle  de 
fingres  ;  ony,  de  fingers ;  out  de  fingers. 

Kath.  La  main,  de  hand ;  les  doigts,  de  fingres.  je 
penfe,  que  je  fuis  k  bon  efcolier.  J*ay  gagnee  deux  mots 
£  Anglais  inftancnt.  Comment  appellez  vous  les  angles  ? 

Alice.  Les  ongks  ?  les  appellons,  de  nails. 

It  is  very  certain,  that  authors  in  the  time  of  Shakefpeare,  did 
not  correct  the  prefs  tor  themfelves.  I  hardly  ever  faw  in  one 
of  the  old  plays  a  fentence  of  either  Latin,  Italian,  or  French, 
without  the  moll  ridiculous  blunders.  In  the  Hift.  of  Clyomon, 
Knight  of  the  Golden  Shield,  i  599,  a  tragedy  which  I  have  often 
quoted,  a  warrior  afks  a  lady  difguifed  like  a  page,  what  her  name 
is.  She  anfwers,  "  Cur  Daceer"  i.  e.  Cceur  d  Acier,  Heart  of 
Steel.  STEEVENS. 

8  Kath.  Alice,  tu  as  efte — ]  I  have  regulated  feveral  fpeeches 
in  this  French  fcene  ;  fome  whereof  were  given  to  Alice,  and 
yet  evidently  belonged  to  Katharine  :  and  fo,  vice  verfa.  It  is 
not  material  to  diftinguifh  the  particular  tranfpolitions  I  have 
made.  Mr.  Gildon  has  left  no  bad  remark,  I  think,  with  re- 
gard to  our  poet's  condudl  in  the  character  of  this  princefs : 
*'  For  why  he  fhould  not  allow  her,"  fays  he,  "  to  fpeak  in  Eng- 
lifli  as  well  as  all  the  other  French,  I  can't  imagine  :  fince  it  adds 
no  beauty,  but  gives  a  patch'd  and  pye-bald  dialogue  of  no  beauty 
or  force."  THEOBALD. 

In  the  collection  of  Cbcjter  Wliitfun.  "Myjlcrles,  among  theHar- 
leian  MSS.  No.  1013,  I  find  French  fpeeches  introduced.  In 
the  Vintner's  Play,  p.  65,  the  three  kings  who  come  to  worfhip 
our  infant  Saviour,  addrefs  themfelves  to  Herod  in  that  lan- 
guage, and  Herod  very  politely  anfwers  them  in  the  fame.  At 
firft,  I  fuppofed  the  author  to  have  appropriated  a  foreign  tongue 
to  them,  becaufe  they  were  ftrangers  ;  but  in  the  Sinner's  Play, 
p.  144,  I  found  Pilate  talking  French,  when  no  fuch  reafon 
could  be  offered  to  juftiry  a  change  of  language.  Thefe  myfteries 
are  faid  to  have  been  written  in  1328.  It  is  hardly  neceflary  to 
mention  that  in  this  MS.  the  French  is  as  much  corrupted  as  in 
the  paflage  quoted  by  Dr.  Johnfou  from  the  410  edition  of 
King  Henry  V.  STELVENS. 

Kath. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  79 

Kath.  De  nails.     Efcoutez :   dites  mcy,  fi  je  park 
blen  :  de  hand,  de  fingres,  de  nails. 

Alice.  Cejl  bien  dit,  madame ;  //  eft  fort  bon  Anghh* 
Kath.  Dites  moy  en  Anglois,  le  bras. 
Alice.  DC  arm,  madame. 
Kath.  Etlecov.de. 
Alice.  De  elbow. 

Kath.  De  elbow.     Je  m*en  faitz  la  repetition  de  tout 
les  mots,  que  vous  m'avcz  appris  des  a  prefent. 

Alice.  II  eft  trop  difficile,  madame,  commejepenfe. 
Kath.  Excufez  moy,  Alice ;    efcoutcz:  De  hand,  dc 
fingre,  de  nails,  de  arm,  de  bilbow. 
Alice.  De  elbow,  madame. 

Kath.  0  Seigneur  Dieu  !  je  nien  oublie ;    De  elbow* 
Comment  appellez  vous  lecol? 
Alice.  De  neck,  madame. 
Kath.  De  neck :  Et  le  menton  ? 
Alice.  De  chin. 

Kath.  De  fin.     Le  col,  de  neck  :  le  menton,  defln." 
Alice.  Ouy.     Saiifvoftrekonneur;enverite,vouspro- 
tioncez  ks  mots  avjji  droicl  que  les  natifs  d*  Angktene. 

Kath.  Je  ne  doute  point   d"apprendre  par  la  grace  ds 
Dieu  ;  &  en  peu  de  temps. 

Alice.  N'avez  vous  pas  deja  oublie  ce  que  je  vous  ay 
cnfeignee  ? 

Kath.  Non,je  reciter  ay  a  vouspromptement.  De  hand, 
de  fingre,  de  mails  *. 

Alice.  De  nails,  madame. 
Kath.  De  nails,  de  arme,  de  ilbow. 
Alice.  Sauf,  vojlre  honneur,  de  elbow. 
Kath,  Ainft  disje ;    de  elbow,  de  neck,  et  de  fin : 
Comment  appellez  vous  les  pieds,  cff  la  robe  ? 
Alice.  De  foot,  madame  ;  &  de  con. 
Kath.  De  foot,  &  de  con  ?    0  Seigneur  Dieu  i    ces 

»  —De  band,  de  fingre,  de  nayle,  de  arme.]  The  firft  folio  hag 
this  paflage  thus—  d'band,  de  fingre,  de  mattes— without  de  arm.'" 
...And  fo  it  fliould  be  printed.  TYRWHITT, 

VOL.  VI,  fQnl 


So  K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

font  mots  de  fon  mauvais,  corruptible,  grofle,  ct  impudiquc,  & 
non  pour  les  dames  ifkonncur  d'ufer :  Je  m  vcudrois  pro- 
nonccr  ces  mots  devant  les  Seigneurs  de  France,  pour  tout  le 
monde.  II  faut  de  foot,  £5*  de  con,  neant-moins.  Je  red- 
terai  une  autrefois  ma  lefon  enfemble  :  De  hand,  de  9  fin- 
gre,  de  nails,  de  arm,  de  elbow,  de  neck,  de  fin, 
de  foot,  de  con. 

Alice.  Excellent,  madame  ! 

Kath.  C eft  ajj'cz  pour  une  fois  i  alkns  nous  a  difner. 

[Exeunt* 

SCENE    V. 

Prefence-cJoambcr  in  the  French  court. 

Enter  tie  king  of  France,  the  Dauphin,  duke  of  Bourbon, 
the  Conjlable  of  France,  and  others. 

Fr.  King.    'Tis  certain,    he  hath  pafs'd  the  river 
Some. 

Con.  And  if  he  be  not  fought  withal,  my  lord, 
Let  us  not  live  in  France;  let  us  quit  all, 
And  give  our  vineyards  to  a  barbarous  people. 

Dau.  O  Dicui'ivant  !  fhall  a  few  fprays  of  us,— 
The  emptying  of  '  our  father's  luxury, — 
Our  fyens,  put  in  wild  *  and  favage  ftock, 
Sprout  up  fo  fuddenly  into  the  clouds, 
And  over-grow  their  grafters  ? 

£our.  Normans,  but  baftard  Normans,  Norman 

baftards ! 

Afort  de  ma  vie  !  if  thus  they  march  along 
Unfought  withal,  but  I  will  fell  my  dukedom, 
To  buy  a  flobbery  and  a  dirty  farm 

9  — Jejingre,  .  ]  It  is  apparent  by  the  correction  of  Alice, 
that  the  princefs  forgot  the  neits,  and  therefore  it  (hoald  be  left  out 
in  her  part.  JOHNSON. 

1  —  our  father* i  luxury,]  In  this  place^  as  in  others,  luxury 
means  luft.  JOHNSON. 

*  —favagc — ]  Is  here  ufed  in  the  French  original  fenfc,  for 
Jilvant  uncultivated,  the  lame  with  wild.  JOHNSON* 


KING    HENRY    V.  81 

4  In  that  nook-fhotten  ifle  of  Albion. 

COM.  Dieu  de  batailles  !  where  have  they  this  mettle  ? 
Is  not  their  climate  foggy,  raw,  and  dull  ? 
On  whom,  as  in  defpignt,  the  fun  looks  pale, 
Killing  their  fruit  with  frowns  ?  s  Can  iodden  water, 
A  drench  for  fur-reyn'd  jades,  their  barley  broth, 
Deco£t  their  cold  blood  to  fuch  valiant  heat  ? 
And  lhall  our  quick  blood,  fpirited  with  wine, 
Seem  frofty  ?  Oh,  for  honour  of  our  land, 
Let  us  not  hang  like  roping  icicles 
Upon  the  houfes'  thatch,  whiles  a  more  frofly  people 
Sweat  drops  of  gallant  youth  in  our  rich  fields ; 
Poor — we  may  call  them,  in  their  native  lords. 

Dau.  By  faith  and  honour, 
Our  madams  mock  at  us ;  and  plainly  fay, 
Our  mettle  is  bred  out ;  and  they  will  give 
Their  bodies  to  the  luft  of  Englifli  youth, 
To  new  ftore  France  with  bailard  warriors. 

Bom:  They  bid  us — to  the  Englifli  dancing-fchools, 
And  teach  6  lavoltas  high,  and  fwift  corantos » 

.  Say- 

*  In  that  nook  fhot ten  [fie  of  Albion.'}  Sbottcn  fignifies  anything 
projtSed:  lo  nook-Jbotten  i/le,  is  an  iile  that  fhoots  out  into  capes, 
promontories,  and  necks  of  land,  the  very  figure  of  Great  Bri- 
tain. WAR  BUR  TON. 

5 Can  fodder,  -water, 

A  drench  for  fur-reyn'd  jades,* ] 

The  exad  meaning  of  fur-reyn'd  I  do  not  know.  It  is  common 
to  give  horfes  over-ridden  or  feverifh,  ground  malt  and  hot  water 
mixed,  which  is  called  a  majb.  To  this  he  alludes.  JOHNSON. 

The  word  fur-rcln  d  occurs  more  than  once  in  the  old  plays. 
So,  in  Jack  Drum'' 3  Entertainment,  1601  : 

"  Writes  he  not  a  good  cordial  fappy  ftile  ? — 

**  Afur-rein'djaded  wit,  but  he  rubs  on." 
It  fliould  be  obferv'd  that  the  quartos  1600  and  1608  read  :  • 

A  drench  hrfivolne  jades.     STEEVENS. 

6  —lavoltas  high,  —  ]     Hanmer  obferves   that  in  this   dance 
there  was  much  turning  and  much  capering.     Shakefpeare  men- 
tions  it  more  than  once,  but  never  fo  particularly  as  the  author 
of  MukaJJes  the  Turk,  a  tragedy  1610  : 

"  Be  pleas'd,  ye  powers  of  night,"  and  'bout  me  flcip 
**  Your  antick  mcafures ;  like  to  coal-black  moors 
VOL.  VI.  G  "  Dane* 


82  K  I  N  G     H  E  tf  R  Y    V. 

Saying,  our  grace  is  only  in  our  heels, 
And  that  we  are  moft  lofty  run-awa)  s. 

Fr.  Kin?.  Where  is  Montjoy,  the  herald  ?    fpeetJ 

him  hence; 

Let  him  greet  England  with  our  fharp  defiance.— 
Up,  princes ;  and,  with  fpirit  of  honour  edg'd, 
More  iharper  than  your  fwords,  hie  to  the  field  : 

7  Charles  De-la-bret,  high  conftable  of  France  ; 
You  dukes  of  Orleans,  Bourbon,  and  of  Berry ^ 
Alen?on,  Brabant,  Bar,  and  Burgundy  ; 
Jaques  ChatilHon,  Rambures,  Vaudemont, 
Beaumont,  Grandpre,  Rouffi,  and  Fauconberg, 
Foix,  Letlrale,  Bouciqualt,  and  Charolois ; 

High    dukes,    great  princes,    barons,    lords,    and 

knights, 

For  your  great  feats,  now  quit  you  of  great  fhames, 
Bar  Harry  England,  that  fwe-cps  through  our  land 

8  With  pennons  painted  iu  the  blood  of  Harfieur  : 

Rufe 

*'  Dancing  cheir  high  lavohoes  to  t'he  fun, 
tl  Circle  me  round  :  and  in  the  midit  I'll  ftand, 
'*  And  crack  my  iides  with  laughter  at  your  fports." 
Again,  in  Chapman's  May -day  ^   i6c6: 

"   let  the  Bourdeaux  grape 

"  Skip  like  la  volta's  in  their  iwelling  veins.'* 
Again  : 

"  Where  love  doth  dance  la  volta* — '*  STESVEKS. 
7  Cbarle s  Dclabretb, —  ]  Milton  fomewhere  bids  the  EngHiTv 
take  notice  how  their  names  are  mifpelt  by  foreigners,  and 
feems  to  think  that  we  may  law  hilly  treat  foreign  names  in  re- 
turn with  the  fame  neglect.  This  privilege  feems  to  be  e.xer-' 
cifed  in  this  catalogue  of  French  names,  which,  lince  the  fenfc 
of  the  author  is  not  affected,.  I  have  left  as  I-  found  it. 

J&HNSOK. 

I  have  changed  the  fpelh'ug ;  for  I  know  not  why  we  fhouktf 
leave  blunders  or  antiquated  orthography  in  the  proper  names, 
when  we  have  been  fo  careful  to  remove  them  both  from  all  other 
parts  of  the  text.  Inltead  of  Charles  'Dc-la-brct,  we  fhould  read 
Cka>-L-5  D*Albr»t)  but  the  metre  will  not  allow  of  it.  STEEVENS.. 

-  Jfitb  pennons — ]  Ptnnons  armorial  were  fmall  flags,  on  which. 
the  arms,  device  and  motto  of  a  knight  were  painted. 

Pennon  is  the  fame  as  pendant*  So,  in  The  Stately  Moral  of  tbA 
(Ibrte  Lorih  of  Ltmtkn^  1 590  ; 

"  I*. 


KING    HENRY    V.  83 

on  his  hoft,  as  doth  the  9  melted  fnow 
Upon  the  vallies  ;  vvhofc  low  vaifal  feat 
The  Alps  doth  fpit  and  void  his  rheum  upon  ' : 
Go  down  Upon  him, — you  have  power  enough,—* 
And  in  a  captive  chariot^  into  lioan 
Bring  him  our  pfilbner. 

Con:  This  becomes  the  great* 
Sorry  am  1$  his  numbers  are  fo  few,- 
His  foldiers  fick,  and  famim'd  in  their  march  j 
JFor,  I  am  fure,  when  he  ihall  fee  our  army, 
He'll  drop  his  heart  into  the  fink  of  fear, 
Arid,  for  atchievementj  oiler  us  his  ranfom. 

In  gtittring  gold  and  particolour'd  plumes, 
With  curious  pendants  on  their  launces  fix'd,  &c." 
Again,     n  Gower,  DC  Confejjlone  An-.cMtis,   lib.  vi.  fol.  136.  fa» 
Of  his  eontrei  the  figne  was 
True  tiihes,  vvhiche  he  fhulde  beare 
Upon  the//a"«  of  a  fpeafe>" 
Again,    n  Chaucer's  Knvgbtcs  Tale,  v;  980;  late  edit  i 
4»d  by  his  banner  borne  is  his/»j?«o« 
Of  gold  ful  riche,  in  Which  there  was  ybete 
The  Minotaure  which  that  he  flew  in  <2rete.yi 
!n  MS.  Harl.  No.  24 1^,   is  the  following  note; 

Pennn. 

*'  A  pc7ton  mufl  bee  tow  y<<rdes  and  a  half  longe,  fhide 
i-ound  att  the  end,  and  conteyneth  the  anncs  of  the  owner^  and 
fervith  tor  thfc  conduct  of  flttie  men." 

'{  E^crye  knight  may  have  his  pennon  if  hee  bee  cheefe  cap- 
taine,  and  in  it  fett  his  armes  :  and  if  hee  bee  made  banne- 
rett,  the  kinge  of  the  liettenant  (hall  make  a  futt  in  the  end  of 
the  pennon^  and  the  heralds  fhall  raiie  it  outj 

Pern-elks. 

"  Pencells  or  flagges  for  horfemen  mufl  bee  a  yarde  and  a  halfe. 
longe,  with  the  croiles  of  St.  George,  &e."  STEKVENS. 

9  — milled  fn&ui ]  The  poet  has  here  defeated  himfelf 

by  paffing  too  fooh  from  one  image  to  another.  To  bid  the 
French  ruih  upon  the  Englifh  as  the  torrents  formed  from  melted 
fnow  ftream  from  the  Alps,  was  at  once  vehement  and  proper,  but 
its  force  is  deftroyed  by  the  grofliiefs  of  the  thought  in  the  next 
line.  JOHNSON. 

1   The  Jllps  ilotb  fp;t  and  void  bis  rbtitm  upon  :J 

4i  Jupiter  hybernas  cana  nive  coHjpait  Alpes." 

Fur.-  Bibac/ap  Hur*    STEBVENS. 

G  %  Fr.  King. 


S4  K  I  N  G     II  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Ft:  King.  Therefore,  lord  conftable,  hafle  on  Mont- 

joy  ; 

And  let  him  lay  to  England,  that  we  fend 
To-  know  what  willing  ranfom  he  will  give.  — 
Prince  Dauphin,  you  fhall  ftay  with  us  in  Roan. 
Dan.  Not  fo,  I  do  befeech  yottr  majefty. 
Fr.  King,.  Be  patient,  for  you  fhall  remain  with 

us.  — 

Now,  forth,  lord  conflable,  and  princes  all  ; 
And  quickly  bring  us  word  of  England's  fall. 


SCENE    VL 


camp. 
Enter  Cower,  and  Fluellen. 

Gow.  How  now,  captain  Fluellen  ?  come  you  from 
the  bridge  ? 

Flu.  I  allure  you,  there  is  very  excellent  fervicc 
committed  at  the  pridge. 

Gow.  Is  the  duke  of  Exeter  fafe  ? 

Flu.  The  duke  of  Exeter  is  as  magnanimous  as 
Agamemnon  ;  and  a  man  that  I  love  and  honour  with 
my  foul,  and  my  heart,  and  my  duty,  and  my  life, 
and  my  livings,  and  myuttermoft  powers  :  he  is  not, 
(Got  be  prailed  and  plefied  !)  any  hurt  in  the  'odd; 
but  keeps  the  pridge  moft  valiantly,  with  excellent 
difcipline.  There  is  an  ancient  lieutenant  there  at  the 
pridge,  —  I  think,  in  my  very  confcience,  he  is  as  va- 
liant a  man  as  Mark  Antony  ;  and  he  is  a  man  of  no 
eftimation  in  the  'odd  ;  but  I  did  fee  him  do  gallant 
fervices. 

Gow.  What  do  you  call  him  ? 

Flu.  He  is  call'd  —  ancient  Piflol. 

Gow*  I  know  him  not. 

Enter 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V.  85 

Enter  PiftoL 

Flu.  Do  you  not  know  him  ?    Here  comes  the 
man, 

Pijl.  Captain,  I  thee  befeech  to  do  me  favours  : 
The  duke  of  Exeter  doth  love  thee  well. 

Flu.  Ay,  I  praife  Grot ;  and  I  have  merited  fome 
love  at  his  hands. 

Pift.  Bardolph,  a  foldier,  firm  and  found  of  heart, 
Of  buxom  valour  ',  hath, — by  cruel  fate, 
And  giddy  fortune's  furious  fickle  "wheel, 
That  goddefs  blind, 
That  hands  upon  the  rolling  reftlefs  ftone, 

Fit:.  By  your  patience,  ancient  Piftol.  *  Fortune  is 
painted  plind,  with  a  muffler  before  her  eyes,  to  fig- 

1  Of  buxom  valour,]  i.e.  valour  under  good  command,  obe- 
dient to  its  fuperiours.     So,  in  Spenfer's  Faery  £>uecn : 
"  Love  tyrnnnizeth  in  the  bitter  frnarts 
*'  Of  them  that  to  him  are  buxom  and  prone." 

STEEVENS.  . 

a  Fortune  is  painted  plind,  with  a  muffle r  before  her  eyes,  to  fg- 
vify  to  you  that  fortune  is  plind: — ]  Here  the  fool  of  a  player  was 
for  making  a  joke,  as  Hamlet  fays,  not  Jet  down  for  him,  and 
jbe-iving  a  mojl  pitiful  ambition  to  be  witty.  For  Fluellen,  though 
he  fpeaks  with  his  country  accent,  yet  is  all  the  way  reprefented 
as  a  man  of  good  plain  fenfe.  Therefore,  as  it  appears  he  knew 
the  meaning  of  the  term^//W,  by  his  ufe  of  it,  he  could  never 
have  faid  that  Fortune  was  painted  plind,  tojignify  Jbc  ii'as  plind. 
He  might  as  well  have  laid  afterwards,  that  Jhe  was  painted  in- 
conftaut,  to  jtgnify  fie  'was  inconjlant.  But  there  he  fpeaks  fenfe, 
and  io,  unqueftionably,  he  did  here.  We  mould  therefore  flrikc 
out  the  firft  plind,  and  read : 

Fortune  is  painted  with  a  muffler,  &c.      WARBURTOK. 
The  old  reading  is  the  true  one.     Fortune,  the  Godde/'i,  is  repre- 
fcnted  blind,  to  fhew  iivAt  fortune,  or  the  chance  of_  life,  is  without 
<ii(cernment.     STEEVENS. 

This  picture  of  Fortune  is  taken  from  the  old  hiftory  of  For- 
tunatus  ;  where  (lie  is  defcribed  to  be  a  fair  woman,  muffled  over 
the  eyes.  FARMER. 

A  muffler  appears  to  have  been  part  of  a  lady's  drefs.  So,  in 
Monf.  Thomas,  1639  : 

"  On  with  my  muffler." 

G  3  nify 


86  KINGtHENRYV. 

nify  to  you,  that  fortune  is  plind  :  And  fhe  is  paint-? 
ed  alfo  with  a  wheel  ;  to  fignify  to  yon,  which  is 
the  moral  of  it,  that  ihe  is  turning,  and  inconftant, 
and  mutabilities,  and  variations ;  and  her  foot,  look 
you,  is  fixed  upon  a  fphcrical  ftone,  which  rolls,  and 
rolls,  and  rolls  ;• — In  good  truth,  the  poet  makes  a 
moft  excellent  defcripticn  of  fortune  :  fortune,  look 
you,  is  an  excellent  moral. 

Pift.  Fortune  is  Bardolph's  foe,  and  frowns  on  him; 
*  For  he  hath  ftpl'ii  a  p;xt  and  hanged  mull  'a  be. 
Parnn'd  death  ! 

Let 

3  The  old  editions, 

For  he  bathjiofn  a  pax, — ]  "  And  this  is  conformable  to  hif- 
tory."  fays  Mr.  Pope,  "  a  foldier  (as  Hall. tells  us)  being  hang'd 

at  this  time  for  fuch  a  fad."- Both  Hall   and  Holinftied 

agree  as  to  the  point  of  the  theft ;  but  as  to  the  thing  Jlolen^ 
there  is  not  that  conformity  betwixt  them  and  Mr.  Pope.  It 
was  an  cncient  cultcm,  at  the  celebration  of  inafs,  that  when 
the  prieft  pronounced  thele  words,  fax  Domini  fit  fcniper  voi'f- 
cum  !  both  clergy  and  people  kifs'd  onp  another.  And  this  was 
palled  Ofcvlitm  Pacts,  the  Kifs  of  Peace.  But  that  cu$om  being 
abrogated,  a  certain  image  is  now  prefented  to  be  killed,  which 
is  called  a  Pax,  But  it  \vas  not  this  image  which  Bardolph  rtole  ; 
it  was  »//>,  or  little  cheft  (from  the  L^tjn  word,  pix'u,  a  box)  ; 
in  which  the  confecrated  baft  was  ufed  to  be  kept.  «'  A  foolifh 
foldier,"  fays  Hall  expn/sly,  and  Hclinflied  after  him,  ««  Hole  a 
fix  out  of  a  church."  THEOBALD. 

What  Theobald  fays  is  true,  but  might  have  been  told  iii  fewer 
>vords:  I  have  examined  the  pafThge  in  Hall.  Yet  Dr.  Warbur- 
ton  rejected  that  emendation,  and  continued  Pope's  note  without 
^nimncjverlion. 

It  \sfax  in  the  folio  1625,  but  altered  to//.v  by  Theobald  and 
fir  T.  Hanmer.  They  fignified  the  fame  thing.  See  Pax  at 
Mafs,  Minfie'iv's  G:iidc  in:o  the  7'osgne*.  Fix  or  fax  was  a  little 
box  in  which  were  kept  the  confecrated  waters.  JOHNSON. 

So,  in  May  I>ay,  a  comedy,  by  Chapman,   ifei  j  ;  "  — Kifs 
the/fl-v,  and  be  quiet,  like  your  other  neighbours/'     So,  in  lh« 
Dc-rnfall  of  Rolert  JEfrrl  of  Huntingtnn,    \6i\  : 
'*  Then  with  this  hallovv'J  crucifix, 
"  This  holy  wafer,  and  this^/>." 

That  a  fix  and  a  pax  were  different  things,  may  be  feen  from  the 
following  paflage  in  the  Hiftory  of  our  Eltjjcd  La<iy  of  Loretto^ 
1608,  p.  505? 

"  a  cup, 


KING     HENRY    V.  87 

Let  gallows  gape  for  dog,  let  man  go  free, 

And  let  not  hemp  his  wind-pipe  fuffocatc  :  • 

But  Exeter  hath  given  the  doom  of  death, 

for  pix  of  little  price. 

Therefore,  go  fpeak,  the  duke  will  hear  thy  voice  ; 

And  let  not  Bardolph's  vital  thread  be  cut 

With  edge  of  penny-cord,  and  vile  reproach  : 

Speak,  captain,  for  his  life,  and  Iwillthee  requite.. 

Flu.  Ancient  Piitol,  I  do  partly  vmderfland  your 
meaning. 

Pift.  4  Why  then  rejoice  therefore. 

Flu.  Certainly,  ancient,  it  is  not  a  thing  to  re- 
joice at  :  for  if,  look  you,  he  were  my  brother,  I 
would  defire  the  duke  to  ufe  his  goot  plea lure,  and 
put  him  to  executions  ;  for  difciplines  ought  to  be 
ufed. 

Pift.  Die  and  be  damn'd ;  andj^jo  for  thy  friend* 
ihip  *  ! 

Flfi.  It  is  well. 

fift.  6  The  fig  of  Spain  !  [Exit  Pifol. 

Flu. 

t*  a  cup,  acd  a  fp'rinkle  for  holy  water,  A  fix  and  a  paxt 

all  of  excellent  chryftal,  gold  and  amber." 

Again,  in  Store's  Chronicle,   p.  677  :    '*  palmes,  chalices, 

crclles,  veftments,  pixfs^  paxes,  and  fuch  like."     STEEVENS. 

4  Why  then  rejoice  therefore.'}  This  pafFage,  with  feveral  others, 
in  the  character  of  Pidol,  is  ridiculed  by  Ben  Jonlbn,  in  Tbf 
Pettafler,  as  follows  : 

"  Why  then  lament  therefore ;  damn'd  be  thy  gut$ 
*'  Unco  king  Pluto's  hell,  and  princely  Erebus  ; 
"  For  fparrmvs  muft  have  food."     STEF.VENS. 

'  Figo/cr  thy  fricndfilp  !}  This  exprcifiou occurs  likewife 

ill  Ra>H-All>y,  or  Merry  Tricks,    1610: 

«  water  at  the  dock, 

"  \fico  lor  her  deck." 
Again  : 

"  Kfi-n  for  the  fun  and  moon.     STEEVEKS. 
'    T'hf  fig  of  Spain!"}  This  is  no   alluiion   to  \\iefico  alrca^r 
explained  in  T/iv  Merry  Wives  of  lilndfor ;  but  to  the  CUuo;n  of 
giving  poifouM  figs  to'thofe  who  were  the  objefts  either  -ot  Spa- 
nilh  or  Italian  revenge.   The  quartos  1600  and  1608  read  :  " 

G  firf 


88        KING        H  E  N  R  Y   V; 

Flu.  Very  good  7. 

Gow.  Why,  this  is  an  arrant  counterfeit  rafcal  ;  I 
remember  him  now  ;  a  bawd,  a  cut-purfe. 

Flu.  I'll  aflure  you,  'a  utter'd  as  pravc  'ords  at  the 
pridge,  as  you  lhall  fee  in  a  fummer's  day  :  But  it  is 
very  well  ;  what  he  has  fpoke  to  me,  thatjs  well,  I 
warrant  you,  when  time  is  ferve. 

Gow.  Why,  'tis  a  gull,  a  fool,  a  rogue  ;  that  now 
and  then  goes  to  the  wars,  to  grace  himfelf,  at  his  re- 
turn into  London,  under  the  form  of  a  foldier.  And 
fuch  fellows  are  perfect  in  the  great  commanders' 
names  :  and  they  will  learn  you  by  rote,  where  fer- 
vices  were  done;  —  at  fuch  and  fuch  8  a  fconce,  at  fuch 

abreach, 

fig  of  Spain  ivithin  thy  jaw  :"  and  afterwards  :  "  The  fig  within  thy 
bowels  an  J  thy  dirty  maw."     So,  in  The  FIeiret  1610,  a  comedy  ; 

44  Pel.  Give  them  a  fig. 

"  Flo.  Make  them  drink  their  laft. 

**  Pel.  Poifon  them." 
Again,  in  Tic  Brothers,  by  Shirley,  1652: 
^0^0/7  him  ;  one  fig  fends  hi 


I  mult  ^0^0/7  him  ;  one  fig  fends  him  to  Erebus." 
Again,  in  Ben  Jonfon's  Every  Man  in  his  Humour  : 

'•  The  Ive  to  a  man  of  my  coat,  is  as  ominous  a  fruit  as 


Again,  in  one  of  Gafcoigne's  Poems: 

"  It  may  fall  out  that  thou  flialt  be  entic'd 
"  To  fup  fometimes  with  a  magnifico, 
•"  And  have  a  fico  foilted  in  thy  difli,"  feV. 
Again,  in  Decker's  Match  me  in  Landim^   1631  ; 
**  Cor.  Now  do  I  look  for  z.fig. 
"  Gaz.  Chew  none,  fear  nothing: 
and  the  fcene  of  this  play  lies  at  Seville. 
Again,  in  The  NoMc  Soldier,  1634  : 

"  -  Is  it  (poifon)  fpeeding?—  — 
'*  As  all  our  Spanijhjigs  are." 
Again,  in  Viltoria  Corombona,    1612: 

"  I  look  now  for  a  Spanrjbfg,  or  an  Italian  fallad  daily." 

STEEVENS. 

7  Flu-  Very  good.~\  Inftead  of  thefe  two  words,  the  quartos 
read  :  - 

*'  Captain  Gower,  cannot  you  hear  it  lighten  and  thunder  ?" 

STEEVENS. 

*  a  fconce,——  ]  Appears  to  have  been  fome  hafty,  rude, 

inconfi- 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  89 

a  breach,  at  fuch  a  convoy  ;  who  came  off  bravely, 
who  was  fhot,  who  difgrac'd,  what  terms  the  enemy 
flood  on  ;  and  this  they  con  perfectly  in  the  phrafe  of 
war,  which  they  trick  up  with  new-tuned  oaths  :  And 
what  a  beard  of  the  general's  cut,  and  a  horrid  fuit 
of  the  camp  9,  will  do  among  foaming  bottles,  and  ale- 
walh'd  wits,  is  wonderful  to  be  thought  on  !  But  you 
muft  learn  to  know  '  fuch  flanders  of  the  age,  or  elfe 
you  may  be  marvelloufly  miftook. 

Flu.  I  tell  you  what,  captain  Gower; — I  do  perceive, 
he  is  not  the  man  that  he  would  gladly  make  Ihew  to 
the  'orld  he  is ;  if  I  find  a  hole  in  his  coat,  I  will  tell 
him  my  mind.  Hear  you,  the  king  is  coming  ;  and 
z  I  muft  fpeak  with  him  from  the  pridge. 

inconfiderable  kind  of  fortification.  Sir  Thomas  Smythe,  in 
one  of  his  Difcourfes  on  the  Art  Military,  1589,  mentions  them 
in  the  following  manner :  "  — and  that  certen  fconces  by  them 
devifed,  without  anie  bulwarks,  flanekers,  travalfes,  mounts, 
plattormes,  wet  or  drie  ditches,  in  forme,  with  counterfcarps, 
or  any  other  good  forme  of  fortification,  but  only  raifed  and 
formed  with  earth,  turfe,  trench,  and  certen  poynts,  angles, 
and  indents,  fliould  be  able  to  hold  out  the  enemie,  feV. 

STEEVENS. 

9  — —  a  horrid  fuit  of  the  camp,]  Thus  the  folio.  The  4103 
l6co,  &c.  read — a  horrid  Jhout  of  the  camp.  STEEVENS. 

1  — -JucbJUndcri  of  the  age,~\  This  was  a  character  very  trou- 
blefome  to  \viie  men  in  our  author's  time.  "  It  is  the  practice 
with  him,"  faysAfcham,  "  to  be  warlike,  though  he  never  looked 
enemy  in  the  face,  yet  fome  warlike  fign  muft  be  ufed,  as  a  flo- 
venly  bulkin,  or  an  over-ftaring  frownced  head,  as  though  out 
of  every  hair's  top  mould  fuddenly  {tart  a  good  big  oath." 

JOHNSON. 

z  I  muft  fyeak  ivitk  him  from  the  pridge.]  "  Speak  with  him 
from  the  bridge,  Mr.  Pope  tells  us,  is  added  to  the  latter  edi- 
tions ;  but  that  it  is  plain  from  the  fequel,  that  the  fcene  here 
continues,  and  the  affair  of  the  bridge  is  over."  This  is  a  molt 
inaccurate  criticifm.  Though  the  affair  of  the  bridge  be  over, 
is  that  a  reafon,  that  the  king  muft  receive  no  intelligence  from 
thence  ?  Fluellen,  who  comes  from  the  bridge,  wants  to  acquaint 
the  king  with  the  tranfaftions  that  had  happened  there.  This 
Jie  cz\\sfpeaking  to  the  king  from  the  bridge.  THEOBALD. 

With  this  Dr.  Warburton  concurs.    JOHNSO.V. 

Drum 


9o  KING     HENRY    V. 

Drum  and  colours.     Eater  the  king,  Glofter,  and  foldiers. 

Fin.  Got  plefs  you  majefty  ! 

A".  Henry.  How  now,  Fluellen  ?  cam'ft  thou  from 
the  bridge  ? 

Flu.  Ay,  fo  pleafe  your  majefty.  The  duke  of 
Exeter  has  very  gallantly  maintain'd  the  pridge  :  the 
French  is  gone  off,  look  you  ;  and  there  is  gallant 
and  moft  prave  paffages  :  Marry,  th'athverfary  was 
have  polleffion  of  the  pridge  ;  but  he  is  enforced  to 
fetire,  and  the  duke  of  Exeter  is  mafter  of  the  pridge  : 
I  can  tell  your  majefty,  the  duke  is  a  prave  man. 

K.  Henry.  What  men  have  you  loft,  Fluellen  ? 

Flu.  The  perdition  of  th'athverfary  hath  been  very 
great,  very  reafonable  great  :  marry,  for  my  part,  I 
think  the  duke  hath  loft  never  a  man,  but  one  that 
is  like  to  be  executed  for  robbing  a  church,  one  Bar- 
dolph,  if  your  majefty  know  the  man  :  his  face  is  all 
bubukles,  and  whelks,  and  knobs  ?,  and  flames  of 
fire  ;  and  his  lips  plows  at  his  nofe,  and  it  is  like  a 
coal  of  fire,  fometimes  plue,  and  fometimes  red ;  but 
his  nofe  is  executed,  and  *  his  fire's  out. 

K.  Henry. 

3  — a  d  whelks,  and  knobs,]  So,  in  Chaucer's  charafter  of  a 
Sompnou  from  which,  perhaps,  Shakefpeare  took  forae  hiut| 
for  his  efcription  of  Bardolph's  face  : 

A  Sompnour  was  ther  with  us  in  that  place 
That  hadde  a  fire-red  cherubiunes  face,  &c. 

Ther  n'as  quickfilver,  litarge,  ne  brimilon, 
Boras,  cerufe,   ne  oile  of  tartre  non, 
Ne  oinement  that  wolde  clenfe  or  bite, 
That  might  him  helpcn  of  his  r.\:he!J;cs  white, 
Ne  of  the  knobbes  fitting  on  his  chekes." 
See  the  Prologue  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  late  edit.  v.  628,  &c. 

&TIKVEM. 

*  —hisjire'i  tut."]  This  is  the  laft  time  that  any  fport  can  be 
made  with  the  red  face  of  Bardolph,  which,  to  coiifefs  the  truth, 
feems  to  have  taken  more  hold  on  Shakefpeare's  imagination  than 
on  any  other.  The  conception  is  very  cold  to  the  Iblitary  mi- 

dcr, 


KING    HENRY    V.  9l 

K.  Henry.  We  would  have  all  fuch  offenders  fo  cut 
off : — and  we  give  exprefs charge, that,  in  ourmarches 
through  the  country,  there  be  nothing  compelled 
from  the  villages,  nothing  taken  but  paid  for ;  none 
of  the  French  upbraided,  or  abufed  in  difdainful 
Janguage ;  For  when  lenity  and  cruelty  play  for  a 
Jdngdom,  the  gentleft  gamefter  is  the  fooneft  winner, 

Bucket  founds*     s  Enter  Montjoy. 

Mont.  You  know  me  6by  my  habit. 

'K.  Henry.  Well  then,  I  know  thee ;  What  fliall  I 
Jcnow  of  thee  ? 

Mont.  My  matter's  mind, 

K.  Henry.  Unfold  it. 

Mont.  Thus  fays  my  king  : — Say  thou  to  Harry  of 
England,  Though  we  feemed  dead,  we  did  but  Deep; 
Advantage  is  a  better  foldier,  than  raflmefs.  Tell  him, 
we  could  have  rcbuk'd  him  at  Harfleur ;  but  that  we 
thought  not  good  to  bruife  an  injury,  'till  it  were  full 
ripe  :— now  we  fpeak 7  upon  our  cue,  and  our  voice 
is  imperial  :  England  lhall  repent  his  folly,  fee  his 
weaknefs,  and  admire  our  fufferance.  Bid  him,  there- 
fore, coniider  of  his  ranfom  ;  which  muft  proportion 
the  loffes  we  have  borne,  the  fubjects  we  have  loft, 
the  difgrace  we  have  digeflcd  ;  which,  in  weight  to 
re-anfwer,  his  pettinefs  would  bow  under.  For  our 
Joffes,  his  exchequer  is  too  poor  ;  for  the  effufion  of 

der,  thoxigh  it  may  be  fomewhat  invigorated  by  the  exhibition 
pn  the  ftage.  This  poet  is  always  more  careful  about  the  pre- 
lent  than  the  future,  about  hb  audience  than  his  readers. 

JOHNSON. 

5  Enter  Mo-,/tj<;y.~\    'Mont-joie  Is  the  title  of  the  firft  king  at  arms 
in  France,  as  Garter  is  in  our  own  country.     STEEVENS. 

6  —  ly  my  habit.}  That  is,  by  his  herald's  coat.     The  perfon 
of  a  herald  being  inviolable,  was  diftinguifhed  in  thofe  times  of 
formality  by  a  peculiar  urels,  which  is  likewife  yet  worn  on  par- 
ticular occafions.     JOHNSON. 

7 »f>cn  our  cue,  —  ]  In  our  turn.     This  phrafe  the  author 

Jearned  among  players,  and  has  imported  it  to  kings.     JOHNSON. 

our 


92  KING    HENRY    V. 

our  blood,  the  mufter  of  his  kingdom  too  faint  a 
number;  and  for  our  difgrace,  his  own  perfon,  kneel- 
ing at  our  feet,  but  a  weak  and  worthlefs  fatisfacftion. 
To  this  add — defiance  :  and  tell  him,  for  c  -nclufion, 
hehathbetray'd  his  followers,  whofe  condemnation  is 
'pronounced.  So  iar  my  king  and  matter  ;  8  fo  much 
my  office. 

K.  Henry.  What  is  thy  name  ?  I  know  thy  quality. 

Mont.  Montjoy. 

K.  Henry.  Thou  dofl  thy  office  fairly.     Turn  thec 

back, 

And  tell  thy  king, — I  do  not  feek  him  now  ; 
But  could  be  willing  to  march  on  to  Calais 
Without  impeachment  *  :  for,  to  fay  the  footh, 
(Though  'tis  no  wifdom  to  confefs  fo  much 
Unto  an  enemy  of  craft  and  vantage) 
My  people  are  with  ficknefs  much  enfeebled  ; 
My  numbers  leflen'd  ;  and  thofe  few  I  have, 
Almoft  no  better  than  fo  many  French  ; 
Who  when  they  were  in  health,  I  tell  thee,  herald, 
I  thought,  upon  one  pair  of  Englifh  legs 
Did   march    three  Frenchmen. — Yet,    forgive  me 

God, 

That  I  do  brag  thus  ! — this  your  air  of  France 
Hath  blown  that  vice  in  me ;  I  muft  repent. 
Go,  therefore,  tell  thy  mailer, — here  I  am  ; 
My  ranfom,  is  this  frail  and  worthlefs  trunk; 
My  army,  but  a  weak  and  fickly  guard  ; 
Yet,  9God  before,  tell  him  we  will  come  on, 

Though 

8  fo  much  my  office.]  This  fpeech,  as  well  as  another  pre- 
ceding it,  was  firft  compreis'd  into  verle  by  Mr.  Pope.     Where 
he  wanted  a  fyllable,  he  lupplied  it,  and  where  there  were  too 
many  for  his  purpofe,  he  made  i'uitable  omifiions.     Shikeipeare 
(if  we  may  believe  fome  of  the  old  copies)  meant  both  fpeeches 
for  profe,  and  as  fuch  I  have  printed  them.     SJEEVENS, 

*  Without  impeachment.]    i.  e.     hindrance.       hm^ccbc .-. 
French.     STEEVENS.          „ 

9  God  before,  -^ ]  This  was  an  expre lion  in  that  age 

ior 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  93 

Though  France  himfelf,  and  fuch  another  neighbour, 

Stand  in  our  way.    There's  for  thy  labour,  Montjoy  *. 

Go,  bid  thy  matter  well  advife  himfelf : 

It  \\e  may  pafs,  we  will ;  if  we  be  hinder'd, 

We  fliail  your  tawny  ground  with  your  red  blood 

Difcclour  :  and  fo,  Montjoy,  fare  you  well. 

The  fum  of  all  our  anfwer  is  but  this  : 

We  would  not  feek  a  battle,  as  we  are  ; 

Nor,   as  \ve  are,  we  fay,  we  will  not  Hum  it  ; 

So  tell  your  mafter.' 

Mont.  I  ihall  deliver  fo.     Thanks  to  your  high- 
nefs.  \_Exit. 

Glo.  I  hope,  they  will  not  come  upon  us  now. 

K.  Henry.  We  are  in  God's  hand,  brother,  not  in 

theirs. — 

March  to  the  bridge ;  it  now  draws  toward  night : — 
Beyond  the  river  we'll  encamp  ourfelves ; 
And  on  to-morroT.v  bid  them  march  away.      [Exeunt. 

for  God  being  my  guide,  or  when  ufed  to  another,  Godle  thy  guide. 
So,  in  an  old  dialogue  between  a  herdfman  and  a  maiden  going  on 
pilgrimage  to  Walfingham,  the  herdfman  takes  his  leave  in  thefe 
words : 

"  Now,  go  thy  ways,  and  God  before." 
To  prevent  was  uled  m  the  fame  fenfe.     JOHNSOX. 

1  There's  for  thy  labour,  Montjoy. ~\  It  appears  from  many  an- 
cient books  that  it  was  always  cuftomary  to  reward  a  herald,  whe- 
ther he  brought  defiance  or  congratulation.  So,  in  the  ancient 
metrical  hiflory  of  the  Battle  of  Floddon : 

"  Then  gave  he  to  the  herald's  hand, 
**  Befides,  with  it,  a  rich  reward; 
**  Who  haften'd  to  his  native  land 

*'  To  fee  how  with  his  king  it  far'd."    STEEVENS. 


SCENE 


94  fc  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V< 

3  S  C  E  N  E    Vil. 

%£  French  camp  near  Agincourt. 

Enter  the  conjlable  of  France,  the  lord  Rambures,  the  Ditke 
of  Orleans,  Dauphin,  with  others. 

Con.  Tut !  I  have  the  beft  armour  of  the  world. — • 
Would,  it  were  day  ! 

Orl.  You  have  an  excellent  armour ;  but  let  my 
horfe  have  his  due. 

Con.  It  is  the  beft  horfe  of  Europe. 

Orl.  Will  it  never  be  morning  ? 

Dau*  My  lord  of  Orleans,  and  my  lord  high  con- 
liable,  you  talk  of  horfe  and  armour, 

Orl.  You  are  as  well  provided  of  both,  as  any 
prince  in  the  world. 

Dau.  What  a  long  night  is  this  ! — I  will  not  change 
my  horfe  with  any  that  treads  but  on  four  patterns. 
ga,  ha  !  4  He  bounds  from  the  earth,  as  if  his  en- 
trails were  hairs  ;  le  cheval  volant,  the  Pegafus,  qui  a 
les  narines  de  feu  !  When  I  beftridc  him,  I  foar,  I  am 
a  hawk  :  he  trots  the  air  ;  the  earth  lings  when  he 
touches  it ;  the  bafeft  horn  of  his  hoof  is  more  nun 
fical  than  the  pipe  of  Hermes. 

Orl.  He's  of  the  colour  of  the  nutmeg. 

Dau.  And  of  the  heat  of  the  ginger.  It  is  a 
beafl  foT  Perfeus  :  he  is  pure  air  and  fire  5 ;  and  the 

3  Scene  VII.]  This  fcene  is  fhorter,  and  I  think  better,  in  the 
firft  editions  of  1600  and  i6o8v  But  as  the  enlargements  appear 
to  be  the  author's  own,  I  would  not  omit  them.  POPE. 

*  fie  bounds  from  the  earth,  as  if  his  entrails  were  hairs  J— J 
Alluding  to  the  bounding  of  tennis-balls,  which  were  iUifted 
with  hair,  as  appears  from  Much  Ado  about  Nothing^  "  And  the 
old  ornament  of  his  cheek  hath  already  ilufPd  tennis-balls." 

WAREURTON'. 

5   he  is  part  air  and  fire  ;  anil  the  dull  elements  itf  earth  and 

water  jtei'cr  appear  in  />/>/,]  Thus  Cleopatra  fpeaking  ot  herfeli 
'*  I  am  air  and  fire ;  ray  other  elements 
41  I  etve  to  bafer  life."    STEEVENS. 

dull 


KING  HENRY  V.  "^ 
dull  elements  of  earth  and  water  never  appear  in  him, 
but  only  in  patient  ftillnefs,  while  his  rider  mounts 
him  :  he  is^  indeed,  a  horfe  ;  6and  all  other  jades  you 
may  call — bearta 

Con.  Indeed,  my  lord,  it  is  a  moil  abfolute  and 
excellent  horfe. 

Dau.  It  is  the  prince  of  palfreys  ;  his  neigh  is 
like  the  bidding  of  a  monarch,  and  his  countenance 
enforces  homage. 

OrL  No  more,  coufin. 

Dau.  Nay,  the  man  hath  no  wit,  that  cannot,  from 
the  rifing  of  the  lark  to  the  lodging  of  the  lamb,  vary 
deferred  praife  on  my  palfrey  :  it  is  a  theme  as  fluent 
as  the  fea  ;  turn  the  fands  into  eloquent  tongues,  and 
my  horfe  is  argument  for  them  all :  'tis  a  fubject  for 
a  fovereign  to  reafon  on,  and  for  a  fovereign's  fove- 
reign  to  ride  on  ;  and  for  the  world  (familiar  to  us, 
and  unknown)  to  lay  apart  their  particular  functions, 
and  wonder  at  him.  I  once  writ  a  fonnet  in  his  praife, 
and  began  thus,  7  Wonder  of  nature, 

OrL 

6  and"  all  other  jades  you  May  call  -Itafts,'}   It  is  plain  that 

jades  and  beafts  fliould  change  places,  it  being  the  firft  word  and 

ftot  the  laft,  which  is  the  term  of  reproach  ;  as  afterwards  it  is 
faid: 

I  had  as  !!e<ve  have  my  mtflrifi  a  jade.     WAR  BURTON. 
There  is  no  occalum  lor  this  change.     In  the  Second  Part  of 
King  Henry  IV.  fcene  i : 

"    he  gave  his  all:  bcrfe  the  head, 

**  And,  bending  forward,  ilruck  his  armed  heels 
*'  Againft  the  panting  fides  of  the  poor  jade" 
Jade  is  fomctimes  ufed  for  a  poll -horfe.     lieajl  is  always  em- 
ployed as  a  contemptuous  diftindion.     So,  in  Macbeth  : 

'•  what  lea/1  was't  then 

"  That  made  you  break  this  enterprise  to  me  ? 
Again,  in  Timon :   "  — what  a  wicked  leaf,  was   I   to   disfurniJh 
myfelf  againft  ib  good  a  time  ?"     STEEVENS, 

7  — Wonder  of   nature ]   Here,    I   fnppofe,    fome   foolifh 

poem  of  our  authors  time  is  ridiculed  ;   which  indeed  partly  ap- 
pears from  the  aufwcr.    WAR  BURTON. 

la 


9£  K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

Or/.  I  have  heard  a  fonnet  begin  fo  to  one's  mu'~ 
trcfs. 

Dau.  Then  did  they  imitate  that  which  I  compos'd 
to  my  courfer ;  for  my  horfe  is  my.  miftrefs. 

Or/.  Your  miftrefs  bears  well. 

Dau.  Me  well ;  which  is  the  prefcript  praife  and 
perfection  of  a  good  and  particular  miftrefs. 

Con.  Ma  foy  !  the  other  day,  mcthought,  your  mif- 
trefs fhrewdly  ihook  your  back. 

Dau.  So,  perhaps,  did  yours. 

Con.  Mine  was  not  bridled. 

Dau.  O !  then,  belike,  fhe  was  old  and  gentle ;  and 
you  rode,  8  like  a  kerne  of  Ireland,  your  Frenchvhofc 
off,  and  in  your  ftrait  troflers. 

Con. 

In  the  firft  Part  of  K.  Henry  VI.  aft  V.  fc.  iv.  Shakefpeare 
himfelf  ufes  the  phrafe  which  he  here  feems  to  ridicule  : 
"  Be  not  offended,  nature's  miracle!"     MALONE. 
The  phrafe  is  only  reprehenlible  through  its  mifapplication.     It 
is  furely  proper  when  applied  to  a  woman,  but  ridiculous  indeed 
when  addrefled  to  a  borfc.     STEEVENS. 

8  • like  a  kerne  of  Ireland,  your  French  hofe  off,  and  in  your 

Jlrait  flrolfers.]  Thus  all  the  editions  have  miftaken  this  word, 
which  fliould  be  trojjers  ;  and  fignifies  a  pair  of  breeches. 

THEOBALD. 

This  word  very  frequently  occurs  in  the  old  dramatic  writers. 
A  man  in  The  Coxcomb  of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  fpeaking  to 
an  Irifh  fervant,  fays,  "  I'll  have  thee  flcad,  and  trojfirs  made 
of  thy  (kin,  to  tumble  in."  Trojjers  appear  to  have  been  tight 
breeches. — The  kerns  of  Ireland  anciently  rode  without  breeches, 
and  therefore  firait  troffers,  1  believe,  means  only  in  their  naked 
Ikin,  which  fits  clofe  to  them.  The  word  is  ftill  preferved,  but 
now  written  trenvfers.  STEEVENS. 

"  T'ronfes,"  fays  the  explanatory  Index  to  Cox's  Hiflory  oflre- 

land,  "  are  breeches  and  ftockings  made  to  fit  as  clofe  to  the  body 

as  can  be."    Several  of  the  morris-dancers  repreiented  upon  the 

print  of  my  window,  have  fuch  hofe  or  ftrait  troulers ;  but  the 

•  poet  feems  by  the  waggifh  context  to  have  a  further  meaning. 

ToLLET. 

The  following  paflage  in  Heyvvood's  Challenge  for  Beauty^ 
1636,  proves,  that  the  ancient  Irifli  troufen  were  fomewhat  more 
than  mere  buff. 


KING-HENRYV.  97 

Con.  You  have  good  judgment  in  horfemanfhip. 

Dau.  Be  warn'd  by  me  then  :  they  that  ride  Ib,  and 
ride  not  warily,  fall  into  foul  bogs ;  I  had  rather  have 
my  horfe  to  rr\y  miflrefs. 

Con.  I  had  as  lief  have  my  miflrefs  a  jade. 

Dau.  I  tell  thee,  conflable,  my  miftrefs  wears  her 
own  hair. 

Con.  I  could  make  as  true  a  boafl  as  that,  if  I  had 
a  fow  to  my  miflrefs. 

Dau.  Le  chien  eft  retourne  a  Jon  propre  vomiffement9 
y  la  trule  lavee  au  bourbier :  thou  mak'ft  ufe  of  any 
thing. 

Con*  Yet  do  I  not  ufe  my  horfe  for  my  miflrefs ;  or 
any  fuch  proverb,  fo  little  kin  to  the  purpofe. 

Ram.  My  lord  conflable,  the  armour,  that  I  faw 
in  your  tent  to-night,  are  thofe  flars,  or  funs,  upon  it  ? 

Con.  Stars,  my  lord. 

Dan.  Some  of  them  will  fall  to-morrow,  I  hope. 

Con.  And  yet  my  iky  lhall  not  want. 

Dau.  That  may  be,  for  you  bear  many  fuperfiu- 
oufly  ;  and  'twere  more  honour,  fome  were  away. 

Con.  Even  as  your  horfe  bears  your  praifes  ;  who 
would  trot  as  well,  were  fome  of  your  brags  dif- 
mounted. 

Dau.  Would  I  were  able  to  load  him  with  h  is  deferti 

"  Manburft.  No,  for  my  money  give  me  your  fubftantial 
En.glifli  hofe,  round,  and  fomewhat  full  afore. 

"  Maid.  Now  they  are,  methinks,  a  little  too  great. 

*'  Manb.  The  more  the  difcretion  ot  the  landlord  that  builds 
them — he  makes  room  enough  for  his  tenant  to  iland  upright  m 
them — he  may  walk  in  and  out  at  eafe  without  Hooping  :  but  of 
all  the  reft  I  am  clean  out  of  love  with  your  Iriih  tropes ;  they 
are  for  all  the  world  like  a  jealous  wife,  always  clofe  at  a  man's 
tayle."  The  fpeaker  is  here  circumftantially  defcribing  the  fa- 
fliions  of  different  countries.  So,  again,  in  Bulwer's  Pedigree  of 
the  Englijb  Gallant,  1653  :""  Bombafted  and  paned  hofe  were, 
fmce  I  can  remember,  in  fafliion  ;  but  now  our  hofe  are  made  fo 
clofe  to  our  breeches,  that,  like  lnft\tr<n.vfes,  they  too  manifestly 
difcover  the  dimeulion  of  every  part."  lu  Sir  John  Oldtaftle^ 
the  word  is  fpelt  jlrouc ««  COLICS* 

VOL.  VI.  H  Will 


9S  K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Will  it  never  be  day  ?  I  will  trot  to-morrow  a  mile,' 
and  my  way  fhall  be  paved  with  Englilh  faces. 

Con.  I  will  not  fay  fo,  for  fear  I  fhould  be  fac'd  out 
of  my  way  :  But  I  would  it  were  morning,  for  I  would 
fain  be  about  the  ears  of  the  Englifh. 

Ram.  Who  will  go  to  hazard  with  me  for  twenty 
Englilh  prifoners  9  ? 

Con.  You  muft  firfl  go  yourfelf  to  hazard,  ere  you 
have  them. 

Diiu.  'Tis  midnight,  I'll  go  arm  myfelf.     \_Exit. 

Orl.  The  Dauphin  longs  for  morning. 

Ram.  He  longs  to  eat  the  Englifh. 

Con.  I  think,  he  will  eat  all  he  kills. 

Orl.  By  the  white  hand  of  my  lady,  he's  a  gallant 
prince. 

Con.  Swear  by  her  foot,  that  fhe  may  tread  out  the 
oath. 

Orl.  He  is,  fimply,  the  moft  active  gentleman  of 
France. 

Con.  Doing  is  activity  ;  and  he  will  flill  be  doing. 

Orl.  He  never  did  harm,  that  I  heard  of. 

Con.  Nor  will  do  none  to-morrow  ;  he  will  keep 
that  good  name  ftill. 

Orl.  I  know  him  to  be  valiant. 

Con.  I  was  told  that^  by  one  that  knows  him  better 
than  you. 

Orl.  What's  he  ? 

Con.  Marry,  he  told  me  fo  himfelf ;  and  he  faid,  &e 
car'd  not  who  knew  it. 

Orl.  He  needs  not,  it  is  no  hidden  virtue  in  him*- 

Con.  By  my  faith,  Sir,  but  it  is ;  never  any  body 

9  W7jo  will  go  to  hazard  ivit/j  me  for  twenty  EngllJJ:  prifoners  ?j| 
So,  in  the  old  anonymous  Henry  V  : 

**  Come  and  you  fee  what  me  tro  at  the  kind's  drummer  audl 
fife." 

"  Faith  me  will  tro  nt  the  earl  of  Northumberland  and,  no\Ti 
I  will  tro  at  the  king  himfelf,  Sec." 

This  incident,  however,  might  hve  been  furnifl:ed  by  the  ch?o-i 
side.    STEEVENS, 

fawl 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.  $g 

nw  it,  but '  his  lacquey  :  *  'tis  a  hooded  valour  ;  and, 
whim  it  appears,  it  will  bate. 

Or/.  Ill  will  never  faid  wcjl. 

Con.  J I  will  cap  that  proverb  with —  There  is  flat* 
tery  in  friendlhip. 

Or/.  And  I  will  take  up  that  withi— Give  the  devil 
his  due. 

Con.  Well  plac'd  ;  there  (lands  your  friend  for  the 
devil.:  have  at  the  very  eye  of  that  proverb,  4with 
—A  pox  of  the  devil. 

Or.  You  are  the  better  at  proverbs,  by  how  much 
—  A  fool's  bolt  is  foon  (hot. 

"Con.  You  have  (hot  over. 

Or/.  'Tis  not  the  firft  time  you  were  over-ihot* 

Enter  a  Meffenger. 

Mtff.  My  lord  high  conftablc,  the  Engliih  lie  witH- 
in  fifteen  hundred  paces  of  your  tent. 

Con.  Who  hath  meafnr'd  the  ground  ? 

Mef  The  lord  Grandpre. 

Co/i.  A  valiant  and  mod  expert  gentleman. — 
*  'Would  it  were  day  !— — Alas,  poor  Harry  of  Eng- 
land !  he  longs  not  for  the  dawning,  as  we  do. 

»  — fas  lacquey  : — ]  He  has  beaten  nobody  yet  but  his  footboy. 

JoHNSOJC. 

*   V/j  a  hooded  valour,  andvoken  it  appears,  it  will  bat?.] 

This  is  faid  with  allufion  to  falcons  which  are  kept  /W/Wwhen 
they  are  not  to  fly  at  game,  and  as  foon  as  the  hood  is  oiT,  bait 
or  flap  the  wing.  The  meaning  is,  the  Dauphin's  valour  has 
never  been  let  loofe  upon  an  enemy,  yet,  when  he  makes  his  tirit 
tll?y,  we  ihall  fee  how  he  will  flutter.  JOHNSON-. 

3  / 1 v///  cap  that  proverb ]  Alluding  to  the  practice  or  cap- 
ping verlcs.  JOHNSON. 

+  — ^Itb^—A  pox  of  tbe  devil!^  The  qunrtcs  1600,  and  1608 
read, — <zu//£,  Ajogge  of  the  devil.  STEEVENS. 

5  'irouM  it  were  day  /— ]  Inikad  of  this  and  the  fucceeding 
fpeeches,  the  4108  1600  and  i6o3  conclude  this  icene,  witH 
a  couplet : 

Come,  cone  <r:i'."y, 

The  fun  is  bigb^  and  we  ivear  out  tie  day,     STEEVENS. 

H  2  Or/. 


loo         KING    HENRY    T, 

Or/.  What  a  wretched  and  peevifh*  fellow  is  this 
king  of  England,  to  mope  with  his  fat-brain'd  fol- 
lowers fo  far  out  of  his  knowledge  ! 

Con.  If  the  Englifh  had  any  apprehenfion,  they 
would  run  away. 

Or/.  That  they  lack  ;  for  if  their  heads  had  any  in- 
tellectual armour,  they  could  never  wear  fuch  heavy 
head-pieces. 

Ram.  That  ifland  of  England  breeds  very  valiant 
creatures  ;  their  maftiffs  are  of  unmatchable  courage. 

Or/.  Fodlifh  curs  !  that  run  winking  into  the  mouth 
of  a  Ruffian  bear,  and  have  their  heads  crufh'd  like 
rotten  apples  :  You  may  as  well  fay, — that's  a  valiant 
flea,  that  dare  eat  his  breakfaft  on  the  lip  of  a  lion. 

Con.  Juft,  juft  ;  and  the  men  do  fympathize  with 
the  maftiffs,  in  robuftious  and  rough  coming  on, 
leaving  their  wits  with  their  wives  :  and  then  give 
them  .great  meals  of  beef  6,  and  iron  and  fleel,  they 
will  eat  like  wolves,  and  fight  like  devils. 

Or/.  Ay,  but  thefe  Englifh  are  fhrewdly  out  of 
beef. 

Con.  Then  we  fliall  find  to-morrow — they  have  only 
ftomachs  to  eat,  and  none  to  fight.  Now  it  is  time 
to  arm  ;  Come,  fliall  we  about  it  ? 

Or/.  Tis    two   o'clock  :    but,    let   me   fee, — by 

ten, 
We  fliali  have  each  a  hundred  Englifhmen. 

*  Peevffi,  in  ancient  language,  figmfied — foolifh,  filly.  Many 
examples  of  this  are  given  in  a  note  on  Cymbeline,  A&.  I.  fc.  7  : 

'*  He's  ftrange  and peevijh"    STEEVENS. 

6  give  them  great  meals  of  beefy]  So,  in  K.  Edw.  III. 

1599: 

"  but  fcant  them  of  their  chines  of  leef, 

"  And  takeaway  their  downy  featherbeds,  &c." 

STEEVEKS. 


ACT 


KING    HENRY    V.          L0i 
ACT        IV. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Ckorus.  Now  entertain  conjecture  of  a  time, 
%Vhen  creeping  murmur,  and  the  poring  dark, 
7  Fills  the  wide  veflel  of  the  univerfe. 
From  camp  to  camp,  through  the  foul  womb  of 

night, 

The  hum  of  either  army  flilly  founds, 
That  the  fix'd  centinels  almoft  receive 
The  fecret  whifpers  of  each  other's  watch  : 
Fire  ajifwers  fire  ;  and  through  their  paly  flames 
Each  battle  fees  *  the  other's  umber'd  face : 

Steed 

7  Fills  the  ivide  vejjcl  of  the  univerfe. ,]  Univerfe  for  horizon  : 
for  we  are  not  to  think  Shakefpeare  fo  ignorant  as  to  imagine  it 
was  night  over  the  whole  globe  at  once.  He  intimates  he  knew 
otherwife,  by  that  fine  line  in  the  Midfummer  Night's  Dream  : 

following  darknefs  like  a  dream, 

Befides,  the  image  he  employs  (hews  he  meant  but  half  the 
globe ;  the  horizon  round,  which  has  the  lhape  of  a  veflel  or 
goblet.  WAR  BUR  TON. 

There  is  a  better  proof  that  Shakefpeare  knew  the  order  of 
night  and  day,  in  Macbeth  : 

.**  Nff-w  o'er  one  half  the  world 
"  Nature  fe-ems  dead." 

But  there  was  no  great  need  of  any  juftification.  The  univerfe  ^ 
in  its  original  fenfe,  -no  more  means  this  globe  fingly  than  the 
circuit  of  the  horizon ;  but,  however  large  in  its  philofophical 
fenfe,  it  may  be  poetically  ufed  for  as  much  of  the  world  as  falls 
under  obfervation.  Let  me  remark  further,  that  ignorance  can- 
not be  certainly  inferred  from  inaccuracy.  Knowledge  is  not  al- 
ways prefent.  JOHNSON. 

8  —  the  other* s  umber* d  face :]  Umber* d  or  umlred  is  a  term  in 
blazonry,  and  fignifies  fhadowed.  WAR  BURTON. 

— the  other's  umber'd  face  :] 

Of  this  epithet  ufed  by  Shakefpeare  in  his  defcription  of  fires 
reflected  by  night,  Mr.  Pope  knew  the  value,  and  has  tranfplant- 
^d  it  into  the  Iliad  on  a  like  occafion  : 

**  Whofe  umber' d  arms  by  turns  thick  flalhes  fend." 

H  3  Umltr 


to*         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Steed  threatens  fteed,  in  high  and  boaftful  neighs 

Piercing  the  night's  dull  ear  ;  9  and  from  the  tents^ 

The  armourers,  accomplifning  the  knights, 

With  bufy  hammers  clofing  rivets  up, 

Give  dreadful  note  of  preparation. 

1  The  country  cocks  do  crow,  the  clocks  do  toll ; 

And 

Umler  is  a  brown  colour.     So,  in  As  Tou  Like  It : 
"  And  with  a  kind  of  nmftr  fmirch  ray  race.'4 
The  diilant  vifages  of  the  foldiers  would  certainly  appear  of  this 
hue  when  beheld  through  the  light  of  midnight  fires.     Blazonry, 
I  believe,  does   not  acknowledge  the  word  ymlx-r'd.     Adumbra- 
tion^ indeed,  fays  Guillim,  is  ^Jkad.r ••::•-.  &c.  and  I  meet  with 
the  fame    word  in  Warner's  Albion's  li^n^land,    1602.    B.  X. 
chap.  Ivi : 

"  Sweet  adumbrations  of  her  zeale,  Sec."  STEEVENS. 
Another  interpretation  occurs,  evpreiFve.  of  the  preparation  of 
both  armies  for  an  engagement.  In  Hamlet,  aft  III.  Mr.  Stee- 
vens  gives  the  following  quotation  from  Sto-ve's  Chronicle,  "  He 
brail  up  his  umbci'  three  times,"  Where  umler  means  the  vizor 
of  the  helmet,  as  mnbricre  doth  in  Spaifer,  from  the  French  om- 
bre, ombriere,  or  ombrairc,  a  fliadow,  an  umbrella,  or  a,ny  thing 
that  hides  o-  rovers  the  face.  Hence  umbered  f-ice  may  denote  4 
face  armed  with  a  hehnet,  a^  in  K.  Henry  IV  : 

41  I  law  young  Harry  with  his  bever  on." 
and  in  the  prefcnt  play  : 

"  Big  Mars  fecms  bankrupt  in  their  beggard  hoil, 
"  And  faintly  through  a  ruuy  heaver  preps." 
Beaver  here  means  exactly  the  fame'with  wnber  in  Stowe. 

TOLI.ET. 

0  — nnd from  the  tents , ]  See  the  preparation  for  the  battle  be« 
tween  1  alamon  and  Arcite  in  Chaucer  : 

'  And  on  the  morwe,  when  the  clay  'gan  fpring, 

'  Of  horfe  and  barneis  noife  and  clattering, 

*  There  was  in  the  hoflelirics  all  about : 

'  The  foamy  fteues  on  the  golden  bridel 

'  Gnavving, .and  fttft  the  armureres  alfo 

'   With  fik  and  hammer  priking  to  and  fro,"  &c. 

WAR  TDK. 

1   77r  country  cocks  do  crow,   the  clocks  do  toll ; 
And  (the  third  hour  of  dro*vfy  morning  nam'd) 
Pr nil d of  their  number!,  and  facurr  infmtl, 
7 he  confident,  and  over-lujly  French 
Do  the  low-rated  Englijh  play  at  dice  ;— ] 

I  be. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.         I03 

.And  the  third  hour  of  drowfy  morning  name. 

Proud  of  their  numbers,  and  fecurc  in  fpul, 

The  confident  and  over-lufty  French 

5  Do  the  low-rated  Englilh  play  at  dice  ; 

And  chide  the  cripple  tardy-gaited  night, 

Who,  like  a  foul  and  ugly  witch,  doth  limp 

So  tediouily  away.     The  poor  condemned  Englilh, 

jLike  facriiices,  by  their  watchful  fires 

Sit  patiently,  and  inly  ruminate          £ 

The  morning's  danger  ;  and  their  gefture  fad, 

3  Inverting  lank-lean  cheeks,  and  war-worn  coats, 

Prefcnted  them  unto  the  gazing  moon 

So  many  horrid  ghofts.    O,  now,  who  will  behold 

J  believe  every  reader  of  tafte  muft  be  hurt  by  that  heavy  paren? 
thefis  in  the  fecond  line.     How  much  better  might  we  read  thus  ? 
1'be  country  cocks  do  croiv,  the  clocks  do  toll, 
And  the  third  hour  of  drovcfy  morning  name. 
Then  begin  another  fentence.     TYRWHITT. 
J  have  admitted  this  very  neceflary  and  elegant  emendation. 

STEEVENS. 

1  Do  the  low-rated  Englffi  play  at  dice ;]  i.e.  do  play  them 
away  at  dice.  WAR  BUR  TON. 

3  Inverting  lank-lean  cheeks, — ]  A  gefture  infuejling  checks  and 
foats  is  nonfenfe.  We  mould  read  : 

Invert  in  lank-lean  cheeks  • 

which  is  fenfe,  /.  c.  their  fad  gefture  was  cloath'd,  or  fet  off,  in 
lean  checks  and  worn  coats.  The  jmage  is  ftrong  and  pictu- 
refque.  WAR  BUR  TON. 

Yet  perhaps  even  this  change  is  unneceflary.  The  harfhnefs 
of  the  metaphor  is  what  offends,  which  means  only,  that  their, 
looks  are  inverted  in  mournful  gertures. 

Such  another  harfh  metaphor  occurs  in  Much  Ado  about  "Nothing; 
"  For  my  part,  I  am  fo  attired  in  wonder, 
"  I  know  not  what  to  fay."    STEEVENS. 

Gefture  only  relates  to  their  checks,  after  which  word  there 
faould  be  a  comma,  as  in  the  firll  folio.  In  the  fecond  fong  of 
Sidney's  AJlrophcl  and  Stella  : 

"  Anger  invefts  the  face  with  a  lovely  grace."    TOLLET. 
The  prefent  time  runs  throughout  the  whole  of  the  defcription, 
except  in  this  inftance,  where  the  change  feems  very  improper, 
\  believe  we  fliould  read,  prrfent$th.    STEEVENS. 
lave/ling,  perhaps  we  mould  read,  in  fajlln^  &c.    ANON. 

H  4  The 


io4         KING    HENRY    V. 

Thejroyal  captain  of  this  ruin'd  band, 
Walking  from  watch  to  watch,  from  tent  to  tent, 
Let  him  cry — Praife  and  glory  on  his  head  ! 
For  forth  he  goes,  and  vifits  all  his  hoft ; 
Bids  them  good  morrow,  with  a  modeft  fmile  ; 
And  calls  them — brothers,  friends,  and  countrymen* 
Upon  his  royal  face  there  is  no  note, 
How  dread  an  army  hath  enrounded  him  ; 
Nor  doth  he  Dedicate  one  jot  of  colour 
Unto  the  weary  and  all-watched  night : 
But  freihly  looks,  and  over-bears  attaint, 
With  cheerful  femblance,  and  fweet  majefty  ; 
That  every  wretch,  pining  and  pale  before, 
Beholding  him,  plucks  comfort  from  his  looks  : 
A  largefs  univerfal,  like  the  fun, 
His  liberal  eye  doth  give  to  every  one, 
Thawing,  cold  4  fear.     Then,  mean  and  gentle  all, 
Behold,  as  may  unworthinefs  define, 
A  little  touch  of  Harry  in  the  night : 
Apd  fo  our  fcene  muft  to  the  battle  fly  ; 
Wliere,  (O  for  pity  !)  we  Ilia  11  much  difgrace— 
With  four  or  five  moft  vile  and  ragged  foils, 
Right  ill  difpos'd,  in  brawl  ridiculous, — 
The  name  of  Agincourt :  Yet,  fit  and  fee  ; 
5  Minding  true  things  by  what  their  mockeries  be. 

[Exit. 

*          fear,  that  mean  and  gentle  all, 

Behold  (as  may,  &c.] 

As  this  flood,  it  was  a  moft  perplex'd  and  nonfenfical  paflage  : 
and  could  not  be  intelligible,  but  as  I  have  cbrre<fted  it.  The 
poet,  then  addreffing  himfelf  to  every  degree  of  his  audience, 
tells  them,  he'll  {hew  (as  well  as  his  unworthy  pen  and  powers 
can  defcribe  it)  a  little  touch  or  Iketch  of  this  hero  in  the  night. 

THEOBALD. 

5  Minding  true  things — ]  To  mind  is  the  fame  as  to  call  to  re- 
membrance.    JOHNSON. 


SCENE 


KING    HENRY    V.         105 
SCENE    I. 

The  EngtiJJ]  camp,  at  Ag'mcourt. 
Enter  King  Henry,  Bedford,  and  Glofter. 

K.  Henry.  Glofter,  'tis  true,  that  we  are  in  great 

danger ; 

The  greater  therefore  fhould  our  courage  be. — 
Good  morrow,  brother  Bedford. — God  Almighty  ! 
There  is  fome  foul  of  goodnefs  in  things  evil, 
Would  men  obfervingly  diftil  it  out ; 
For  our  bad  neighbour  makes  us  early  flirrers, 
Which  is  both  healthful,  and  good  hufbandry  : 
Befides,  they  are  our  outward  confciences, 
And  preachers  to  us  all  ;  admonifhing, 
That  we  ihould  drefs  us  fairly  for  our  end. 
Thus  may  we  gather  honey  from  the  weed, 
And  make  a  moral  of  the  devil  himfelf. 

Rnter  Erpingham. 

Good  morrow,  6  old  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham  : 
A  good  foft  pillow  for  that  good  white  head 
Were  better  than  a  churlim  turf  of  France. 

Erplng.  Not  fo,  my  liege ;  this  lodging  likes  me 

better, 
Since  I  may  fay — now  lie  I  like  a  king. 

K.  Henry.  'Tis  good  for  men  to  love  their  prefent 

pains, 

Upon  example  ;  fo  the  fpirit  is  eafed  : 
And,  when  the  mind  is  quicken'd,  out  of  doubt, 

6  — old  Sir  T"bomas  Erfingbam :]  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham  cam* 
over  with  Bolingbroke  from  Bretagne,  and  was  one  of  the  com- 
milBoners  to  receive  king  Richard's  abdication. 

EDWARD'S  MS. 

Sir  Thomas  Erpingham  was  in  Henry  V.'s  time  warden  of 
Dover  caftle.  His  arms  are  ftill  vifible  on  one  fide  of  the  Ro- 
;nan  pharos.  SrEEvtis's. 

The 


io6         KING     HENRY     V. 

The  organs,  though  defunct  and  dead  before, 

Break  up  their  drowfy  grave,  and  newly  move 

7  With  eafted  flough  and  frefh  legerity. 

Lend  me  thy  cloak,  Sir  Thomas. — Brothers  both, 

Commend  me  to  the  princes  in  our  camp  ; 

Do  my  good  morrow  to  them  ;  and,  anon, 

Defire  them  all  to  my  pavilion. 

Glo.  We  fhall,  my  liege. 

Ei-ping.  Shall  I  attend  your  grace  ? 

A'.  Henry.  No,  my  good  knight ; 
Go  with  my  brothers  to  my  lords  of  England  : 
I  and  my  bofom  muft  debate  a  while, 
And  then  I  would  no  other  company. 

Erping.  The  Lord   in  heaven  bids   thee,    noble 
Harry  ! 

K.  Henry.  God-a-mercy,  old  heart  \  thou  fpeak'ft 
cheerful  iy.  [Qxtunt* 

Enter  piftol* 

Pift.  Qui  va  la  ? 
K.  Henry.   A  friend. 

Pift.  Diicufs  unto  me  ;   Art  thou  officer  ? 
Or  art  thou  bafc,  common,  and  popular  ? 
K.  Henry.  I  am  a  gentleman  of  a  company, 
Pift.  Trail'ft  thou  the  puiffant  pike  ? 
K.  Henry.  Even  fo  :  What  are  you  ? 
Pift.  As  good  a  gentleman  as  the  emperor. 
K.  Henry.  Then  you  are  a  better  than  the  king. 
Pift.  The  king's  a  bawcock,  and  a  heart  of  gold  ; 

7  W1.-iicb  cafled .ficngh— ]  Slongb  is  the  {kin  which  the  ferpent 
annually  throws  oft",  and  by  the  change  of  which  he  is  iuppoicd 
to  regain  new  vigour  and  frefh  youth.  Legerity  is  lightnelg, 
himblenefs.  JOHNSON. 

So,  itj  Stanyhurft's  tranflation  of  A7;y/7,  B.  IV.  1582  : 

"  His  Jloiigb  uncafing  himfelf  now  youthfully  bleacheth." 
legerity  is  a  word  ufed  by  Ben  Jonlbn  in  JEvny  31an  out  of  I-ls 
Humour.  STEEVENS. 

A  lad 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.          I0? 

A  lad  of  life,  an  imp  of  fame  8 ; 

Of  parents  good,  of  fift  moft  valiant : 

1  kils  his  dirty  fhoc,  and  from  my  heart-ftrings 

I  love  the  lovely  bully.     What's  thy  name  ? 

K.  Henry.  Harry  le  Roy. 

Pi/I.  Le  Roy  !  a  Corniih  name  :  art  thou  of  Corniflj 
crew  ? 

K.  Henry.  No,  I  am  a  Welfnman. 

Pift.  Know'ft  thou  Fluellen  ? 

K.  Henry.  Yes. 

Pift.  Tell  him,  I'll  knock  his  leek  about  his  pate 
Upon  faint  David's  day. 

K.  Henry.  Do  not  you  wear  your  dagger  in  your  cap 
that  day,  left  he  knock  that  about  yours. 

Pift.   Art  thou  his  friend  ? 

K.  Henry.  And  his  kinfman  too. 

Pift.  The  figo  for  thee  then  ! 

K.  Henry.  1  thank  you  :  God  be  with  you  ! 

Pift.  My  name  is  Piftol  call'd.  [Exit, 

K.  Henry.  It  forts 9  well  with  your  fiercenefs. 

Enter  F'luellen,  and  Gozver,  federally, 

Gow.  Captain  Fluellen, — 

Flu.  So  !  in  the  name  of  Chelhu  Chrift,  fpeak  fewer. 
It  is  the  greatcft  admiration  in  the  univerfal  'odd, 
when  the  true  and  auncient  prerogatifes  and  laws  of 
the  wars  is  not  kept  :  if  you  would  take  the  pains 
but  to  examine  the  wars  of  Pompey  the  great,  you 
fhall  find,  I  warrant  you,  that  there  is  no  tittle  tattle, 

8  — an  imp  of  fame ;]    An  imp  is  zjijoot  in  its  primitive  fenfe, 
but  means  a  Jon  in  Shakefpeare.     In  Holinfhed,  p.  951,  the  laft 
words  of  lord  Cromwell  are  preferved,  who  fays,  "  — and  after 
him  that  his  fonne  prince  Edward,  that  goodlie  impe,  may  long 
rcigne  over  you."    STEEVEXS. 

9  //forts]  i.e.  it  agrees.     So,  in  Chapman's  verfion  of  the 
j;th  book  of  the  OJfffey  : 

"  His  faire  lon^;  lance  wellyir/:;?^  with  his  hand." 

STEEVEXS. 

nor 


roS          K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

nor  pibble  pabble,  in  Pompey's  camp  ;  I  warrant 
you,  you  fhall  find  the  ceremonies  of  the  wars,  and 
the  cares  of  it,  and  the  forms  of  it,  and  the  fobriety 
of  it,  and  the  modefty  of  it,  to  be  otherwife. 

Gaii\  Why,  the  enemy  is  loud  ;  you  heard  him  all 
night. 

Flu.  If  the  enemy  is  an  afs  and  a  fool,  and  a  prat- 
ing coxcomb,  is  it  meet,  think  you,  that  we  fhould 
alib,  look  you,  be  an  afs,  and  a  fool,  and  a  prating 
coxcomb  ;  in  your  own  confidence  now  ? 
•    Gozv.  I  will  fpeak  lower. 

Flu.  I  pray  you,  and  befeech  you,  that  you  will. 

[Exeunt. 

K.  Henry.  Though  it  appear  a  little  out  of  fafhion, 
There  is  much  care  and  valour  in  this  Welfhman. 

Enter  three  foldiers,  John  Bates,  Alexander  Court,   and 
Michael  Williams. 

Court.  Brother  John  Bates,  is  not  that  the  morning 
xvhich  breaks  yonder  ? 

Bates.  I  think  it  be  :  but  we  have  no  great  caufe 
to  defire  the  approach  of  day. 

Will.  We  fee  yonder  the  beginning  of  the  day,  but, 
1  think,  we  fhall  never  fee  the  end  of  it. — Who  goes 
there  ? 

K.  Henry.  A  friend. 

Will*  Under  what  captain  ferve  you  ? 

K.  Henry.  Under  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham. 

Will.  A  good  old  commander,  and  a  mofl  kind 
gentleman  :  I  pray  you,  what  thinks  he  of  oureftate  ? 

K.  Henry.  Even  as  men  wreck'd  upon  a  land,  that 
)ook  to  be  wafh'd  off  the  next  tide. 

Bates.  He  hath  not  told  his  thought  to  the  king  ? 

K.  Henry.  No  ;  nor  it  is  not  meet  he  fhould.  For, 
though  I  fpeak  it  to  you,  I  think,  the  king  is  but  a 
man,  as  I  am  :  the  violet  fmells  to  him,  as  it  doth  to 
me ;  the  element  fhews  to  him,  as  it  doth  to  me  ;  all 

his 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.          109 

his  fenfes  have  but  human  f  conditions  :  his  ceremo- 
nies laid  by,  in  his  nakednefs  he  appears  but  a  man; 
and  though  hisaffe&ionsarehighermountedthanours, 
yet,  when  they  ftoop,  they  Hoop  with  the  like  wiag ; 
therefore  when  he  fees  reafon  of  fears,  as  we  do,  his 
fears,  out  of  doubt,  be  of  the  fame  relifh  as  ours  are  : 
Yet,  in  reafon,  no  man  Ihould  poflefs  him  with  any 
appearance  of  fear,  left  he,  by  ihewing  it,  ihould  dif- 
hearten  his  army. 

Bates.  He  may  fhew  what  outward  courage  he 
will  :  but,  I  believe,  as  cold  a  night  as  'tis,  he  could 
wifh  himfelf  in  the  Thames  up  to  the  neck.;  and  fo 
I  would  he  were,  and  I  by  him,  at  all  adventures,  fo 
we  were  quit  here. 

K.  Henry.  By  my  troth,  I  will  fpeak  my  confcience 
of  the  king;  I  think,  he  would  not  wiih  himfelf  any 
where  but  where  he  is. 

Bates.  Then,  'would  he  wjere  here  alone;  fo  Ihould 
he  be  fure  to  be  ranfom'd,  and  a  many  poor  men's 
lives  fav'd. 

A'.  Henry.  I  dare  fay,  you  love  him  not  fo  ill,  to 
\\illi  him  here  alone;  howfoever  you  fpeak  this,  to 
feel  other  men's  minds  :  Methinks,  I  could  not  die 
any  where  fo  contented,  as  in  the  king's  company  ; 
his  caufe  being  juft,  and  his  quarrel  honourable. 

Will.  That's  more  than  we  know. 

Bates.  Ay,  or  more  than  we  Ihould  feek  after ;  for 
we  know  enough,  if  we  know  we  are  the  king's  fub- 
jedts :  if  his  caufe  be  wrong,  our  obedience  to  the 
king  wipes  the  crime  of  it  out  of  us. 

Witt.  But,  if  the  caufe  be  not  good,  the  king  him- 
felf hath  a  heavy  reckoning  to  make  ;  when  all  thofe 

1  — conditions :]  Are  qualities.  The  meaning  is,  that  objects 
are  reprefented  by  his  fenfes  to  him,  as  to  other  men  by  theirs. 
What  is  danger  to  another  is  danger  likewile  to  him,  and  when 
he  feds  fear  it  is  like  the  fear  oi  meaner  mortals.  JOHXSOX. 

legs, 


no         KING     HENRY    V, 

legs,  and  arms,  and  heads,  chop'd  off  in  a  battle; 
lhall  join  together  at  the  latter  day,  and  cry  all — \Vo 
dy'd  at  fuch  a  place  ;  fome,  fwearing  ;  fome,  crying 
for  a  furgeon  ;  fome,  upon  their  wives  left  poor  be- 
hind them  ;  fome,  upon  the  debts  they  owe  ;  fome, 
upon  4  their  children  rawly  left.  I  am  afeard  there 
are  few  die  well,  that  die  in  a  battle  ;  for  how  can  they 
charitably  difpofe  of  any  thing,  when  blood  is  their 
argument  ?  Now,  if  thefe  men  do  not  diewell,  it  will 
be  a  black  matter  for  the  king  that  led  them  to  it ; 
whom  to  difobey,  were  againft  all  proportion  of  fub- 
jeclion. 

K.  Henry.  So,  if  a  fon,  that  is  by  his  father  fent 
about  merchandize,  do  finfully  mifcarry  upon  the 
fea,  the  imputation  of  his  wickednefs,  by  your  rule, 
Ihould  be  impofed  upon  his  father  that  fent  him  :  or 
if  a  fervant,  under  his  matter's  command,  tranfport- 
ing  a  fum  of  money,  be  affail'd  by  robbers,  and  die' 
in  many  irreconcird  iniquities,  you  may  call  the  buli- 
nefs  of  the  mafter  the  author  of  the  fervant's  damna- 
tion : — But  this  is  not  fo :  the  king  is  not  bound  to  an- 
fwer  the  particular  endings  of  his  foldiers,  the  father 
of  his  fon,  nor  the  mailer  of  his  fervant ;  for  they 
purpofe  not  their  death,  when  they  purpofe  their  fcr- 
vices.  Befides,  there  is  no  king,  be  his  caufe  never 
fo  fpotlefs,  if  it  come  to  the  arbitrement  of  fwords, 
can  try  it  out  with  all  unipotted  foldiers.  Some,  pcr- 
adventure,  have  on  them  the  guilt  of  premeditated 
and  contrived  murder  ;  fome,  of  beguiling  virgins 
with  the  broken  feals  of  perjury ;  fome,  making  the 
wars  their  bulwark,  that  have  before  gored  the  gentle 
bofam  of  peace  with  pillage  and  robbery.  Now  if 
thefe  men  have  defeated  the  law,  and  out-run  native 

their  children  rawly  left*]  That  is,  without  preparation, 
fudtlenly.  What  is  not  matured  is  raiv.  So,  in  Macbeth; 
"  Why  in  this  rawaefs.  left  he  wife  and  children." 

JOHNSON. 

punifh- 


KING    HENRY    V.         .,„ 

Jmnifhment  ',  though  they  can  out-drip  men,  they 
have  no  wings  to  fly  from  God  :  war  is  his  beadle, 
war  is  his  vengeance  ;  fo  that  here  men  arepunimed,. 
lor  bcfore-breach  of  the  king's  laws,  in  now  th* 
king's  quarrel :  where  they  feared  the  death,  they  have 
borne  life  away  ;  and  where  they  would  be  fafe,  the^ 
perifh  :  Then  if  they  die  unprovided,  no  more  is'the 
king  guilty  of  their  damnation,  than  he  was  before 
guilty  of  thofe  impieties  for  the  which  they  are  now 
vifited.  4  Every  fubjecl's  duty  is  the  king's ;  but  every 
fubjecYs  foul  is  his  own.  Therefore  mould  every  fol- 
dicr  in  the  wars  do  as  every  fick  man  in  his  bed,  walh 
every  moth  out  of  his  confcience  :  and  dying  fo,  death 
is  to  him  advantage  ;  or  not  dying,  th-e  time  was  blef- 
fedly  loft,  wherein  fuch  preparation  was  gained  :  and, 
in  him  that  efcapes,  it  were  not  fin  to  think,  that, 
making  God  fo  free  an  offer,  he  let  him  out-live  that 
day  to  fee  his  greatnefs,  and  to  teach  others  how  they 
fhould  prepare. 

Will.  'Tis  certain,  that  every  man  that  dies  ill,  the 
ill  is  upon  his  own  head,  the  king  is  not  to  anfwer 
for  it. 

Bates.  I  do  not  deiire  he  mould  anfwer  for  me;  and 
yet  I  determine  to  fight  luftily  for  him. 

K.  Henry*  I  myfelf  heard  the  king  fay,  he  would 
not  be  ranfom'cl. 

Will.  Ay,  he  faid  fo,  to  make  us  fight  cheerfully  : 
but,  when  our  throats  are  cut,  he  may  be  ranfom'd, 
and  we  ne'er  the  wifer. 

K.  Henry.  If  I  live  to  fee  it,  I  will  never  truft  his 
word  after. 

3  i  native  pnnijhme «/,  ]  That  is,  pimifhrnent  In  their  na- 

tive country.  REVISAL.  i.e.  fuch  as  they  are  born  to  if  they 
offend.  STEEVENS. 

*  Every  fulycft's  duty — ]  This  is  a  very  juft  diftinftion,  and 
the  whole  argument  is  well  followed,  and  properly  concluded. 

JOHSSOX. 


H2         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Will.  You  pay  him  then  !  5  that's  a  perilous  Ihot  out 
of  an  elder  gun,  that  a  poor  and  private  difpleafure 
can  do  againft  a  monarch  !  you  may  as  well  go  about 
to  turn  the  fun  to  ice,  with  fanning  in  his  face  with  a 
peacock's  feather.  You'll  never  truft  his  word  after  ! 
come,  'tis  a  foolilh  faying. 

K.  Henry.  Your  reproof  is  fomething  too  round ; 
I  ihould  be  angry  with  you,  if  the  time  were  con- 
venient. 

Will.  Let  it  be  a  quarrel  between  us,  if  you  live. 

K.  Henry.  I  embrace  it. 

Will.  How  fhall  I  know  thee  again  ? 

K.  Henry.  Give  me  any  gage  of  thine,  and  I  will 
wear  it  in  my  bonnet  :  then,  if  ever  thou  dar'ft  ac- 
knowledge it,  I  will  make  it  my  quarrel. 

Will.  Here's  my  glove ;  give  me  another  of  thine. 

K.  Henry.  There. 

Will.  This  will  I  alfo  wear  in  my  cap  :  if  ever 
thou  come  to  me  and  fay,  after  to-morrow,  This  h 
my  glove,  by  this  hand,  I  will  take  thee  a  box  on 
the  ear. 

K.  Henry.  If  ever  I  live  to  fee  it,  I  will  challenge 
it. 

Will.  Thou  dar'ft  as  well  be  hang'd. 

K.  Henry.  Well,  I  will  do  it,  though  I  take  thce 
in  the  king's  company. 

Will.  Keep  thy  word  :  fare  thee  well. 

Bates.  Be  friends,  you  Englilh  foojs,  be  friends ;  we 
have  French  quarrels  enough,  if  you  could  tell  how  to 
reckon, 

K,  Henry.  Indeed,    the  French  may  lay  6  twenty 

French 

5  —  tba? s  a  perilous  Jhot  out  of  an  elder-gun,— ]  In  the  old  play 
the  thought  is  more  opened.     //  is  a  great  difpleafure  that  an  elder 
gun  can  do  again/I  a  cannon.     JOHNSON. 

6  twenty  French  crowns — ]  This  conceit,  rather  too  low 

for  a  king,  has  been  already  explained,  as  alluding  to  the  vene- 
real difeafe.    JOHNSON. 

There 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.          1,3 

French  crowns  toone,  they  will  beat  us ;  for  they  bear 

them  on  their  fhoulders  :  But  it  is  no  Englifh  treafon, 

to  cut  French  crowns ;  and,  to-morrow,  the  king  him- 

felf  will  be  a  clipper.  [Exeunt  foldiers. 

4  Upon  the  king  !  let  us  our  lives,  our  fouls, 

Our  debts,  our  careful  wives,  our  children,  and 

Our  fins,  lay  on  the  king  ; — we  mufl  bear  all. 

O  hard  condition  !  twin-born  with  greatnefs, 

Subjected  to  the  breath  of  every  fool, 

Whofe  fenfe  no  more  can  feel  but  his  own  wringing ! 

What  infinite  heart's  eafe  muft  kings  neglect, 

That  private  men  enjoy  ?  and  what  have  kings, 

That  privates  have  not  too,  fave  ceremony  ? 

Save  general  ceremony  ? 

And  what  art  thou,  thou  idol  ceremony  ? 

What  kind  of  god  art  thou,  that  fuffer'ft  more 

Of  mortal  griefs,  than  do  thy  worfhippers  ? 

J  What  are  thy  rents  ?  what  are  thy  comings-m  ? 

O  cere- 
There  is  furely  no  neceflity  for  fuppofing  any  allufion  In  this 
pajjage  to  the  venereal  difeafe.     The  conceit  here  feems  to  turn 
jnerely  upon  the  equivocal  fenfe  of  frown,  which  fignifies  either 
a  coin ',  or  a  bead.     TYRWHITT. 

7  Upon  the  king  !  &c.]  This  beautiful  fpeech  was  added  after 
the  full  edition.  POPE. 

There  is  fomething  very  ftriking  and  folemn  in  this  foliloquy, 
into  which  the  king  breaks  immediately  as  foon  as  he  is  left  alone. 
Something  like  this,  on  lefs  occa lions,  every  breait  has  felr. 
Reflection  and  ferioufnefs  rufli  upon  the  mind  upon  the  feparation 
of  a  gay  company,  and  efpecially  after  forced  and  unwilling 
merriment.  JOHNSON. 

8  What  are  thy  rents  ?  What  are  thy  comings  in?      . 
O  ceremony,  Jhe*LV  me  but  thy  worth  ; 
What  !  is  thy  foul  of  adoration  ?~\ 

Thus  is  the  laft  line  given  us,  and  the  nonfenfe  of  it  made  worfe 
by  the  ridiculous  pointing.  We  fliould  read,  WJjat  Is  thy  toll, 
O  adoration  !  Let  us  examine  how  the  context  {rands  with  my 
emendation.  What  are  thy  rents  ?  What  are  thy  com  ings -in  ? 

What  is  thy  worth  ?   What  is  thy  toll  ? (/.  e .  the  duties  and  im- 

pojls,  thou  receive!!  :)  all  is  here  confonant,  and  agreeable  to  a 

ienfible  exclamation.     So  King  John  : — *'  No  Italian  prieft  Jhall 

tithe  or  toll  in  our  dominions,"  But  the  Oxford  editor,  now  he  find* 

VOL.  VJ.  I  th<r 


H4         KING    HENRY    V. 

0  ceremony,  fliew  me  but  thy  worth  ! 
What  is  thy  foul,  O  adoration  ? 

Art  thou  aught  elfe  but  place,  degree,  and  form, 

Creating  awe  and  fear  in  other  men  ? 

Wherein  thou  art  lefs  happy  being  fear'd, 

Than  they  in  fearing. 

What  drink'ft  thou  oft,  inftead  of  homage  fvveet, 

But  poifon'd  flattery  ?  O,  be  fick,  great  greatnefs, 

And  bid  thy  ceremony  give  thee  cure  ! 

Think'ft  thou,  the  fiery  fever  will  go  out 

With  titles  blown  from  adulation  ? 

Will  it  give  place  to  flexure  and  low  bending  ? 

Can'ft  thou,  when  thou  command'ft  the  beggar's  knee, 

Command  the  health  of  it  ?  No,  thou  proud  dream, 

That  play'ft  fo  fubtly  with  a  king's  repofe, 

1  am  a  king,  that  find  thee  :  and  I  know, 
'Tis  not  the  balm,  the  fcepter,  and  the  ball, 
The  fword,  the  mace,  the  crown  imperial, 

the  way  open  for  alteration,  reads,  Wfjat  is  thy  (hew  nf  asfrra- 
tion  ?  By  which  happy  emendation,  what  is  about  to  be  enquir* 
cd  into,  is  firfl  taken  for  granted  ;  namely,  that  ceremony  is  but 
a  (hew.  And  to  make  room  for  this  word  here,  which  is  found 
in  the  immediate  preceding  line,  he  degrades  it  there,  but  puts 
as  good  a  word  indeed  in  its  ftead,  that  is  to  fay,  tell. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

This  emendation  is  not  ill  conceived,  yet  I  believe  it  is  erro- 
neous. The  firfl  copy  reads,  What?  is  the  foul  of  adoration. 
This  is  incorrect,  but  I  think  we  may  difcover  the  true  reading 
eafily  enough  to  be,  What  is  thy  foul,  O  adoration  ?  That  is,  O 
reverence  paid  to  kings,  'what  art  thou  -within  ?  What  are  thy 
real  qualities  ?  What  is  thy  intrinjtc  value?  JOHNSON. 

The  quarto  has  not  this  fpeech.     The  folio  reads — What  ?  is 
thy  foul  of  adoration  ?     STEEVENS. 
I  do  not  fee  any  neceffity  for  departing  from  the  old  reading  : 

WThat  is  the  foul  of  adoration  ? 

The  fame  expreffion  is  found  in  many  of  Shakefpeare's  plays.  So, 
in  Troilus  and  Crejjlda  : 

'*  my  very  foul  of  counfel." 

Again,  in  K.  Henry  IV.  Part  I : 

"  The  very  bottom  and  the  foul  of  hope." 
Again,  in  the  Midfummer  Night's  Dream: 

•'  the/)*/*/ love."    MALONE, 

The 


KING    HENRY     V.  115 

The  enter-tiflued  robe  of  gold  and  pearl, 
The  9  farfed  title  running  'fore  the  king,' 
The  throne  he  fits  on,  nor  the  tide  of  pomp 
That  beats  upon  the  high  fhore  of  the  world, 
No,  not  all  thefe,  thrice-gorgeous  ceremony, 
Not  all  thefe,  laid  in  bed  majeftical, 
1  Can  fleep  fo  foundly  as  the  wretched  Have  ; 
Who,  with  a  body  fill'd,  and  vacant  mind, 
Gets  him  to  reft,  cramm'd  with  diitrefsful  bread, 
Never  fees  horrid  night,  the  child  of  hell  ; 
But,  like  a  lacquey,  from  the  rife  to  fet, 
Sweats  in  the  eye  of  Phoebus,  and  all  night 
Sleeps  in  Elyfium  ;  next  day,  after  dawn, 
Doth  rife,  and  help  Hyperion  to  his  horfe  ; 
And  follows  fo  the  ever-running  year 
With  profitable  labour,  to  his  grave  :  » 
And,  but  for  ceremony,  fuch  a  wretch, 
Winding  up  days  with  toil,  and  nights  with  fleep, 
Had  the  fore-hand  and  vantage  of  a  king. 
The  flave,  a  member  of  the  country's  peace, 
Enjoys  it  ;  but  in  grofs  brain  little  wots, 
What  watch  the  king  keeps  to  maintain  the  peace, 
Whofe  hours  the  peafant  belt  advantages. 

9   —farfed  title  running    &c.]     Farfed  is  Jtujfcd.     The  tumid 
puffy  titles  with  which  a  king's  name  is  always  introduced.    This 
I  think  is  the  fenfe.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  All  for  Money,  by  T.  Lupton,  1574  : 
"  --  —belly-gods  fo  fwarm, 
"  Farced,  and  flowing  with  all  kind  of  gall." 
Again  : 

"  And  like  a  greedy  cormorant  with  belly  full  farced." 
Again,  in  Jacob  and  Efan,    1568: 

To  make  both  broth  and  farcing,  and  that  full  deinty." 
of  the  firft  book  of  F'iril  : 


Again,  in  Stanyhurfl's  verfion  of 

"  Or  eels  VK  farcing  with  dulce  and  delicat  hoonny." 
Again,  in  Every  Man  out  of  bis  Humour  : 

"  •  -  farce  thy  lean  ribs  with  it  too."    STEEVENS. 
1  Canjleepfo  foundly  ,  &c.]  Thefe  lines  are  exquilitely  pleaf- 
ing.     To  fiveaf  in  the  eye  of  fhoelus,  and  to  Jleep  in  Elyfium,  are 
expreffions  very  poetical.    JOHNSON. 

I  2  Enter 


>i6         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Enter  Erpinghatn. 

Erp.  My  lord,  your  nobles,  jealous  of  your  ab- 

fence, 
Seek  through  your  camp  to  find  you. 

K.  Henry,  Good  old  knight, 
Colled:  them  all  together  at  my  tent : 
I'll  be  before  thee. 

Erp.  I  fliall  do't,  my  lord.  [Exit. 

K.  Henry.    O  God  of  battles  !   Heel  my  foldiers' 

hearts ! 

Poflefs  them  not  with  fear  ;   *  take  from  them  now 
The  fenfe  of  reckoning,  if  the  oppofed  numbers 
Pluck  their  hearts  from  them  ! — Not  to-day,  O  Lord3 

0  not  to-day,  think  not  upon  the  fault 
My  father  made  in  compafling  the  crown  ! 

1  Richard's  body  have  interred  new ; 

Jn  former  editions : 

•  "  •  take  from  them  *<KV 

The  fenfe  of  reclining  of  tV  oppofed  numbers: 

Pluck  their  hearts  from  them  ! ] 

Thus  the  firft  folio.  The  poet  might  intend,  "  Take  from  them 
the  fenfe  of  reckoning  thofe  oppofed  numbers ;  which  might 
pluck  their  courage  from  them."  But  the  relative  not  being  ex- 
prefs'd,  the  fenfe  is  very  obfcure.  THEOBALD. 

The  change  is  admitted  by  Dr.  Warburton,  and  rightly.    Sir 
T.  Hanmer  reads  : 

'•  the  oppofed  numbers 

Which  Jl and  before  them. 

This  reading  he  borrowed  from  the  old  quarto,  which  gives  the 
pafiage  thus : 

Take  from  them  now  the  fenfe  of  reckoning , 

That  the  oppofed  multitudes  thatjiand  before  them 

May  not  appall  their  courage,     JOHNSON. 
Theobald's  alteration  certainly  makes  a  very  good  fenfe  ;  but, 
I  think,  we  might  read,  with  lefs  deviation  from   the  prefent 
text : 

if  tV  oppofed  numbers 

Pluck  their  hearts  from  them. 

In  conjectural  criticifm,  as  in  mechanics,  the  perfe&ion  of  the 
art,  I  apprehend,  confifts  in  producing  a  given  effect  with  the 
Icail  poffible  force.  TYRWHITT. 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.          n7 

And  on  it  have  beftow'd  more  contrite  tears, 
Than  from  it  iffu'd  forced  drops  of  blood. 
Five  hundred  poor  I  have  in  yearly  pay, 
Who  twice  a  day  their  wither'd  hands  hold  up 
Toward  heaven,  to  pardon  blood  ;  and  I  have  built 
Two  chantries,  where  the  fad  and  folerrm  priefts 
Sing  flill  for  Richard's  foul.     More  will  I  do  : 
Though  all  that  I  can  do,  is  nothing  worth  ; 
3  Since  that  my  penitence  comes  after  all, 
Imploring  pardon. 

Enter  Glofter. 
Glo.  My  liege ! 

K.  Henry.  My  brother  Glofter's  voice  ? — Ay ; 
I  know  thy  errand,  I  will  go  with  thee  : — 
The  day,  my  friends,  and  all  things  ftay  for  me. 

[Exeunt, 

3  Since  that  my  penitence  comes  after  all, 

Imploring  pardon.  ] 

"VVe  muft  obferve,  that  Henry  IV.  had  committed  an  injuftice, 
of  which  he,  and  his  fan  reap'd  the  fruits.  But  reafon  tells  us, 
juftice  demands  that  they  who  (hare  the  profits  of  iniquity,  fhali 
/hare  alfo  in  the  punifhment.  Scripture  again  tells  us,  that  when 
men  have  finned,  the  grace  of  God  gives  frequent  invitations  to 
repentance  :  which,  in  the  language  or  divines,  are  filled  calls. 
Thefe,  if  neglected,  or  carelelly  dallied  with,  are,  at  length,  ir- 
recoverably withdrawn,  and  then  repentance  comes  too  late.  All 
this  fliews  that  the  unintelligible  reading  of  the  text  fhould  be 
corrected  thus : 

comes  after  call.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

I  wifli  the  commentator  had  explained  his  meaning  a  little 
better ;  for  his  comment  is  to  me  lefs  intelligible  than  the  text. 
I  know  not  what  he  thinks  of  the  king's  penitence,  whether 
coming  in  confequence  of  call,  it  is  fufficicnt  5  or  whether  coming 
when  calls  have  ceafcJ,  it  is  ineffectual.  The  firft  fenfe  will  fuit 
but  ill  with  the  pofition,  that  all  ivhich  be  can  do  is  nothing 
worth  ;  and  the  latter  as  ill  with  the  intention  of  Shakefpeare, 
who  certainly  does  not  mean  to  reprefent  the  king  as  abandpned 
and  reprobate. 

The  old  reading  is  in  my  opinion  eafy  and  right.  /  do  all 
jhis,  fays  the  king,  though  all  that  I  can  do  is  nothing  worth^  is  fo 
far  from  an  adequate  expiation  of  the  crimej  tiat  penitence  comes 
after  all)  imploring  par  Jon  both  for  the  crime  and  the  expiation, 

JOHNSON. 

I  3  SCENE 


nS          K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V, 
SCENE    II. 

fhe  French  camp. 
Enter  tie  Dauphin,  Orleans,  Rambures,  and  Beaumont* 

OrL  The  fun  doth  gild  our  armour ;  up,  my  lords. 
Dau.  Montez  acheval: — My  horfe  !  valet!  lacquay  ! 
ha  ! 

OrL  O  brave  fpirit  ! 

Dau.  4  Via  ! — les  eaux  &  la  terre.' 

Or  1.  Rienplus?  I* air  tele  feu. 

Dau.  del!  coufin  Orleans. 

Enter  Conftable. 

Now,  my  lord  Conftable  ! 

Con.  Hark,  how  our  fteeds  for  prefent  fervice  neigh. 

Dau.  Mount  them,  and  make  incifion  in  their  hides ; 
That  their  hot  blood  may  fpin  in  Englifh  eyes, 
And  daunt  them  s  with  fuperfluous  courage  :  Ha  ! 

4  jriai leg  eaux  &  la  terre. ]  The  Revlfal  reads  : 

Dan.  Voyez — les  eaux  &  la  terre. — 
OrL  Bien—puis  1'air  &  le  feu  ?— 
Dau.  Le  ciel — coufin  Orleans. — 

This  is  well  conjeftured  ;  nor  does  the  paflage  deferve  that  more 
fhould  be  done  :  yet  I  know  not  whether  it  might  not  (land 
thus  : 

Dau.  Voytz  lei  eaux  fe*  la  terre, 
Orl.  IS  air  &  le  feu — Rienpuis? 
Duu.  Le  del. 

yia  is  an  old  hortatory  exclamation,  as  attons !    JOHNSON. 
Dr.  Johnfon  is  right.     So,  in  K.  Edward  III.   1 599  : 

"  Then  yia  !  for  the  fpacious  bounds  of  France  !" 
Again,  in  the  Fa-ivne,  by  John  Marfton,   1606  : 

"  Come  Pia  !    to  this  feaftful  entertainment !" 
Again,  in  Marfton's  What  you  Will^  1607  : 

"  Tut,  Fia  !  let  all  run  glib  and  fquare  !"    STEEVENS. 
4  And  Jaunt  tbani\  The  firft  folio  reads  doubt,    which,    per- 
haps, may  have  been  ufcd  for  to  make  to  doubt ;  to  terrific. 

TYRWHITT. 

Rant. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V.          II9 

&am.  What,  will  you  have  them  weep  our  horfes* 

blood  ? 
How  fliall  we  then  behold  their  natural  tears  ? 

Enter  a  Me/finger* 

Mejf.  The  Englifh.  are  embattled,     you  French 
peers* 

Con.  To  horfe,  you  gallant  princes !  flrait  to  horfe  ! 
Do  but  behold  yon  poor  and  flarved  band, 
And  your  fair  mew  mall  fuck  away  their  fouls, 
Leaving  them  but  the  lhales  and  hufks  of  men. 
There  is  not  work  enough  for  all  our  hands  ; 
Scarce  blood  enough  in  all  their  fickly  veins, 
To  give  each  naked  curtle-ax  a  ftain, 
That  our  French  gallants  mall  to-day  draw  out, 
And  meath  for  lack  of  fport  :    let  us  but  blow  on 

them, 

The  vapour  of  our  valour  will  o'erturn  them. 
'Tis  pofitive  'gainft  all  exceptions,  lords, 
That  our  fuperfiuous  lacqueys,  and  our  peafants/- « 
Who,  in  unneceflary  adtion,  fwarm 
About  our  fquares  of  battle, — were  enough 
To  purge  this  field  of  fuch  a  hilding  foe ; 
Though  we,  upon  this  mountain's  bafis  by 
Took  ftand  for  idle  fpeeiilation  : 
But  that  our  honours  muft  not.     What's  to  fay  ? 
A  very  little  little  let  us  do, 
And  all  is  done.     Then  let  the  trumpets  found 
6  The  tucket-fonuance,  and  the  note  to  mount  : 

For 

6  The  tucht-fonuanc?,  &c.]  He  ufes  terms  of  the  field  as  if  they 
were  going  out  only  to  the  chafe  for  fport.  To  dare  the  field  is 
a  phrafe  in  falconry.  Birds  are  dared  when  by  the  falcon  in  the 
air  they  are  terrified  from  rifing,  fo  that  they  will  be  fometimes 
taken  by  the  hand. 

Such  an  eafy  capture  the  lords  expected  to  make  of  the  Eng- 
lifli.  JOHNSON. 

The  titcket-fonuance  was,  I  believe,  the  name  of  an  introduc- 

€bry  floutiih  on  the  trumpet,  as  toccata  in  Italian  is  the  prelude 

I,  of 


f  20  KING    HENRY    V. 

For  our  approach  fhall  fo  much  dare  the  field, 
That  England  ftiall  couch  down  in  fear,  and  yield, 

Enter  Grandpre. 

Grand.  Why  do  you  flay  fo  long,   my  lords  of 

France  ? 

Yon  ifland  carrions,  defperate  of  their  bones, 
lll-favour'dty  become  the  morning  field  : 
Their  ragged  curtains  poorly  are  let  loofe, 
And  our  air  lhakes  them  patting  fcornfully. 
Big  Mars  feems  bankrupt  in  their  beggar'd  hoft, 
And  faintly  through  a  rufty  beaver  peeps. 
7  Their  horfemen  fit  like  fixed  candleflicks, 
Withtorch-ftavesin  their  hand  :  and  their  poor  jades 
Lob  down  their  heads,  dropping  the  hide  and  hips ; 
The  gum  down-roping  from  their  pale-dead  eyes  ; 
And  in  their  pale  dull  mouths  the "  gimmal  bit 

Lies 

of  a  fonata  on  the  harpfichord,  and  toccar  la  tromla>  is  to  blow 
the  trumpet. 

In  the  Spanifh  tragedy,   (no  date)  "  a  tucket  afar  off." 
Again,  m  the  Devil's  Lav.'cafe,   1623: 

"  2  tuckets  by  feveral  trumpets." 

Sonance  is  a  word  ufed  by  Heywood,  in  his  Rape  of  Lucrece, 
1630: 

"  Or,  if  he  chance  to  endure  our  tongues  fo  much 
11  As  but  to  hear  their  finance.     STEEVENS. 
7  Their  horfemen  jit  like  fixed  candlefiicks, 

With  torch  Jiavei  in  their  hand  \ — ] 

Grandpre  alludes  to  the  form  of  the  ancient  candlefticks,  which 
frequently  reprefented  human  figures  holding  the  fockets  for  the 
lights  in  their  extended  hands. 

A  fimilar  image  occurs  in  Vittoria  Coromlona,  1612:  *' — he 
fhew'd  like  a  pewter  candleftick,  fafhioned  like  a  man  in  armour, 
holding  a  tilting  ftaff  in  his  hand  little  bigger  than  a  candle." 

STEEVENS., 

•  —gimmal lit — ]  Gimmal  is  in  the  weftern  counties,  a  ring; 
a  gimmal  bit  is  therefore  a  bit  of  which  the  parts  play'd  one 
within  another.  JOHNSON. 

I  meet  with  theovord,  though  differently  fpelt,  in  the  old  play 
of  The  Raigne  of  Ainr  Edward  the  Third,    \  596  : 
44  Nor  lay  afiue  their  jacks  of  gymold  mail." 

Gymild 


KING    H  E  N  R  Y^V.          J2l 

Lies  foul  with  chew'd  grafs,  ftill  and  motidnlefs; 
And 9  their  executors,  the  knavifh  crows, 
Fly  o'er  them  all,  impatient  for  their  hour. 
Defcription  cannot  fuit  itfelf  in  words, 
To  demonftrate  the  life  of  fuch  a  battle 
In  life  fo  lifelefs  as  it  fhews  itfelf. 

Con.  They  have  faid  their  prayers,  and  they  flay 
for  death. 

Dau.  Shall  we  go  fend  them  dinners,  and  frelh  fuits, 
And  give  their  fafting  horfes  provender, 
And  after  fight  with  them  ? 

Con.  '  I  ftay  but  for  my  guard ;  On,  to  the  field  : 
I  will  the  banner  from  a  trumpet  take, 

Gymold  or  gimmaFd  mail  means  armour  compofed  of  links  like 
thofe  of  a  chain,  which  by  its  flexibility  fitted  itfelf  to  the  fhape 
of  the  body  more  exactly  than  defenfive  covering  of  any  other  con- 
trivance. There  was  a  fuit  of  it  to  be  feen  in  the  Tower.  Spen- 
fer,  in  his  Faerie  Queen,  B.  I.  cap.  v.  calls  it  woven  mail: 

"  In  woven  mail  all  armed  warily." 
In  Lingua,  &c.  1607,  is  mentioned  : 

*'  a  gimmal  ring  with  one  link  hanging." 

STEEVENS, 

9  — their  executors,  the  knavijjj  rnwur,— - ]  The  crows  who 
are  to  have  the  difpolal  of  what  they  ftiall  leave,  their  hides  and 
their  flefh.  JOHNSON. 

1  I  ftay  lut  for  my  guard', — ]  It  feems,  by  what  follows,  that 
guard  in  this  place  means  rather  fomething  of  ornament  or  of 
djftindtion  than  a  body  of  attendants.  JOHNSON. 

The  following  quotation  from  Holinflied,  p.  $54,  will  bell  elu- 
cidate this  paflage. "  The  duke  of  Brabant,  when  his 

ilandard  was  not  come,  caufed  a  banner  to  be  taken  from  a  trum- 
pet and  fattened  upon  a  fpear,  the  which  he  commanded  to  be 
borne  before  him  inftxjad  of  a  ftandafd." 

In  the  fecond  part  of  Heywood's  Iron  Age,  1632,  Menelaus 
after  having  enumerated  to  Pyrrhus  the  treafures  of  his  father 
Achilles,  as  his  myrmidons,  &c.  adds  : 

'"  His  fword,  fpurs,  armour,  guard,  pavilion." 
From  this  paflage  it  fhould  appear  that  the  guard  was  part  of  the 
defenfive  armour;  perhaps  what  we  call  at  prelenc  the  gorget. 
Again,  in  Holinfhed,  p  820  : 

"  The  one  bare  his  helmet,  the  fecond  his  granpW,  &c." 

STEJEVE.VS. 

And 


i2±          K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

And  ufe  it  for  my  hafte.     Come,  come  away  ! 
The  fun  is  high,  and  we  out-wear  the  day. 

SCENE    III. 

The  Englifo  camp. 

'Untcf  Glofter,  Bedford,    Exeter ',    Erpingbarrt,  with   all 
the  Englifo  hoft  ;  Salt/bury  and  Wejimor  eland. 

Glo.  Where  is  the  king  ? 

Bed.  The  king  himfelf  is  rode  to  view  their  battle. 

Weft.  Of  righting  men  they  have  full  threefcore 
thoufand. 

Exe.  There's  five  to  one  ;  befides,  they  all  are  frefh. 

Sal.  God's  arm  ftrike  with  us  !  'tis  a  fearful  odds. 
God  be  wi'  you,  princes  all ;  I'll  to  my  charge  : 
If  we  no  more  meet,  'till  we  meet  in  heaven, 
Then,  joyfully, — my  noble  lord  of  Bedford, — 
My  dear  lord  Glofter, — and  my  good  lord  Exeter,— 
And  my  kind  kinfman, — warriors  all,  adieu  ! 

Bed.  *  Farewel,  good   Salifbury ;  and  good  luck 
go  with  thee  ! 

'Exe.  to  Sal.  Farewel,  kind   lord ;    fight  valiantly 
to-day : 

a  In  the  old  edition  : 

Bed.  Farpivell)  good  Salijbury^  and  good  luck  go  with  thee  i 
And  yet  I  do  tbce  wrong  to  mind  thee  of  ity 
For  thou  art  fram'tl  of  the  firm  truth  of  <valour. 

Exe.  Farewell,  kind  lord :  fight  valiantly  to-day. 
What !  does  he  do  Saliibury  wrong  to  wifli  him  good  luck  ?  The 
ingenious  Dr.  Thirlby  prefcribed  to  me  the  tranfpofition  of  the 
verfes,  which  I  have  made  in  the  text :   and  the  old  quartos 
plainly  lead  to  fuch  a  regulation.     THEOBALD. 

I  believe  Mr.  Theobald's  tranfpofition  to  be  perfeftly  right, 
for  it  was  already  made  in  the  quartos  1600  and  1608,  as  ibl- 
lows  : 

Farewell  kind  lord ;  fight  valiantly  to-day, 

And  yet  in  truth  I  do  thee  wrong, 

For  thou  art  made  on  the  true  fparkes  of  honour, 

STHEVENS, 

And 


KINGHENRYV.  123 

And  yet  I  do  thee  wrong,  to  mind  thee  of  it, 
For  thou  art  fram'd  of  the  firm  truth  of  valour. 

[Exit  Salisbury. 

Bed.  He  is  as  full  of  valour,  as  of  kindnefs ; 
Princely  in  both. 

Enter  king  Henry. 

Weft*  O,  that  we  now  had  here 
But  one  ten  thoufand  of  thofe  men  in  England, 
That  do  no  work  to-day  ! 

K.  Henry.  What's  he,  that  wifhes  fo  ? 

3  My  coufin  Weftmoreland  ?— No,  my  fair  coufin : 
If  we  are  mark'd  to  die,  we  are  enough 

To  do  our  country  lofs  ;  and  if  to  live, 
The  fewer  men,  the  greater  fhare  of  honour. 
God's  will !  I  pray  thee,  wifli  not  one  man  more. 

4  By  Jove,  I  .am  not  covetous  for  gold  ; 
Nor  care  I,  who  doth  feed  upon  my  coft ; 
It  yerns  me  not,  if  men  my  garments  wear ; 
Such  outward  things  dwell  not  in  my  defires  : 
But,  if  it  be  a  fin  to  covet  honour, 

J  am  the  moft  offending  foul  alive. 
No,  'faith,  my  coz,  wifh  not  a  man  from  England  : 
God's  peace  !  I  would  not  lofe  fo  great  an  honour, 
As  one  man  more,  methinks,  would  lhare  from  me, 
For  the  belt  hope  I  have.    O,  do  not  wifli  one  more  : 
Rather  proclaim  it,  Weftmoreland,  through  my  hoft, 
That  he,  which  hath  no  ftomach  to  this  fight, 
Let  him  depart ;  his  paflfport  fliall  be  made, 
And  crowns  for  convoy  put  into  his  purfe  : 
We  would  not  die  in  that  man's  company, 
That  fears  his  fellowfhip  to  die  with  us. 

3  My  coufin  Wejlmor eland? — ]  In  the  quartos  i6ooand  1 60?, 
this  fpecch  is  addrefled  ro  Warwick.     STEEVENS. 

4  By  Jove, — ]  The  king  prays  like  a  chriflian,  and  fvvears 
like  a  heathen.    JOHNSON. 

This 


ii4         KING    HENRY    V. 

This  day  is  call'd — the  feaft  of  *  Crifpian  : 

He,  that  out-lives  this  day,  and  comes  fafe 

Will  fland  a  tip-toe  when  this  day  is  nam'd, 

And  rouzc  him  at  the  name  of  Crifpian. 

He,  that  mall  live  this  day,  and  fee  old  age, 

Will  yearly  on  the  vigil  feaft  his  friends, 

And  fay — to-morrow  is  faint  Crifpian  : 

Then  will  he  ftrip  his  fleeve,  and  mew  his  fears. 

Old  men  forget ;  yet  all  fhall  be  forgot, 

But  they'll  remember,  6  with  advantages, 

What  feats  they  did  that  day  :  Then  fliall  our  namesr 

Familiar  in  their  mouth  as  houfhold  words, — 

Harry  the  king,  Bedford,  and  Exeter, 

Warwick  and  Talbot,  Salifbury  and  Glofter, — 

Be  in  their  flowing  cups  frelhly  remember'd  : 

This  ftory  mall  the  good  man  teach  his  fon ; 

And  Crifpin  Crifpian  mall  ne'er  go  by, 

7  From  this  day  to  the  ending  of  the  world, 

5  —of  Crifpian:— }  The  battle  of  Agincourt  was  fought  ujjofl 
the  z^th  of  October,  St.  Crifpin's  day  ;   the  legend  upon  which 
this  is  founded,  follows.     "  Crifpinus  and  Crifpianus  were  bre- 
thren, born  at  Rome ;  from  whence  they  travelled  to  Soiflbns  in 
France,  about  the  year  303,  to  propagate  the  chriitian  religion  ; 
but  becaufe  they  would  not  be  chargeable  to  others  for  their  main- 
tenance, they  exercifed  the  trade  of  ihoemakers ;  but  the  gover- 
nor of  the  town  difcovering  them  to  be  chriftians,  ordered  them  to 
b$  beheaded  about  the  year  303.     From  which  time,  the  flioe- 
makers  made  choice  of  them  for  their  tutelar  faints."     Wlxatley's 
Rational  Illujlratlon^     folio  edit.    p.  76.     See  Hall's  Chronicle^ 
folio  47.     GRAY. 

6  — -with  advantages — ]  Old  men,  notwithftanding  the  natu- 
ral  forgettulnefs  of  age,  (hall  remember  their  feats  of  this  dayy 
and  remember  to  tell  them  with  advantage.     Age  is  commonly 
boaftful,  and  inclined  to  magnify  paft  adts  and  paft  times. 

JOHNSON. 

7  From  this  day  to  the  ending — ]  It  may  be  obferved  that  we 
are  apt  to  promifc  to  ourlelves  a  more  lafting  memory  than  the 
changing  uate  of  human  things  admits.     This  prediction  Is  not 
verified ;  the  feaft  of  Crifpin  pafles  by  without  any  mention  of 
Agincourt.     Late  events  obliterate  the  former  :  the  civil  wars 
have  left  in  this  nation  fcarcely  any  tradition  of  more  ancient 
biftory.    JOHNSON. 

Bin 


KING     HENRY    V.  125 

But  we  in  it  fhall  be  remembered  : 

We  few,  we  happy  few,  we  band  of  brothers  ; 

For  he,  to-day  that  fheds  his  blood  with  me, 

Shall  be  my  brother  ;  be  he  ne'er  fo  vile,, 

This  day  iliall 8  gentle  his  condition  : 

And  gentlemen  in  England,  now  a-bed, 

Shall  think themfelves  accurs'd,  they  were  not  here; 

And  hold  their  manhoods  cheap,  while  any  fpeaks, 

That  fought  with  us 9  upon  faint  Crifpin's  day. 

Enter  Salifbury, 

Sal.  My  fovereign  lord,  beftow  yourfelf  with  fpeed : 
The  French  are  '  bravely  in  their  battles  fet, 
And  will  with  all  expedience  *  charge  on  us. 

K.  Henry.  All  things  are  ready,  if  our  minds  be  fo. 
Weft.  Perilh  the  man,  whofe  mind  is  backward 

now  ! 

K.  Henry.  Thou  doft  not  wifh  more  help  from  Eng- 
land, coufin  ? 
Weft.  God's  will,    my  liege,   Vould  you  and  I 

alone, 

Without  more  help,  might  fight  this  battle  out ! 
K.  Henry.  Why,    now  J  thou  haft  unwilh'd  five 
thoufand  men ; 

Which 

8  —gentle  bis  condition.']  This  day  (hall  advance  him  to  the 
rank  of  a  gentleman.     JOHNSON. 

King  Henry  V.  inhibited  any  perfon  but  fuch  as  had  a  right 
by  inheritance,  or  grant,  to  afluine  coats  or"  arms,  except  thofe 
who  fought  with  him  at  the  battle  of  Agincourt ;  and,  I  think, 
thefe  lalt  were  allowed  the  chief  feats  of  honour  at  all  fcafts  and 
public  meetings.  TOLLET. 

9  — upon  St.  Cri/pin's  day-]  This  fpeech,  like  mnny  others  of 
the  declamatory  kind,  is  too  long.     Had  it  been  contracted  to 
about  half  the  number  of  lines,  it  might  have  gained  force,  and 
loll  pone  of  the  fentiments.     JOHNSON, 

1  — bravely — ]   Is  fplendidly,  oftentatioujly.     JOHNSON. 
a  •  expedience}  i.e.  expedition.     STEEVENS. 

3  — thou  baft  unwiflfd  five  tboufand  men,  —  ]  By  wilhing  only 
thyfelf  and  me,  thou  haft  wiflied  five  thoufand  men  away.  Shake- 

fpeare 


126          K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Which  likes  me  better,  than  to  wilh  us  one.— 
You  know  your  places  :  God  be  with  you  all  I 

Tucket.     Enter  Montjoy. 

Mont.  Once  more  I  come  to  know  of  thee,  king 

Harry, 

If  for  thy  ranfom  thou  wilt  now  compound, 
Before  thy  moft  afiiired  over-throw  : 
For,  certainly,  thou  art  fo  near  the  gulf, 
Thou  needs  muft  be  englutted.     Betides,  in  mercy, 
The  Conftable  delires  thee — thou  wilt  mind 
Thy  followers  of  repentance ;  that  their  fouls 
May  make  a  peaceful  and  a  fweet  retire 
From  off  thefe  fields,  where  (wretches)  their  poor 

bodies 
Muft  lie  and  fefter. 

K.  Henry.  Who  hath  fent  thee  now  ? 

Mont.  The  Conftable  of  France. 

K.  Henry.  I  pray  thee,  bear  my  former  anfwer  back ; 
Bid  them  atchieve  me,  and  then  fell  my  bones. 
Good  God !  why  ihould  they  mock  poor  fellows  thus  ? 
The  man,  that  once  did  fell  the  lion's  fkin 
While  the  beaft  liv'd,  was  kill'd  with  hunting  him. 
A  many  *  of  our  bodies  fhall,  no  doubt, 
Find  native  graves;  upon  the  which,  I  truft, 
Shall  witnefs  live  in  brafs  of  this  day's  work  : 
And  thofe  that  leave  their  valiant  bones  in  France, 
Dying  like  men,  though  buried  in  your  dunghills, 

fpeare  never  thinks  on  fuch  trifles  as  numbers.  In  the  laft  fcene 
the  French  are  faid  to  be  /////  ttjreefcore  tboiifand,  which  Exeter 
declares  to,  be  jive  to  one ;  but,  by  the  king's  account  they  are 
twelve  to  one.  JOHNSON. 

Holinflied  makes  the  Englifli  army  confift  of  15,000,  and  the 
French  of  60,000  horfe,  belides  foot,  &c.  in  all  100,000  ;  while 
Walfingham  and  Harding  reprefent  the  Englifli  as  but  9000  ; 
and  other  authors  fay  that  the  number  of  French  amounted  to 
ijO,oco.  STEEVENS. 

4  A  many — ]  Thus  the  folio  ;  the  quarto — <Wmany 

STEEVENS. 

They 


KING    HENRY    V.         I2? 

They  fliall  be  fam'd  ;  for  there  the  fun  fhall  greet 

them, 

And  draw  their  honours  reeking  up  to  heaven  ; 
Leaving  their  earthly  parts  to  choak  your  clime^ 
The  fmell  whereof  ihall  breed  a  plague  in  France, 

5  Mark  then  a  bounding  valour  in  our  Englilh  ; 
That,  being  dead,  like  to  the  bullet's  grazing, 
Breaks  out  into  a  fecond  courfe  of  mifchief, 

6  Killing  in  relapfe  of  mortality. 

Let 

5  Mark  then  abounding  valour  in  our  Englijl\\  Thus  the  old 
folios.     The  quartos,  more  erroneoufly  ftill : 

Mark  then  aboundant 

Mr.  Pope  degraded  the  paflage  in  both  his  editions,  becaufe,  I 
prefume,  he  did  not  underftand  it.  I  have  reformed  the  text, 
and  the  allufion  is  exceedingly  beautiful ;  comparing  the  revi- 
val of  the  Englifh  valour  to  the  rebounding  of  a  cannon-ball. 

THEOBALD. 

6  Killing  in  relapfe  of  mortality.}  What  it  is  to  kill  in  relapfe  of 
mortality ,  I  do  not  know.     I  iufpeft  that  it  fiiould  be  read  : 

Killing  in  reliques  of  mortality. 

That  is,  continuing  to  kill  when  they  are  the  reliques  that  death 
has  left  behind  it. 

That  the  allufion  is,  as  Mr.  Theobald  thinks,  exceedingly  beau- 
tiful, I  am  afraid  few  readers  will  difcover.  The  valour  of  a 
putrid  body,  that  deilroys  by  the  flench,  is  one  of  the  thoughts 
that  do  no  great  honour  to  the  poet.  Perhaps  from  this  putrid 
valour  Dryden  might  borrow  the  pofthumous  empire  of  Don  Se- 
baftian,  \vho  was  to  reign  wherefoever  his  atoms  fhould  be  fcat- 
tered.  JOHNSON. 

By  this  phrafe,  however  uncouth,  Shakefpeare  feems  to  mesn 
the  lame  as  in  the  preceding  line.  Mortality  is  death.  So,  in 
K.  Henry  VI.  Part  I  : 

"  1  beg  mortality 

"  Rather  than  lite 

RJapfe  may  be  ufed  for  rebound.  •  Shakefpeare  has  given  mind  of 
honour,  for  honourable  mind;  and  by  the  fame  rule  might  write 
relapfe  of  mortality  for  fatal  or  mortal  rebound ;  or  by  relapfe  of 
mortality,  he  may  mean — after  they  had  relapfed into  inanimzt'ut:. 

STHEVEXS. 

This  putrid-  valour  is  common  to  the  defcriptions  of  other 
poets  as  well  as  Shakefpeare  and  Dryden,  and  is  predicated  to 
be  no  lefs  viftorious  by  Lucan,  lib.  vii.  v.  821. 

*'  Quid  fugis  hanc  cladem,  quid  olentes  deferis  agros  ? 
"  Has  trahe  Cscfar,  aquas  ;  hoc,  fi  potesj  utere  coeio, 

*'  Scd 


KING    HENRY    V. 

Let  me  fpeak  proudly  ; — Tell  the  conflable, 
We  are  but 7  warriors  for  the  working-day  : 
Our  gaynefs,  and  our  gilt 8,  are  all  befmirch'd 
With  rainy  marching  in  the  painful  field  ; 
There's  not  a  piece  of  feather  in  our  hoft, 
(Good  argument,  I  hope,  we  fhall  not  fly) 
And  time  hath  worn  us  into  ilovenry  : 
But,  by  the  mafs,  our  hearts  are  in  the  trim  : 
And  my  poor  foldiers  tell  me — yet  ere  night 
They'll  be  in  frefher  robes  j  or  they  will  pluck 
The  gay  new  coats  o'er  the  French  foldiers'  heads, 
And  turn  them  out  of  fervice.     If  they  do  this, 
(As,  if  God  pleafe,  they  lhall)  my  ranfom  then 
Will  foon  be  levy'd.     Herald,  fave  thy  labour  ; 
Come  thou  no  more  for  ranfom,  gentle  herald ; 
They  fhall  have  none,  I  fwear,  but  thefe  my  joints  : 
Which  if  they  have  as  I  will  leave  'em  to  them, 
Shall  yield  them  little,  tell  the  Conftable. 

Mont.  I  lhall,  king  Harry.    And  fo  fare  thee  well : 

*'  Sed  tibi  tabentes  populi  Pharfalica  rura 
"  Eripiunt,  campofque  tenent  vidore  fugato." 
Corneille  has  imitated  this  paflhge  in  the  firfl  fpeech  in  hi* 
fompee : 

"  de  chars, 

"  Sur  fes  champs  empeftes  cpnfufement  epars, 
"  Ces  montagnes  de  morts  prives  d'honneurs  fupremes, 
*'  Que  la  nature  force  a  fe  venger  eux-memes, 
*'  Et  de  leurs  troncs  pourris  exhale  dans  les  vents 
"  De  quoi  faire  la  guerre  au  relte  des  vivans." 
Voltaire,  in  his  letter  to  the  academy  of  Belles  Lettres  at  Paris, 
oppofes  the  preceding  part  of  this  fpeech  to  a  quotation  from 
Shakefpeare.     The  Frenchman,  however,  very  prudently  flopped 
before  he  came  to  the  lines  which  are  here  quoted.     STEEVENS. 

7  — ivarrlorsfor  the  working  day :]  We  are  foldiers  but  courfely 
drefled  ;  we  have  not  on  our  holiday  apparel.     JOHNSON. 

8  — our  gilt — ]  5.  e.   Golden  fhow,  fuperficial  gilding.     Ob- 
folete.     So,  in  Timon  : 

**  When  thou  waft  in  thy  gilt  and  thy  perfume,  &c." 
Again,  in  another  of  our  author's  plays  : 

"  The  double £/'//  of  this  opportunity  you  let  time  walh  off." 
Again,  in  Arden  of  Fevcrjbam,    t$92  : 

"  And  now  the  rain  hath  beaten  off  thy  gilt"  STEEVEVS. 

Thou 


£  I  N  G     HENRY    V.          129 

Triou  never  lhalt  hear  herald  any  more*  [£AV>. 

&.  Henry.  I  fear,  thou'lt  once  more  come  again 
for  ranfom. 

Enter  the  Duke  of  Yfrk. 

Tork.  My  lord,  moll  humbly  on  my  knee  I  beg 
The  leading  of  the  vaward. 

K.  Henry.  Take  itj  brave  York. — Now,  foldiers, 

march  away  : 

Ai\d  how  thou  pleafeft,  God>  difpofe  the  day ! 

[Exev.nt» 
SCENE    IV. 

The  field  of  battle. 
•Alarum,  excurfions:   Enter  Piftol±  French  folctier,  andBoyt 

Pift.  Yield,  cur. 

Fr.  Sol.  Je  penfe,  que  vous  ejies  •  le  gmtilbomme  dt 
bonne  qualite. 

Prft.  9  Quality^  call  you  me  ?— Conflrue  me,  art 
thou  a  gentleman  ?  What  is  thy  name  ?  difcufs  '. 

Fr.  Sol.  Ofeigneur  Dieu  ! 

Pift.  O,  fignieur  Dew  fhould  be  a  gentleman  *  :-*u 

9  £>ualitj,  calmly,  cuflure  me,  art  thou  a  gentleman  ?]  We 
fliould  read  this  nonfenfe  thus  : 

£>naL'fy,  cality — conftrue  me,  art  then  a  gentleman  ? 
i.  e.  tell  me,  let  me  underffcmd  whether  thou  be'll  a  gentleman. 

WAR  BUR  TON* 

Mr.  Edwards,  in  his  MS.  notes,  propofes  to  read  : 

Duality,  call  you  me?  conftrue  me,  &c.     STEEVENS. 

1  — difcufs.]  This  aftefted  word  is  ufed  by  Lylly  in  his  Wd- 
man  in  the  Moon,  1 597  : 

44  But  firft  I  muft  aifcufs  this  heavenly  cloud."  SrfcEVENS. 

*  — -jignititr  Dc~v  (hould  be  a  gentleman  :]  I  cannot  help  think- 
ing, that  Shakefpeare  intended  here  a  Itroke  at  a  pailage  in  a  fa- 
mous old  book,  call'd,  Tf.'C  G-entlcrian* s  Academic  in  Hawking^ 
Hunting,  and  Armor ie,  written  originally  by  Juliana  Barnes,  and 
re-pubiifhed  by  Gervafe  Markham,  1^95.  The  firft  chapter  of 
the  Booke  of  Armorie,  is,  **  the  difference  'twixt  Churles  and 
Gentlemen ;"  and  it  ends  thus  :  **  From  the  of-fpring  si  gentlemanly 
Japhet  came  Abraham,  Moyfes,  Aaron,  and  the  Prophets ;  and 
alfo  the  king  of  the  right  line  of  Mary,  of  whom  that  only  abfo- 
lute  gentleman,  Jifus,  was  borne  '.—gentleman,  by  his  mother 
Mary,  princcfle  of  coat  armor*"  FARMER* 

VOL.  VI.  K  Per- 


130         KING     HENRY    V. 
Perpend  my  words,  O  fignieur  Dew,  and  mark;— 

0  fignieur  Dew,    5  thou  dy'it  on  point  of  fox, 
Except,  O  fignieur,  thou  do  give  to  me 
Jigregious  ranfom. 

Fr.  Sol.  O,  prcnncz  wifcrlcorde  !  ajez  pitie  de  moy  f 
P//1.  Moy  fruill  not  ferve,  I  will  have  forty  moys  ; 

4  For  I  will  fetch  thy  rim  out  at  thy  throat, 

In  drops  of  ci  imfon  blood. 

Fr. 

3  — thou  (Heft  on  foint  of  fo\'^\  Point  of  fox  is  an  exprefTio;'? 
which,  if  the  editors  underfteod  it,  they  (hould  have  explained. 

1  fuppofe  we  may  better  read  : 

on  point  of  faulchion,  feV.     JOHXSOX. 

Fox  is  no  more  than  an  old  cant  word  for  a  fword  : 

"  I  made  my  father's  o\df>x  fly  about  his  ears." 

Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Philajler* 

The  fame  expreffion  occurs  in  The  two  angry  Women  of  Abiug- 
ton,  1599: 

"  I  had  a  fword,  ay  the  flower  of  Smithflcld  for  a  fword ; 

a  right  fox  i'faith."  . 
Again,  in  The  Devil's  Charter,    1607: 

"  And  by  this  awful  crofs  upon  my  blade, 
*'  And  by  \\\\sfox  which  ftinks  of  Pagan  blood," 
Again,  in  The  Wedding,  by  Shirley,   1626: 

*'  My  fox  (hall  fcratch  your  guts  out." 

Again,  not  lefs  than  three  times  in  The  Hi/lay  of  tie  Life'  find 
Death  of  Captain  Thomas  Stid-e!y,   1 605  : 

"  old  hack'd  f words,  as  foxef,  bilbo's,  and  horn- 
buckles." 
Again  : 

44  .—This  is  as  right  a  fox  as  e'er  you  faw." 
Again  : 

"  for/^«,  bilbo's,  and  Toledo  blades." 

Again,  in  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  King  and  no  Kin* : 

"  I  wear  as  fliarp  fteel,  and  my  fox  bites  as  dc-rp." 

Sn  KVENS. 

4  For ' I  "jaill fetch  thy  rym }  \Vre  fliould  read  : 

Or,  Iivillfeich  thy  ranfom  out  of  thy.  throat,  WAR  BURTO>f. 
I  know  not  what  to  do  with  r\m.     The  meafure  gives  realbn 
to  fuppofe  that  it  ftands  for  {ome  monofyllable  ;  niut  beiidcs,  ran- 
fome  is  a  word  not  likely  to  have  been  corrupted.     JOHNSON. 

This  line  is  wanting  in  the  quartos  1600  and  1608.  The  folio 
reads:  thyrymme.  It  appears,  however,  trom  lir  Arthur  Gorgcs's 
Tranflation  of  I,ncftJi,  1614,  that  fome  part  of  the  intepines  was 
anciently  called  the  r:t/;me*  Lucan.  15.  i : 

*«  The 


KINGH£NRYV.         I3I 

Fr.  Sol.  Eft-il  impo/ibk  fefckapptr  la  force  de  ton 
fcw  f 

pfft.  'Brafs,  cur! 

Thou  damned  and  luxurious  mountain  goat, 
Offer'ft  me  brafs  ? 

Fr.  Sol.  O,  pardonnez  moy! 

Pi/I.  Say'ft  thou  me  fo  ?  is  that  6  a  ton  of  moys  ? — 
Come  hither,  boy ;  Afk  me  this  flave  in  French, 
What  is  his  name. 

"  The  flender  rhumc  too  weaike  to  part 

*'  The  boyling  liver  from  the  heart " 

•parvufqne  Jccat  vitdlia  limes*     L.  62?* 

"  Parvus  limes  (lays  one  of  the  fcholiafts)  prcecordia  indicat; 
membrana  ilia  qua:  cor  et  pulrriones  a  jccore  et  Hehe  dirimit."  I 
believe  it  is  now  called  the  diaphragm  in  human  creatures,  and 
the  Ikirt  or  midriff  in  beaits  ;  but  frill  in  fome  places,  the  rim. 

Phil.  Holland,  in  his  tranflation  of  Pliny's  Nat.  Hijl.  feveral 
times  mentions  the  rim  of  the  paunch.  See  B.  XXVIII.  ch.  ix« 
p.  321,  &c.  STEEVENS. 

3  Brafs,  curf]  Either  Shakefpeare  had  very  little  knowledge 
in  the  French  language,  or  his  over-fondnefs  for  punning  led 
him  in  this  place,  contrary  to  his  own  judgment,  into  an  error. 
Almoft  every  one  knows  that  the  French  word  bras  is  pronounced 
brau ;  and  what  relemblance  of  found  does  this  bear  to  brafst 
that  Piflol  fhould  reply  Brafs,  cur  ?  The  joke  would  appear  to  a 
reader,  but  could  icarce  be  dlfcovered  in  the  performance  of  the 
play.  Sir  W.  RAWI.INSON. 

If  the  pronunciation  of  the  French  language  be  not  changed 
fmce  Shakelpeare's  time,  which  is  not  unlikely,  it  may  be  fuf- 
pe&ed  Ibme  other  man  wrote  the  French  fcenes.  JOHNSON. 

Dr.  Johnfon  makes  a  doubt,  whether  the  pronunciation  of  the 
French  language  may  not  be  changed  fmce  Shakefpeare's 
time  ;  "if  not,  fays  he,  "  it  may  be  fufpeded  that  fome  other 
man  wrote  the  French  fcenes :"  but  this  does  not  appear  to  he 
the  cafe,  at  leafl  in  this  termination,  from  the  rules  of  the  gram- 
rnarians,  or  the  practice  of  the  poets.  I  am  certain  of  the  for- 
mer from  the  French  Alpbabcth  of  De  la  Mothe,  and  the  Qrthoe* 
pia  Gallica  of  John  Eliot }  and  of  the  latter  from  the  rhymes  of 
Marot,  Ronfard,  and  Du  Bartas. — Connections  of  this  kind  were 
very  common.  Shakefpeare  himfelf  affifted  Ben  Jonfon  in  his 
Sfjanus,  as  it  was  originally  written  j  and  Fletcher  in  his  Tivo 
Nolle  Kinfmen.  FAR  MER . 

6, a  ton  of  mays  ?]  Mays  is  a  piece  of  money ;    whence 

•moi  d'or,  or  moi  of  gold.     JOHNSON. 

K  2  Boy. 


132          KING     H  E  N  R  Y   V. 

Boy.  Efcoutez  ;  Comment  eftes  vous  appeltt  f 

Fr.  Sol.  Monfieur  k  Per. 

Boy.  He  lays,  his  name  is — matter  Fer. 

Pijl.  Matter  Fer!  I'll  fer  him,  and  firkhim  \  ami 
ferret  him  :- — difcufs  the  fame  in  French  unto  him. 

Boy.  I  do  not  know  the  French  for  fer,  and  ferret, 
and  tirk. 

Pi/I.  Bid  him  prepare,  for  I  will  cut  his  throat. 

Fr.  Sol.  Que  dif-il,  monfleur  ? 

Boy.  //  me  commands  de  vous  dire  que  vous  vous  tenlez 
preft  ;  car  ce  foldat  icy  eft  dijpofe  tout  a  cette  heure  de 
cov.per  voftre  gorge. 

Pijl.  Ouy,  couper  gorge,  par  ma  foy,  pefant, 
Unlcfs  thou  give  me  crowns,  brave  crowns  ; 
Or  mangled  {halt  thou  be  by  this  my  fword. 

Fr.  Sol.  0,  je  vous  fupplie  pour  V amour  de  Dieu,  me 
pardonner  !  Je  Juts  gentilhomme  de  bonne  maifon  ;  garJt  z 
ma  vie,  &  je  vous  donneray  deux  cents  efcus. 

Pift.  What  are  his  words  ? 

Boy.  He  prays  you  to  fave  his  life  :  he  is  a  gentle- 
man of  a  good  houfe  ;  and,  for  his  ranfom,  he  will 
give  you  two  hundred  crowns. 

Pift.  Tell  him, — my  fury  fhall  abate,  and  I 
The  crowns  will  take. 

7  and  firk  him^\  The  word^r/J-  Is  fo  varioufly  ufed  by  the 

old  writers,  that  it  is  almoft  impoffible  to  alcertain  its  precifc 
meaning.  On  this  occafion  it  may  mean  to  cbaftife.  So,  in 
Ram- Alley,  or  Merry-Tricks,  i6n  : 

"  nay,  I  will/r£ 

«'  My  filly^  novice,  as  he  wns  never  firlftl 

"  Since  midwives  bound  his  noddle." 

In  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Rule  a  Wife^  &c.  it  means  to  col- 
lect by  low  and  dilhoneft  induftry  : 

« thefe  five  years  Hie  has/r*V 

"  A  pretty  living." 

Again,  in  Ram-Alley,  &c.  it  feems  to  be  employed  in  the  fenfe 
of — quiblle  : 

«*  Sir,  leave  this /r*  of  law,  or  by  this  liyhr,  &c." 
In  the  Alcbcmift)  it  13  obfcenely  ufed.    STKEVLNS. 

Fr. 


KING    HENRY    V.         133 

Fr.  Sol.  Petit  monjieur,  que  dit-ilf 

Boy.  Encore  qu'll  eft  contre  fon  jurement,  de  pardonner 
aucun  prijbnnier ;  ncanimoins,  pour  ks  efcus  que  vous  I'a- 
vez  prometteZy  il  eft  content  de  vous  donner  la  libertet  le 
franchijcment. 

Fr.  Sol.  Sur  mes  genoux,  je  vous  donne  milk  remercie- 
mens  :  &  je  nfejlime  heureux  que  je  fuis  tombs  entre  les 
mains  d'un  chevalier,  je  penfe,  le  plus  brave,  valiant , 
fcf  tres  diftiague  feigmur  d'  Angleterre. 

Pijl.  Expound  unto  me,   boy. 

Boy.  He  gives  you,  upon  his  knees,  a  thoufand 
thanks :  and  efleems  himfelf  happy  that  he  hath  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  one,  (as  he  thinks)  the  moil  brave, 
valorous,  and  thrice-worthy  fignieur  of  England. 

P/ft.  As  I  fuck  blood,  I  will  fome  mercy  ihew. — 
Follow  me,  cur. 

Boy.  Sulvez  vous  le  grand  capltaine. 

[Exit  Piftol,  and  French  Soldier. 

I  did  never  know  fo  full  a  voice  ifliie  from  ib  empty  a 
heart :  but  the  faying  is  true, — The  empty  veffel 
makes  the  greateft  found.  Bardojph,  and  Nym,  had 
ten  times  more  valour  than  *  this  roaring  devil  i'the 

old 

8  — this  roaring  devil  in  the  old  play  ; — ]  In  modern  puppet- 
jfhows,  which  feem  to  be  copied  from  the  oldrarces,  punch  foine- 
times  fights  the  devil,  and  always  overcomes  him.  I  fuppofe 
the  vice  of  the  old  farce,  to  whom  punch  iucceeds,  ufed  to  fight 
the  devil  with  a  wooden  dagger.  JOHNSON. 

—  like  this  rearing  devil  in  tbe  old  play ;  ]  This  is  perhaps  a  fneer 
at  the  old  play  of  Henry  the  Fifth,  which  I  have  mentioned  be- 
fore. There  is  in  it  a  character  called  Derick,  who  behaves  to  a 
Frenchman  taken  in  battle  juft  as  Piftol  does  in  the  Icene  before 
us.  The  firft  time  Dcrick  makes  his  appearance,  he  enters  roar- 
;«e,  (one  of  the  editions  reads  rotting)  and,  throughout  the  piece, 
utters  an  oath  with  almoil  every  line  he  fpeaks, 

The  devil,  however,  in  the  old  mylteries,  is  as  turbulent  and 
vainglorious  as  Piftol.     So,  in  one  of  the  Coventry  Whitfun  Plays^ 
prcferved  in  the  Britifh  Mufeum,     Vefpajian.  &  VIII.  p.  136: 
*'  I  am  your  lord  Lucifer  that  out  of  belle  cam, 
**  Prince  of  this  world,  and  gret  duke  of  helle  j 

K  "  Wher- 


i34         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

old  play,  that  every  one  may  pare  his  nails  with  a 
\vooden  dagger  ;  yet  they  are  both  hang'd  ;  and  fo 
would  this  be,  if  he  duril  iteal  any  thing  advcn- 
t'roufly.  I  mult  flay  with  the  lacqueys,  with  the 
luggage  of  our  camp  :  the  French  might  have  a 
good  prey  of  us,  if  he  knew  of  it ;  for  there  is  none 
to  guard  it,  but  boys.  [£n/* 

SCENE    V. 

Another  part  of  the  field  of  battle. 

Enter  Conftabk,    Orleans,    Bombon,    Daupkin^  an$ 

Rambures. 
Con.  O  dlable  ! 

Orl.  Ofeigneur  ! — le  jour  eft  perdu,  tout  eft  perdu  * 
Pau.  Mort  de  ma  vie  /  all  is  confounded,  all ! 
Reproach  and  everlafling  lhame 
Sits  mocking  in  our  plumes. —  [A  fiort  alarm* 

0  mefchante  fortune  !—* — Do  not  rim  away. 
Con.  Why,  all  our  ranks  are  broke. 

Dau.  O  perdurable  lhame  9  ! — let's  flab  ourfelves* 
Be  thefe  the  wretches  that  we  play'd  at  dice  for  ? 
Orl.  Is  this  the  king  we  fent  to  for  his  ranfom  ? 
JBour.  Shame,    and  eternal   lhame,    nothing   but 
lhame  ! 

1  Let  us  die,  inftant : — Once  more  back  again ; 

"  Wherfore  my  name  is  clepyd  fer  Satan, 

*'  Whech  apery th  among  you  a  mater  to  fpelle." 
And  perhaps  the  character  was  always  performed  in  the  molt 
clamorous  manner.     STEEVENS. 

9  O  perdu  ruble  Jbame  ! — ]  Perd-urable  is  lafting,  long  to  conti- 
nue.    So,  in  Daniel's  Civil  Wars,  &c  : 

"  Triumphant  arcs  of  perdurable  might."    STEEVENS. 
1  Let  us  die,  injlant :          Once  more  back  again',]  This  verfc, 
which  is  quite  left  out  in  Mr.  Pope's  editions,  ihmds  imperfect 
in  the  firft  folio.     By  the  addition  of  a  fyllable,  I  think,   I  have 
retrieved  the  poet's  fenfe.     It  is  thus  in  the  old  copy  : 

Let  us  die  in  once  more  back  again,    THEOBALD* 

And 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V.          135 

And  he  that  will  not  follow  Bourbon  no\v, 
Let  him  go  hence,  and,  with  his  cjp  in  hand, 
*  Like  a  bale  pander,  hold  the  chamber-door, 
\Vhilfl:  by  a  ilave,  no  gentler  than  my  dog, 
His  faircit  daughter  is  contaminated. 

Con.  Dilbrder,  that  hath  fpoil'd  us,  friend  us  now  ! 
Let  us,  in  heaps,  go  offer  up  our  lives 
J  Unto  thefc  Englifh,  or  elfe  die  with  fame. 

Orl.  We  are  enough,  yet  living  in  the  field, 
To  fmother  up  the  h  nglim  in  our  throngs,   • 
If  any  order  might  be  thought  upon. 

Bour.  The  devil  take  order  now  !  I'll  to  the  throng ; 
Let  life  be  fhort ;  elfe,  fhame  will  be  too  long. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE    VI. 

Alarum*     Enter  king  Henry  and  his  train)  with  prlfoners. 

K.  Henry.  Well  have  we  done,  thrice-valiant  coun- 
trymen : 

But  all's  not  done,  yet  keep  the  French  the  field. 
Exc.  The  duke  of  York  commends  him  to  your 

majefty. 
A'.  Henry »  Lives  he,  good  uncle  ?  thrice,  within  this 

hour, 

I  fa\v  him  down  ;  thrice  up  again,  and  fighting; 
From  helmet  to  the  fpur,  all  blood  he  was. 

Exe.  In  which  array,  (brave  foldier,)  doth  he  lie, 
Larding  the  plain  :  and  by  his  bloody  fide, 
(Yoak-felfow  to  his  honour-owing  wounds,) 
The  noble  earl  of  Suffolk  ahb  lies. 

*  JLi&e  a  lafe  pander  ^ ]  The  qunrtos  read: 

Like  a  bafe  leno, STEEVENS. 

3  Unto  thefe  Engl(lb,  or  elfe  die  with  fame.]  This  line  I  have 
reitored  from  the  quartos  1 600  and  1 608.  The  Conftable  of 
France  is  throughout  the  play  repflefented  as  a  brave  and  generous 
enemy,  and  therefore  we  fhould  not  deprive  him  of  a  refolutioa 
which  agrees  fo  well  with  his  character.  STEEVKNS. 

K  4  Suf-. 


136         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Suffolk  firft  dy'd  :  and  York,  all  haggled  over^ 

Comes  to  him,  where  in  gore  he  lay  infteep'd, 

And  takes  him  by  the  beard  ;  kiffes  the  gafhes. 

That  bloodily  did  yawn  upon  his  face  ; 

And  cries  aloud,— Tarry,  "dear  coufin  Suffolk  ! 

My  foul  foall  thine  keep  company  to  heaven : 

Tarry i  Jweet  foul,  for  mine,  then  fly  a-breaft ; 

As,  in  this  glorious  and  well-fought  in  field, 

We  kept  together  in  our  chivalry  ! 

Upon  theie  words  I  came,  and  cheer  xl  him  up  ; 

Jie  fmil'd  me  in  the  face,  raught  me  his  hand, ' 

And,  with  a  feeble  gripe,  fays, — Dear  my  lora\ 

Coinmend  my  fervice  to  wy  fovereign. 

So  did  he  turn,  and  over  Suffolk's  neck 

He  threw  his  wounded  arm,  and  kifs'd  his  lips  ^ 

And  fo,  efpous'd  to  death,  with  blood  he  feal'd 

A  teflament  of  noble-ending  love. 

The  pretty  and  fweet  manner  of  it  forc'd 

Thofe  waters  from  me,  which  Lwould  have  ilopp'd: 

But  I  had  not  fo  much  of  man  in  me, 

*  But  all  my  mother  came  into  mine  eyes, 

And  gave  me  up  to  tears. 

K.  Henry.  I  blame  you  not ; 
5  For,  hearing  this,  I  muft  perforce  compound 
With  miftful  eyes,  or  they  will  iflue  too. —  [Alarm* 
But,  hark  !  what  new  alarum  is  this  fame  ? — 
The  French  haye  re-inforc'd  their  fcatter'd  men  •,— 

*  But  all  my  mother  came  into  mine  eyes. 

And  gave  me  up  to  tears."] 

This  thought  is  apparently  copied  by  Milton,  Par.  Loft,  b.  xi ; 
*'   .  companion  quell'd 

*'  His  beft  of  man,  and  gave  him  up  to  tears" 

STEEVENS. 
5  Fnr,  bearing  this,  I  mujl  perforce  compound 

With  mixtful  eyes,——] 

The  poet  muft  have  wrote,  miffiil:  \.  e.  juft  ready  to  over-run 
with  tears.  The  word  he  took  from  his  obfervation  of  nature  : 
for  juft  before  the  burfting  out  of  tears  the  eyes  grow  dim  as  if  ia 
a  miit»  WARBURTON. 

Then 


KING    HENRY    V.          137 

Then  every  fbldier  kill  his  prifoners  ; 

•*  Give  the  word  through.  [Exeunt, 

*  S  C  E  N  E    VII. 

Alarums  continued ;  after  'which,  Enter  Fluellen  and 
Gower. 

Flu.  8  Kill  the  poys  and  the  luggage  !  'tisexprefsly 
againit  the  law  of  arms  :    'tis  as  arrant  a  piece  of 

knar- 

6  Give  tb?  ward  through.]  Here  the  quartos  1600  and  1608  add: 

Pitt.   Couper  gorge.     STEEVENS. 

7  Scene  VII.]  Here,  in  the  other  editions,  they  begin  the 
fourth  ad,  very  abfurdly,  lince  both  the  place  and  time  evidently 
Continue,  and  the  words  of  Fluellen  immediately  follow  thofe  of 
the  king  jult  before.     POPE. 

8  Kill  the~poyes  and  the  luggage  /  'tis  exprefsly  agaitift  the  law  of 
arms : — ]  In  the  old  folios,  the  4th  a£t  is  made  to  begin  here. 
But  as  the  matter  of  the  Chorus,  which  is  to  come  betwixt  the 
4th  and  §th  ads,  will  by  no  means  fort  with  thefcenery  that  here 
follows,  I  have  chofe  to  fall  in  with  the  other  regulation.     Mr. 
Pope  gives  a  reaibn  why  this  fcene  fhould  be  connective  to  the 
preceding  fcene ;  but  his  reafon,  according  to  cuftom,  is  a  mif- 
Itaken  one.     "  The  words  of  Fluellen,"  fays  he,  "  immediately 
follow  thole  of  the  king  juil  before.''    The  king's  laft  words,  at 
Jlis  going  oft',  were  : 

Then  ev'ry  foldier  kill  his  prifoners  : 

Give  the  iuord  through. 

Now  Mr.  Pope  muft  very  accurately  fuppofe,  that  Fluellen  over- 
hears this  ;  and  that  by  replying,  Kill  the  poyes  and  the  luggage  / 

'tis  e xprefty  againft  the  law  of  arms ; he  is  condemning  the 

king's  order,  as  againil  martial  difcipline.  But  this  is  a  molt  ab- 
furd  fuppofnion.  Fluellen  neither  overhears,  nor  replies  to, 
What  the  king  had  iaid  j  nor  has  kill  the  poyes  and  the  luggage,  any 
reference  to  the  foldiers  killing  theitr  prifoners.  Nay,  on  the 
contrary  (as  there  is  no  interval  of  an  aft  here)  there  muft  be 
fome  little  paufe  betwixt  the  king's  going  otf,  and  Fluellen's 
entering  :  (and  therefore  I  have  faid,  Alarms  continued \}  for  we 
find  by  Gower's  firit  fpeech,  that  the  ioldiers  had  already  cut 
their  prifoners  throats,  which  required  fome  time  to  do.  The 
matter  is  this.  The  baggage,  during  the  battle  (as  king  Henry 
had  no  men  to  fpare)  was  guarded  only  by  boys  and  lacqueys  ; 
which  fome  French  run-aways  getting  notice  of,  they  came 
tlgwn  upon  the  Englifh  camp-boys,  whom  they  kill'd,  and  plun- 
dered, 


j38         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

knavery,  mark  you  now,  as  can  be  offcr'd,  in  the  'orld : 
In  your  conference  now,  is  it  not  ? 

Gixv.  'Tis  certain,  there's  not  a  boy  left  alive  ;  and 
the  cowardly  rafcals,  that  ran  away  from  the  battle, 
have  done  this  (laughter  :  befides,  they  have  burn'd 
or  carried  away  all  that  was  in  the  king's  tent ;  where- 
fore the  king,  moil  worthily,  has  caus'd  every  foldier 
to  cut  his  prifoner's  throat.  O,  'tis  a  gallant  king  ! 

flu.  I,  he  was  porn  at  Monmouth,  captain  Gower : 
What  call  you  the  town's  name,  where  Alexander  the 
pig  was  born  ? 

Gozv.  Alexander  the  great. 

Flu.  Why,  I  pray  you,  is  not  pig,  great  ?  the  pig, 
or  the  great,  or  the  mighty,  or  the  huge,  or  the  mag- 
nanimous, are  all  one  reckonings,  fave  the  phraie  is 
a  little  variations. 

Gffiv.  I  think,  Alexander  the  great  was  born  in 
Maccdon,  his  father  was  called — Philip  of  Mace- 
don,  as  I  take  it. 

Flu.  I  think,  it  is  in  Macedon,  where  Alexander  is 
porn.  I  tell  you,  captain, — If  you  look  in  the  maps 
of  the  'orld,  I  warrant,  you  lhall  find,  in  the  compa- 
nions between  Macedon  and  Monmouth,  that  the 
fituations,  look  you,  is  both  alike.  There  is  a  river 
in  Macedon ;  ana  there  is  alfo  moreover  a  river  at  Mon- 
mouth :  it  is  call'd  Wye,  at  Monmouth ;  but  it  is  out 

dered,  and  burn'd  the  baggage  :  in  refentment  of  which  villainy 
it  was,  that  the  king,  contrary  to  his  wonted  lenity,  order'd  all 
prifoners'  throats  to  be  cut.  And  to  this  villainy  of  the  French 
run-aways  Fluellen  is  alluding,  when  he  fays,  Kill  the  poyes  and 
the  luggage!  The  fa6t  is  fet  out  (as  Mr.  Pope  might  have  ob- 
ferved)  both  by  Hall  and  Holinlhed.  THEOBALD. 

Unhappily  the  king  gives  one  mifon  for  his  order  to  kill  the 
prifoners,  and  Gower  "another.  The  king  killed  his  prifoners 
becaufe  he  expected  another  bartle,  and  he  had  not  men  fuffi- 
cient  to  guard  one  army  and  fight  another.  Gower  declares 
that  the  gallant  king  has  worthily  ordered  the  prifoners  to  be  de- 
flroyed,  becaufe  the  luggage  was  plundered,  and  the  boys  were 
fain,  JOHNSON. 

Of 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.         139 

of  my  prains,  what  is  the  name  of  the  other  river; 
but  'tis  all  one,  'tis  fo  like  as  my  fingers  is  to  my  fin- 
gers, and  there  is  falmons  in  both.  If  you  mark 
Alexander's  life  well,  Harry  of  Monmouth's  life  is 
come  after  it  indifferent  well ;  for  there  is  figures  in 
all  things.  Alexander  (Got  knows,  and  you  know) 
in  his  rages,  and  his  furies,  and  his  wraths,  and  his 
choiers,  and  his  moods,  and  his  difpleafures,  and  his 
indignations,  and  alfo  being  a  little  intoxicates  in  his 
prains,  did,  in  his  ales  and  his  angers,  look  you,  kill 
his  pcft  friend  Clytus, 

Gozi'.  Our  king  is  not  like  him  in  that  j  he  never 
kill'd  any  of  his  friends. 

Flu.  It  is  not  well  done,  mark  you  now,  to  take 
the  tales  out  of  my  mouth,  ere  it  is  made  an  end  and 
rmiih'd.  I  fpeak  but  in  figures  and  comparifons  of 
it :  9  As  Alexander  is  kill  his  friend  Clytus,  being  in 
his  ales  and  his  cups  i  fo  alfo  Harry  Monmouth, 
being  in  his  right  wits  and  his  goot  judgments,  is 
turn  away  '  the  fat  knight  with  the  great pelly-doublet : 
he  was  full  of  jefls,  and  gypes,  and  knaveries,  and 
mocks ;  I  am  forget  his  name, 

GVv.  Sir  John  Falflaff. 

Flit.  That  is  he  :  I  tell  you,  there  is  goot  men 
porn  at  Monmouth. 

Goiv,  Here  comes  his  majefty. 

9  As  Alexander  &c,]  I  fhould  fufpeft  that  Shakefpeare,  who 
was  well  read  in  Sir  Thomas  North's  tranflation  of  Plutarch, 
meant  thefe  Ipeeches  of  Fluellen  as  a  ridicule  on  the  parallels  of 
the  Greek  author,  in  which,  circumftances  common  to  all  men 
are  aflembled  in  oppofition,  and  one  great  action  is  forced  into 
comparifon  with  another,  though  as  totally  different  in  them- 
lelves,  as  was  the  behaviour  of  Harry  Monmouth,  from  that  of 
Alexander  the  Great.  STEEVENS. 

*  the  fat  knight — ]  This  is  the  laft  time  that  Falftaff  can 

make  fport.  The  poet  was  loath  to  part  with  him,  and  has  con* 
tinucd  his  memory  as  long  as  he  could.  JOHNSON, 


Alarm. 


i4o         K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Alarum.     Enter  */,/;  Herny,  irwlck,   GLfar,    1 
/Vr,    cVc.      j 

K.  Henry.  I  was  not  angry  (nice  I  came  to  France, 
Until  this  inftaut. — Take  a  trumpet,  her:ld  ; 
Ride  thou  unto  the  horfemen  on  yon  hill  : 
If  they  will  fight  with  us,  bid  them  come  down, 
Or  void  the  field  ;  they  do  offend  our  fight  : 
If  they'll  dp  neither,  we  will  come  to  them  ; 
And  make  them  fkir  away  *,  as  fwift  as  itones 
Enforced  from  the  old  Affyrian  flings : 
*  Befides,  we'll  cut  the  throats  of  thofe  we  have  ; 
And  not  a  man  of  them,  that  we  fhall  take, 
phall  tafte  our  mercy  : — Go?  and  tell  them  fo. 

Enter 


*  And  make  them  fkir  <ravn',i  ]  I  meet  with  this  word  in  Ben 
Tonfon's  Nev:sfrom  the  Moon,  a  Mafque  :  "  --  bimv  l.im  atore 
pirn  as  far  as  he  can  fee  him  ;  or  Jkir  over  him  with  his  bi.t/s 
wings,  &c-"  The  word  has  already  occurr'd  in  Macbeth. 

STEEVENS. 

3  Befides,  ive'll  cut  the  throats  &c,]  The  king  "1S  i"  a  very 
bloody  difpofition.  He  has  already  cut  the  throats  of  his  pri- 
foners,  and  threatens  now  to  cut  them  again.  No  halte  of  com- 
pofition  could  produce  fuch  negligence  ;  neither  was  this  play, 
which  is  the  fecond  draught  of  the  larr.e  deign,  written  in  hafle, 
There  muft  be  fome  dillocation  of  the  fcencjs.  It  we  place  thefe 
lines  at  the  beginning  of  the  twelfth  fcene,  the  abfurdity  will 
be  removed,  and  the  acYion  will  proceed  in  a  regular  fcries. 
This  tranfpofition  might  eafily  happen  in  copies  written  for  the 
players.  Yet  it  muft  not  be  concealed,  that  in  the  imperfect 
play  of  1608  the  order  of  the  fcenes  is  the  fame  as  here. 

JOHNSON'. 

The  difference  of  the  two  copies  may  be  thus  accounted  for. 
The  elder  was,  perhaps,  taken  down,  during  the  representation, 
by  the  contrivance  of  fome  bookfeller  who  was  in  hafte  to  p-ihlifli 
it ;  or  it  might,  with  equal  probability,  have  been  collected  from 
the  repetitions  of  aftors  invited  to  a  tavern  for  that  purpofe. 
The  manner  in  which  many  of  the  fcenes  arc  printed,  adds 
flrength  to  the  fuppofition  ;  for  in  thefe,  a  fingle  line  is  generally 
divided  into  two,  that  the  quantity  of  the  play  might  be  feem- 
ingly  encreafed. — The  fecond  and  more  ample  edition  may  be 
that  which  regularly  belonged)  to  the  playhoufe ;  and  yet  with 

[equal 


K  I  N  G    &  E  N  R  Y    V.         141 

Enter  Montjoy. 

Exe.  Here  comes  the  herald  of  the  French,  my 
liege. 

G/0.  His  eyes  are  humbler  than  they  us'd  to  be. 

K.  Henry.  How  now  !  what  means  their  herald  ? 

know'fl  thou  not, 

ThatJ  have  fin'd  thefe  bones  of  mine  for  ranfom  ? 
Com'il  thou  again  for  ranfom  ? 

Mont.  No,  great  king  :    - 
I  come  to  thee  for  charitable  licence, 
That  we  may  wander  o'er  this  Bloody  field, 
To  book  our  dead,  and  then  to  bury  them  ; 
To  fort  our  nobles  from  our  common  men  ; 
For  many  of  our  princes  (woe  the  while  !) 
Lie  drown'd  and  foak'd  in  mercenary  blood  : 
So  do  our  vulgar  drench  their  peafant  limbs 
In  blood  of  princes ;  while  their  wounded  deeds 
Fret  fetlock  deep  in  gore,  and,  with  wild  rage, 
Yerk  out  their  armed  heels4 at  their  dead  matters, 
Killing  them  twice,     O,  give  us  leave,  great  king^ 
To  view  the  field  in  fafety,  and  difpofe 
Of  their  dead  bodies. 

K.  Henry.  1  tell  thee  truly,  herald, 
I  know  not,  if  the  day  be  ours,  or  no  ; 
For  yet  a  many  of  your  horiemen  peer, 
And  gallop  o'er  the  field. 

Mont.  The  day  is  yours. 

K.  Henry.  Praifed  be  God,  and  not  our  ftrength, 
for  it ! — 

equal  confidence  \ve  may  pronounce,  that  every  dramatic  compofi- 
tion  would  materially  fuffer,  if  only  tranfmitted  to  the  publick 
through  the  medium  of  ignorance,  prefumptjon,  and  caprice, 
thofe  common  attendants  on  a  theatre.  ST^EVENS. 

*  Yerk  out  ihcir  armed  bccls\     So.  in  Tie  IVeakell  goes  to  the 
/fall,   1618: 

'  Their  neighing  gennets,  armed  to  the  field, 
"  Do;.£,-X'  and  fling,  and  beat  the  fullen  ground." 

STEEVENS. 

What 


i&         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

What  is  this  caftle  call'd,  that  ftands  hard  by  ? 

Mont.  They  call  it — Agincourt. 

K.  Henry.  Then  call  we  this— the  field  of  Agincourt, 
Fought  on  the  day  of  Crifpin  Crifpianus. 

Flu*  Your  grandfather  of  famous  memory,  an't 
plealeyour  majefty,  and  your  great-uncle  Edward  the 
plack  prince  of  Wales,  as  I  have  read  in  the  chroni- 
cles, fought  a  moft  prave  pattle  here  in  France. 

K.Henry.  They  did,  Fluellen. 

Flu.  Your  majefty  fays  very  true  :  If  your  majefties 
is  remember'd  of  it,  the  Welshmen  did  goot  fervice 
in  a  garden  where  leeks  did  grow,  wearing  leeks  in 
their  Monmouth  caps;  which, your  majefty  knows,  to 
this  hour  is  an  honourable  padge  of  the  fervice  :  and, 
3  do  believe,  your  majefty  takes  no  fcorn  to  wear  the 
leek  upon  faint  Tavy's  day. 

K.  Henry.  I  wear  it  for  a  memorable  honour : 
For  I  am  Wellh,  you  know,  good  countryman. 

Flu.  All  the  water  in  Wye  cannot  walh  your  ma- 
jefty's  Welfh  plood  out  of  your  pody,  I  can  tell  you 
that :  Got  plefs  and  preferve  it,  as  long  as  it  pleafes 
his  grace  and  his  majefty  too  ! 

K.  Henry.  Thanks,  good  my  countryman. 

Flu.  By  Cheflm,  I  am  your  majefty's  countryman, 
I  care  not  who  know  it ;  I  will  confefs  it  to  all  the 
'orld  :  I  need  not  tobe  aihamed  of  your  majefty, praifed 
be  God,  fo  long  as  your  majefty  is  an  honeft  man. 

K.  Henry.   God  keep  me  fo  ! — Our  heralds  go 
with  him ; 

Enter  Williams. 

Bring  me  juft  notice  of  the  numbers  dead 

On  both  our  parts. -"Call  yonder  fellow  hither. 

{Exeunt  Montjoy  and  others. 
Exe.  Soldier,  you  muft  come  to  the  king. 
K.  Henry.  Soldier,  why  wear'ft  thou  that  glove  in 
thy  cap  ? 

Will 


KING    H  K  N  R  Y    V.         143 

Will  An't  pleafe  your  majcfty,  'tis  the  gage  of  one 
that  I  fhould  fight  withal,  it"  he  be  alive. 

X.  Henry.  An  Englifhman  ? 

Will.  An't  pleafe  your  majefty,  a  rafcal,  thatfwag- 
ger'd  with  me  laft  night  :  who,  if  'a  live,  and  if  ever 
dare  to  challenge  this  glove,  I  have  fworn  to  take 
him  a  box  o'the  ear  :  or,  if  I  can  fee  my  glove  in  his 
cap  (which,  he  fworc,  as  he  \vas  a  foldier,  he  would 
wear,  if  alive)  I  will  ftrike  it  out  foundly. 

A'.  Henry.  What  think  yon,  captain  Fluellen  ?  is  it 
fit  this  foldier  keep  his  oath  ? 

Flu.  He  is  a  craven  and  a  villain  elfe,  an't  pleafe- 
your  majefty,  in  my  confcicncc. 

K.  Henry.  It  may  be,  his  enemy  is  a  gentleman  of 
5  great  fort,  6  quite  from  the  anfwcr  of  his  degree. 

Flu.  Though  he  be  as  goot  a  gentleman  as  the  te- 
vil  is,  as  Lucifer  and  Belzebub  himfelf,  it  is  necefiary, 
look  your  grace,  that  he  keep  his  vow  and  his  oath  : 
if  he  be  perjur'd,  fee  you  now,  his  reputation  is  as 
arrant  a  villain,  and  a  jack-fawce, as  ever  his  plack  fhoc 
trod  upon  Got's  ground  and  his  earth,  in  my  con- 
fcience,  la. 

K.  Henry.  Then  keep  thy  vow,  firrah,  when  thou 
meetTt  the  fellow. 

Will  So  I  will,  my  liege,  as  I  live. 

K.  Henry.  Who  ferveft  thou  under  ? 

Will.  Under  captain  Gower,  my  liege. 

Flu.  Gower  is  a  goot  captain  ;  and  is  good  know- 
ledge  and  literature  in  the  wars. 

K.  Henry.  Call  him  hither  to  me,  foldier. 

Will  I  will,  my  liege.  {Exit. 

5  great  fort, ]  High  rank.     So,  in  the  ballad  of  Jane 

SJ.we  : 

*'  Lords  and  ladies  of  great  fort"     JoHN'SON'. 
The  quartos  1600  and  1608  read  : 

bis  enemy  may  be  a  gentleman  of  worth.     SrEEVENS. 

6  quite  from  the  anfa-er  of  bis  degree.]   A  man  of  fuch  fta- 

tlon  as  is  not  bound  to  ha/.ard  his  pcrfon  to  anfiver  to  a  challenge 
from  one  of  the  foldier's  lo-iv  degree.    JOHNSON. 

K.  Henry. 


KING    HENRY    V. 

K.  Henry.  Here  Fluellen  ;  wear  thou  this  favour 
for  me,  and  flick  it  in  thy  cap  :  When  Alencon  arid 
myfelf  were  down  together,  I  pluck'd  this  glove  froni 
his  helm  :  if  any  man  challenge  this,  he  is  a  friend 
to  Alencon  and  an  en«?my  to  our  perfon ;  if  thou  en- 
counter any  luch,  apprehend  him,  an  thou  do.fl  love 
me. 

Flui,  Your  grace  does  me  as  great  honours,  as  can 
be  denYd  in  the  hearts  of  his  fubje&s  :  I  would" fain 
fee  the  man^  that  has  but  two  legs,  that  ftiall  find 
himfelf  aggrief'd  at  this  glove,  that  is  all  ;  but  I 
would  fain  fee  it  once  ;  an  pleafe  Got  of  his  grace, 
that  I  might  fee  it. 

K.  Henry.  Know'ft  thou  Gower  ? 

Flu.  He  is  my  dear  friend,  an  pleafe  you. 

K.  Henry.  Pray  thee,  go  feek  him,  and  bring  him 
to -my  tent. 

Flu.  I  will  fetch  him.  [Exit a 

K.  Henry.  My  lord  of  Warwick, — and  my  brother 

Glofler, — 

Follow  Fluellen  clofely  at  the  heels : 
The  glove,  which  I  have  given  him  for  a  favour, 
May,  haply,  purchafe  him  a  box  o'the  ear ; 
It  is  the  foldier's  ;  I,  by  bargain,  fhould 
Wear  it  myfelf.     Follow,  good  coufin  Warwick  i 
If  that  the  foldier  ftrike  him,  (as,  I  judge 
By  his  blunt  bearing,  he  will  keep  his  word) 
Some  fudden  mifchief  may  arife  of  it ; 
For  I  do  know  Fluellen  valiant, 
And,  touch'd  with  choler,  hot  as  gun-powder, 
And  quickly  he'll  return  an  injury  : 
Follow,  and  fee  there  be  no  harm  between  them.— - 
(jo  you  with  me,  uncle  of  Exeter.  [Exeunt* 


SCENE 


KING    HENRY    V.         145 

SCENE    VIII. 

Before  king  Henrys  pavilion. 
Enter  Cower,  and  Williams. 
Will.  I  warrant,  it  is  to  knight  you,  captain, 

Enter  Fluelkn. 

Flu.  Got's  will  and  his  pleafure,  captain,  I  pe- 
feech  you  now,  come  apace  to  the  king  :  there  is 
more  goot  toward  you,  peradventure,  than  is  in  your 
knowledge  to  dream  of. 

Will.  Sir,  know  you  this  glove  ? 

Flu.  Know  the  glove  ?  I  know,  the  glove  is  a  glove. 

Will.  I  know  this ;  and  thus  I  challenge  it. 

[Strikes  him. 

Flu.  'Sblud,  an  arrant  traitor,  as  any's  in  the  univer- 
fal  'orld,  or  in  France,  or  in  England. 

Gow.  How  now,  Sir  ?  you  villain  ! 

Will.  Do  you  think  I'll  be  forfworn  ? 

Flu.  Stand  away,  captain  Gowcr  ;  I  will  give  trea- 
fon  his  payment 7  into  plows,  I  warrant  you. 

Will.  I  am  no  traitor. 

Flu.  That's  a  lye  in  thy  throat. — I  charge  you  in  his 
majefly's  name,  apprehend  him  ;  he's  a  friend  of  the 
duke  Alenfon's. 

Enter  Warwick^  and  Glofter. 

War.  How  now,  how  now  !  what's  the  matter  ? 
Flu.  My  lord  of  Warwick,  here  is  (praiied  be  Got 

7  — into /taw, — ]  The  Rtvlfal  reads,  very  plaufibly : 

**  in  two  plows."     JOHNSON'. 

The  quarto  reads,  / will givt  trtafon  Ih  &\\z  prefently.  We  might 
therefore  read— in  due  plows,  i.e.  in  the  beutiiig  that  is  fo  well 
his  due.  STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  L  for 


M-6         K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V. 

for  it)  a  mofl  contagious  treafon  come  to  light,  look 
you,  as  you  fhall  defire  in  a  fummer's  day.  Here  is 
his  majefty. 

Enter  king  Henry,  and  Exeter. 

K.  Henry.  How  now  !  what's  the  matter  ? 
Flu.  My  liege,  here  is  a  villain  and  a  traitor,  that, 
look  your  grace,  has  ftruck  the  glove  which  your 
majefty  is  take  out  of  the  helmet  of  Alencon. 

Will  My  liege,  this  was  my  glove ;  here  is  the  fel- 
low of  it :  and  he,  that  I  gave  it  to  in  change,  pro- 
mis'd  to  wear  it  in  his  cap ;  I  promised  to  ftrike  him, 
if  he  did  :  I  met  this  man  with  my  glove  in  his  cap, 
and  I  have  been  as  good  as  my  word. 

Flu.  Your  majefty  hear  now,  (favingyour  majefly's 
manhood)  what  an  arrant,  rafcally,  beggarly,  lowfy 
knave  it  is  :  I  hope,  your  majefty  is  pear  me  teftimo- 
nies,  and  witnefles,  and  avouchments,  that  this  is  the: 
glove  of  Alenfon,  that  your  majefty  is  give  me,  in; 
your  conscience  now. 

K.  Henry.*  Give  me  thy  glove,  foldier ;  Look,  here. 

is  the  fellow  of  it.  'Twas  I,  indeed,  thou  promifed'ft' 

to  ftrike  ;  and  thou  haft  given  me  moft  bitter  terms., 

Flu.  An  pleafe  your  majefty,  let  his  neck  anfwen 

for  it,  if  there  is  any  martial  law  in  the  'orld. 

K.  Henry.  How  canft  thou  make  me  fatisfadion  W 
IVilL  All  offences,  my  liege,  come  from  the  heart :: 
never  came  any  from  mine,  that  might  offend  your: 
majefty. 

K.  Henry.  It  was  ourfelf  thou  didft  abufe. 

Will.  Your  majefty  came  not  like  yourfelf  :  you 

appear'd  to  me  but  as  a  common  man  ;  witnefs  the 

night,  your  garments,  your  lowlinefs;  and  what  youn 

highnefs  fuffer'd  under  that  lhape,  I  befeech  you* 

°  Give  me  thy  glove- — Look,  here  is  the  fellow  of  it.]  It  mufl 
be,  give  we  my  glove ;  for  of  the  foldier's  glove  the  king  had. 
uot  the  fellow.  JOHNSON, 

take 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V.         i47 

take  it  for  your  own  fault,  and  not  mine  :  for  had  you 
been  as  I  took  you  for,  I  made  no  offence  ;  therefore, 
I  befeech  your  highnefs,  pardon  me. 

K.  Henry.  Here,  uncle  Exeter,  fill  this  glove  with 

crowns, 

And  give  it  to  this  fellow. — Keep  it,  fellow  ; 
And  wear  it  for  an  honour  in  thy  cap, 
Till  I  do  challenge  it. — Give  him  the  crowns  : — 
And,  captain,  you  mult  needs  be  friends  with  him.' 

Flu.  By  this  day  and  this  light,  the  fellow  has 
mettle  enough  in  his  pelly  : — Hold,  there  is  twelve 
pence  for  you,  and  I  pray  you  to  ferve  Got,  and  keep 
you  out  of  prawls,  and  prabbles,  and  quarrels,  and  dii- 
fenlions,  and,  I  warrant  you,  it  is  the  petter  for  you. 

Will.  I  will  none  of  your  money. 

Flu.  It  is  with  a  goot  will ;  I  can  tell  you,  it  will 
ferve  you  to  mend  your  fhocs  :  Come,  wherefore 
Ihould  you  be  fo  painful  ?  your  Ihoes  is  not  fo  goot : 
'tis  a  goot  filling,  I  warrant  you,  or  I  will  change  it. 

Enter  Herald. 

K.  Henry.  Now,  herald  ;  are  the  dead  number'd  ? 
Her.  Here  is  the  number  of  the  ilaughter'd  French. 
A^.  Henry.  What  prifoners  of  good  fort  are  taken, 

uncle  ? 
Exe.  9  Charles  duke  of  Orleans,  nephew  to  the 

king ; 

John  duke  of  Bourbon,  and  lord  Bouciqualt : 
Of  other  lords,  and  barons,  knights,  and  'fquires, 
Full  fifteen  hundred,  befides  common  men. 

K.  Hcury.  This  note  doth  tell  me  of  ten  thoufand 

French, 

That  in  the  field  lie  {lain  :  of  princes,  in  this  number. 
And  nobles  bearing  banners,  there  lie  dead 
One  hundred  twenty -fix  :  added  to  thefe, 

9  Charles  duke  of  Orleans,  &c.]  This  lift  is  copied  from  Hall. 

POPE. 

L  2  O 


i48         KING    HENRY    V. 

Of  knights,  efquires,  and  gallant  gentlemen, 
Eight  thoufand  and  four  hundred  ;  of  the  which, 
Five  hundred  were  but  yefterday  dubb'd  knights  ; 
So  that,  in  thefe  ten  thoufand  they  have  loft, 
There  are  but  '  fixteen  hundred  mercenaries  ; 
The  reft  are  —  princes,  barons,  lords,  knights,  Yquires, 
And  gentlemen  of  blood  and  quality. 
The  names  of  thofe  their  nobles  that  lie  dead,  — 
Charles  De-la-bret  *,  high  conftable  of  France; 
Jaques  of  Chatillon,  admiral  of  France  ; 
The  mafter  of  the  crofs-bows,  lord  Rambures  ; 
Great-mafter  of  France,   the  brave  Sir  Guifchard 

Dauphin  ; 

John  duke  of  Alencon  ;  Anthony  duke  of  Brabant, 
The  brother  to  the  duke  of  Burgundy  ; 
And  Edward  duke  of  Bar  :  of  lufty  earls, 
Grandpre,  and  Roufli,  Fauconberg,  and  Foix, 
Beaumont,  and  Marie,  Vaudemont,  and  Leftrale. 
Here  was  a  royal  fellowlhip  of  death  !— 
Where  is  the  number  of  our  Englifti  dead  ? 

Exe.  '  Edward  the  duke  of  York,  the  earl  of  Suf- 

folk, 

Sir  Richard  Ketly,  Davy  Gam  efquirc  : 
None  elfe  of  name  ;  and,  of  all  other  men, 
But  five  and  twenty. 

K.  Henry.  O  God,  thy  arm  was  here  ! 
And  not  to  us,  but  to  thy  arm  alone, 

1  —  Jixteen  hundred  mercenaries  :  ]  Mercenaries  are  in  this  place 
common  foldicr  3  1  or  hired  foldiers.  The  gentlemen  ferved  at  their 
own  charge  in  confequence  of  their  tenures.  JOHNSON. 

*  Charles  De-la-bret,]  De-la-brct,  as  is  already  obferved,  fliould 
be  Charles  D'Aibret,  would  the  meafure  permit  of  fuch  a  change. 
Holinftied  fometimes  apologizes  for  the  omiffion  of  foreign  names, 
on  account  of  his  inability  to  fpeli  them,  but  always  calls  this 
nobleman  "the  lord  dc  la  Breth,  conftable  of  France."  See 
p.  549»  and  p.  555,  &c.  STEEVENS, 

3  Edward  the  duke  ofTork,—]  This  fpeech,  which  in  the  410$ 
is  given  to  Exeter,  appears  iu  the  folio  as  part  of  the  king's 


Afcribc 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.         I49 

Afcribe  we  all. — When,  without  flratagem, 
But  in  plain  fhock  and  even  play  of  battle, 
Was  ever  known  fo  great  and  little  lofs, 
On  one  part  and  on  the  other  ? — Take  it,  God, 
For  it  is  only  thine ! 

Exe.  'Tis  wonderful ! 

K.  Henry.  Come,  go  we  in  proceffion  to  the  village : 
And  be  it  death  proclaimed  through  our  holt, 
To  boaft  of  this,  or  take  that  praife  from  God, 
Which  is  his  only. 

Flu.  Is  it  not  lawful,  an  pleafe  your  majefly,  to  tell 
how  many  is  kilPd  ? 

K.  Henry.  Yes,  captain ;  but  with  this  acknowledg- 
ment, 
That  God  fought  for  us. 

Flu.  Yes,  my  confcience,  he  did  us  great  goot. 

K.  Henry.  4  Do  we  all  holy  rites  ; 
Let  there  be  fung  Non  nobis,  and  Te  Deum. 
The  dead  with  charity  enclos'd  in  clay, 
We'll  then  to  Calais ;  and  to  England  then  ; 
Where  ne'er  from  France  arriv'd  more  happy  men. 

[Exeunt. 


ACT       v. 

Enter  Chorus. 

Chorus.  Vouchfafe,  to  thofe  that  have  not  read  the 

flory, 

That  I  may  prompt  them  :  and  for  fuch  as  have, 
I  humbly  pray  them  to  admit  the  excufe 

*  Do  ive  all  holy  rites  ;~\  The  king  (fay  the  Chronicles)  caufed 
the  Pfalm,  In  exitu  Ifrael de  JEgypto  (in  which,  according  to  the 
vulgate,  is  included  the  Pfalm,  Non  nolist  Dom'inc,  &c.)  to  be 
ung  after  the  victory.  POPE. 

L  3  Of 


150         KING     HENRY    V. 

Of  time,  of  numbers,  and  due  courfe  of  things, 

Which  cannot  in  their  huge  and  proper  life 

Be  here  presented.     Now  we  bear  the  king 

Toward  Calais  :  grant  him  there  ;    and  there  being 

feen,       ,. 

'  Heave  him  away  upon  your  winged  thoughts    " 
Athwart  the  fea  :  Behold,  the  Englifh  beach 
Pales  in  the  flood  with  men,  with  wives,  and  boys, 
\Vhofe  fhouts  and  claps  out-voice  the  deep-mouth'c 

fea, 

Which,  like  s  a  mighty  whiffler  'fore  the  king, 
Seems  to  prepare  his  way  :  fo  let  him  land  ; 
And,  folemnly,  fee  him  fet  on  to  London. 
So  fwift  a  pace  hath  thought,  that  even  now 
You  may  imagine  him  upon  Black-heath  : 
Where  that  his  lords  delire  him,  to  have  borne 

5  — a  mighty  <iuhlfflcr — ]  An  officer  who  walks  firft  in  procef 
fions,  or  betore  perlbns  in  high  ftations,  on  otcafions  of  cere 
roony.  The  name  is  ftill  retained  in  London,  and  there  is  ai 
officer  fo  called  that  walks  before  their  companies  at  times  o 
public  folemnity.  It  feems  a  corruption  from  the  French  \vor 
buijficr.  HANMER. 

— a  mighty  whiffler — ]  See  Mr.  Warton's  note  to  the  traged 
of  OtMk,  Aft  HI.  fc.  ii. 

In  the  play  of  Clyomon,  Knight  of  the  Golden  ShieM,  &c.  1 59^ 
\:cr  makes  his  appearance  at  a  tournament,  clearing  th 
way  before  the  king.     In   Weftward  Hoe,  by  Decker  and  Web 
iter,   1612,  the  term  is  often  mentioned. 
Again,  in  Monfieur  D'Olive,  •  1606  : 

**  I  can  go  into  no  corner,  but  I  meet  with  fome  of  my  ivh:j 
Jlen  in  their  accoutrements  ;  you  may  hear  them  half  a  mile  er 
they  come  at  you." 

"  — I  am  afraid  of  nothing  but  that  I  fliall  be  balladed, 
and  all  my  ivbifflers." 
Again,  in  I' 'ffiwaril  Hoe,   1607  : 

"  The  torch-men  and  wb'-fflers  had  an  item  to  receive  him." 
Again,  in  TEXNOFAMIA,   1618  : 
"  Tobacco  is  a  iub[ffler 
"  And  cries  huff  fnufF  with  furie  : 

"  His  pipe's  his  club  and  linke,  &c." 
Again,  in  The  Ifle  of  Gulh,   1633: 

«'  And  Manafles  fhall  go  before  like  a  ivbifftr,  and  make  wa 
with  his  horns,"  STEEVENS. 

Hi 


KING    HENRY    V.          I5I 

His  bruifed  helmet,  and  his  bended  fword, 
Before  him,  through  the  city  :  he  forbids  it, 
Being  free  from  vainnefs  and  felf-glorious  pride ; 

6  Giving  full  trophy,  fignal,  and  oilent, 
Quite  from  himfelf,  to  God.     But  now  behold, 

In  the  quick  forge  and  working-houfe  of  thought, * 
How  London  doth  pour  out  her  citizens  ! 
The  mayor,  and  all  his  brethren,  in  bell  fort,— 

7  Like  to  the  fenators  of  antique  Rome, 
With  the  plebeians  fwarming  at  their  heels, — 
Go  forth,  and  fetch  their  conquering  Caefar  in  : 
As,  by  a  lower  but  by  loving  *  likelihood, 

9  Were  now  the  general  of  our  gracious»cmprefs 
(As,  in  good  time,  he  may)  from  Ireland  coming, 
*  Bringing  rebellion  broached  on  his  fword, 

6  Giving  full  trophy, — ]  Transferring  all  the  honours  of  con- 
tjueft,  all  trophies,  tokens,  and  (hews,  from  himfelf  to  God. 

JOHNSON. 

7  Like  to  the  fenators  of  antique  Rome,]  This   is  a  very  extra- 
ordinary compliment  to  the  city.     But  he  ever  declines  a'll  gene- 
ral fatire  on  them  ;   and  in  the  epilogue  to  Henry  VIII.  he  hints 
with  difapprobation  on  his  contemporary  poets,  who  were  accuf- 
tomed  to  abufe  them.     Indeed  his   fatire  is  very  rarely  partial 
and  licentious.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

8  — likdihooJ,]  Likelihood  for  fimilitude.     WARBURTON. 
The  later  editors,  in  hope  of  mending  the  meafure  of  this 

line,  have  injured  the  ienfe.  The  folio  reads  as  I  have  printed ; 
but  all  the  books,  lince  revifal  became  fafhionable,  and  editors 
have  been  more  diligent  to  difplay  themielves  than  to  illuflrate 
their  author,  have  given  the  line  thus  : 

dis  ly  a  low,  but  loving  likelihood* 

Thus  they  have  deitroyed  the  praife  which  the  poet  defigned  for 
Eflex ;  for  who  would  think  himfelf  honoured  by  the  epithet 
low  f  The  poet,  defirous  to  celebrate  that  great  man,  whole  po- 
pularity was  then  his  boaft,  and  afterwards  his  deftruftion,  com- 
pares him  to  king  Harry;  but  being  afraid  to  offend  the  rival 
courtiers,  or  perhaps  the  queen  herfelf,  he  confefles  that  he  is 
AKIYT  than  a  king,  but  would  never  have  reprefented  him  abfo- 
lutely  as  7o<a>.  JOHNSON. 

y  U\-rc  now  the  general  &c.]  The  earl  of  Eflex  in  the  reign 
of  queen  Elizabeth.     POPE. 

*  Bringing  rebellion  broached—]  Spitted,  transfixed.  JOHNSON. 

L  A  How 


I52         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

How  many  would  the  peaceful  city  quit, 

To  welcome  him  ?   much  more,   and   much  more 

caufe, 

Did  they  this  Harry.     Now  in  London  place  him  ; 
(As  yet  the  lamentation  of  the  French 
Invites  the  king  of  England's  flay  at  home  : 
The  emperor's  coming  in  behalf  of  France, 
To  order  peace  between  them)  and  omit 
All  the  occurences,  whatever  chanc'd, 
'Till  Harry's  back-return  again  to  France  ; 
There  muft  we  bring  him  ;  and  myfelf  have  play'd 
The  interim,  by  remembring  you — 'tis  paft. 
Then  brook ,  abridgment ;  and  your  eyes  advance 
After  your  thoughts,  flraight  back  again  to  France. 

SCENE    I. 

"The  Engli/J}  camp  in  France. 
*  Enter  Fluelkn^    and  Goiver. 

Gow,  Nay,  that's  right ;  But  why  wear  you  your 
leek  to-day  ?  faint  Davy's  day  is  paft. 

Flu.  There  is  occaiions  and  caufes  why  and  where" 
fore  in  all  things  :  I  will  tell  you,  as  my  friend,  captain 
Gower ;  The  rafcally,  fcald,  beggarly,  lowfy,  prag- 
ging  knave,  Piftol, — which  you  and  yourfelf,  and 
all  the  'orld,  know  to  be  no  petter  than  a  fellow, 
look  you  now,  of  no  merits, — he  is  come  to  me,  and 

*  Enter  Fluellcn^  and  Gtnver.]  This  fcene  ought,  in  my  opi- 
nion, to  conclude  the  fourth  act,  and  be  placed  before  the  laft 
chorus.  There  is  no  Englifh  camp  in  this  ad  ;  the  quarrel,  ap- 
parently  happened  before  the  return  of  the  army  to  England, 
and  not  after  fo  long  an  interval  as  the  chorus  has  fupplied. 

JOHNSON. 

Fluellen  prefently  fays  that  he  wore  his  leek  in  conlequence  of 
an  affront  he  had  received  but  the  day  before  from  Piftol.  Their 
prelent  quarrel  has  therefore  no  reference  to  that  begun  in  the 
fixth  fcene  of  the  third  aft.  STEEVENS. 

prings 


KING    HENRY    V.          i53 

prings  me  pread  and  fait  yefterday,  look  yon,  and 
bid  me  eat  my  leek  :  it  was  in  a  place  where  I  could 
not  breed  no  contentions  with  him  ;  but  I  will  be  fo 
pold  as  to  wear  it  in  my  cap  'till  I  fee  him  once  again, 
and  then  I  will  tell  him  a  little  piece  of  my  defires. 

Enter  Ptftol. 

Gffiv.  Why,  here  he  comes,  fwelling  like  a  turkey 
cock. 

Flit.  Tis  no  matter  for  his  fwellings,  nor  his  turkey- 
cocks. — Got  plefs  you,  antient  Piftol !  you  fcurvy, 
lowfy  knave,  Got  plefs  you  ! 

Pift.  Ha  !  art  thou  Bedlam  ?  doft  thou  thirft,  bafe 

Trojan, 

3  To  have  me  fold  up  Parca's  fatal  web  ? 
Hence  !  I  am  qualmilh  at  the  fmell  of  leek. 

Flu.  I  pefeech  you  heartily,  fcurvy  lowfy  knave,  at 
my  defires,  and  my  requefts,  and  my  petitions,  to  eat, 
look  you,  this  leek  ;  becaufe,  look  you,  you  do  not 
love  it,  nor  your  affections,  and  your  appetites,  and 
your  digeflions,  does  not  agree  with  it,  I  would  de- 
iire  you  to  eat  it. 

Pift.  Not  for  Cadwalladcr,  and  all  his  goats. 

Flu.  There  is  one  goat  for  you.  Will  [Strikes  him, 
you  be  fo  goot,  fcald  knave,  as  eat  it  ? 

Pift.  Bale  Trojan,  thou  flialt  die. 

Flu.  You  fay  very  true,  fcald  knave,  when  Got's 
will  is  :  I  will  defire  you  to  live  in  the  mean  time,  and 

eat  your  victuals  ;  come,  there  is  fauce  for  it. 

[Strikes  £/;».]  You  call'd  me  yeflerday,  mountain- 
fquire ;  but  I  will  make  you  to-day  a  4  fquixe  of  low 

degree. 

3  To  have  me  fold  up  &c.]  Doft  thou  defire  to  have    me  put 
thee  to  death.    JOHNSON. 

4  f quire  of  IO--M  degree.'}  That   is,  /  civ'//  bring  tbee  to  tie 

ground.     JOHNSON. 

The  Squire  of  Low  Degree  is  the  tide  of  an  old  romance,  enu- 
merated among  other  becks  in  a  letter  concerning  .^ucen  FJiza» 
'          ertainment  at  Kei.ekv.rth.     STEEVEVS. 

a  f quire 


154         KING    HENRY    V. 

degree.  I  pray  yon,  fall  to ;  if  you  can  mock  a  leek, 
you  can  eat  a  leek. 

Gmv.  Enough,  captain  ;  you  have  5  nftonifiYd  him. 

Flu.  I  fay,  I  will  make  him  eat  fome  part  of  my 
leek,  or  I  will  peat  his  pate  four  days  : — Pite,  I  pray 
you  ;  it  is  goot  for  your  green  wound,  and  your 
ploody  coxcomb. 

Pi/}.  Muft  I  bite  ? 

Flu.  Yes,  certainly ;  and  out  of  doubt,  and  out 
of  queftions  too,  and  ambiguities. 

Pift.  By  this  leek,  I  will  moft  horribly  revenge ;  6 1 
eat,  and  eat,  I  fwear. 

Flu.  Eat,  I  pray  you  :  Will  you  have  fome  more 
fauce  to  your  leek  ?  there  is  not  enough  leek  to  fwear 
by. 

Pift.  Quiet  thy  cudgel ;  thou  doft  fee,  I  eat. 

Flu.  Much  goot  do  you,  fcald  knave,  heartily. 
Nay,  pray  you,  throw  none  away ;  the  fkin  is  goot  for 
your  proken  coxcomb.  When  you  take  occaiions  to 
fee  leeks  hereafter,  I  pray  you,  mock  at  them  ;  that 
is  all. 

Pift.  Good. 

Flu.  Ay,  leeks  is  goot : — Hold  you,  there  is  a  groat 
to  heal  your  pate. 

Pijl.  Me  a  groat ! 

Flu.  Yes,  verily,  and  in  truth,  you  ihall  take  it ; 

a  f quire  of  lo\u  degree . 

This  alludes  to  an  old  metrical  romance,  which  was  very  popular 
among  our  countrymen  in  ancient  times,  intided,  The  Squire  of 
IWM  Degree.  It  was  burlefqued  by  Chaucer  in  his  rhime  of  Sir 
Thopai,  and  begins  thus  : 

"  It  was  ajyuyre  of  lowe  dcgre 
"  That  loved  the  king's  daughter  of  Hungrc." 
See  Rcliques  of  Engltfb  Poetry,  Vol.  III.  p.  30.  act  edit.    P£RCY. 

5  oftonijb V/6/w.]  That  is,  you   have  ilunned  him  with 

the  blow.    JOHNSON. 

6  leaf,  ar.d  cat,  If'jiear ]  Thus  the  firit  folio,   for  which 

the  later  editors  have  put,  I  eat  and  f  wear.     We  fliould  read,  I 
fuppofc,  in  the  frigid  tumour  of  Piitol's  dialect : 

1  eat  and  eke  Ifwc ar.     JOHNSON. 

or 


KING    HEN  PvYV.          ,S5 

or  I  have  another  leek  in  my  pocket,  which  you  fhall 
ear. 

Pift.  I  take  thy  groat,  in  earneft  of  revenge. 

Flu.  If  I  owe  you  any  thing,  I  will  pay  you  in  cud- 
gels ;  you  fhall  be  a  woodmonger,  and  buy  nothing 
of  me  but  cudgels.  Got  be  wi*  you,  and  keep 'you, 
and  heal  your  pate.  [£.v:7. 

Pift.  All  hell  fhall  ftir  for  this. 

Gow»  Go,  go  ;  you  are  a  counterfeit  cowardly  knave. 
Will  you  mock  at  an  ancient  tradition, — begun  upon 
an  honourable  refpect,  and  worn  as  a  memorable 
trophy  of  predeceas'd  valour, — and  dare  not  avouch 
in  your  deeds  any  of  your  words  ?  I  have  feen  you 
gleeking  7  and  galling  at  this  gentleman  twice  or 
thrice.  You  thought,  becaufe  he  could  not  fpcak 
Englilh  in  the  native  garb,  he  could  not  therefore 
handle  an  Englifh  cudgel  :  you  find  it  otherwiie  ; 
and,  henceforth,  let  a  Welih  correction  teach  you  a 
good  Englilh  condition.  Fare  ye  well.  [£*//. 

Pift.  *  Doth  fortune  play  the  hufwife  with  me  now  ? 
9  News  have  I,  that  my  Nell  is  dead  i'the  fpital 

Of 
1 

7  gleeking]  i.  e.  fcoffing,  fneering.     Gleek  was  a  game  at 

cards.     So,  injGreene's  Tu  Quoquc,  1599: 

'•  Why  gleek,  that's  your  only  game. 

"  Gkek  let  it  be  ;  for  I  am  perfuaded  I  ftiallgleek  fome  of  you." 
Again,  in  Tom  Tyler  and  bis  llrife\  i  >,8  : 

"  I  fuddenly  gleek,  or  men  be  aware."     RTEEVENS. 
*  Doth  fortune  flay  the  bufivife—  ]  That  is,  they/7/.     Hufivife 
is  here  in  an  ill  fenie.     JOHNSON. 

9  News  have  I,  that  my  Dol  is  dead ]   We  muft  read,  my 

Nell  is  dead.  Dol  Teiirfheet  was  fo  little  the  favourite  of  Piftol 
th;.t  he  offered  her  in  contempt  to  Nym.  Nor  would  her  death, 
have  c ut  off  fjis  rendezvous  ;  that  is,  deprived  him  of  a  borne.  Per- 
haps the  poet  forgot  his  plan.  JOHNSON. 

In  the  quartos  of  1600  and  1608,  thele  lines  are  read  thus  : 
"  Doth  fortune  play  the  hulwye  with  me  now  ? 
"  Is  honour  cudgel'd  from  my  warlike  lines  ? 
"  Well,  France  farewell.     News  have  I  certainly, 
"  That  Doll  is  fick  on  mallydie  of  France. 
•*  The  warres  affordeth  nought,  home  will  I  trug, 

«  Bawd 


i56         K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

Of  malady  of  France  ; 
And  there  my  rendezvous  is  quite  cut  off. 
Old  I  do  wax  ;  and  from  my  weary  limbs 
Honopr  is  cudgell'd.     Well,  bawd  will  I  turn, 
And  fomething  lean  to  cut-purfe  of  quick  hand. 
To  England  will  I  fleal,  and  there  I'll  fleal  : 
And  patches  will  I  get  unto  thefe  cudgell'd  fears, 
And  fwear,  I  got  them  in  the  Gallia  wars '.     [£*//, 

SCENE    II. 

¥he  French  court,  at  Trots  in  Champaigne. 

Enter  at  one  door  king  Henry,  Exeter,  Bedford,  War- 
wick, and  other  lords  ;  at  another,  the  French  king, 
queen  Ifabel,  princefs  Katharine,  the  duke  of  Bur-* 
gundy,  and  other  French. 

K.  Henry.  *  Peace  to  this  meeting,  wherefore  we 

are  met ! — 

Unto  our  brother  France, — and  to  our  fifter, — 
Health  and  fair  time  of  day  ; — -joy  and  good  wifhes 
To  our  moft  fair  and  princely  coufm  Katharine ; — 
And  (as  a  branch  and  member  of  this  royalty, 
By  whom  this  great  aflembly  is  contriv'd) 

"  Bawd  will  I  turne,  and  ufe  the  flyte  of  hand. 
"  To  England  will  I  fteal,  and  there  I'll  Heal ; 
"  And  patches  will  I  get  unto  thefe  Ikarres, 
*'  And  Iwear  I  gat  them  in  the  Gallia  warres."  JOHNSON. 
1  The  comic  fcenes  of  The  Hiflory  of  Henry  the  Fourth  and 
Fifth  are  now  at  an  end,  and  all  the  comic  perfonages  are  now 
difmifled.     Falftaft"  and  Mrs.  Quickly  are  dead  ;  Nym  and  Bar- 
dolph  are  hanged  ;  Gads-hill  was  loft  immediately  after  the  rob- 
bery ;  Poins  and  Peto  have  vanifhed  fince,  one  knows   not  how  ; 
and  Piftol  is  now  beaten  into  obfcurity,     1  believe  every  reader 
regrets  their  departure.     JOHNSON. 

*  Peace  to  ibis  meeting,  wherefore  we  are  met!]    Peace,  for 
which  we  are  here  met,  be  to  this  meeting. 

Here,  after  the  chorus,  the  fifth  ad  feems  naturally  to  begin. 

JOHNSON. 

We 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.         i5? 

We  do  falute  you,  duke  of  Burgundy  ; . 

And,  princes  French,  and  peers,  health  to  you  all  ! 

Fr.  King.  Right  joyous  are  we  to  behold  your  face, 
Moll  worthy  brother  England  ;  fairly  met  :— 
So  are  you,  princes  Englilh,  every  one. 

<^.  Ifa.  So  happy  be  the  iflue,  brother  England, 
Of  this  good  day,  and  of  this  gracious  meeting, 
As  we  are  now  glad  to  behold  your  eyes  ; 
Your  eyes,  which  hitherto  have  borne  in  them 
Againft  the  French,  that  met  them  in  their  bent, 
The  fatal  balls  of  murdering  bafililks  : 
The  venom  of  fuch  looks,  we  fairly  hope, 
Have  loft  their  quality  ;  and  that  this  day 
Shall  change  all  griefs,  and  quarrels,  into  love. 

K.  Henry.  To  cry  amen  to  that,  thus  we  appear. 

H^.  Ifa.  You  Englilh  princes  all,  I  do  falute  you. 

Bur.  My  duty  to  you  both,  on  equal  love, 
Great  kings  of  France  and  England  !  That  I  have 

labour'd 

With  all  my  wits,  my  pains,  and  ftrong  endeavours, 
To  bring  your  moil  imperial  majefties 
1  Unto  this  bar  and  royal  interview, 
Your  mightinefs  on  both  parts  bell  can  witnefs. 
Since  then  my  office  hath  fo  far  prevail'd, 
That,  face  to  face,  and  royal  eye  to  eye, 
You  have  congreeted  ;  let  it  not  difgrace  me, 
If  I  demand,  before  this  royal  view, 
What  rub,  or  what  impediment,  there  is, 
Why  that  the  naked,  poor,  and  mangled  peace, 
Dear  nurfe  of  arts,  plenties,  and  joyful  births, 
Should  not,  in  this  beft  garden  of  the  world, 
Our  fertile  France,  put  up  her  lovely  vifage  ? 
Alas !  Ihe  hath  from  France  too  long  been  chas'd  ; 
And  all  her  hulbandry  doth  lie  on  heaps, 
Corrupting  in  its  own  fertility. 

3   Unto  this  bar ]  To  this    barrier ;  to  this   place  of  con- 

grefs.    JOHNSON, 

He  i 


158         KING    HENRY    V. 

4  Her  vine,  the  merry  chearer  of  the  heart, 
Unpruncd  dies  :  her  hedges  even-pleach  'd, 

5  Like  prifoncrs  wildly  over-grown  with  hair, 
Put  forth  diibrder'd  twigs  :  her  fallow  leas 
The  darnel,  hemlock,  and  rank  fumitory, 
Doth  root  upon  ;  while  that  the  coulter  rufls, 
That  fhould  deracinate  6  fuch  favag'ry  : 

The  even  mead,  that  erfl  brought  fweetly  forth 
The  freckled  cowflip,  burnet,  and  green  clover, 
Wanting  the  fcythe,  all  uncorreclred,  rank, 
Conceives  by  idlenefs  ;  and  nothing  teems, 
But  hateful  docks,  rough  thiftles,  keckfies,  burs, 
Lofing  both  beauty  and  utility. 
And  as  our  vineyards,  fallows,  meads,  and  hedges, 
7  Defective  in  their  natures,  grow  to  wildnefs  ; 
Even  fo  our  houies,  and  ourfelves,  and  children, 
Have  loft,  or  do  not  learn,  for  want  of  time, 
The  fciences  that  Ihould  become  our  country; 
But  grow,  like  favages,  —  as  foldiers  will, 


Unpruned  dies  :  •  ] 

We  rnuft  read,  lyes;  for  negleft  of  pruning  does  not  kill  the  vine, 
but  caufes  it  to  ramify  immoderately,  and  grow  wild  ;  by  which 
the  requifite  nourifhment  is  withdrawn  from  its  fruit. 

WAR  EUR  TON. 

This  emendation  is  phyfically  right,  but  poetically  the  vine 
may  be  well  enough  faid  to  die  which  ceafes  to  bear  fruit. 

JOHNSON. 

3  Like  prifoiurs]  This  image  of  prifoners  is  oddly  introduced. 
A  hedge  even  pleach'  'd  is  more  properly  imprifoned  than  when  it 
luxuriates  in  unpruned  exuberance.  JOHNSON. 

6  -  deracinate  -  ]   To   deracinate  is  to   force   up  by  the 
roots.     So,  in  Troihts  and  Crejfida  : 

"    -  rend  and  deracinate 
"  The  unity,  £c."     STEEVENS. 

7  Defective  in  their  natures,  —  ]  Nature  had  been    changed   by 
feme  of  the  editors  into  nurture  ;  but,   ns  Mr.  Upton  obierves, 
unneceffarily.     Sua  deficiiintitr  na'vra.     They  were  not  defeftire 
in  their  crtfcivt  nature,  for  they  gre.v  to  wildnefs  ;   but  they 
were  defective  in  their  proper  and  favourable  nature,  which  was 
to  bring  forth  food  for.  man.     STEEV:. 

That 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     V.          159 

That  nothing  do  but  meditate  on  blood,— 
To  fwearing,   and  ftern  looks, 8  diffus'd  attire, 
And  every  thing  that  feems  unnatural. 
Which  to  reduce  into  our  9  former  favour, 
You  are  afiembled  :  and  my  fpeech  intreats, 
That  I  may  know  the  let,  why  gentle  peace 
Should  not  expel  thefe  inconveniencies, 
And  blefs  us  with  her  former  qualities. 

K.  Henry.  If,  duke  of  Burgundy,  you  would  the 

peace, 

Whofe  want  gives  growth  to  the  imperfections 
Which  you  have  cited,  you  mufl  buy  that  peace 
With  full  accord  to  all  our  juft  demands  ; 
Whofe  tenours  and  particular  effedts 
You  have,  enfchedul  d  briefly,  in  your  hands. 
Bur.  The  king  hath  heard  them  ;  to  the  which  5 

as  yet, 
There  is  no  anfwer  made. 

K.  Henry.  Well  then,  the  peace, 
Which  you  before  fo  urg'd,  lies  in  his  anfwer. 

Fr.  King.  I  have  but  with  a  curforary  eye 
O'er-glanc'd  the  articles  :  pleafeth  your  grace 
To  appoint  fome  of  your  council  prefently 
To  fit  with  us  once  more,  with  better  heed 
To  re-furvey  them,  '  we  will,  fuddenly, 
Pafs,  or  accept,  and  peremptory  anfwer. 

K.  Henry. 

s  — —diffus'il  attire, ~\  Diffus'd,  for  extravagant.  The  mill- 
/fary  habit  of  thofe  times  was  extremely  fo.  Acl  III.  Govver 
fays,  And  ivhat  a  beard  of  the  general's  cut,  and  a  horrid  fuit  of 
the  camp,  will  do  among/},  &c.  is  wonderful  to  be  thought  on. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

Diffused  is  fo  much  ufed  by  our  author  for  wild,  irregular, 
z.r\&Jl range,  that  in  The  Merry  Wives  of  Wind/or  he  applies  it  to 
a  fong  fuppofed  to  be  fung  by  fairies.  JOHNSON. 

9  former  favour,}  Former  appearance.     JOHNSON. 

1    — -We  will  fuddenly 

Pafs  our  accept,  and  peremptory  anf-jcer.  ] 

As  the  French  king  defires  more  time  to  confider  deliberately  of 
the  articles,  'tis  odd  and  abfurd  for  him  to  fay  abfolutely,  that 

he 


160          KING    HENRY    V. 

A".  Henry.  Brother,  we  fhall. — Go,  uncle  Exeter,— 
And  brother  Clarence^ — and  you,  brother  Glofter,—— 
Warwick, — and  Huntington, — go  with  the  king : 
And  take  with  you  free  power,  to  ratify, 
Augment,  or  alter,  as  your  wifdoms  beft 
Shall  fee  advantageable  for  our  dignity, 
Any  thing  in,  or  out  of,  our  demands  ; 
And  we'll  confign  thereto. — Will  you,  fair  fifter, 
Go  with  the  princes,  or  flay  here  with  us  ? 

<3>.  Ifa.'Our  gracious  brother,  I  will  go  with  them ; 
Haply,  a  woman's  voice  may  do  fome  good, 
When  articles,  too  nicely  urg'd,  be  flood  on. 

K.  Henry.  Yet  leave  our  coulin  Katharine  here 

with  us : 

She  is  our  capital  demand,  compris'd 
Within  the  fore-rank  of  our  articles. 

^.  Ifa.  She  hath  good  leave.  [_Excunt. 

Manent  king  Henry,  Katharine,  and  a  lady. 
K.  Henry.  Fair  Katharine,  and  moft  fair  * ! 
Will  you  vouchfafe  to  teach  a  foldier  terms, 
Such  as  will  enter  at  a  lady's  ear, 
And  plead  his  love-fuit  to  her  gentle  heart  ? 

he  would  accept  them  all.  He  certainly  muft  mean,  that  he 
would  at  once  wave  and  decline  what  he  diflik'd,  and  confign  to 
fuch  as  he  approv'd  of.  Our  author  ufes  pafs  in  this  manner  in 
other  places ;  as  in  King  John  : 

"  But  if  you  fondly  pafs  our  proffer1  J  love"  WARBURTON. 
Pafs  our  accept,  and  peremptory  anfwer  :  i.  e.  we  will  pafs  our 
acceptance  of  what  we  approve,  ami  we  will  pafs  a  peremptory 
anfwer  to  the  relh  Politenefs  might  forbid  his  faying,  we  will 
pafs  a  denial,  but  his  own  digniry  required  more  time  ror  delibe- 
ration. Befides,  if  we  read  pafs  or  accept,  is  not  peremptory  an- 
faer  fuperfluous,  and  plainly  implied  in  the  former  words  ? 

TOLLET. 

*  Fair  Katharine,  and  moft  fair  /]  Shakefpeare  might  have  taken 
ihe  hint  for  this  fcene  from  the  anonymous  play  of  Henry  V.  fo 
often  quoted,  where  the  king  begins  with  greater  bluntnefa,  and 
with  an  exordium  moft  truly  Eng;li{h  : 

**  How  now,  fair  lady  Katharine  of  France  ! 
*'  What  news?"    STEEVENS. 

KatJ:. 


K  I  N  G    tt  E  N  R  V    V.         ,$£ 

Your  majcfty  Ihall  mock  at  me ;  I  cannot 
ipeak  your  England. 

K.  Henry.  O  fair  Katharine,  if  you  will  love  me 
foundly  with  your  French  heart,  I  will  be  glad  to  hear 
you  confcfs  it  brokenly  with  your  Englifli  tongue.  Do 
you  like  me,  Kate  ?  • 

Kath.  PcrJ.onnez  moy,  I  cannot  tell  vat  is — like  me. 

K.  Henry.  An  angel  is  like  you,  Kate ;  and  you  are 
like  an  angel. 

Kathf.  §>ite  dit-ll?  qiie  je  f.ds  fsmblable  a  les  anges  ? 

]  ,ady.  Ouy,  vrayment,  (fauf  voftre  grace)  ainji  dit  //. 

K.  Henry.  I  faid  fo,  dear  Katharine  ;  and  I  muft 
not  blufh  to  affirm  it. 

Kath.  Ob  on  Dleu  !  les  langues  des  kommes  font  pleines 
dss  tromperies. 

K.  Henry.  What  fays  me,  fair  one  ?  that  the  tongues 
of  men  are  full  of  deceits  ? 

Lady.  Ouy ;  dat  de  tongues  of  de  mans  is  be  full  of 
deceits  :  dat  is  de  princefs. 

K.  Henry.  The  princefs  is  the  better  Engliih- woman. 
I'faith,  Kate,  my  wooing  is  lit  for  thy  underilanding  : 
I  am  glad,  thou  canil  fpeak  no  better  Engiifh ;  for,  if 
thou  couldft,  thou  wouldlifind  me  J  fuch  a  plain  king, 
that  thou  won Idil  think,  I  had  fold  my  farm  to  buy 
my  crown.  I  know  no  ways  to  mince  it  in  love,  but 
direclly  to  fay — 1  love  you  :  then,  if  you  urge  me 

3   fnch  a  plain  king) — ]  I  khow  not  why  Shakefpeare  now 

gives  the  king  nearly  luch  a  character  as  he  made  him  formerly 
ridicule  in  Percy.  This  military  groflhefs  and  unikilfulnefs  in 
all  the  fofter  arts  does  not  fuit  very  well  with  the  gaieties  of  his 
youth,  with  the  general  knowledge  afcribed  to  him  at  his  accef- 
lion,  or  with  the  contemptuous  meflage  fent  him  by  the  dau- 
phin, who  reprefents  him  as  fitter  for  the  ball-room  than  the 
field,  and  tells  him  that  he  is  not  to  revel  into  dutchies,  or  win 
provinces  ^:tb  a  nimble  galliard.  The  truth  is,  that  the  poet's 
matter  failed  him  in  the  fifth  aft,  and  he  was  glad  to  fill  it  up 
with  whatever  he  could  get ;  and  not  even  Shakefpeare  can  write 
well  without  a  proper  iubject.  It  is  a  vain  endeavour  for  the 
moil  Ikillul  hand  to  cultivate  barreuncfs,  or  to  paint  upon  vacuity. 

JOH'NSON. 

VOL.  VI.  M  fur- 


i6i         KING    HENRY    V. 

further  than  to  fay— Do  you  in  faith.?  I  wear  out  m* 
fuit.  Give  me  your  anfvver;  i'faith,  do;  and  i'o 
clap  hands,  and  a  bargain  :  How  fay- you,  lady  ? 

Kath.  Saufvoflre  bomeiir,  me  ynomtand  well. 

K.  Henry.  Marry,  if  you  would  put  me  to  vcrfes, 
or  to  dance  for  your  fake,  Kate,  why  you  undid  me  : 
for  the  one,  I  have  neither  words  nor  meafare;  and  for 
the  other,  I  have  no  ftrength  in  meafure,  yet  a  reaibn- 
able  meafure  in  ftrength.  If  I  could  win  a  lady  at 
leap-frog,  or  by  vaulting  into  my  faddle  with  my  ar- 
rnour  on  my  back,  under  the  correction  of  bragging 
be  it  fpoken,  I  fhould  quickly  leap  into  a  wife.  Orr 
if  I  might  buffet  for  my  love,  or  bound  my  horfe  for 
her  favours,  I  could  lay  on  like  a  butcher,  and  fit  like 
a  jack-a-napcs,  never  off :  But,  before  God,  Kate,  I 
cannot  look  greenly,  nor  gafp  out  my  eloquence,  nor 
I  have  no  cunning  in  proteftation  ;  only  downright 
oaths,  which  I  never  ufe  'till  urg'd,  nor  never  break 
for  urging.  If  thou  canft  love  a  fellow  of  this  tem- 
per, Kate,  whofe  face  is  not  worth  fun-burning,  that 
never  looks  in  his  glafi>  for  love  of  any  thing  he  fees- 
rhere,  let  thine  eye  be  thy  cook~  I  fpeak  to  thee 
plain  foldier  :  If  thou  canft  love  me  for  this,  take  me  : 
if  not,  to  fay  to  thee: — that  I  ftvall  die,  'tis  true  ; 
but — for  thy  love,  by  the  Lordr  no  ;  yet  I  love  thee 
too.  And  while  thou  iiv'ft,  dear  Kate,  4  take  a  fel- 
low of  plain  and  uncoined  conftancy  ;  for  he  per- 
force muft  do  thee  right,  bccaufe  he  hath  not  the 
gift  to  "woo  in  other  p'::c<?<5  :  for  thefe  fellows  of  in- 
finite tongue,  that  can  rhime  themfelyes  into  ladies* 
favours, — they  do  always  reafon  thcmfelvcs  out  again.. 

*  —take  a  felloe:  of  plain  and  uncoined  conjlancy ;— ]  i.e.  A 
conftancy  in  the  ingot,  that  hath  fuffercd  no  alloy,  as  all  coined 
metal  has.  WAR  BUR  TON. 

I  believe  this  explanation  is  more  ingenious  than- true  ;  to  coin 
\%  tojlamp  and  to  counterfeit.  He  ufes  it  in  both  fenles  ;  unwind 
conftancy  fi^aifies  rw/and  trite  conihincy,  unrcfixcJ  z\\&  unadorned* 

JQHNSON. 

What 


KING    HENRY    V.         z^ 

What  !  a  fpeaker  is  bur  a  prater  ;  a  rhyme  is  but  a 
ballad.  A  good  leg  will  fail ;  a  flraight  back  will 
ftoop  ;  a  black  beard  will  turn  white  ;  a  curl'd  pate 
will  grow  balcT;  a  fair  face  will  wither ;  a  full  eye 
will  wax  hollow  :  but  a  good  heart,  Kate,  is  the  fun 
and  the  moon  ;  «r,  rather,  the  fun,  and  not  the  moon ; 
for  it  frillies  bright,  and  never  changes,  but  keeps  his 
courfe  truly.  If  thou  would  have  fuch  a  one,  take 
me:  And  "take  me,  take  a"  foldier  ;  take  a  foldier, 
take  a  king  :  And  what  fay'fl  thou  then  to  my  love  ? 
fpeak,  my  fair,  and  fairly,  I  pray  thee. 

Katk.  Is  it  poffible  dat  I  mould  love  the  enemy  of 
France  J  ? 

K.  Henry.  No ;  it  is  not  poffible,  that  you  fhould 
love  the  enemy  of  France,  Kate  :  but,  in  loving  me, 
you  mould  love  the  friend  of  France  ;  for  1  love 
France  fo  well,  that  I  will  not  part  with  a  X'iilage  of 
it ;  I  will  have  it  all  mine  :  and,  Kate,  when  France 
is  mine,  and  I  am  yours,  then  yours  is  France,  and 
you  are  mine. 

Katb.  I  cannot  tell  vat  is  dat. 

K.  Henry.  No,  Kate  ?  I  will  tell  thee  in  French ; 
which,  I  am  fure,  will  hang  upon  my  tongue 6  like  a 
new-married  wife  about  her  hufband's  neck,  hardly 
to  be  fhook  off.  Qitand  fay  la  pqfl'effion  do  France,  & 
quand  vous  avez  le  poffeffion  de  moif  (let  me  fee,  what 
then?  Saint  Dennis  be  rny  fpeed  !) — done  voftre  eft 
Franc?,  &f  vous  eftes  mlenne.  It  is  as  eafy  for  me,  Kate, 
to  conquer  the  kingdom,  as  to  fpeak  fo  much  more 
French  :  I  mail  never  move  thee  in  French,  unlefs  it 
be  to  laugh  at  me. 

5  Is  it  poff.ble  dat  I  JlioulJ  love  de  enemy  of  France?]    So,   in 
the  anonymovis  play  of  the  Famous  Jri£lory  of  fTexry  the  Fifth  : 

"  Kate.  How  fliould  I  love  thee,  which  is  rny  lather's  cue* 
rnie  ?  STEEVEKS. 

6  — like  a  married  wife  about  her  fjuflancTs  neck,         •••  ]   Every 
ivife  is  a  married  ^uiff.     I  fuppofe  we  fliould  read  new-married ; 
an  epithet  more  expreilive  of  fondnefs.     [OHNSOX. 

The  folio  reads  a  new-married  wife,  and  the  quartos  i  600  and 
1608 — llki  a  t/ritte  tn  her  nev;-.'>iarried  hujiand.  STESVENS. 

M  %  Kath, 


i64          KING     H  E  N  R  Y    V. 

KatV  '•'i/ic-tr,  k  Pra;i(ols  que  VQV.S  par* 

i  je  park. 

K.  Htfiyj.  No,  faith,  is't  nor,  Kate  :  but  thy  {peak- 
ing of  my  tongue,  and  I  thine,  moft  truly  falfely, 
mult  needs  be  granted  to  be  much  at  one.  But, 
Kate,  doft  thou  underftand  thus  much  Englifh  ? 
Canil  thou  love  me  ? 

Kath.  I  cannot  telh 

K.  Henry.  Can  any  of  your  neighbours  tell,  Kate? 
I'll  afk  them.  Come,  I  know,  thou  loveft  me  :  and 
at  night  when  you  come  into  your  clofet,  you'll  quef- 
tion  this  gentlewoman  about  me  ;  and  I  know,  Kate, 
you  will,  to  her,  difpraifc  thofe- parts  in  me,  that  you 
love  with  your  heart :  but,  good  Kate,  mock  me  mer- 
cifully ;  the  rather,  gentle  princefs,  becaule  I  love 
thee  cruelly.  If  ever  thou  bc'ft  mine,  Kate,  (as  I 
have  faving  faith  within  me,  tells  me — thou  flialt)  I 
get  thee  with  fcambiing7,  and  thou  muft  therefore 
needs  prove  a  good  foldier-breeder  :  Shall  not  thou 
and  I,  between  faint  Dennis  and  faint  George,  com- 
pound a  boy,  half  French,  half  Engliih,  that  fhall 
8  go  to  Conftantinople,  and  take  the  Turk  by  the 
beard  ?  fhall  we  not  ?  what  fay 'ft  thou,  my  fair  flower- 
de-luce  ? 

Kaik.  I  do  not  know  dat. 

K.  Henry.  No  ;  'tis  hereafter  to  know,  but  now  to 
promife  :  do  but  now  promile,  Kate,  you  will  endea- 
vour for  your  French  part  of  fuch  a  boy ;  and,  for 

7  iviib  fcambiing,]  i.  e.  fcrambling.    So,  Mai  low,  iu 
his  Jew  of  Maita,   1033  .• 

"  We  hftTey&jMvAfa/np 

*'  More  wealth  by  far,  &c." 
"See  Dr.  Percy's  note  in  the  firft  fcene  of  this  piny. 

Again,  in  Sapljo  a.id Pkao,   1591  : "  !  urn  driren  to  a  mufe, 

how  this  lent  I  i\\z\\  feasible  in  the  court."     SrtEVHNS. 

8  S°  to  CoKJiantincple — ]  Shukefpeare  has   here  committed 

.ui  nnachronifm.     '1'he  Turks  were  not  pofilfled  of  Conilantino- 
ple  before  the  year  14^3,  \vhen  Henry  V.  had  been  Jcad  thirty- 
one  years.     TULOUAJ-L>. 

my: 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    V.          165 

•  :->tety,  take  the  word  of  a.  king  and  a 
r.     How   an  liver  you,  la  plus  belle  Katharine 
,:\  <',  won  tres  c'here  &  divine  decjje  ? 

Your  mcjefTg  'ave  favjfe  French  enough  to 
e  de  mofty^-,?  damoifelle  clat  is  en  France. 
i  .  ilenry.  Now,  lie  upon  my  falfe  French!  By 
mine  honour,  in  tiue  Englifli,  I  love  the?,  Kate: 
by  which  Honour- 1  dare  not  f..var,  then  k>veft  me; 
yet  my  blood  begins  to  flatter  me  that  thou  doft, 
notwithstanding  the  9  poor  and  untempering  eifect  of 
my  vifage.  Now  befhrew  my  father's  ambition  !  he 
was  thinking  of  civil  wars  when  he  got  me  ;  therefore" 
was  I  created  with  a  ftubborn  outlide,  with  an  afpe«fl 
of  iron,  that,  when  I  co'ne  to  woo  ladies,  I  fright 
them.  But,  in  faith,  Kate,  the  elder  I  wax,  the 
better  I  mall  appear  :  my  comfort  is,  that  old  age, 
that  ill  layer-up  of  beauty,  can  do  no  more  fpoil  up- 
on my  face :  thou  haft  me,  if  thou  haft  me,  at  the 
worft;  and  thou  fhalt  wear  me,  if  thou  wear  me, 
better  and  better;  And  therefore  tell  rne,  moft  fair 
Katharine,  will  you  have  me  >  Put  off  your  maiden 
bluihes ;  avouch  the  thoughts  of  your  heart  with  the 
looks  of  an  emprefs;  take  me  by  the  hand,  and 
fay— Harry  of  England,  I  am  thine  :  which  word 
thou  fhalt  no  fooner  blefs  mine  ear  withal,  but  I  will 
tell  thee  aloud — England  is  thine,  Ireland  is  thine, 
France  is  thine,  and  Henry  Plantagenet  is  thine ; 

9  poor  and  untempering  effect—"}  Certainly  untempting. 

WAR  BUR  roy. 

Untempering  I  believe  to  have  been  the  poet's  word.     The 
fenfe  is,  I  understand  that  you  love  me,  notwithftanding  my  face 
Jvas  no  power  to  temper,  i.  e.  forten  you  to  my  purpofe : 
**  nature  made  you 

"  To  temper  man "     Otway. 

So,  again  in  Titus  Andronicus,  which  may,  at  leaft,  be  quoted 
AS  the^work  of  an  author  contemporary  with  Shakefpeare  : 

"  "  And  temper  him  with  all  the  arf'1  have."     STEEVENS. 

M  3  who, 


KING    HENRY    V. 

who,  though  I  fpeak  it  before  his  face,  if  he  be  not 
fellow  with  the  beft  king,  thou  ihalt  find  the  beft  king 
nf  good-fellows.  Come,  your  anfwer  in  broken  mu- 
fic ;  for  thy  voice  is  mufic,  and  thy  Engliih  broken  : 
therefore,  queen  of  all,  Katharine,  break  thy  mind 
to  me  in  broken  Engliih,  Wilt  thou  have  me  ? 

Kath.  Dat  is,  as  it  ihall  plcafe  de  rcy  won  pere. 

K.  Henry.  Nay,  it  v-illpleafe  him  well,  Kate  ;  it: 
ihall  pleaie  him,  Kate. 

Katb.  Den  it  ihall  alfo  content  me. 

K.  Henry.  Upon  that  I  kiis  your  hand,  and  I  call 
you — my  queen. 

Kath.  Laifltz,  monjeigneur,  laiffcz^  laijjez  :  ma  foy, 
je  ne  veuv  point  que  vats  abbaiffez  voftre  grandeur,    en. 
half  ant  la  main  d'une  voftre  indigne  ferviteure ;  excufez 
may,  je  vous  fifpplle,  mon  tres  puff/hut  feigneur. 
*   K.  Henrys  Then  I  will  kiis  your  lips,  Kate. 

Kath-  Les  dames,  &  damojelles,  pour  eflre  b a; jess  devant 
leur  nopces,  il  n'eft  pas  le  coutume  de  France. 

K.  Henry.  Madam   my  interpreter,  what  fays  ihe  ? 

JLatfy.  Dat  it  is  not  be  de  faihion  pour  de  ladies  ot" 
France,— I  cannot  tell  what  is,  baijer,  en  Engliih. 

K.  Henry.  To  kifs. 

Lady.  Your  majeily  entendre  bettre  que  moy. 

K.  Henry.  It  is  not  a  faihiou  for  the  maids  in  Franco 
to  kifs  be'fore  they  are  married,  would  ihe  fay  ? 

Lady.  Ouy,  vraynh'nt. 

K.  Henry.  O,  Kate,  nice  cuftoms  curt'fy  to  great 
kings.  Dear  Kate,  you  and  I  cannot  be  confinM 
within  the  weak  lift  of  a  country's  faihion  :  we  are 
the  makers  of  manners,  Kate  ;  and  the  liberty,  that 
follows  our  places,  flops  the  mouth  of  all  find-rfaults; 
As  I  will  do  yours,  for  upholding  the  nice  faihiou 
of  your  country,  in  denying  me  a  kifs :  therefore,  pa- 
tiently, and  yielding — [kiffing  her."]  You  have  witch- 
craft in  your  lips,  Kate  :  there  is  more  eloquence  in 
a  fugar  touch  of  them,  than  in  the  tongues  of  the 

French 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     V.  167 

French  council  ,•  and  they  fhould  fooncr  l  perfuade 
Harry  of  England,  than  a  general  petition  of  mo- 
narchs.  Here  comes  your  father. 

Enter  tic  Freud  kiug  and  queen.,  i^itb  French  and  Rug- 
lifl)  lords. 

B'<r?t.  God  fave  your  majefty  i  my  royal  coufin, 
teach  you  our  princefs  Englilh  ? 

K.  Henry.  I  would  have  her  learn,  my  fair  coufin, 
how  perfectly  I  love  her  ;  and  that  is  good  Englilh. 

Burg.  Is  ihe  not  apt  ? 

X.  Henry*  Our  tongue  is  rough,  coz';  and  my  con- 
dition is  not  fmooth  * :  fo  that,  having  neither  the 
voice  nor  the  heart  of  flattery  about  me,  I  cannot  fo 
conjure  up  the  fpirit  cf  love  in  her,  that  he  will  ap- 
pear in  his  true  likenefs. 

Burg.  3  Pardon  the  franknefs  of  my  mirth,  if  I  an- 
fwcr  you  for  that.  If  you  would  conjure  in  her,  you 
mnft  make  a  circle  :  if  conjure  up  love  in  her  in  his 
true  likenefs,  he  mud  appear  naked,  and  blind  :  Can 
you  blame  her  then,  being  a  maid  yet  rofy'd  over 
with  the  virgin  crimlbn  of  modcfty,  if  Ihe  deny  the 
appearance  of  a  naked  blind  boy  in  her  naked  feeing 
felf  ?  It  were,  my  lord,  a  hard  condition  for  a  maid 
to  confign  to. 

K-  Plenry.  Yet  they  do  wink,  and  yield ;  as  love  is 
blind,  and  enforces. 

1  Tour  lipsjhonldf/ionerperfvnde  Harry  of  England,  tlan  a  gene- 
ral petition  of  monarch*..]  So,  in  the  old  anonymous  Henry  V  : 

*'  .  -TeU  thy  father  frojn  me,  that  none  in  the  world  fliould 
fooner  have  perfuaded  me,  &c."  STEEVENS. 

*  — my  condition  is  not  fmootb  :~\  Condition  is  temper.  So,  in 
JC.  Henry  IV.  Fart  I.  fc.  in  : 

"  my  coKilitio?!, 

"  Which  has  been  fmooth  as  oil,  &c."    STEEVF.XS. 

s  Pardon  tht  franknefs  rf  my  mirth, — ]  We  have  here  but  a 
mr.m  dialogue  for  princes  ;  the  merriment  is  very  grois,  and  the 
iemiments  are  very  worthlefs.  JOHNSON, 

^I^  Burg. 


x63         KING    HENRY    V. 

Burg.  They  are  then  excus'd,  my  lord,  when  they 
fee  not  what  they  do. 

K.  Henry*  Then,  good  my  lord,  teach  your  coufm 
to  content  to  winking. 

Burg.  I  will  wink  on  her  to  confent,  my  lord,  if 
you  will  teach  her  to^know  my  meaning:  for  maids, 
well  fummer'd  and  warm  kept,  are  like  flies  at  Bartho- 
lomew-tide, blind,  though  they  have  their  eyes ;  and 
then  they  will  endure  handling,  which  before  would 
not  abide  looking  on, 

K.  Henry.  4  This  moral  ties  me  over  to  time,  and  a 
hot  fummer ;  and  fo  I  lhall  catch  the  fly,  your  coufin^ 
in  the  latter  end,  and  Ihe  muft  be  blind  too. 

Burg.  As  love  is,  my  lord,  before  it  loves. 

K.  Henry.  It  is  fo  :  and  you  may,  fome  of  you, 
thank  love  for  my  blindnefs  ;  who  cannot  fee  many 
a  fair  French  city,  for  one  fair  French  maid  that 
Hands  in  my  way. 

Fr.  King.  Yes,  my  lord,  you  fee  them  perfpccYively, 
the  cities  turn'd  into  a  maid  ;  for  they  are  all  girdled 
with  maiden  walls,  that  war  hath  never  enter'd. 

K.  Henry.  Shall  Kate  be  my  wife  ? 

Fr.  King.  So  pleafe  you. 

K.  Henry.  I  am  content;  fo  the  maiden  cities  you 
talk  of,  may  wait  on  her  :  fo  the  maid,  that  flood  in 
the  way  for  my  wifh,  fhall  Ihew  me  the  way  to  my 
will. 

Fi\  King.  We  have  confented  to  all  terms  of  rcafon, 

K.  Henry.  Is't  fo,  my  lords  of  England  ? 

Weft.  The  king  hath  granted  every  article  : 
His  daughter,  firfl ;  and  then  in  fequel  all, 
According  to  their  firm  propofed  natures. 

Exe.  Only,  he  hath  not  yet  fubfcribed  this  : =• 

Where  your  majefty  demands, — That  the  king  of 
France,  having  any  occafion  to  write  for  matter  of 

4  This  moral — ]  That  5s,  the  application  of  this  fable,  the  mo- 
ral  being  the  application  of  a  fable,  our  author  calls  any  appli- 
cation a  moral.  JOHNSON. 

grant, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.          !69 

grant,  fhall  name  your  highnefs  in  this  form,  and 
with  this  addition,  in  French  : — *  Notre  tres  cber  jilz 
Henry  roy  cT  Angleterre,  heretier  de  France:  and  thus  ia 
Latin, — Pr<eclarffimus  fitius  nojler  Henrkus,  rexAnglix, 
£5*  hares  Francis. 

Fr.  King.  Yet  this  I  have  not,  brother,  fo  deny'd, 
Buf  your  requeit  fhall  make  me  let  it  pafs. 

K.  Henry.  I  pray  you  then,  in  love  and  dear  alliance, 
Let  that  one  article  rank  with  the  reft  : 
And,  thereupon,  give  me  your  daughter. 

Fr.  King.  Take  her,  fair  fon  ;  and  from  her  blood 

raife  up 

Iffue  to  me  :  that  the  contending  kingdoms 
Of  France  and  England,  whofe  very  fhores  look  pale 
With  envy  of  each  other's  happinefs, 
May  ceafe  their  hatred ;  and  this  dear  conjunction 
Plant  neighbourhood  and  chriftian-like  accord 
In  their  iweet  bofoms,  that  never  war  advance 
His  bleeding  fword  'twixt  England  and  fair  France. 

All.  Amen  ! 

K.  Henry.  Now  welcome,  Kate : — and  bear  me  wit- 

nefs  all, 
That  here  I  kifs  her  as  my  fovereign  queen.  \JFlourijb. 

<%.  I/a.  God,  the  beft  maker  of  all  marriages, 
Combine  your  hearts  in  one,  your  realms  in  one  J 
As  man  and  wife,  being  two,  are  one  in  love, 
So  be  there  'twixt  your  kingdoms  fuch  a  fpoufal, 
That  never  may  ill  office,  or  fell  jealoufy, 
Which  troubles  oft  the  bed  of  blefled  marriage, 
6  Thruft  in  between  the  paftion  of  thefe  kingdoms, 

To 

5  r.ojlre  fres  cherJHz — and  thus  in  Latin  ;  praclarffimus fillus. — ] 
What,  is  fres  cber,  in  French,  PradarlJJimus  in  Latin  ?  We  fhould 
read,  precarijjimus.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

"  This  is  exceeding  true,"  lays  Dr.  Farmer,  "  but  how  came 
the  blunder?  It  is  a  typographical  one  in  Holinftied,  which 
Shakefpeare  copied  ;•  but  muft  indifputably  have  been  corrected, 
had  he  been  acquainted  with  the  languages."  STEEVENS.  • 

6  llruft  in  between  the  pailion  of  thefe  kingdoms^  The  old  fo- 

lios 


173         KING    HENRY    V. 

To  make  divorce  of  their  incorporate  league  ; 
Thai  Engli>h  mav  ?s  Trench,  French  Engliftimea, 
Receive  each  other  !  —  God  fpcak  this  Amen  ! 

All.  Amen! 

jfiT.  Henry.  7  Prepare  we  for   ov.r   marriage  :  —  03 

which  dsv, 

My  lord  of  Burgundy,  we'll  take  your  oath, 
And  all  the  peers',  for  lurety  of  our  leagues.  — 
Then  fhall  I  fwear  to  Kate,  —  and  you  to  me  ;  — 
And  may  our  oaths  well  kept  and  profp'rous  b 


Enter  Chorus. 

Thus  far,  with  rough,  and  all  unable  pen, 
3  Our  bending  author  hath  purfu'd  the  ilory  ; 

In  little  room  confining  mightv  men, 

9  Mangling  by  Harts  the  fuil  courfe  of  their  glory. 

iios  have  it,  the  patlon  ;  which  makes  me  believe,  the  authors 
word  was  patfion  ;  a  word,  more  proper  on  the  occafiou  of  a 
peace  flruck  up.  A  pafTion  of  two  kingdoms  for  one  another  is 
an  odd  expreffion.  An  amity  and  political  harmony  may  be  tm-d 
betwixt  two  countries,  and  yet  either  peopl«  be  far  from  having 
a  palfton  for  the  other.  TKI-.OI.ALP. 

7  Prepare  ivc  &c.j  The  quarto's  1600  and  1608  conclude  with 
the  following  fpeech  : 

Hen.   Why  then  fair  Katbarlney 
Come,  give  me  t/.y  hand: 
Our  marriage  ivill  -ive  prrffnt  foltr.inizf, 
And  end  our  hatred  by  a  bond  of  lave, 
Then  -\vill  I  fwear  to  Kate,  and  Kate  to  me, 
And  may  onr  VIHVS  once  tttaJc,  unbroken  be.     STEEVENS. 
s  Our  bending  author  -  ]  We  (houldread: 

Onr  blending  author  - 
So  he  fays  of  him  juft  afterwards,  mangling  ly  fnrt<. 

WAREURTOK. 

Why  fhould  we  read  Mending  f  By  tending,  our  author  meant 
untqual  to  the  weight  of  bisjubjefl,  and  bending  beneath  it  ;  or  he 
:nay  mean,  as  in  Hamlet:  "  Here  Jiooping  to  jour  clemency." 

STEEVLVS. 
9  3fan%l!tig  iy  Jlarts—]  By  touching  only  on  feled  parts. 

JOHNSON. 

Small 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    V.          171 

Small  time,  but,  in  that  fmall,  moft  greatly  liv'd 

This  ftar  of  England  :  fortune  made  his  Ivvord  ; 
By  which  the  world's  beft  garden  he  atchjev'd, 

And  of  it  left  his  fon  imperial  lord. 
Henry  the  fixth,  in  infant  bands  crown'd  king 

Of  France  and  England,  did  this  king  fucceed  ; 
Whofe  ftate  fo  many  had  the  managing, 

That  they  loft  France,  and  made  his  England  bleed : 
Which  oft  our  flage  hath  ihown  ;  and,  for  their  fake, 
In  your  fair  minds  let  this  acceptance  take  T. 

1  This  play  has  many  fcenes  of  high  dignity,  and  many  of  eafy 
merriment.  The  character  of  the  king  is  well  fupported,  except 
in  his  courtfliip,  where  he  has  neither  the  vivacity  of  Hal,  nor 
the  grandeur  pf  Henry.  The  humour  of  Piitol  is  very  happily 
continued  :  his  character  has  perhaps  been  the  model  of  all  the 
bullies  that  have  yet  appeared  on  the  Englifli  ftage. 

The  lines  given  to  the  Chorus  have  many  admirers ;  but  the 
truth  is,  that  in  them  a  little  may  be  praifed,  and  much  muft  be 
torgiven ;  nor  cim  it  be  ealily  discovered  why  the  intelligence 
given  by  the  Chorus  is  more  necellary  in  this  play  than  in  many 
others  where  it  is  omitted.  The  great  defect  of  this  play  is  the 
emptinefs  and  narrownefs  of  the  lafl  aft,  which  a  very  little  dili- 
gence might  have  eafily  avoided.  JOHNSOX. 


FIRST 


HENRY     VI 


PART       I, 


Perfons   Reprefeated. 

King  Henry  the  fixth. 

Duke  of  Glofter,  uncle  to  the  king,  and  proteftor', 
Duke  of  Bedford,  uncle  to  the  king,  and  regent  of  France. 
Cardinal    Beaufort,    bijhop  of  Wincbtfcr^    and  great 

v.nck  to  tie  king. 
Duke  of  Exeter. 
Duke  of  Somerfet. 
Earl  of  Warwick. 
Earl  of  Salifbury. 
Earl  of  Suffolk. 
Lord  Talbot. 
Young  Talbot,  bis  fon. 

Richard  Plantagcnet,  afterwards  duke  of  Tork. 
Mortimer,  earl  #f  March. 
Sir  John  Faftolfe.    Woodvile,  lieutenant  of  the  Tower* 

Lord  Mayor  of  London.     Sir  Thomas  Gargrave. 

Sir  William  Glanfdale.     Sir  William  Lucy. 
Vcrnon,  of  the  White  Rofe,  or  Tork  faft ion. 
BafTet,  of  the  Red  Rofe,  or  Lancajhr  faction. 

Charles,  dauphin,  and  afterwards  king  of  France. 

Reignier,  duke  of  Anjou,  and  titular  king  of  Naples* 

Duke  of  Burgundy. 

Duke  of  Alencon. 

Baftardof  Orleans. 

Governor  of  Paris. 

Mafter-Gunner  of  Orleans.     Boy,  his  fon. 

An  old  Shepherd,  father  to  Joan  la  Pucellc. 

Margaret,  daughter  to  Reignier,  and  afterwards  uuecn 

to  king  Henry. 
Countefs  of  Auvergne. 
Joan  la  Pucelle,  commonly  called,  Joan  of  Arc  ;  a  maul 

•pretending  to   be  infpir'd  from  heaven,  and  fating  v.p 

for  the  championefs  of  France. 
..Fiends,  attending  her. 

Lords,    Captains,    Soldiers,   Mejjengcrs,   and  feveral  At- 
tendants both  on  the  Englifo  and  French. 

%be  SCENE  is  partly  in  England,   and  partly  in  France. 


'FIRST     PART    OF 

KING    HENRY    VI. 

ACT      I.       SCENE     I. 

WeJlmlnfter-Ably. 

jfread  march.  Enter  the  funeral  of  king  Henry  the-  Fifth  t 
attended  on  by  the  duke  of  Bedford^  regent  of  France  ; 
the  duke  of  Glqfter,  protestor  ;  the  duke  of  Exeter, 
and  the  wl  of  Warwick',  the  blfiop  of  IVinchejler, 
and  the  duhe  of  Somerfet,  &c. 

Bed.  Hung  be  the  heavens  with  black,  yield  day 
to  night ! 

Comets, 

1  Flrjl  Part  cf  King  Henry  J '/,]  The  historical  tranfacYion* 
contained  in  this  play,  take  in  the  compafs  of  above  thirty  ye'ars. 
I  mult  obi'erve,  however,  that  our  author,  in  the  thiee  parts  of 
Henry  VI*  has  not  been  very  precife  to  the  date  and  difpoiition  or. 
his  tufts ;  but  fliuffled  them,  backwards  and  forwards,  out  of 
time.  For  inftance  ;  the  lord  Talbot  is  kill'd  at  the  end  of  the 
fourth  act  of  this  play,  who  in  reality  did  not  fall  till  the  i3th 
of  July  1453  :  and  The  Second  Part  of  Henry  FL  ope,ns  with  ther 
marriage  of  the  king,  which  was  folemniz'd  eight  years  before 
Taibot's  death,  in  the  year  1445.  Again,  in  the  fecond  part, 
ilame  Eleanor  Cobham  is  introduced  to  infult  queen  Margaret ; 
though  her  penance  and  bamfhment  for  forcery  happened  three 
years  before  that  princefs  cair.c  over  to  England.  I  could  point 
«mt  many  other  trarfgrt^il'-ns  ugamit  hillor}-,  as  far  as  the  order 
of  time  i:.  concerned.  Indeed,  though  there  are  ieveral  mafter- 
ftrokes  in  thde  three  plays,  wlilch  inronteilably  betray  the  work- 
manfhip  of  Shakefpeure  ;'  yet  I  am  almoit  doofetful,  whether  they 
xvere  entirely  of  his  writing.  And  unleis  they  were  wrote  by 
Jilin  very  early,  I  fliould  rather  imagine  them  to  have  "been 

brought 


176         FIRST    PART    OF* 

Comets,  importing  change  of  times  and 
*  Brandifh  your  cryftal  treffes  in  the  fky  ; 
And  with  them  fcourge  the  bad  revolting  flars, 
That  have  confcnted  5  unto  Henry's  death  ! 
Henry  the  filth,  too  famous  to  live  long  ! 
England  ne'er  loft  a  king  of  fo  much  worth. 

brought  to  him  as  a  dire&or  of  the  flage  •  and  fo  have  received 
fome  finifhing  beauties  at  his  hand.  An  accurate  obferver  wilt 
eafily  fee,  the  diction  of  them  is  more  obfolete,  and  the  numbers 
more  mean  and  profaical,  than  in  the  generality  of  his  genuine 
compofitions.  THEOBALD. 

1  Brandijb  your  cryftal  treffes—]    We  have  heard  of  cryflal 
heaven,    but  never   of  cryjlal  comets  before.     We  fhould  read, 
trifled  or  creftcd,  i.e.  trefles  {landing  an  end,  or  mounted  like  a 
creft.     WARBURTON. 
I  believe  cryjlal  is  right.     JOHNSON. 

Cryjlal  is  an  epithet  repeatedly  bellowed  on  comets  by  our  an- 
cient writers.     So,  in  a  Soatietby  Lord  Sterline,   1604  : 

"  When  ns  thofe  cbryjlal  comets  whiles  appear." 
Spenfer,  in  his  Faery  £>ueertt  Book  I.  c.  x.  applies  it  to  a  lady's 
face  : 

"  Like  funny  beams  threw  from  her  tbryJlal&ctJ* 
*<  There  is  alfo  a  -white  comet  with  lilver  haires,"  fays  Pliny , 
as  tranflated  by  P.Holland,  1601.     STEEVENS. 

3  That  have  confented ]  It  this  exprefllon  means  no  more 

than  that  the  liars  gave  a  bare  confcnt,  or  agreed  to  let  king  Henry 
die,  it  does  no  great  honour  to  its  author.  I  believe  to  confent^ 
in  this  inftance,  means  to  aft  in  concert.  Conccntus,  Lat.  Thus 
Erato  the  mufe  applauding  the  fong  of  Apollo,  in  Lylly's  Midasy 
1592,  cries  out :  "  O  fweet  confent  /"  i.  e.  fweet  union  of  founds. 
Again,  in  Spenfer's  Faery  £>ueen,  B.  IV.  c.  ii  : 

"  Such  mufick  his  wife  words  with  time  confented" 
Again,  in  his  tranfiation  of  Virgil's  Cukx : 

*'  Chaunted  their  fundry  notes  with  fweet  concent." 
and  in  many  other  places.  Confentcd,  or  as  it  fhoirid  be  fpelt, 
•contented)  means,  have  fhrtnvn  themselves  into  a  malignant  configu- 
ration, to  promote  the  death  of  Henry.  Spenfer,  in  more  than  one 
inftance,  fpells  this  word  as  it  appears  in  the  text  of  Shakefpeare ; 
as  does  Ben  Jonfon,  in  his  Epitbalamion  on  Mr.  Wefton.  The 
following  lines  : 

"  fhall  we  curie  the  planets  of  milhap, 

"  That  plotted  thus,  &c." 

feem  to  countenance  my  explanation  ;  and  Falilaff  fays  of  Shal- 
low's fervants,  that "  they  flock  together  in  confent^  like  fo 

wild  geefe."    STEEVENS. 

Glo. 


KING    HENRY    VI.         I7? 

Glo.  England  ne'er  had  a  king,  until  his  time. 
Virtue  he  had,  deferving  to  command  : 
His  brandifh'd  fword  did  blind  men  with  his  beams  ; 
His  arms  fpread  wider  than  a  dragon's  wings  ; 
His  fparkling  eyes,  replete  with  wrathful  fire, 
More  dazzled  and  drove  back  his  enemies, 
Than  mid-day  fun,  fierce  bent  againfl  their  faces. 
What  mould  I  fay  ?  his  deeds  exceed  all  fpeech  : 
He  ne'er  lift  up  his  hand,  but  conquered. 

Exe.  We  mourn  in  black  ;  Why  mourn  we  not  in 

blood  ? 

Henry  is  dead,  and  never  lhall  revive  : 
Upon  a  wooden  coffin  we  attend  ; 
And  death's  difhonourable  victory 
We  with  our  {lately  prefence  glorify, 
Like  captives  bound  to  a  triumphant  car. 
What  ?  lhall  we  curie  the  planets  of  mifliap, 
That  plotted  thus  our  glory's  overthrow  ? 
Or  mail  we  think  4  the  fubtle-witted  French 
Conjurers  and  forcerers,  that,  afraid  of  him, 
By  magic  verfes  have  contriv'd  his  end  ? 

Win.  He  was  a  king  bleft  of  the  King  of  kings. 
Unto  the  French  the  dreadful  judgment-day 
So  dreadful  will  not  be,  as  was  his  fight. 
The  battles  of  the  Lord  of  hofls  he  fought : 
The  church's  prayers  made  him  fo  profperous. 

Glo.  The  church  !  where  is  it  ?  Had  not  church- 
men pray'd, 
His  thread  of  life  had  not  fo  foon  decayed  : 

4  — the fubtlc?vjittcd  French  &c.]  There  was  a  notion  preva- 
lent a  long  time,  that  life  might  be  taken   away  by  metrical 
charms.     As  fuperftition  grew  weaker,  thefe  charms  were  ima-  , 
gined  only  to  have  power  on  irrational  animals.     In  our  author's 
time  it  was  fuppofed  that  the  Irifh  could  kill  rats  by  a  fong. 

JOHNSON-. 

So,  in  Reginald  Scot's  Difcoverie  of  Wltcbc raft,  1584:  "  The 
Iriflimen  addift  themfelves,  &c.  yea  they  will  not  fticke  to  af- 
firme  that  they  can  rime  either  man  or  beaft  to  death." 

STEEVEXS. 

VOL.  VI.  N  None 


178          FIRST    PART     OF 

Ncne  do  you  like  but  an  effeminate  prince, 
Whom,  like  a  ichool-boy,  you  may  over-awe. 

Win.  Glofter,  \vhateler  we  like,  thou  art  protector  j£ 
And  lookeil  to  command  the  prince,  and  realm. 
Thy  wife  is  proud  ;  fhe  holdeth  thee  in  awe, 
More  than  God,  or  religious  church-men,  may. 

Glo.  Name  not  religion,  for  thou  lov'ft  the  flefh  ;  * 
And  ne'er  throughout  the  year  to  church  thou  go'ft, 
Except  it  be  to  pray  againft  thy  foes. 

Bed.  Ceafe,  ceafc  thcfe  jars,  and  reft  your  minds| 

in  peace  ! 

Let's  to  the  altar  : — Heralds,  wait  on  us  ;— 
Inftead  of  gold,  well  offer  up  our  arms  ; 
Since  arms  avail  not,  now  that  Henry's  dead. — 
Pofterity,  await  for  wretched  years, 
When  at  their  mothers'  moil!  eyes  babes  iliall  fuck  ;  m 
5  Our  ifle  be  made  a  nourilh  of  fait  tears, 

5  Our  iflele  made  amznfaoffalt  tears,']  Thus  it  is  in  both 
impreilions  by  Mr.  Pope  :  upon  what  authority,  I  cnnnot  uam 
All  the  old  copies  read,  a  nourijh :  and  conlidenng  it  is  laid  m 
the  line  immediately  preceding,  that  babes  fliall  fuck  at  their 
mothers  moifl  eyes,  itfeems  very  probable  that  our  author  wrote! 
a  ncuricc  ;  5.  e.  that  the  whole  ifle  fliould  be  one  common  »ur/m 
or  nourijbcr,  of  tears  :  and  thofe  be  the  nourifhmcnt  of  its  inifcnl 
able  iffue.  THEOBALD. 

Was  there  ever  fuch  nonfenfe  !  But  he  did  not  know  that 
marlfl)  is  an  old  word  tor  marfli  or  ten ;  and  therefore  very  judi- 
«ioufly  thus  corrected  by  Mr.  Pope.  WAS  BURTON. 

I  have  been  informed,  that  what  we  call  at  prefent  a  I 

which  fifh  are  preferred  alive,  was  anciently  called  a  no 

Nourice.,  howerer,  Fr.  a  nurfe,  was  anciently  fpelt  m:n 
c:it  ways,  among  which  nourijb  was  one  : 
*«  Ot  that  chylde  me  was  blyth, 
*'  After  noryjba  flie  fent  belive." 

Syr  Eglamour  of  Ai'tois,  h3.  1.  no  date. 

A,  ncurijb  therefore  in  this    palFage  of  our  author  lignities  a 
•'-,  as  it  apparently  does  in  the  i2th  chapter  of  the  /lift  book 
of  tie  Tragedies  of  John  Bocbas,  by  Lydgate  : 
**  Athenes  whan  it  was  in  his  floures 
*'  Was  called  nourijb  of  philofophers  wife." 
c*  ...  i     i    Jubae  tellus  generat,  leonum 

*'  Arida  nufrix."    STEEVENS. 

And 


KING    H  E  N  R  Y-  VI.         i79 

none  but  women  left  to  wail  the  dead.— 
Henry  the  fifth  !  thy  ghoit  I  invocatc  ; 
Profper  this  realm,  keep  it  from  civil  broils ! 
Combat  with  adverfe  planets  in  the  heavens ! 
A  far  more  glorious  ftar  thy  foul  will  make, 
e  Than  Julius  Csefar,  or  bright • 

Enter  a  Mefpt!ger. 

Mi'ff*  My  honourable  lords,  health,  to  you  all ! 
Sad  tidings  bring  I  to  you  out  of  France, 
Of  lofs,  of  fl-iughter,  and  diicomfiturc : 
7  Guienne,  Champaigne,  Rheims,  Orleans, 
Paris,  Guyfors,  Poidtieis,  are  ail  quire  loft. 

Bed.  What  fay 'ft  thou,  man,  before  dead  Henry's 

corfe  ? 

Speak  foftly  ;  or  the  lofs  of  thofe  great  towns 
Will  make  him  burft  his  lead,  and  rife  from,  death. 

Glo.  Is  Paris  loft  ?  is  Roan  yielded  up  ? 
If  Henry  were  recall'd  to  life  again, 
Thefe  news  would  caufe  him  once  more  yield  the 
ghoft. 

6  Than  Julius  Cafar,  or  bright ]  I   can't  guefs  the 

occafion  of  the  hemiftic  and  imperfect  fenfe  in  this  place  ;  'tis 
not  impolTible  it  mi^ht  have  been  filled  up  with — Francis  Drake> 
— —though  that  were  a  terrible  anachronifm  (as  bad  as  Hector's 
quoting  Ariftofl*  in  Trcllus  and  Crejfida)  ;  yet  perhaps  at  the  time 
that  brave  Engliihrrun  was  in  his  glory,  to  an  Englilh-hearted 
audience,  and  pronounced  by  feme  favourite  a£tor,  the  thing 
might  be  popular,  though  not  judicious  ;  and  therefore  by  fbme 
critic  in  favour  of  the  author  afterwards  {truck  out.  But.  this  is 
a  mere  (light  conjecture.  POPE. 

To  confute  the  flight  conjecture  of  pope,  a  whole  page  of  ve- 
hement oppoP.tion  is  annexed  to  this  pallage  by  Theobald.  Sir 

T.  Hanmer  has  flopped  at  Ctffar perhaps  more  judicioufly, 

It  might  however  have  been  written, — or  Irigbt  Berenice. 

JOHNSON. 

"  Guienn&t  Champcignt)  Rheims,  Orleans,]  This  verfe  might 
be  completed  by  the  iniertion  of  Roan  among  the  places  loft,  as 
Glofler  in  his  next  fpeech  infers  that  it  had  been  mentioned  with 
the  reiL  STEEVENS. 

N  2  Ext. 


i8o          FIRST    PART    OF 

Exe.  How  were  they  loft  ?  what  treachery  was  us'd? 

Mejf.  No  treachery  ;  but  want  of  men,  and  money. 
Among  the  foldiers  this  is  muttered, — 
That  here  you  maintain  feveral  factions  ; 
And,  whilft  a  field  fhould  be  difpatch'd  and  fought, 
You  are  difputing  of  your  generals. 
One  would  have  ling'ring  wars,  with  little  coft  ; 
Another  would  fly  fwift,  but  wanteth  wings  ; 
A  third  man  thinks,  without  expence  at  all, 
By  guileful  fair  words  peace  may  be  obtain'd. 
Awake,  awake,  Englifh  nobility  ! 
Let  not  floth  dim  your  honours,  new-begot : 
Crop'd  are  the  flower-de-luces  in  your  arms  ; 
Of  England's  coat  one  half  is  cut  away. 

Exe.  Were  our  tears  wanting  to  this  funeral, 
Thefe  tidings  would  call  forth  their  flowing  tides. 

Bed.  Me  they  concern  ;  regent  I  am  of  France  :— 
Give  me  my  fteeled  coat,  I'll  fight  for  France. — 
Away  with  thefe  difgraceful  wailing  robes  ! 
Wounds  I  will  lend  the  French,  inftead  of  eyes, 
*  To  weep  their  intermiflive  miferies. 

Enter  to  them  another  Mejfenger. 

l  Meffl  Lords,  view  thefe  letters,  full  of  bad  mif- 

chance. 

France  is  revolted  from  the  Englilh  quite  ; 
Except  fome  petty  towns  of  no  import : 
The  Dauphin  Charles  is  crowned  king  in  Rheims  ; 
The  baftard  of  Orleans  with  him  is  join'd  ; 
Reignier,  duke  of  Anjou,  doth  take  his  part ; 
The  duke  of  Alenfon  flieth  to  his  fide.  [Exit. 

Exe.  The  Dauphin  crowned  king  !  all  fly  to  him  ? 
O,  whither  fhall  we  fly  from  this  reproach  ? 

8  To  weep  their  intermijjive  miferies.']  \.  e.  their  miferies,  which 
have  had  only  a  fiwrt  inrermiilion  from  Henry  the  Fifth's  death 
to  nay  coming  amongil  them.  WAS  BUR  TON. 

Ck\ 


KING    HENRY    VI.         181 

Gk.  We  will  not  fly,  but  to  our  enemies'  throats  :— 
Bedford,  if  thou  be  flack,  I'll  fight  it  out. 

Bed.  Glofter,  why  doubt'fl  thou  of  my  forward- 

nefs  ? 

An  army  have  I  mufter'd  in  my  thoughts, 
Wherewith  already  France  is  over-run. 

Enter  a  third  Meflengcr. 

3  Mejf.  My  gracious  lords, — to  add  to  your  laments, 
Wherewith  you  now  bedew  king  Henry's  hearfe, — 
I  muft  inform  you  of  a  difmal  fight, 
Betwixt  the  flout  lord  Talbot  and  the  French. 

Win.  What  !  wherein  Talbot  overcame  ?  is't  fo  ? 

3  Mejf.  O,    no ;    wherein  lord  Talbot  was  o'er- 

thrown  : 

The  circumftance  I'll  tell  you  more  at  large. 
The  tenth  of  Auguft  lafl,  this  dreadful  lord, 
Retiring  from  the  fiege  of  Orleans, 
Having  full  fcarce  fix  thoufand  in  his  troop9, 
By  three  and  twenty  thoufand  of  the  French 
Was  round  encompaffed  and  fet  upon  : 
No  leifure  had  he  to  cnrank  his  men  ; 
He  wanted  pikes  to  fet  before  his  archers  ; 
Inftead  whereof,  fharp  (takes,  pluck'd  out  of  hedges, 
They  pitched  in  the  ground  confufedly, 
To  keep  the  horfemen  off  from  breaking  in. 
More  than  three  hours  the  fight  continued ; 
Where  valiant  Talbot,  above  human  thought, 
Enadtcd  wonders  with  his  fword  and  lance. 
Hundreds  he  fent  to  hell,  and  none  durft  ftand  him  ; 
Here,  there,  and  every  where,  enrag'd  he  flew : 
The  French  exclaim'd,  The  devil  was  in  arms; 
All  the  whole  army  flood  agaz'd  on  him  : 

9  Having  full  fcarce  &c.]  The  modern  editors  read,— -/caret 
full,  but,  I  think  unneceffarily .     So,  in  the  Tempejl : 

"  — Profpero,  matter  of  a  full  poor  cell."    STEEVENS. 

N  •?  His 


x8z          FIRST    PART    OF 

His  foldiers,  fpying  his  undaunted  fpirit, 

A  Talbot !  a  Talbot  !  cried  out  amain, 

And  ruih'd  into  the  bowels  of  the  battle. 

Here  had  the  conqueft  fully  been  feal'd  up, 

1  If  Sir  John  Faflolfe  had  not  play'd  the  coward  : 

*He  being  in  the  vaward  (plac'd  behind, 

With  pnrpofe  to  relieve  and  follow  them) 

Cowardly  fled,  not  having  ilruck  o^c1  ftroke. 

Hence  grew  the  general  wreck  and  niaffacre  ; 

Enclofecl  were  they  wifh  their  energies  : 

A  bafe  Walloon,  to  win  the  Dauphin's  grace, 

1  If  Sir  Jd-ii  Fafolfe—]  Mr.  Pope  has  taken  notice,  "  That 
Falftaffis  here  introduced  again,  who  was  dead  in  Henry  V. 
The  occafion  whereof  is  that  this  piny  was  written  before  Henry 
IV.  or  Henry  V."  But  Sir  John  Fafblfe  (for  fo  he  is  called)  , 
was  a  lieutenant  general,  deputy  regent  to  the  duke  of  Bedford 
in  Normandy,  a^d  a  knight  of  the  garter ;  and  not  the  comic 
character  afterwards  introduced  by  our  author.  THEOBALD. 

Mr.  Theobald  might  have  feen  his  notion  contradicted  in  the  ^ 
very  line  he  quotes  from.  Faf.olfe,  whether  truely  or  not,  is 
faid  by  Hall  and  Holiuftied  to  have  been  degraded  for  cowardice. 
Dr.  Heylin  in  his  St.  George  for  England,  tells  us,  that  "  he  was 
afterwards,  upon  good  realbn  by  him  alledged  in  his  defence,  re- 
flored  to  his  honour." — "  This  Sir  John  Faljloff"  continues  he, 
*'  was  without  doubt,  a  valiant  and  wife  captain,  notwithstanding 
the  ftage  hath  made  merry  with  him."  FARMER. 

In  the  j  8th  fong  of  Drayton's  Polyolblon  is  the  following  cha» 
rafter  of  this  Sir  John  Pajtotpb  : 

'  Strong  Fajlolph  with  this  man  compare  we  juflly  rruy  ; 
'  By  Sal{bury  who  ott  being  ferioufly  imploy'd 
'  In  many  a  brave  attempt  the  general  foe  annoy'd  ; 
'  With  excellent  fucceffe  in  Main  and  Anjou  fought, 
'  And  many  a  bulwarke  there  into  our  keeping  brought  j 
'  And  chofen  to  go  forth  with  Vadamont  in  wavre, 
*'  Moil  refolutely  tooke  proud  Renate  duke  of  B;irre." 

STEEVEKS. 

*  He  lei  fig  vi  the  niaward  (p!ac\l  behind,  ]  Some  of  the  editors 
feem  to  have  conlidered  this  as  a  comradiciion  in  terms,  and  have 
propofed  to  read — the  rerewardy — but  without  necefTity.  Some 
part  of  the  van  muft  have  been  behind  the  foremolr,  line  of  it. 
We  often  fay  the  back  front  of  a  houfe.  STEEVENS. 

Thruft 


KING     HENRY     VI.         T83 

Thruft  Talbot  with  a  fpear  into  the  back ; 

Whom  all  France,  with  her  chief  alfembled  ftrcngth, 

Durft  not  prefume  to  look  oitce  in  the  face. 

Bed.  Is  Talbot  ilain  ?  then  I  will  flay  myfelf, 
For  living  idly  here,  in  pomp  and  eafe, 
Whilft  fuch  a  worthy  leader,  wanting  aid, 
Unto  his  daftard  foe-men  is  betray'd. 

3  Mcjf.  O  no,  he  lives  ;  but  is  took  prifoner, 
Ancl  lord  Scales  with  him,  and  lord  Hun  -erford  : 
Molt  of  the  reft  flaughter'd,  or  took,  iikewife. 

Bed.  His  ranfom  there  is  none  but  I  fhall  pay  : 
I'll  hale  the  Dauphin  headlong  from  his  throne, 
His  crown  fhall  be  the  ranfom  of  my  friend  ; 
Four  of  their  lords  I'll  change  for  one  of  ours.— - 
Farc-.vel,  my  matters  ;  to  mv  talk  will  I ; 
Bon  [ire s  in  Fn.nce  forthwith  I  am  to  make, 
To  keep  our  great  faint  George's  feaft  withal : 
Ten  thoufand  foldiers  with  me  I  will  take, 
Whofe  bloody  deeds  mall  make  all  Europe  quake.    . 
3  Meffl  So  you  hsd  need  ;  for  Orleans  is  belieg'd;' 
The  Englifh  army  is  grown  weak  and  faint : 
The  earl  of  Snlilbury  craveth  fupply  ; 
And  hardly  keeps  his  men  from  mutiny, 
Since  they,  fo  few,  watch  fuch  a  multitude. 

Exe.  Remember,  lords,  your  oaths  to  Henry  Avorn  ; 
Either  to  quell  the  Dauphin  utterly, 
Or  bring  him  in  obedience  to  your  yoke. 

Bed.  I  do  remember  it ;  and  here  take  leave, 
To  go  about  my  preparation.  [Exit* 

Glo.  I'll  to  the  Tower  with  all  the  hafle  I  can, 
To  view  the  artillery  and  munition  ; 
And  then  I  will  proclaim  young  Henry  king.    [Exif. 
Exe.  To  Eltham  will  I,  where  the  young  king  is, 
Being  ordain'd  his  fpecial  governor  ; 
And  for  his  fafety  there  I'll  beft  devife.  [£.Y//. 

IVlfi.  Each  hath  his  place  and  function  to  attend  : 
I  am  loft  out ;  for  me  nothing  remains. 
But  long  I  will  not  be  Jack-out-of-office ; 

N  4  The 


184          FIRST    PART    OF 

The  king  from  Eltham  I  intend  to  fend, 
And  fit  at  chiefeft  ftern  of  public  weal.  [Exit. 

\ 

SCENE    II. 

Before   Orleans   in  France. 

Enter  Charles,  Alen$on,  and  Reignier,  marching  with  a 
drum  and  foldiers. 

Char.    'Mars  his  true  moving,    even  as  in  the 

heavens, 

So  in  the  earth,  to  this  day  is  not  known  : 
Late,  did  he  thine  upon  the  Englifli  fide  ; 
Now  we  are  vidtors,  upon  us  he  fmiles. 
What  towns  of  any  moment,  but  we  have  ? 
At  pleafure  here  we  lie,  near  Orleans  ; 
Otherwhiles,  the  famim'd  Englilh,  like  pale  ghofts, 
Faintly  befiege  us  one  hour  in  a  month. 

AUn.  They  want  their  porridge,  and  their  fat  bull- 
beeves  : 

Either  they  muft  be  dieted,  like  mules, 
And  have  their  provender  ty'd  to  their  mouths, 
Or  piteous  they  will  look,  like  drowned  mice. 

Reig.  Let's  raife  the  fiege ;  Why  live  wre  idly  here  ? 
Talbot  is  taken,  whom  we  wont  to  fear  : 
Remaineth  none,  but  mad-brain'd  Salifbury ; 
And  he  may  well  in  fretting  fpend  his  gall, 
Nor  men,  nor  money,  hath  he  to  make  war. 

Char.  Sound,  found  alarum  ;  we  will  rufh  on  them. 
Now  for  the  honour  of  the  forlorn  French  :-— 
Him  I  forgive  my  death,  that  killeth  me, 

3  Mars  bis  true  moving,  &c.]  So,  Na(h  in  one  of  his  prefaces 
before  Gabriel  Harvey's  Hunt  is  »/,  1596.  —  "  You  are  as  igno- 
rant in  the  true  movings  of  my  mufe,  as  the  aftronomers  are  in 
the  true  movings  of  Mars,  which  to  this  day  they  could  never  at- 
tain to."  STEEYENS. 

When 


KING     HENRY    VI.        i85 

When  he  fees  me  go  back  one  foot,  or  fly.    [Exeunt. 
[Here  Alarum,  they  are  beaten  back  by  the  Englifk, 
with  great  lofs. 

Re-enter  Charles,  Alen f on,  and  Relgnier. 

Char.  Who  ever  faw  the  like  ?  what  men  have  I  ?— 
Dogs !  cowards !  daftards ! — I  would  ne'er  have  fled, 
But  that  they  left  me  'midft  my  enemies. 

Reig.  Salifbury  is  a  defperate  homicide  ; 
He  fighteth  as  one  weary  of  his  life. 
The  other  lords,  like  lions  wanting  food, 
Do  rufh  upon  us  4  as  their  hungry  prey. 

Alen.  Froifard,  a  countryman  of  ours,  records, 
5  England  all  Olivers  and  Rowlands  bred, 
During  the  time  Edward  the  third  did  reign. 
More  truly  now  may  this  be  verified  ; 
For  none  but  Sampfons,  and  Goliafles, 
It  fendeth  forth  to  fkirmifh.     One  to  ten  ! 
Lean  raw-bon'd  rafcals  !  who  would  e'er  fuppofe 
They  had  fuch  courage  and  audacity  ? 

Char.  Let's  leave  this  town  ;    for  they  are  hair- 

brain'd  flaves, 

And  hunger  will  enforce  them  to  be  more  eager  : 
Of  old  I  know  them  ;  rather  with  their  teeth 
The  walls  they'll  tear  down,  than  forfake  the  fiege. 

Reig.  I  think,  by  fome  odd6gimmals  or  device, 

Their 

*         --As  their  hungry  prey."\  I  believe  it  fliould  be  read : 
As  their  \\ungredfrty.     JOHNSON. 

s  England  all  Olivers  and  Rowlands  bred,~\  Thefe  were  two  of 
the  moft  famous  in  the  lift  of  Charlemagne's  twelve  peers ;  and 
their  exploits  are  render'd  fo  ridiculoufly  and  equally  extravagant 
by  the  old  romancers,  that  from  thence  arofethat  faying amonglr. 
our  plain  and  feniible  anceftors,  of  giving  one  a  Rowland  for  his 
Oliver,  to  lignify  the  matching  one  incredible  lye  with  another. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

Rather,  to  oppofe  one  hero  to  another,  i.e.  to  give  a  per/on  as 
good  a  one  as  he  brings.  STEEVENS. 

6  — gimmah—]  A  gimmal  is  a  piece  of  jointed  work,  where 


i86         F  I  R  S  T    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Their  arms  are  fct,  like  clocks,  flill  to  ftrike  on  ; 
Elfe  they  could  ne'er  hold  out  fo,  as  they  do. 
By  my  confent,  we'll  e'en  let  them  alone. 
Men.  Be  it  fo. 

Enter  ll-e  Eajlard  of  Orleans. 

Baft.  Where's  the  prince  Dauphin  ?  I  have  news  for 
him. 

Dan.  Buicard  of  Orleans,  thrice  welcome  to  us. 

Baft.  Methinks,  your  looks  are  iud,  ~  your  chear 

appali'd  ; 

Hath  the  hte  overthrow  wrought  this  o.Tcnce  ? 
Be  not  difmay'd,  for  fuccour  is  at  hand  : 
A  holy  maid  hither  with  me  I  bring, 
Which,  by  a  vifion  fent  to  her  from  heaven, 
Ordained  is  to  raife  this  tedious  fiege, 
And  drive  the  Englifh  forth  the  bounds  of  France. 
The  fpirit  of  deep  prophecy  fhe  hath, 
Exceeding  the  8  nine  fibyls  of  old  Rome  ; 
What's  pail,  and  what's  to  come,  ihe  can  dcfcry. 

cine  piece  moves  within  another,  whence  it  is  taken  at  large  for 
an  engine.  It  is  now  by  the  vulgar  called  a glmeracl;,  JOHNSON. 
In  the  inventory  ot  the  jewels,  feV.  belonging  to  Salilhury 
cathedral  taken  in  -153^,  aKth  of  Henry  VIII.  is — "  A  r'aire 
cheil  with  gimmah  and  key."  Again,  "  Three  other  chcits 
with  trlnimaU  of  lilver  and  gilt." 

Again,  in  the  ancient  enterlude  of  the  Repentance  of  Mary  Mag- 
dalent,    1567: 

"  Your  nether  garments  muft  go  by  gymma  and  joints" 
Again,  in  B.  and  Fletcher's  Beggar's  Bufb : 
**  Sure  I  ftiould  know  tnatgymmaJ. 
"  'Tis  certain  he  :   I  had  torgot  my  ring  too.*' 
Again,  in  the  frc<:v-l>'reater,  or  the  Fa/re  Maide  ofCl'ftor.,  1636: 
*'  My  r.6tes  arc  like  the  motionall  gynmah 
*'  FLxt  in  a  watch."     STEEVEVS. 
7  — -your  ibca'r  appzlFd;  —  ]  Chear  is  countenance,  appearance. 

STEEVENS. 

9  — —  nlr.ef.lyls  of  eld  Rome  ;~\  There  were    no  nine  , 
Rome;  but  he  confounds  things,  and  miftakes  this  for  the  nine 
book?  of  Sibylline  oracles,  brought  to  one  of  the  Tarquins. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

Speak, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.          18; 

Speak,  fhall  I  call  her  in  ?  9  Believe  my  words, 
For  they  are  certain  and  unfallible. 

Dan.  Go,  call  her  in  :  But  tirft,  to  try  her  fkill, 
Reignier,  ftand  thou  as  Dauphin  in  my  place  : 
Queftion  her  proudly,  let  thy  looks  be  llern  ;  — 
By  this  means  lhall  we  found  what  Ikill  Ihe  hath. 

Enter  Joan  la  Pucelle. 

Reig.  Fait-  maid,  is't  thou  wilt  do  thefe  wond'rous 
feats  ? 

Pucel.  Reignier,  is't  thou  that  thinkeft  to  beguile 

me  ?  — 

Where  is  the  Dauphin  ?  —  come,  come  from  behind  ; 
I  know  thee  well,  though  never  feen  before. 
Be  not  amaz'd,  there's  nothing  hid  from  me  : 
In  private  will  I  talk  with  thee  apart;  — 
Stand  back,  you  lords,  and  give  us  leave  awhile. 

Reig.  She  takes  upon  her  bravely  at  firft  dam. 

Pucel.  Dauphin,  I  cam  by  birth  a  mepherd's  daugh- 

ter, 

My  wit  untrain'd  in  any  kind  of  art. 
Heaven,  and  our  Lady  gracious,  hath  it  pleas'd 
To  ihine  on  my  contemptible  eftate  : 
Lo,  whilit  I  waited  on  my  tender  lambs, 
And  to  fun's  parching  heat  difplay'd  my  cheeks, 
God's  mother  deigned  to  appear  to  me  ; 
And,  in  a  vifion  full  of  majefty, 
Will'd  me  to  leave  my  bafe  vocation, 
And  free  my  country  from  calamity  : 
Her  aid  me  promis'd,  and  aflur'd  fuccefs  : 
In  compleat  glory  Ihe  rcveal'd  herfelf  ; 
And,  \\hereas  I  was  black  and  fwart  before, 
With  thoie  clear  rays  which  Ihe  infus'd  on  me, 
That  beauty  am  I  bleft  with,  which  you  fee. 
A  Ik  me  what  queftion  thou  canft  poffible, 


Believe  ray  wwvft,]     It  fhould  be  read  : 

•  •    belitvt  her  worth,    JOHNSON! 

And 


i88          FIRST    PART    OF 

And  I  will  anfwer  unpremeditated  : 
My  courage  try  by  combat,  if  thou  dar'fl, 
And  thou  malt  find  that  I  exceed  my  fex. 
Refolve  on  this  :  Thou  ihalt  be  fortunate, 
If  thou  receive  me  for  thy  warlike  mate. 

Dau.  Thou  haft  aftonifh'd  me  with  thy  high  terms  : 
Only  this  proof  I'll  of  thy  valour  make, — 
In  fingle  combat  thou  ihall  buckle  with  me  ; 
And,  if  thou  vanquifheft,  thy  words  are  true  ; 
Otherwife,  I  renounce  all  confidence. 

Pucel.  I  am  prepar'd :  here  is  my  keen-edg'd  fword, 
Deck'd  with  fine  flower-de-luces  on  each  fide  '  ; 
The  which,  at  Touraine  in  faint  Katharine's  church- 
yard, 
Out  of  a  deal  of  old  iron  I  chofe  forth. 

Dau,  Then  come  o'God's  name,  I  fear  no  woman. 

Pucel.  And,  while  I  live,  I'll  never  fly  no  man. 
[Here  they  fgbt,  and  Joan  la  Pucelle  overcomes. 

Dau.  Stay,  flay  thy  hands  ;  thou  art  an  Amazon, 
And  fighteft  with  the  fword  of  Debora. 

Pucel.  Chrift's  mother  helps  me,  elfe  I  were  too 
weak. 

Dau.  Whoe'er  helps  thee,  'tis  thou  that  muft  help 

me  : 

Impatiently  I  burn  with  thy  defire  * ; 
My  heart  and  hands  thou  haft  at  once  fubdu'd. 
Excellent  Pucelle,  if  thy  name  be  fo, 
Let  me  thy  fervant,  and  not  fovereign,  be  ; 
'Tis  the  French  Dauphin  fueth  to  thee  thus. 

Pucel.  I  muft  not  yield  to  any  rites  of  love, 
For  my  profeflion's  facred  from  above  : 

1  Deck' d  with  fine  fiower-de-hcts  &c.]    We  fhould  read,  ac- 
cording to  Holinflied,  five  flower-de-luces.     "  in  a  fecret 

place  there  among  old  iron,  appointed  fhe  hir  fword  to  be  fought 
out  and  brought  her,  that  with  five  floure  delices  was  graven  on 
both  fides,  &c."  STEEVENS. 

a  Impatiently  Hum  with  thy  dejire  \\  The  amorous  conftitution 
of  the  Dauphin  has  been  mentioned  in  the  preceding  pby  : 

*'  Doing  is«6Hvity  and  he  will  ftill  be  doing"  COLLINS." 

When 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         jg9 

When  I  have  chafed  all  thy  foes  from  hence, 
Then  will  I  think  upon  a  recompence. 

2)au.  Mean  time,  look  gracious  on  thy  proltratc 
thrall. 

Reig.  My  lord,  methinks,  is  very  long  in  talk. 

Akn.  Doubtlefs,    he    flirives  this  woman  to  her 

fmock  ; 
Elfe  ne'er  could  he  fo  long  protract  his  fpeech. 

Reig.  Shall  we  difturb  him,  fince  he  keeps  no  mean  ? 

Alen.  He  may  mean  more  than  we  poor  men  do 

know  : 
Thefe  women  are  fhrewd  tempters  with  their  tongues. 

Reig.  My  lord,  where  are  you?  what  devife  you  on? 
Shall  we  give  over  Orleans,  or  no  ? 

Pucel.  Why,  no,  I  fay,  diftruftful  recreants ! 
Fight  'tilt  the  laft  gafp  ;  I  will  be  your  guard. 

Dau.  What  fhe  fays,  I'll  confirm  ;  we'll  fight  it  out, 

Pucel.  Afiign'd  I  am  to  be  the  Englifh  fcourge. 
This  night  the  fiege  aiTuredly  I'll  ra.iie  : 
3  Expert  faint  Martin's  fummer,  halcyon  days, 
Since  I  have  enter'd  thus  into  thefe  wars. 
Glory  is  like  a  circle  in  the  water, 
Which  never  ceafeth  to  enlarge  itfelf, 
'Till,  by  broad  fpreading,  it  difperfe  to  nought. 
With  Henry's  death,  the  Engliih  circle  ends ; 
Difperfed  are  the  glories  it  included. 
Now  am  I  like  that  proud  infulting  ihip4, 
Which  Casfar  and  his  fortune  bare  at  once. 

8  Expeft faint  Martin's  fummer^]  That  is,  expe&  profterity  af- 
ter misfortune,  like  lair  weather  at  Martlemas,  after  winter  has 
begun.  JOHNSON. 

*  like  that  proud  infulting  flip, 

Which  Ctffar  and  his  fortune  tore  at  ortce.~\ 

This  alludes  to  a  paifage  in  Plutarch's  Life  of  Julius  Catfar^ 
thus  tranilated  by  fir  T.  North.  "  Cae  far  hearing  that,  ftraight 
difcovered  himfelfe  unto  the  maifter  of  the  pynnafe,  who  at  the 
flrft  was  amazed  when  he  faw  him,  but  Caelar,  &c.  faid  unto 
him,  Good  fellow,  be  of  good  cheere,  &c.  and  fear  not,  for 
thou  baft  Cafar  and  bit  fortune  with  tbee,"  STEEVENS, 

Dau. 


i9o         FIRST    PART    OF 

Dau.  Was  Mahomet  infpired  with  a  dove  *  ? 
Thou  with  an  eagle  art  infpired  then. 
Helen,  the  mother  of  great  Conftantine, 
6  Nor  yet  faint  Philip's  daughters,  were  like  thec. 
Bright  ftar  of  Venus,  fall'n  down  on  the  earth, 
How  may  I  reverently  worfhip  thee  enough  ? 

Akn.  Leave  off  delays,  and  let  us  raife  the  fiege. 

Reig.  Woman,    do  what  thou  canft  to  fave  our 

honours ; 
Drive  them  from  Orleans,  and  be  immortaliz'd. 

Dau.  Prefently  we'll  try  : — Come,  let's  away  about 

it: — 
No  prophet  will  I  truft,  if  fhe  prove  falfe.     [Exeunt, 

SCENE    III. 

Tower-gates^  In  London. 
Enter  Glofter,  with  bis  feru  ing-men. 

Glo.  I  am  co'me  to  furvey  the  Tower  this  day ; 
Since  Henry's  death,  I  fear,  7  there  is  conveyance.— 
Where  be  thefe  warders,  that  they  wait  not  here  ? 
Open  the  gates  ;  it  is  Glofter  that  calls. 

i  Ward.  Who's  there,    that  knocketh   fo  iinpc- 
riouily  ? 

1  Man.  It  is  the  noble  duke  of  Glofter. 

2  Ward.  Whoe'er  he  be,  you  may  not  be  let  in. 

5  Dauph.  Wa3  Mahomet  inff  ired  with  a  dove?']  Mahomet  had 
a  dove,  "  which  he  ufed  to  feed  with  wheat  out  of  his  ear; 
which  dove  when  it  was  hungry,  lighted  on  Mahomet's  fhoulder, 
and  thrull  its  hill  in  to  find  it's  breakfait ;  Mahomet  perfuading 
the  rude  and  fimple  Arabians,  that  it  was  the  Holy  Gholl  that 
gave  him  advice."  See  Sir  Walter  Raleigh's  Hijlory  of  the  World, 
Book  I.  Part  I.  ch.  vi.  Life  of  Mahomet,  by  Dr.  Prideaux. 

GRAY. 

'  Nor  yet  fault  Philip's  daughters, — ]  Meaning  the  four  daugh- 
ters of  Philip  mentioned  in  the  Afts.  HANMER^ 

7  —there  is  conveyance.—]  Conveyance  means  theft.    HANMER. 

i  Man. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.          I9I 

i  JVLv;.  Villains,  anfweryou  fo  the  lord  protedor  ? 
i  Ward*  The  Lord  protect  him !   fo  we  anfwer 

him  : 
We  do  no  otherwife  than  we  are  wili'd. 

Glo.  Who  willed  you  ?  or  whofe  will  Hands,  but 

mine  ? 

There's  none  protestor  of  the  realm,  but  I. — 
Break  up  the  gates  8,  I'll  be  your  \\arrantize  : 
Shall  I  be  flouted  thus  by  dunghill  grooms  ? 

Glqfer's  men  rvjh  at  ike  Tower  gates,  and  Wood-vile,  i '.  c 
lieutenant,  fpeaks  within. 

JJ'ocd.  What  noife  is  this  ?  what  traitors  have -we 
here  ? 

Glo.  Lieutenant,  is  it  you,  whofe  voice  I  hear  ? 
Oprn  the  gates  ;  here's  Glofter,  that  would  enter. 

Wood.  Have  patience,    noble  duke  ;    I  may  not 

open  ; 

The  cardinal  of  Winchefler  forbids  : 
From  him  I  have  exprcfs  commandement, 
That  thou,  nor  none  of  thine,  lhall  be  let  in. 

Glo.  Faint-hearted  Woodvile,    prizeft   him  'fore 

me  ? 

Arrogant  Winchefler  ?  that  haughty  prelate, 
Whom  Henry,  our  late  fovereign,  ne'er  could  brook? 
Thou  art  no  friend  to  God,  or  to  the  king  : 
Open  the  gates,  or  I'll  mut  thee  out  ihortly. 

Ser-v.  Open  the  gates  there  to  the  lord  protector ; 
We'll  built  them  open,  if  that  you  come  not  quickly. 

8  Break  up  the  gates,]  I  fuppofe  to  break  up  the  gate  ii  to  force 
up  the  portcullis,  or  by  the  application  of  petards  to  blow  up  the 
gates  themfelves.  STJ- EVENS. 


i9z         FIRST    PART    OF 

Enter  to  the  proteffor,    at  the  Tower-gates,    Wmchejler 
and  his  men  in  tawny  coats  9. 

Win.  *  How  now,    ambitious  Humphry  ?    what 

means  this  ? 
Glo.  *  Piel'd  prieft,  doft  thou  command  me  to  be 

fhut  out  ? 

Win.  I  do,  thou  moft  ufurping  proditor, 
And  not  protestor  of  the  king  or  realm. 

Glo.  Stand  back,  thou  manifeit  confpirator  ; 
Thou,  that  contriv'dft  to  murder  our  dead  lord ; 
3  Thou,  that  giv'ft  whores  indulgences  to  fin  : 

Pli 

9  —tawny  coats. ]  It  appears  from  the  following  pafTage  in  a 
comedy  called,  A  Maidenhead  well  Loft-,  1634,  that  a  taivry  coat 
was  the  drefs  of  zfumpner,  i.  e.  an  apparitor,  an  officer  whole  bu- 
finefs  it  was  to  fummon  offenders  to  an  ecclefiaftical  court : 

*'  Tho  I  was  never  a  tawny-coat^  I  have  play'd  t\\cj~um»ioner's 
part." 

Thefe  are  the  proper  attendants  therefore  on   the  bifhop  of 

Winchefter.     So,    in  Stowe's  Chronicle,    p.  822  :  «'  and 

by  the  way  the  bljhop  of  London   met  him,  attended  on  by  a 
goodly  company  of  gentlemen  in  tawny-coats,  &c."     STEEVENS. 

1  Ho&itHV,  ambitious  umpire,  what  means  tpisf]  This  read- 
ing has  obtained  in  all  the  editions  fince  the  fecond  folio.  The 
firft  folio  has  it  umpheir.  In  both  the  word  is  diftinguifhed  in 
italicks.  But  why,  umpire  f  Or  of  what  ?  The  traces  of  the 
letters,  and  the  words  being  printed  in  italicks,  convince  me, 
that  the  duke's  chriftian  name  lurk'd  under  this  corruption. 

THEOBALD. 

a  Pierd prieft, — ]  Alluding  to  his  (haven  crown.     POPE. 

In  Skinner  (to  whofe  dictionary  I  was  directed  by  Mr.  Ed- 
wards) I  find  that  it  means  more  :  Pilfd  or  peeFd  garlick,  cui 
pellis,  *vel  pill  omnes  ex  morbo  aliquo,  presfertim  e  lue  vencrea,  d:- 
fluxerunt. 

In  Ben  Jonfon's  Bartholomew  Fair  the  following  inftance  oc- 
curs : 

"  I'll  fee  them  p— 'd  firft,  and//7W  and  double  plfd." 

STEEVENS. 

In  Weever's  Funeral  Monuments,  p.  154.  Robert  Buldocke, 
bifhop  of  London,  is  called  a  peeled  prieft,  pilide  clerk,  feemingly 
in  aHufion  to  his  {haven  crown  alone.  So,  bald-bead  was  a  term 
of  fcorn  and  mockery.  TOILET. 

3  Thoit)  that  giifjl  whores  indulgences  to  Jin:— ]  The  public 

flews 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.          i93 

4 1'Jl  canvafs  thee  in  thy  broad  cardinal's  hat, 
If  thou  proceed  in  this  thy  infolence. 

Win*  Nay,  ftand  thou  back,  I  will  not  budge  afoot; 
5  This  be  Damafcus,  be  thou  curfed  Cain, 
To  flay  thy  brother  Abel,  if  thou  wilt. 

Glo.  I  will  not  flay  thee,  but  I'll  drive  thee  back  : 
Thy  fcarlet  robes,  as  a  child's  bearing-cloth 
I'll  ufe,  to  carry  thee  out  of  this  place. 

Win.  Do  what  thou  dar'ft ;  I  beard  thee  to  thy 
face. 

Glo.  What  ?  am  I  dar'd,  and  bearded  to  my  face  ?— 
Draw,  men,  for  all  this  privileged  place  ; 
Blue-coats  to  tawny-coats.   Prieft,  beware  thy  beard  ; 
I  mean  to  tug  it,  and  to  cuff  you  foundly  : 
Under  my  feet  I'll  ftamp  thy  cardinal's  hat; 
In  fpite  of  pope,  or  dignities  of  church, 

ftews  were  formerly  under  the  diflrift  of  the  bifhop  of  Win- 
chefter.     POPE. 

There  is  now  extant  an  old  manufcript  (formerly  the  office- 
book  of  the  court  leet  held,  under  the  jurifdidion  of  the  bifhop 
of  Winchefter  in  Southwark)  in  which  are  mentioned  the  feveral 
fees  ariling  from  the  brothel-houfes  allowed  to  be  kept  in  the  bi- 
fhop's  manor,  with  the  cufloms  and  regulations  of  them.  One 
of  the  articles  is, 

' '  DC  bis,  (jui  cujlodiunt  mulleres  bafientes  nefandam  injirmita* 
tern." 

"  Item,  That  no  ftewholder  keep  any  woman  within  his  houfe, 
that  hath  any  ficknefs  of  brenning,  but  that  (he  be  put  out  upon 
pain  of  making  a  fyne  unto  the  lord  of  C  fhillings."  UPTON. 

4  /'// canvafs  thee  in  thy  broad  car  dinar  5  bat,~\  This  means,  I 
believe,  /'//  tumble  tbee  into  thy  great  bat,  and  Jbake  tbee,  as  Iran 
and  meal  are  foaken  in  a  Jteve. 

So,  lir  W.  Davenant,  in  the  Cruel  Brother,   1630: 
*'  I'll  litt  and  winnow  him  in  an  old  hat." 

To  canvas  was  anciently  ufed  for  tojift.     So,  ill  Hans  Beer-pot's 
Invijlbk  Comedy,    1618  : 

"  • We'll  canvas  him. 

"  1  am  too  big STEEVENS. 

*  Tins  Ic  Damafcus,  be  tbou  curfed  Cain,]  N.  B.  About  four 
miles  from  Damafcus  is  a  high  hill,  reported  to  be  the  fame  on 
which  Cain  flew  his  brother  Abel.  Maundrel's  Travels,  p.  131. 

POPE. 

VOL.  VI.  O  Here 


I94          FIRST    PART    OF 

Here  by  the  cheeks  I'll  drag  thee  np  and  down. 

Win.  Glofler,  thou'lt  anfwer  this  before  the  pope,  j 

Glo.  6  Winchefter  goofe  !  I  cry A  rope  !    a 

rope  ! — 

Now  beat  them  hence,  Why  do  you  let  them  flay  ?— 
Thee  I'll  chafe  hence,  thou  wolf  in  fheep's  array.— 
Out,  tawny  coats ! — out,  fcarlet  hypocrite  ! 

Here  Glofter's  men  beat  out  the  Cardinars  ;  and  enter,  in  \ 
the  hurly-burly,  the  Mayor  of  London,  and  his  officers. 

Mayor.  Fie,  lords  \  that  you,  being  fupreme  ma- 

giftrates, 
Thus  contumelioufly  ihould  break  the  peace  f 

Glo.  Peace,  mayor ;  for  thou  know'ft  little  of  my 

wrongs  : 

Here's  Beaufort,  that  regards  nor  God  nor  king, 
Hath  here  diftrain'd  the  Tower  to  his  ufe. 

Win,  Here's  Glofter  too,  a  foe  to  citizens  ; 
One  that  frill  motions  war,,  and  never  peace, 
O'er-charging  your  free  purfes  with  large  fines  ^ 
That  feeks  to  overthrow  religion, 
Becaufe  he  is  protector  of  the  realm  ; 
And  would  have  armour  here  out  of  the  Tower, 
To  crown  himfelf  king,  and  fupprefs  the  prince. 

Glo.  I  will  not  anfwer  thee  with  words,  but  blows. 
[Here  they  Jklrmijh  again. 

Mayor.  Nought  refls  for  me,,  in  this  tumultuous- 
ftrife, 

But  to  make  open  proclamation  : 

Come,  officer ;  as  loud  as  e'er  thou  canfl. 

Off.  All  manner  of  men,  ajfembled  here  in  arms  this  day, 
againft  God's  peace  and  the  king's,  we  charge  and  com- 
mand you,  in  his  highnefs' name,  to  repair  to  your  feveral 
dwelling  places-,  and  not  wear,  handle,  or  ufe,  any 

6  Winckejler  goofe  ! — ]  A  ilrumpet,  or  the  confluences  of  her 
love,  was  a  Winchefter  goofe.    JOHNSON. 

/word, 


KING    HENRY    VI.         Ip5 

fword,  weapon,   or  dagger  >   henceforward,   upon  pain 
of  death. 

Glo.  Cardinal,  I'll  be  no  breaker  of  the  law  : 
But  we  fliall  meet,  and  break  our  minds  at  large. 

Win.  Glofter,  we'll  meet ;  to  thy  coft,  be  thou  lure  : 
*Thy  heart-blood  I  will  have  for  this  day's  work. 

Mayor.  I'll  call  for  clubs,  if  you  will  not  away  :— 
This  cardinal  is  more  haughty  than  the  devil. 

Glo.  Mayor,  farewel  :  thou  dofl  but  what  thou 
may'ft. 

IVm.  Abominable  Glofter  !  guard  thy  head  ; 
For  I  intend  to  have  it,  ere  long.  [Exeunt. 

Mayor.  See  the  coaft  clear'd,  and  then  we  will  de- 
part.— 

Good  God  !  7  that  nobles  ihould  fuch  ftomachs  bear ! 
J  myfclf  fight  not  once  in  forty  year.  \Exewit* 

SCENE    IV. 

Orleans  in  France. 
Enter  tie  Mafter-Gunner  of  Orleans,  and  his  Boy. 

M.  Gun.  Sirrah,  thou  know'ft  how  Orleans  is  be- 

fieg'd ; 
And  how  the  Engliih  have  the  fuburbs  won. 

Boy.  Father,  I  know  ;  and  oft  have  fhot  at  them, 
Howe'er,  unfortunate,  I  mifs'd  my  aim. 

7  that  nobles  jbould fuck  Jlornacks  bear  ! 

I  wyfilf  fight  not  once  in  forty  year  ^\ 

The  Mayor  of  London  was  not  brought  in  to  be  laugh'd  at,  aa 
is  plain  by  his  manner  of  interfering  in  the  quarrel,  where  he  all 
along  prelerves  a  lufficient  dignity.  In  the  line  preceding  thefe, 
he  direfts  his  officer,  to  whom  without  doubt  thefe  two  lines  fhould 
be  given.  They  fuit  his  character,  and  are  very  exprelfive  of  the 
pacific  temper  of  the  city  guards.  WARBURTON. 

I  fee  no  reafon  for  this  change.    The  Mayor  fpeaka  firft  as  a 
jnagiftrate,  and  afterwards  as  a  citizen.    JOHNSON. 

O  a  K  Gun* 


196          FIRST    PART    OF 

M  Gun.  But  now  thou  flialt  not.     Be  thou 

by  me  : 

Chief  mafler-gunner  am  I  of  this  town  ; 
Something  I  muft  do,  to  procure  me  grace. 
The  prince's  'fpials  8  have  informed  me, 
How  9  the  Englifh,  in  the  fuburbs  clofe  entrench'd, 
Went,  through  a  fecret  grate  of  iron  bars 
In  yonder  tower,,  to  over-peer  the  city  ; 
And  thence  difcover,  how,  with  moft  advantage, 
They  may  vex  us,  with  Ihot,  or  with  affault. 
To  intercept  this  inconvenience, 
A  piece  of  ordinance  'gainft  it  I  have  plac'd  ; 
And  fully  even  thefe  three  days  have  I  watch'd, 
If  I  could  fee  them  :  Now,  boy,  do  thou  watch ; 
For  I  can  ftay  no  longer. 
If  thou  fpy'ft  any,  run  and  bring  me  word ; 
And  thou  Ihalt  find  me  at  the  governor's.          [JEr/7.. 

Soy.  Father,  I  warrant  you  ;  take  you  no  care ; 
I'll  never  trouble  you,  if  I  may  fpy  them. 

Enter  tie  lords  Salisbury  and.  falbot l,  with  Sir  W.  Glanf- 
dak  and  Sir  Tho.  Gargrave,  on  the  turrets. 

Sal  Talbot,  my  life,  my  joy,  again  returned  ! 
How  wert  thou  handled,  being  prifoner  ? 

Or 

8  The  prince's  *fpials]    Efplah  are    fpies.    So,   in  Chaucer's. 
Freres  Tale  : 

«*  For  fubtilly  he  had  his  efpiaille"    STEEVENS. 

9  the  Englijh 

Went,  through  a  fecret  grate  of  iron  lars 
In  yonder  tower,  to  over -peer  the  city  ;] 
That  is,  the  Englifh  vjenty  not  through  a  fecret  grate,  but  went-. 
to  over-peer  the  city  through  a  fecret  grate  which  is  in  yonder  tower. 
I  did  not  know  till  of  late  that  this  paflage  had  been  thought  dif- 
ficult. JOHNSON. 

I  believe,  inftead  of  went,  we  fliould  read  wont,  the  third  per- 

fon  plural  of  the  old  verb >  ow«/.     "  The  Englijlj—wont,  that  is, 

arc  accujiomcd — to  overpeer  the  city."     The  word  is  ufed  very  tre- 

<}uently  by  Spenfer,  and  feveral  times  by  Milton.     TYRWHITT. 

*  —-Talbot,]  Though  the  three  parts  of  K>  Henry  VI.  are- 

de- 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         i97 

Or  by  what  means  got'ft  thou  to  be  released  ? 

Uifcourfe,  I  pry'thee,  on  this  turret's  top. 
Tal.  The  duke  of  Bedford  had  a  prifoner, 

Called — the  brave  lord  Ponton  de  Santrailles; 

For  him  was  I  exchang'd  and  ranfomed. 

But  with  a  bafer  man  of  arms  by  far, 

Once,  in  contempt,  they  would  have  barter'd  me : 

Which  I,  difdaining,  fcorn'd;  and  craved  death 

Rather  than  I  would  be  *  fo  pill'd  efteem'd.    . 

[n  fine,  redeem'd  I  was  as  I  defir'd. 

But,  oh  !  the  treacherous  FailolfTe  wounds  my  heart! 

Whom  with  my  bare  fifls  I  would  execute, 

[f  I  now  had  him  brought  into  my  power. 
Sal.  Yet  teH*ft  thou  not,    how  thou  wert  enter- 

tain'd. 

¥al.  With  feoffs,    and  fcorns,  and  contumelious 
taunts. 

In  open  market-place  produced  they  me, 

To  be  a  public  fpedacle  to  all ; 
!  Here,  faid  they,  is  the  terror  of  the  French, 

The  fcare-crow  that  affrights  our  Children  fo. 
,    iien  broke  I  from  the  officers  that  led  me  ; 

Am  with  my  nails  digg'd  (tones  out  of  the  ground, 

"JTo  /nrl  at  the  beholders  of  my  ihame. 

My  grifly  countenance  made  others  fly  ; 

None  durft  come  near,  for  fear  of  fudden  death. 

In  iron  walls  they  deem'd  me  not  fecure ; 

defervedly  numbered  among  the  feebleft  performances  of  Shake- 
fpeare,  this  firft  of  them  appears  to  have  been  received  with  the 
greatell  applauie.  So,  in  Pierce  Pennilefs's  Supplication  to  the  De- 
vil, by  Nafh,  1595.  "  How  would  it  have  joyed  brave  Talbot 
(the  terror  of  the  French)  to  thinke  that  after  he  had  line  two 
hundred  yeares  in  his  tombe,  he  ihould  triumph  againe  on  the 
ftage,  and  have  his  bones  new  embalmed  with  the  teares  of  ten 
thoufand  fpeftators  at  leaft  (at  feveral  times)  who  in  the  tragedian 
that  repreients  his  perfon,  imagine  they  behold  him  frefli  bleed- 
ing." STEEVENS. 

1  fo  piWd  ejleem'd,'\  Thus  the  old  copy.     The  modern 

editors  read,  but  without  authority "  fo  vile  efteem'd."     So 

,  fojirijp'd  of  honours.     UTEEVENS. 

0  So 


I93          F  I  R  S  T    P  A  R  T    O  F 

So  great  fear  of  my  name  'mongft  them  was  fpre; 
That  they  fuppos'd,  I  could  rend  bars  of  (leel, 
And  fpurn  in  pieces  pofts  of  adamant : 
Wherefore  a  guard  of  chofen  fliot  I  had, 
That  walk'd  about  me  every  minute  while  ; 
And  if  I  did  but  ftir  out  of  my  bed, 
Ready  they  were  to  ihoot  me  to  the  heart. 

Enter  the  j50y,  with  a  llnftock. 

Sal  I  grieve  to  hear  what  torments  you  endur'd 
But  we  will  be  reveng'd  fufficiently. 
3S7 ow  it  is  fupper-time  in  Orleans  : 
Here,  through  this  grate,  I  can  count  every  one, 
And  view  the  Frenchmen  how  they  fortify ; 
Let  us  look  in,  the  fight  will  much  delight  thee.— •• 
Sir  Thomas  Gargrave,  and  Sir  William  Glanfdale,    I 
Let  me  have  your  exprefs  opinions, 
Where  is  beft  place  to  make  our  battery  next. 

Gar.  I  think,  at  the  north  gate  :  for  there  (land  I 

lords. 

Glan.  And  I  here,  at  the  bulwark  of  the  bridge. 
Tal.  For  aught  I  fee,  this  city  muflbe  famifh'd,  7- 
Or  with  light  Ikirmilhes  enfeebled. 

[Shot  from  the  town.     Salisbury  and  Sir  ffio.  Ga'"-» ' 

grave  fall  down. 

Sal.  O  Lord,  have  mercy  on  us,  wretched  finners ! 
Gar.  O  Lord,  have  mercy  on  me,  woful  man  ! 
<Ttf/.  What   chance  is  this,    that  fuddenly   hath 

crofs'd  us  ? — 

Speak,  Salifbury  ;  at  leaft,  if  thou  canfl  fpeak  ; 
How  far'ft  thou,  mirror  of  all  martial  men  ? 
One  of  thy  eyes,  and  thy  cheek's  fide  ftruckoff!— 
Accurfed  tower  !  accurfed  fatal  hand, 
That  hath  contriv'd  this  woeful  tragedy ! 
In  thirteen  battles  Salifbury  o'ercame ; 
Henry  the  fifth  he  firft  train'd  to  the  wars  : 
Whilfl  any  trump  did  found,  or  drum  (truck  up, 
His  fword  did  ne'er  leave  ftriking  in  the  field. — 

Yet 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         i99 

Yet  Hv'ft  thou,  Salifbury  ?  though  thy  fpeech  doth 
fail, 

3  One  eye  thou  haft  to  look  to  heaven  for  grace  : 
The  fun  with  one  eye  vieweth  all  the  world.— 
Heaven,  be  thou  gracious  to  none  alive, 

If  Salifbury  wants  mercy  at  thy  hands  ! — 
Bear  hence  his  body,  I  will  help  to  bury  it.— • 
Sir  Thomas  Gargrave,  haft  thou  any  life  ? 
Speak  unto  Talbot ;  nay,  look  up  to  him. 
Salifbury,  chear  thy  fpirit  with  this  comfort ; 

Thou  fhalt  not  die,  whiles 

He  beckons  with  his  hand,  and  fmiles  on  me  ; 
As  who  fhould  lay,  When  I  am  dead  and  gone. 
Remember  to  avenge  me  on  the  French.— 
Plantagenet,  I  will ;  and  Nero-like, 
Play  on  the  lute,  beholding  the  towns  bum  : 
Wretched  fhall  France  be  only  in  my  name. 

[ Here  an  alarum,  and  it  thunders  and  lightens, 
What  ftir  is  this  ?  What  tumult's  in  the  heavens  ? 
Whence  cometh  this  alarum,  and  this  noife  ? 

Enter  a  Meffettger. 

Me$.  My  lord,  my  lord,  the  French  have  gather'd 

head  : 

The  Dauphin,  with  one  Joan  la  Pucelle  join'd,— 
A  holy  prophetefs,  new  rifen  up, — 
Is  come  with  a  great  power  to  raife  the  fiege. 

{Hen  SaUJbury,.  lifteth  himfelf  up,  and  groans. 
TaL  Hear,  hear,  how  dying  Salifbury  doth  groan  ! 
It  irks  his  heart,  he  cannot  be  reveng'd. — 
Frenchmen,  I'll  be  a  Salifbury  to  you  :  — 

4  Pucelle  or  puzzel,  dolphin  or  dogfifh, 

Your 

3  One  eye  tbou  baft  &c.]     A  fimtlar  thought  occurs  in  King 
Lear : 

**  tny  lord,  you  have  one  eye  left, 

••  To  fee  fame  mifchief  on  him."     STEEVENS. 
*  Pucelle  or  Pujfil,—]  I  know  not  what  pujfel  is :  perhaps  it 
O  4  fhould 


aoo          FIRST    PART    OF 

Your  hearts  I'll  {lamp  out  with  my  horfe's  heels, 
And  make  a  quagmire  of  your  mingled  brains.—- 
Convey  me  Salifbury  into  his  tent, 
And  then  we'll  try  what  daftard  Frenchmen  dare. 

\_Alarum.    Exeunt,  bearing  out  the  bodies* 


SCENE    V. 

Here  an  alarum  again ;  and  Talbot  purfueth  the  Dauphin, 
and  drheth  h'.ni  :  then  enter  Joan  la  Pucelle,  driving 
Engli/hmen  before  her.  Then  enter  Talbot. 

Tal.  Where  is  my  flrength,  my  valour,  and  my 

force  ? 

Our  Englilh  troops  retire,  I  cannot  flay  them  ; 
A  woman,  clad  in  armour,  chafeth  them. 

Enter  La  Pucelle. 

Here,  here  Ihe  comes  : — I'll  have  a  bout  with  thee ; 
Devil,  or  devil's  dam,  Til  conjure  thee  : 

{hould  be  pucclle  or  puzzle.     Something  with  a  meaning  it  fhould 
be,  but  a  very  poor  meaning  will  ferve.     JOHNSON. 

It  fhould  be  remembered,  that  in  Shakefpeare's  time  the  word 
dauphin,  was  always  written  dolphin.  STEEVENS. 

tujjel  means  a  dirty  wench  or  a  drab,  from  pitzza,  i.  e.  malus 
faetor,  fays  Minfhew.  In  a  tranflation  from  Stephens's  Apology 
for  Herodotus,  in  1607,  p.  98,  we  read, — '*  Some  filthy  queans, 
efpecially  our  puzzled  of  Paris,  ufe  this  other  theft."  TOLLET. 

So,  Stubbs,  in  his  Anatomic  of  Abufes,  1595. — "  ^°  nor  ye* 
any  droye  nor  fuzzel  in  the  country  but  will  carry  a  nofegay  in 
her  hand." 

Again,  in  Ben  Jonfon's  Commendatory  ferfes,  prefix'd  to  the  works 
of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher  : 

"  Lady  or  Pufill  that  wears  mafk  or  fan." 

As  for  the  conceit,  miferable  as  it  is,  it  may  be  countenanced 
by  that  of  James  I.  who  looking  at  the  flatue  of  Sir  Tho.  Sod- 
ley  in  the  library  at  Oxford,  "  — Pii  Thomae  Godly  nomine  in- 
lignivit,  eoque  potius  nom'ne  quam  Bodly,  deinceps  merito  nomi- 
nandum  efle  cenfuit."  See  Rex  Platonicus  &c.  edit,  quint.  Oxon. 
1635,  p.  187.  STEEVENS. 

Blood 


KING    HENRY    VI.         *O1 

s  Blood  will  I  draw  on  thee,  thou  art  a  witch, 
And  ftraightway  give  thy  foul  to  him  thou  ferv'ft., 

PuceL  Come,  come,  'tis  only  I  that  muft  difgrace 
thee.  [They  fight. 

Tal.  Heavens,  can  you  fuffer  hell  fo  to  prevail  ? 
My  breaft  I'll  burft  with  draining  of  my  courage, 
And  from  my  fhoulders  crack  my  arms  afunder, 
But  I  will  chaftife  this  high-minded  {trumpet. 

PuceL  Talbot,  farewel ;  thy  hour  is  not  yet  come  : 
I  muft  go  victual  Orleans  forthwith. 

\_AJhort  alarum.     Then  enters  the  town  with  foldiers. 
O'ertake  me  if  thou  canft  ;  I  fcorn  thy  ftrength. 
Go,  go,  cheer  up  thy  hunger-ftarved  men  ; 
Help  Salifbury  to  make  his  teftament : 
This  day  is  ours,  as  many  more  ihall  be.  [Exit Pucelle. 

Tal.  My  thoughts  are  whirled  like  a  potter's  wheel; 
I  know  not  where  I  am,  nor  what  I  do  : 
A  witch,  by  fear,  not  force,  like  Hannibal, 
Drives  back  our  troops,  and  conquers  as  ftie  lifts  : 
So  bees  with  fmoke,  and  doves  with  noifome  ftench, 
Are  from  their  hives,  and  houfes,  driven  away. 
They  call'd  us,  for  our  fiercenefs,  Englilh  dogs  ; 
Now,  like  their  whelps,  we  crying  run  away. 

\_Ajhort  alarum. 

Hark,  countrymen  !  either  renew  the  fight, 
Or  tear  the  lions  out  ot  England's  coat ; 
Renounce  your  foil,  give  iheep  in  lions'  ftead  : 
Sheep  run  not  half  fo  timorous  from  the  wolf, 
Or  horfe,  or  oxen,  from  the  leopard, 

As  you  fly  from  your  oft-fubdued  flaves. 

\_Alarum.     Here  another  Jkirmi/k* 
It  will  not  be  : — Retire  into  your  trenches  : 
You  all  confented  unto  Salisbury's  death, 
For  none  would  ftrike  a  ftroke  in  his  revenge. — 
Pucelle  is  enter'd  into  Orleans, 

^  5  Blood  will  I  draw  on  thee, ]  The  fuperftition  of  t'lofe 

times  taught  that  he  that  could  draw  the  witch's  blood,  was  nee 
from  her  power.    JOHNSON. 

In 


202          FIRST    PART    OF 

In  fpight  of  us,  or  aught  that  we  could  do. 

O,  would  I  were  to  die  with  Salifbury  ! 

The  fhame  hereof  will  make  me  hide  my  head. 

[Exit  fal&of. 
\_Alarum,  retreat,  fouriJJ}. 

SCENE    VI. 

Enter ,  on  tke  walls,  Pucette,  Dauphin,  Rcignkr,  Aknfon, 
and  foldiers. 

Pucel.  Advance  our  waving  colours  on  the  walls ; 
Refcu'd  is  Orleans  from  the  Englifh  wolves  :— 
Thus  Joan  la  Pucelle  hath  perform'd  her  word. 

Dan.  Divineft  creature,  bright  Afirsea's  daughter, 
How  fhall  I  honour  thee  for  this  fuccefs  ? 
Thy  promifes  are 6  like  Adonis*  gardens, 

That 

*  like  Adonis'  gar  Jf"<,~\  It  may  not  be  impertinent  to  take 

notice  of  a  difpute  between  four  critics,  of  very  different  orders, 
upon,  this  very  important  point  of  the  gardens  of  Adonis.  Miltou 
had  faid : 

**  Spot  more  delicious  flan  theje  gardens  feigned) 

"  Or  of  reviled  Adonis,  or " 

which  Dr.  Bentley  pronounces  ipurious  ;  for  that  the  K^TTOI  A&w&f , 
the  gardens  of  Adonis,  fo  frequently  mentioned  by  Greek  writers, 
Plato,  Plutarch,  &c.  were  nothing  but  portable  earthen  pots,  with 
fame  left  ice  or  fennel  growing  in  them.  On  his  yearly  fejtival  every 
wo?nan  carried  one  of  them  for  Adonis's  worjh'p  :  btcaufe  Penus 
had  once  laid  him  in  a  lettice  bed.  Tht'  next  day  they  were  tbro-ivn 
away,  &c.  To  this  Dr.  Pcarce  replies,  That  this  account  of  the 
gardens  of  Adonis  is  right,  and  yet  Milton  may  be  defended  for  what 
he  fays  of  them  :  for  iviy  (fays  he)  did  the  Grecians  on  Adonis* 
ftjlival  carry  thejefmall  gardens  about  in  hotiour  of  him  f  It  was, 
becaufe  they  had  a  tradition,  that,  w&ca  he  was  alive,  he  delighted 
in  gardens,  and  had  a  magnificent  one  :  for  pro?  f  of  this,  we  have 
Pliny's  words,  xix.  4.  **  Antiquitas  nihil  priiis  inirata  eft  quam 
Hefperidum  hortos,  ac  regum  Adonidis  &  Alcinoi."  One  would 
now  think  the  queftion  well  decided  :  but  Mr.  Theobald  comes, 
and  will  needs  be  Dr.  Bentley's  feconJ.  A  learned  and  reverend 
gcntlrman  (fays  he)  having  attempted  to  impeach  Dr.  Bentley  of 
error ,  for  maintaining  ib.it  there  never  was  cxiftent  any  magnificent 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.          203 

That  one  day  bloom'd,  and  fruitful  were  the  next.— 
France,  triumph  in  thy  glorious  prophetefs  !— 
Recover'd  is  the  town  of  Orleans  : 
More  blefled  hap  did  ne'er  befall  our  flate. 

Reig.  Why  ring  not  out  the  bells  throughout  the 

town  ? 

Dauphin,  command  the  citizens  make  bonfires, 
And  feaft  and  banquet  in  the  open  flreets,  • 
To  celebrate  the  joy  that  God  hath  given  us. 

Akn.  All  France  will  be  replete  with  mirth  and 

j°y» 

When  they  lhall  hear  how  we  have  play'd  the  men. 
Dau.  'Tis  Joan,  not  we,  by  whom  the  day  is  won; 
For  which,  I  will  divide  my  crown  with  her  : 
And  all  the  priefts  and  friars  in  my  realm 
Shall,  in  proceffion,  ling  her  endlefs  praife. 

or  fpacious  gardens  of  Adonis,  an  opinion  in  ivbicb  it  bos  been  my 
fortune  to  fee  and  the  do  ft  or  ^  I  thought  my f elf  concerned  in  fame  part •, 
to  iveigb  thofc  authorities  alledged  by  the  objeftor,  £sV.  The  reader 
fees  that  Mr.  Theobald  miitakes  the  very  queftion  in  difpute  be- 
tween thefe  two  truly  learned  men,  which  was  not  whether  Adonis* 
gardens  were  ever  cxiftent^  but  whether  there  was  a  tradition  of 
any  celebrated  gardens  cultivated  by  Adonis.  For  this  would  fufti- 
ciently  juftify  Milton's  mention  of  them,  together  with  the  gar- 
dens of  Alcinous,  confefled  by  the  poet  himielf  to  be  fabulous. 
But  hear  their  own  words.  1 'here  ivas.  nofuch  garden  (fays  Dr. 
Bentley)  ever  exijlent^  or  even  fcign'd.  He  adds  the  latter  part, 
as  knowing  that  that  would  juftify  the  poet ;  and  it  is  on  that  af« 
fertion  only  that  his  advtrfary  Dr.  Pearce  joins  iffue  with  him. 
Why  (fays  he)  did  they  carry  tbefmall  earthen  gardens  ?  It  was  be- 
caufe  they  had  a  tradition,  that  ivben  alive  he  delighted  in  gardens. 
Mr.  Theobald,  therefore,  miflaking  the  queftion,  it  is  no  won- 
der that  all  he  fays,  in  his  long  note  at  the  end  of  the  fourth  vo- 
lume, is  nothing  to  the  purpofe ;  it  being  to  fhew  that  Dr. 
Pearce's  quotations  from  Pliny  and  others,  do  not  prove  the  real 
exiftence  of  the  gardens.  After  thefe,  comes  the  Oxford  editor ; 
and  he  pronounces  in  favour  of  Dr.  Bentley  againft  Dr.  Pearce, 
in  thefe  words,  The  gardens  of  Adonis  were  never  rcprefented  under 
a;y  local  dtfcription.  But  whether  this  was  faid  at  hazard,  or  to 
contradift  Dr.  Pearce,  or  to  reftify  Mr.  Theobald's  miftake  of 
the  queftion,  it  is  fo  obfcurely  exprefled,  that  ooe  can  hardly  de- 
termine. WARBURTOM. 

A  ftate* 


2o4          FIRST    PART    OF 

A  ftatelier  pyramis  to  her  I'll  rear, 

r  Than  Rhodope's,  or  Memphis',  ever  was : 

In  memory  of  her,,  when  flie  is  dead, 

Her  afhes,  in  an  urn  more  precious 

Than  the  rich-jewel'd  coffer  of  Darius  % 

Tranfported  fhall  be  at  high  feflivals 

Before  the  kings  and  queens  of  France. 

No  longer  on  faint  Dennis  will  we  cry, 

But  Joan  la  Pucelle  lhall  be  France's  faint. 

Come  in  ;  and  let  us  banquet  royally, 

After  this  golden  day  of  victory.     \_FlouriJh.  Exeunt. 

7  Than  Rhodope's, — ]  Rhodope  was  a  famous  {trumpet,  who 
acquired. great  riches  by  her  trade.  The  leaft  but  moft  finished 
of  the  Egyptian  pyramids  (fays  Pliny  in  the  36th  book  of  his 
Natural  Hiftory)  was  built  by  her.  She  is  faid  afterwards  to  have 
married  Pfammetichus,  king  of  Egypt.  Dr.  Johnfon  thinks  that 
the  Dauphin  means  to  call  Joan  of  Arc  a  ftrumpet,  all  the  while 
he  is  making  this  loud  praife  of  her. 

Rhodope  is  mentioned  in  the  play  of  The  Coftly  Whore^  1633  : 

««  a  bafe  Rbodope, 

"  Whofe  body  is  as  common  as  the  fea 

'*  In  the  receipt  of  every  luftful  fpring." 
I  would  read  : 

Than  Rhodope's  of  Memphis,  ever  was.    STEEVENS. 

*  coffer  of  Darius']  When  Alexander  the  Great  took  the 

city  of  Gaza,  the  metropolis  of  Syria,  amidft  the  other  fpoils 
and  wealth  of  Darius  treafured  up  there,  he  found  an  exceeding 
rich  and  beautiful  little  cheft  or  cafket,  and  afked  thofe  about 
him  what  they  thought  fitteft  to  be  laid  up  in  it.  When  they  had 
feverally  delivered  their  opinions,  he  told  them,  he  efteemed  no- 
thing fo  worthy  to  be  preferred  in  it  as  Homer's  Iliad.  Vide 
flutarcbum  in  Vita  Altxandri  Magni*  THEOBALD* 


ACT 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         20$ 
ACT     II.       SCENE     I. 

Before  Orleans. 
Enter  a  French  Serjeant^  with  two  Centinels. 

Serj.  Sirs,  take  your  places,  and  be  vigilant ; 
If  any  noife,  or  foldier,  you  perceive, 
Near  to  the  walls,  by  fome  apparent  fign, 
Let  us  have  knowledge  at  the  court  of  guard. 

Cent.  Serjeant,  you  lhall.  [Exit  Serjeant.^  Thus  arc 

poor  iervitors 

(When  others  ileep  upon  their  quiet  beds) 
Conftrain'd  to  watch  in  darknefs,  rain,  and  cold. 

Enter   Talbot,    Bedford,    and  Burgundy,    with   fcaling 
ladders.     Their  drums  beating  a  dead  march. 

Tal.  Lord  regent,— and  redoubted  Burgundy,—. 
By  whofe  approach,  the  regions  of  Artois, 

Walloon,  and  Picardy,  are  friends  to  us, 

This  happy  night  the  Frenchmen  are  fecure, 
Having  all  day  carous'd  and  banqueted  : 
Embrace  we  then  this  opportunity  ; 
As  fitting  beft  to  quittance  their  deceit, 
Contriv'd  by  art,  and  baleful  forcery. 

Bed.  Coward  of  France  !  —how  much  he  wrongs  hi$ 

fame, 

Defpairing  of  his  own  arm's  fortitude, 
To  join  with  witches,  and  the  help  of  hell. 

Bur.  Traitors  have  never  other  company.— 
But  what's  that  Pucelle,  whom  they  term  fo  pure  ? 

Tal.  A  maid,  they  fay. 

Bed.  A  maid  !  and  be  fo  martial ! 

Bur.  Pray  God,  ilie  prove  not  mafculine  ere  long  ; 
If  underneath  the  ftandard  of  the  French, 
She  carry  armour,  as  fhe  hath  begun. 

Tal. 


FIRST  PART  OF 

?al.  Well,    let  them  pradtife  and  converfe  with 

fpirits  : 

God  is  our  fortrefs  ;  in  whofe  conquering  name, 
Let  us  refolve  to  fcale  their  flinty  bulwarks. 

Bed.  Afcend,  brave  Talbot ;  we  will  follow  thee, 
Tal.  Not  all  together  :  better  far,  I  guefs, 
That  we  do  make  our  entrance  feveral  ways ; 
That,  if  it  chance  the  one  of  us  do  fail, 
The  other  yet  may  rife  againft  their  force. 
Bed.  Agreed  ;  I'll  to  yon  corner. 
Bur.   And  I  to  this. 
5#/.  And  here  will  Talbot   mount,  or  make  hit 

grave.— 

Now,  Salifbury  !  for  thee,  and  for  the  right 
Of  Englifli  Henry,  lhall  this  night  appear 
How  much  in  duty  Pam  bound  to  both. 

[_The  Englijh,  f eating  the  walls,  cry,  St.  George  ! 

A  Talbot  ! 

Cent.  [Within."]  Arm,  arm!  the  enemy  doth  make 
aflault ! 

Yhe  French  hop  over  the  walls  in  their  farts.  Enter, 
feveral  ways,  Baftard,  Alen$on^  Reignier,  half  ready, 
and  half  unready. 

Alen.  How  now,  my  lords  ?  what,  all 9  unready  fo  ? 

Baft. 

9  -^unready  fo  ?]  Unready  was  the  current  word  in  thofe  times 
for  umlrefs^d.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  Hey  wood's  Rape  of  Lucre  ce,  1638  : 

*  Enter  Sixtus,  and  Lucre ce  unready, >H 
Again,    n  Tbftwo  Maids  of  More-clncke,  1609: 

*  Enter  James  unready  In  his  night-cap,  garterlefs,"  &V. 
Again,    n  Decker's  Match  nie  in  London^   1631  i 

*  Enter  Prince  John  all  unready ,  and  Pacheco  his  page." 
Again,  in  A  Match  at  Midnight^  1633,  is  this  ftage  direction. 

"  He  makes  himfelf  unready." 

'*  Why  what  do  you  mean  ?  you  will  not  be  fo  uncivil  a»  to 
•unlrace  you  here  ?" 
Again,  in  Monjuur  D'Olive,  1606; 

«  You 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    Vt.         207 

Baft.  Unready  ?  ay,  and  glad  we  'fcap'd  fo  well. 

Ri'ig.  'Twas  time,  I  trow,  to  wake,  and  leave  our 

beds, 
Hearing  alarums  at  our  chamber  doors. 

Alen.  Of  all  exploits,  fince  firft  I  follow'd  arms, 
Ne'er  heard  I  of  a  warlike  enterprize 
More  venturous,  or  defperate,  than  this. 

Baft.  I  think,  this  Talbot  is  a  fiend  of  hell. 

Rei<r.  If  not  of  hell,  the  heavens,  fure,  favour  him. 

Alen.  Here  cometh  Charles ;  I  marvel,  how  he  fped. 

Enter  Charles,  an d  Pucelle. 

Biift.  Tut !  holy  Joan  was  his  dcfenfive  guard. 

Char.  Is  this  thy  cunning,  thou  deceitful  dame? 
Didft  thou  at  firfl,  to  flatter  us  withal, 
Make  us  partakers  of  a  little  gain, 
That  now  our  lofs  might  be  ten  times  fo  much  ? 

Pucel.  Wherefore  is  Charles  impatient  with  his 

friend  ? 

At  all  times  will  you  have  my  power  alike  ? 
Sleeping,  or  waking,  mufl  I  ftill  prevail, 
Or  will  you  blame  and  lay  the  fault  on  me  ? — 
Improvident  foldiers  !  had  your  watch  been  good, 
This  fudden  mifchief  never  could  have  falTn. 

Char.  Duke  of  Alencon,  this  was  your  default  ; 
That,  being  captain  of  the  watch  to-night, 
Did  look  no  better  to  that  weighty  charge. 

Alen.  Had  all  your  quarters  been  as  fafely  kept, 
As  that  whereof  I  had  the  government, 
We  had  not  been  thus  fhamefully  furpriz'd. 

Baft.  Mine  was  fecure. 

Reig.  And  fo  was  mine,  my  lord. 

"  You  are  not  going  to  bed,  I  fee  you  are  not  yet  unready™ 
Again,  in  Hey  wood's  Golden  Aget  1611. 

"  Here  Jupiter  puts  out  the  lights,  and  makes  himfelf  *nr 
ready"    STEEVENS. 

Char. 


2oS          FIRST    PART    OF 

Char.  And,   for  myfelf,  moft  part  of  all  this  night, 
Within  her  quarter,  and  mine  own  precinct, 
I  was  employ'd  in  paffing  to  and  fro, 
About  relieving  of  the  centinels  : 
Then  how,  or  which  way,  fhould  they  firft  break  in  ? 

Pucel.  Queftion,  my  lords,  no  further  of  the  cafe, 
How,  or  which  way  ;  'tis  fure,  they  found  fome  part 
But  weakly  guarded,  where  the  breach  was  made. 
And  now  there  refts  no  other  Ihift  but  this,— 
To  gather  our  foldiers,  fcatter'd  and  difpers'd, 
And  lay  new  platforms  to  endamage  them. 

Alarum.     Enter  a  Soldier  crying,  a  Talbot !  a  Talbot  \  • 
they  fy,  leaving  their  cbatbs  behind. 

Sol.  I'll  be  fo  bold  to  take  what  they  have  left. 
The  cry  of  Talbot  ferves  me  for  a  fword ; 
For  I  have  loaden  me  with  many  fpoils, 
Uiing  no  other  weapon  but  his  name.  [Exit. 

*  "  Enter  a  foldier  crying  "  a  Talbot !  a  Tallot  /]  And  after- 
wards : 

The  cry  of  T'aVjot  ferves  me  for  a  fword. 

Here  a  popular  tradition,  exclufive  of  any  chronicle-evidence, 
was  in  Shakefpeare's  mind.  Edward  Kerke,  the  old  commenta- 
tor on  Spenfer's  Paftorah,  firft  publiflied  in  1579,  obferves  in  his 
notes  on  June,  that  lord  Talbot's  **  noblenefle  bred  fuch  a  ter- 
rour  in  the  hearts  of  the  French,  that  oftimes  greate  armies  were 
defaited  and  put  to  flight,  at  the  only  bearing  of  bis  name :  info- 
much  that  the  French  women,  to  affray  their  children,  would 
tell  them,  that  the  TALBOT  cometb"  See  alfo  the  end  of  Sc.  iii, 
Aa  II.  WARTON. 

The  fame  is  faid  in  Drayton's  Mfiries  of  Queen  Margaret,  of 
.Lord  Warwick : 

"  And  flill  fo  fearful  was  great  Warwick's  name 

"  That  being  once  cry'd  on,  put  them  oft  to  flight, 

*'  On  the  king's  army  till  at  length  they  light." 

STEEVENS. 


SCENE 


KING    HENRY    VI.        209 


SCENE    II. 

t/jg  fame. 
Enter  Tatiot,  Bedfinl,  Burgundy,  6fo 

Bed.  The  day  begins  to  break,  and  night  is  fled, 
\Vhofe  pitchy  mantle  over-veil'd  the  earth. 
Here  found  retreat,  and  ceafe  our  hot  purfuit. 

[Retreat. 

Tal.  Bring  forth  the  body  of  old  Salifbury  ; 
And  here  advance  it  in  the  market-place, 
The  middle  centre  of  this  curfed  town, — 
Now  have  I  pay'd  my  vow  unto  his  foul ; 
For  every  drop  of  blood  was  drawn  from  him, 
There  hath  at  leaft  five  Frenchmen  dy'd  to-night. 
And,  that  hereafter  ages  may  behold 
What  ruin  happened  in  revenge  of  him, 
Within  their  chiefeft  temple  I'll  eredt 
A  tomb,  wherein  his  corpfe  fhall  be  interr'd  : 
Upon  the  which,  that  every  one  may  read, 
Shall  be  engrav'd  the  fack  of  Orleans  ; 
The  treacherous  manner  of  his  mournful  death, 
And  what  a  terror  he  had  been  to  France. 
But,  lords,  in  all  our  bloody  mafTacre, 
I  mufe,  we  met  not  with  the  Dauphin's  grace  ; 
His  new-come  champion,  virtuous  Joan  of  Arc  j 
Nor  any  of  his  falfe  confederates. 

Bed.  'Tis  thought,    lord  Talbot,  when  the  fight 

began, 

Rous'd  on  the  fudden  from  their  drowfy  beds, 
They  did,  amongft  the  troops  of  armed  men, 
Leap  o'er  the  walls  for  refuge  in  the  field. 

Bitr.  Myfelf  (as  far  as  I  could  well  difcern, 
For  fmoke,  and  dufky  vapours  of  the  nieht) 

VOL.  VI.  P  Am 


2io         FIRST    PART    OF 

Am  Cure,  I  fcar'd  the  Dauphin,  and  his  trull  *; 

When  arm  in  arm  they  both  came  fwiftly  running, 

Like  to  a  pair  of  loving  turtle  doves, 

That  could  not  live  afunder  day  or  night. 

After  that  things  are  fet  in  order  here, 

We'll  follow  them  with  all  the  power  we  have. 

Enter  a  Meffenger. 

Me$.  All  hail,  my  lords  !  which  of  this  princely 

train 

Call  ye  the  warlike  Ta^ot,  for  his  adts 
So  much  applauded  through  the  realm  of  France  ? 

2W.  Here  is  the  Talbot ;  Who  would  fpeak  witl 
him  ? 

Meff.  The  virtuous  lady,  countefs  of  Auvergne, 
With  modefty  admiring  thy  renown, 
By  me  entreats,  great  lord,  thou  wouldft  vouchfai 
To  vifit  her  poor  caftle  where  fhe  lies  ; 
That  Ihe  may  boaft,  fhe  hath  beheld  the  man 
Whofe  glory  fills  the  world  with  loud  report. 

Bur.  Is  it  even  fo  ?  Nay,  then,  I  fee,  our  wars 
Will  turn  into  a  peaceful  comic  fport, 
When  ladies  crave  to  be  encounter'd  with.— 
You  may  not,  my  lord,  defpife  her  gentle  fuit. 

TaL  Ne'ertruflme  then  ;  for,  when  a  world  of  mei 

*  — bis  trull ;]  I  believe  trull  did  not  anciently  bear  fo  harfli 
interpretation  as  at  prefent.     In  the  old  black  letter  interlude 
the  Difobedient  Child  (no  date)  by  Tho.  Ingeland,  is  the  followi 
ftanza  of  a  fong  fung  by  a  young  man  in  the  pretence  of  the 
to  whom  he  was  inftantly  to  be  married. 

"  This  mynion  here,  this  myncing  trull, 

**  Doth  pleafe  me  more  a  thoufande  folde, 
"  Than  all  the  earthe  that  is  fo  full 

"  Of  precious  ftoncs,  lilver  and  golde,"  &c, 
'*  How  lyke  ye. this  fonge  my  owne  fwete  Rofe  ? 
c'  Is  it  well  made  for  our  purpofe  ? 

"Toung  lineman. 

'*  I  never  hard  in  all  my  lyfe  a  better, 
*'  More  pleafaunte,  more  meete  foi  the  matter."    STEEVEM?.! 

Could! 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.        2II 

Could  not  prevail  with  all  their  oratory, 
Yet  hath  a  woman's  kindnefs  over-rul'd  : — 
And  therefore  tell  her,  I  return  great  thanks  ; 
And  in  fubmiffion  will  attend  on  her. — 
Will  not  your  honours  bear  me  company  ? 

Bed.  No,  truly  ;  that  is  more  than  manners  will : 
And  I  have  heard  it  faid, — Unbidden  guefls 
Are  often  welcomefl  when  they  are  gone. 

Tal.  Well  then,  alone,  (ince  there's  no  remedy,' 
I  mean  to  prove  this  lady's  courtefy. 
Come  hither,  captain.  \JVhifpers.~\ — You  perceive  my' 
mind. 

Capt.  I  do,  my  lord  ;  and  mean  accordingly. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE     III. 

tie  countefs  of  Auvergne's  caftle. 
Enter  the  Countefs,  and  her  Porter'. 

Count.  Porter,  remember  what  I  gave  in  charge  ; 
And,  when  you  have  done  fo,  bring  the  keys  to  me. 

Port.  Madam,  I  will.  [Exit. 

Count.  The  plot  is  laid  :  if  all  things  fall  out  right, 
I  {hall  as  famous  be  by  this  exploit, 
As  Scythian  Tomyris  by  Cyrus'  death. 
Great  is  the  rumour  of  this  dreadful  knight. 
And  his  atchievements  of  no  lefs  account: 
Fain  would  mine  eyes  be  witnefs  with  mine  ears, 
To  give  their  cenfure  of  thefe  rare  reports. 

Enter  Mejfinger,  and  Talbot. 

Mejf.  Madam,  according  as  your  ladyfhip  defir'd, 
By  meflage  crav'd,  fo  is  lord  Talbot  come. 

Count.  And  he  is  welcome.  What !  is  this  the  man  ? 

Meff.  Madam,  it  is. 

Count,  [as  mujing.']  Is  this  the  fcourge  of  France  ? 

P    2  IS 


212          FIRST    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Is  this  the  Talbor,  fo  much  fear'd  abroad, 

That  with  his  name  the  mothers  flill  their  babes  ? 

I  fee,  report  is  fabulous  and  falfe  : 

I  thought,  I  ihould  have  feen  fome  Hercules, 

A  fecond  Hedtor,  for  his  grim  afpedt, 

And  large  proportion  of  his  throng- knit  limbs. 

Alas  I  this  is.  a  child,,  a  filly  dwarf  : 

It  cannot  be,  this  weak  and  wrizled  fhrimp 

Should  ftrike  fueh  terror  to.  his  enemies. 

Tal.  Madam,  I  have  been  bold  to  trouble  you  : 
But,  fince  your  ladyfhip  is  nut  at  leifure, 
I'll  fort  fome  other  time  to  vifit  you. 

Count.  What  means  he  now?- — Go  afk  him,  whither 
he  goes. 

MeJf.  Stay,  my  lord  TalBot ;.  for  my  lady  crave:- 
To  know  the  caufe  of  your  abrupt  departure. 

TtaL  Marry,  for  that  Ihe's  in  a  wrong  belkfr 
I  go  to  certify  her,  Talbot's  here. 

Re-enter  Porter  with- keys. 

Count.  If  thou  be  he,  then  art  thou  prifoncr, 

ftf/.  Prifoner  !  to  whom  ? 

Count.  To  me,  blood-thrifty  lord  ; 
And  for  that  caufe  I  trainrd  thee  to  my  houfe. 
Long  time  thy  lhadow  hath  been  thrall  to  me, 
For  in  my  gallery  thy  pidnre  hangs  : 
But  now  the  fubflance  fhall  endure  the  like; 
And  I  will  chain  thefe  legs  and  arms-  of  thine,. 
That  haft  by  tyranny,  thefe  many  years, 
Wafted  our  country,  ilain  our  citizens, 
And  fent  our  fons  and  huibands  captivate  *. 

fal.  Ha,  ha,  ha! 

•Count.  Laugheft  thou,    wretch?  thy  mirth  fliall 
turn  to  moan. 

3  »— captivate.]  So,  in  Soliman  and  PerfeJa : 
44  If  not  deftroy'd  and  bound,  and  captivate, 
"  If  captivate^  then  forc'd  from  holy  faith,"    STEEVENS 

* 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         213 

tfaL  I  laugh  to  fee  your  ladyfhip  fo  fond  *, 
To  think  that  you  have  ought  but  Talbot's  ihauow, 
\Vhereon  to  pradtife  your  feverity. 

Count.  Why,  art  not  thou  the  man  ? 

tfal.  I  am,  indeed. 

Count.  Then  hav-e  I  fubftance  too. 

Ta2.  No,  no,  I  am  but  fhadow  of  myfclf  : 
You  are  deceiv'd,  my  fubftance  is  not  here; 
For  what  you  fee,  is  but  the  fmalleft  part 
And  lead  proportion  of  humanity  : 
I  tell  you,  madam,  were  the  whole  frame  here, 
It  is  of  fuch  a  fpacious  lofty  pitch, 
Your  roof  were  not  fufficient  to  contain  it. 

Count.  s  This  is  a  riddling  merchant  for  the  nonce; 
He  will  be  here,  and  yet  he  is  not  here  : 
How  can  thefc  contrarieties  agree  ? 

TaL  That  will  I  (hew  you  prefently.. 

Winds  his  fora  ;  drums  jlr  ike  up  :  a  peal  of  ordnance, 
Enter  Soldiers*      ' 

How  fay  you,  madam  ?  are  you  now  perfuaded, 
That  Talbot  is  but  fhadow  of  himfelf  ? 
Thefe  are  his  fubftance,  linews,  arms,  and  ftrength, 
With  whiclHie  yoketh  your  rebellious  necks  ; 
Razeth  your  cities,  and  fubverts  your  towns, 
And  in  a  moment  makes  them  defolate. 

Count.  Victorious  Talbot  !  pardon  my  abufe  : 
I  find,  thou  art  no  lefs  than  fame  hath  bruited, 
And  more  than  may  be  gather'd  by  thy  fhape. 
Let  my  prcfumption  not  provoke  thy  wrath  ; 
For  I  am  forry,  that  with  reverence 


4  -  fa  fond  j  ;.  e.  f0  fcoiift.    So,  in  K.  Hen.  IV.  Part  II  : 

**  Fondly  brought  here,  and  foolilhly  fent  hence." 

STEEVENS. 

5  This  ii  a  riddling  merchant  &c.]  So,  in  Romeo  and  Juliet  : 

"  What  faucy  merchant  *.vas  this." 
See  a  note  on  this  pa'fiaee,    a&  II.  fc.  iv«      STEEVEKS. 

P  3  I  did 


214          FIRST     PART     OF 

I  did  not  entertain  thee  as  them  art. 

Tal.  Be  not  difmay'd,  fair  lady ;  nor  mifconftrue 
The  mind  of  Talbor,  as  you  did  miftake 
The  outward  competition  of  his  body. 
What  you  have  done,  hath  not  offended  me  : 
K  or  other  fatisfa&ion  do  I  crave, 
But  only  (with  your  patience)  that  we  may 
Tafle  of  your  wine,  and  fee  what  cates  you  have  ; 
For  foldiers'  ilomachs  always  ferve  them  well. 

Count.  With  all  my  heart ;  and  think  me  honoured 
To  feafl  fo  great  a  warrior  in  my  houfe.         [Exeunt. 

SCENE    IV. 

London.     The  Temple  garden. 

•Enter  the    earls  of   Somerfet,    Siffolk,  and  Warwick', 
Richard  Plantagenet,  Vernon,  and  another  Lawyer. 

Plant.  Great  lords,  and  gentlemen,  what  means  this 

filence  ? 
Dare  no  man  anfwer  in  a  cafe  of  truth  ? 

Suf.  Within  the  Temple  hall  we  were  too  loud ; 
The  garden  here  is  more  convenient. 

Plant.  Then  fay  at  once,  If  I  maintained  the  truth ; 
6  Or,  elfe,  was  wrangling  Somerfet  in  the  error  ? 
'    Suf.  'Faith,  I  have  been  a  truant  in  the  law  ; 
I  never  yet  could  frame  my  will  to  it  ; 
And,  therefore,  frame  the  law  unto  my  will. 

Sow.  Judge  you,  my  lord  of  Warwick,  then  be- 
tween us. 

War.  Between  two  hawks,  which  flies  the  higher 

pitch, 
Between  two  dogs,  which  hath  the  deeper  mouth, 

6  All  the  editions  read  : 

Or,  e  Ife,  was  wrangling  Some  rfet  ?  th*  error  ?~\  There  is  apparently 
a  want  of  oppofition  between  the  two  queftions.    I  once  read, 
Or  elfe  was  'wrangling  Somerfet  i'th'  right  ?     JOHNSON. 
Sir  T.  Hanmer  would  read : 

And  ivas  not  ..    STEEVENS. 

Be- 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         2ls 

Between  two  blades,  which  bears  the  better  temper, 
Between  two  horfes,  which  doth  bear  him  beft, 
Between  two  girls,  which  hath  the  merriefl  eye, 
I  have,  perhaps,  fome  mallow  fpirit  of  judgment : 
But  in  thefe  nice  fliarp  quillets  of  the  law, 
Good  faith,  I  am  no  wifer  than  a  daw. 

Plant.  Tut,  tut,  here  is  a  mannerly  forbearance : 
The  truth  appears  fo  naked  on  my  fide, 
That  any  purblind  eye  may  find  it  out. 

Som.  And  on  my  fide  it  is  fo  well  apparell'd, 
So  clear,  fo  fhining,  and  fo  evident, 
That  it  will  glimmer  through  a  blind  man's  eye. 

Plant.  Since  you  are  tongue-ty'd,   and  fo  loth  to 

fpeak, 

In  dumb  fignificants  proclaim  your  thoughts  : 
Let  him,  that  is  a  true-born  gentleman, 
And  {lands  upon  the  honour  of  his  birth, 
If  he  fuppofe  that  I  have  pleaded  truth, 
7  From  off  this  briar  pluck  a  white  rofe  with  me. 

Som. 

7  From  off  this  Iriar  pluck  a  white  rofe  with  me.]  This  is  given 
as  the  original  of  the  two  badges  of  the  houfes  or  York  and  Lan- 
cafter,  whether  truly  or  not,  is  no  great  matter.  But  the  pro- 
verbial expreflion  oi  faying  a  thing  under  the  rofe,  I  am  perfuaded, 
came  from  thence.  When  the  nation  had  ranged  itfelf  into  two 
great  factions,  under  the  white  and  red  rofe,  and  were  perpetu- 
ally plotting  and  counterplotting  againlt  one  another,  then,  w  hen 
a  matter  of  facYion  was  communicated  by  either  party  to  his 
friend  in  the  fame  quarrel,  it  was  natural  for  him  to  add,  that 
Inefaid  it  under  the  fofe ;  meaning  that,  as  it  concerned  the  fac- 
tion, it  was  religioufly  to  be  kept  fecret.  WARBURTON. 

This  is  ingenious  !  What  pity,  that  it  is  not  learned  too?  — — 
The  rofe  (as  the  fables  fay)  was  the  fymbol  of  filence,  and  con- 
fecrated  by  Cupid  to  Harpocrates,  to  conceal  the  lewd  pranks  of 
his  mother.  So  common  a  book  as  Lloyd's  Difiimiary  might 
have  inftru&ed  Dr.  WTarburton  in  this.  "  Huic  Harpocrati  Cu- 
pidoVeneris  filius  parentis  fuce  rofam  dedit  in  munus,  utfcilicet  fi 
quid  licentius  dictum,  vel  aftum  fit  in  convivio,  fciant  tacenda 
efle  omnia.  Atque  idcirco  veteres  ad  finem  convivii  fub  rflfay 
Anglice  under  the  rofe,  tranfacla  efle  omnia  ante  digreffum  con- 
teltabantur;  cujus  formae  vis  eadem  effet,  atque  ifla,  M^» 
P  p*'- 


216          FIRST    PART    OF 

Som.  Let  him  that  is  no  coward,  nor  no  flatterer^ 
But  dare  maintain  the  party  of  the  truth, 
Pluck  a  red  rofe  from  off  this  thorn  with  me. 

War.  *  I  love  no  colours ;  and,  without  ail  colour 
Of  bafe  insinuating  flattery,  • 

I  pluck  this  white  rofe,  with  Plantagenet.       *+~^> 

Suf.  I  pluck  this  red  rofe,  with  young  Somerfet; 
And  fay  withal,  I  think  h«  held  the  right. 

Per.  Stay,   lords,  and  gentlemen  ;  and  pluck  no 

more, 

'Till  you  conclude — that  he,  upon  whofe  fide 
The  feweft  rofes  are  crop'd  from  the  tree, 
Shall  yield  the  other  in  the  right  opinion. 

Som.  Good  mailer  Vernon,  it  is  9  well  obje&ed  ; 
If  I  have  feweft,  I  fubfcribe  in  lilence. 

riant.  And  I. 

Ver.  Then,  for  the  truth  and  plainnefs  of  the  cafe, 
I  pluck  this  pale  and  maiden  blofibm  here, 
Giving  my  verdict  on  the  white  rofe  fide. 

Som.  Prick  not  your  finger  as  you  pluck  it  off; 
Left,  bleeding,  you  do  paint  the  white  rofe  re  j, 
And  fall  on  my  fide  fo  agalnftyotit  will. 

Ver.  If  I,  my  lord,  for  my  opinion  bleed, 
Opinion  mail  be  furgeon  to  my  hurt, 
And  keep  me  on  the  fide  where  ftill  I  am. 
Som.  Well,  well,  come  on  :  Who  elfe  ? 

fMKiiota,  ervnvrrm.     Probant  hanc  rem  verfus  cjui  repcriuntur  m 
marmore : 

"  Ell  rofa  flos  Veneris,  cujus  quo  furta  laterent 

**  Harpocrati  matris  dona  dicavit  amor. 
*'  Inde  rofam  menlis  hofpes  iufpendit  aitiicis, 

"  Convivae  ut  fub  ea  di6ta  tacenda  fciant."    UPTON. 

8  I  love  no  colours;  —  ]  Co!ws  is  here  uied  ambiguoufly  for 
tints  and  deceits.     JOHNSON. 

9  — vttU ofytjbJi]  1'roperly  thrown  in  our  way,  juftly  pro- 
pofed.     JOHNSON. 

So,  in  Chapman's  Verfion  of  the  aift  Book  of  Homer's  OJyJJey  : 
**  Excites  Penelope  t'  o6jefl  the  prize 
*'  (The  bow  and  bright  lleeles)  to  the  woer's  ftrength." 

STEEVENS. 

Law- 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         ftly 

Lawyer.  Unlefs  my  ftudy  and  my  books  be  falfe, 
The  argument  you  held,  was  wrong  in  you  ; 

[To  Somerfet. 
In  fign  whereof,  I  \  luck  a  white  rofe  too. 

Plant.  Now,  Somerfet,  where  is  your  argument? 

Som.  Here,  in  my  fcabbard  ;  meditating  that, 
Shall  dye  your  white  rofe  to  a  bloody  red. 

Plan.  Mean  time,  your  cheeks  do  counterfeit  our 

roles  ; 

For  pale  they  look  with  fear,  as  witnefling 
The  truth  on  our  fide. 

Som.  No,  Plantagenet, 

'Tis  not  for  fear ;  but  anger — that  thy  cheeks 
Blufh  for  pure  lhame,  to  counterfeit  our  rofes ; 
And  yet  thy  tongue  will  not  confefs  thy  error. 

Plant.  Hath  not  thy  rofe  a  canker,  Somerfet  ? 

Som.  Hath  not  thv  rofe  a  thorn,  Plantagenet  ? 

Plant.  Ay,  lharp  and  piercing,    to  maintain  his 

truth  ; 
Whiles  thy  confuming  canker  eats  his  falfhood. 

Som*  Well,  I'll  find  friends  to  wear  my  bleeding 

rofes, 

That  mall  maintain  what  I  have  faid  is  true, 
W^here  falfe  Plantagenet  dare  not  be  feen. 

Plant.  Now,  by  this  maiden  bloflbm  in  my  hand, 
1 1  fcorn  thee  and  thy  falhion,  peevilh  boy. 

Sttf.  Turn  not  thy  fcorns  this  way,  Plantagenet. 

Plant.  Proud  Poole,  I  will ;  and  fcorn  both  him 
and  thee. 

1  I  fcorn  thee  and  thy  fajhion, — ]  So,  the  old  copies  r  '^  '"d 
rightly.  Mr.  Theobald  altered  it  tofaflitm,  not  confidering  that 
byfa/bion  is  meant  the  badge  of  the  red  rofe,  which  Somerfet 
faid  he  and  his  friends  fliould  be  diftinguuVd  by.  But  Mr. 
Theobald  alks,  If  faftion  was  not  the  true  reading,  why  Jlwuld 
Suffolk  immediately  reply, 

7 urn  not  thy  fiorns  this  way,  Plantagenet  f 

Why  ?   becaufe  Plantagenet  had   called  Somerfet,    with  whom 
Suffolk  fided,  peevifh  boy.    WAR  BUR  TON. 

Mr.  Pope  had  altered  fajblon  to  f  often,    JOHNSON. 


ii8         FIRST    PART    OF 

Sttf.  I'll  turn  my  part  thereof  into  thy  throat. 

Sow.  Away,  away,  good  William  De-la-Poole  ! 
We  grace  the  yeoman,  by  converting  with  him. 

War.  Now,    by  God's  will,   thou  wrong'ft  him, 

Somerfet ; 

His  grandfather  was  Lionel  duke  of  Clarence, 
Third  Ion  to  the  third  Edward  king  of  England  ; 
*  Spring  creftlefs  yeomen  from  fo  deep  a  root  ? 

Plant.  J  He  bears  him  on  the  place's  privilege, 
Or  durft  not,  for  his  craven  heart,  fay  thus. 

Som.  By  him  that  made  me,   I'll   maintain  my 

words 

On  any  plot  of  ground  in  Chriflendom  : 
Was  not  thy  father,  Richard,  earl  of  Cambridge, 
For  treafon  executed  in  our  late  king's  days  ? 
And,  by  his  treafon,  ftand'ft  not  thou  attainted, 

4  Corrupted,  and  exempt  from  ancient  gentry  ? 
His  trefpafs  yet  lives  guilty  in  thy  blood  ; 
•And,  'till  thou  be  reftor'd,  thou  art  a  yeoman. 

Plant.  My  father  was  attached,  not  attainted  ; 
Condemn'd  to  die  for  treafon,  but  no  traitor ; 
And  that  I'll  prove  on  better  men  than  Somerfet, 
Were  growing  time  once  ripen'd  to  my  will. 
For  your  partaker  Poole,  and  you  yourfelf, 
Fll  note  you  in  my  book  of  memory, 

5  To  fcourge  you  6  for  this  apprehenfion  : 

*  Spring  creftlefs  yeomen ]  i.e.  thofe  who  have  no   right  to 

arms.     WARBURTOX. 

3  He  bear s  him  on  the  plac e's  privilege,  ]  The  Temple,  being  a 
religious  houfe,  was  an  afylum,  a  place  of  exemption,  from  vio* 
lence,  revenge,  and  bloodfhed.  JOHNSON. 

*  Corrupted^  and  exempt  •         ]  Exempt ,  for  excluded. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

5  To  fcourge  you  for  this  apprebenfion  : ]  Though  this  word 

poflefles  all  the  copies,  I  am  perfuaded  it  did  not  come  from  the 
author.     I   have  ventur'd  to  read,  rcprehenfion :  and  Plantagenet 
means,  that  Somerfet  had  reprehended  or  reproach'd  him  with  his 
father,  the  earl  of  Cambridge's  treafon.     THEOBALD. 

6  -for  this  apprehcnjion;'}  Apprehenfion,  i.e.  opinion. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

Look 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.          2X9 

Look  to  it  well ;  -and  fay  you  are  well  warn'd. 

•Somi  Ay,  thou  ihalt  find  us  ready  for  thee  ftill : 
And  know  us,  by  thefe  colours,  for  thy  foes ; 
For  thefe  my  friends,  in  fpight  of  thee,  lhall  wear. 

Plant.  And,  by  my  foul,  this  pale  and  angry  rofe, 
As  cognizance  of  my  blood-drinking  hate  7, 
Will  I  for  ever,  and  my  fadtion,  wear ; 
Until  it  wither  with  me  to  my  grave, 
Or  flourim  to  the  height  of  my  degree. 

Suf.  Go  forward,  and  be  choak'd  with  thy  am- 
bition ! 
And  fo  farewell,  until  I  meet  thee  next.  [Exit. 

Som.  Have  with  thee,  Poole. — Farewell,  ambiti- 
ous Richard.  [Exit. 

Plant.  How  I  am  brav'd,  and  muft  perforce  en- 
dure it  ! 

War.  This  blot,  that  they  object  againfl  your  houfe, 
Shall  be  wip'd  out  in  the  next  parliament, 
Call'd  for  the  truce  of  Winchelter  and  Glofter : 
And,  if  thou  be  not  then  created  York, 
I  will  not  live  to  be  accounted  Warwick. 
Mean  time,  in  fignal  of  my  love  to  thee, 
Againft  proud  Somerfet,  and  William  Poole, 
Will  I  upon  thy  party  wear  this  rofe  : 
And  here  I  prophefy, — This  brawl  to-day 
Grown  to  this  faction,  in  the  Temple-garden, 

7 this  pale  and  angry  rofe, 

As  cognizance  of  my  blood-drinking  bate,] 
So,  in  Romeo  and  Juliet  : 

"  Either  my  eye-fight  fails,  or  thou  look'ft/«/^. — , 
"  And,  truft  me,  love,  in  mine  eye  to  do  you  : 
"  Dry  forrow  drinks  our  blood."     S  TEE  YENS. 
A  ladge  is  called  a  cognifance  a  cognofcendo,  becaufe  by  it  fuch 
perfons  as  do  wear  it  upon  their  lleeves,  their  fhoulders,  or  in 
their  hats,  are  manifeftly  known  whofe  fervants  they  are.     In  he- 
raldry the  cognifance  is  feated  upon  the  moil  eminent  part  or  the 
helmet ;  and  by  a  defigned  blunder  in  Ben  Jonfon's  works,  175(5, 
.Vol.  I.    p.  160,  and  Vol.  VII.  p.  356,    it  is    called  a  cullifen, 
which  Mr.  Whalley's  Di&ionaries,  or  the  heralds  he  confulted, 
could  not  explain.    TOLLET. 

Shall 


FIRST    PARTOF 

Shall  fend,  between  the  red  rofe  and  the  white, 
A  thoufand  fouls  to  death  and  deadly  night. 

Plant.  Good  mafter  Vernon,  I  am  bound  to  you, 
That  you  on  my  behalf  would  pluck  a  flower. 

Ver.  In  your  behalf  flill  ™ill  I  wear  the  fame. 

Lazu.  And  fo  will  I. 

Plant.  Thanks,  gentle  fir. 
Come,  let  us  four  to  dinner  :  I  dare  fay, 
This  quarrel  will  drink  blood  another  day.    [Exeunt* 

SCENE      V. 

A  room  in  the  fozvcr. 
8  Enter  Afortimer,  brought  in  a  ckair^  and  Jailors. 

Mor.  Kind  keepers  of  my  weak  decaying  age, 
9  Let  dying  Mortimer  here  reft  himfelf.  — 
Even  like  a  man  new  haled  from  the  rack, 
So  fare  my  limbs  with  long  imprifonment  : 
And  thefe  grey  locks,  the  '  puduivants  of  death, 

*  Enter  Mortimer,  —  ]  Mr.  Edwards,  in  his  MS.  notes,  ob- 
ferves,  that  Shakefpeare  has  varied  from  the  truth  of  hiftory,  to 
introduce  this  fcene  between  Mortimer  and  Richard  Plantag'enet. 
Edmund  Mortimer  ferved  under  Henry  V.  in  1422,  and  died 
unconfined  in  Ireland  in  1424.  Holinfned  lays,  that  Mortimer 
was  one  of  the  mourners  at  the  funeral  of  Henry  V. 

His  uncle,  fir  John  Mortimer,  was  indeed  prifoner  in  the  tower, 
and  was  executed  not  long  before  the  earl  ot  March's  death,  be- 
ing charged  with  an  attempt  to  make  his  efcape  in  order  to  ftir  up 
an  infurredtion  in  Wales.  STEEVENS. 

9  Let  dying  Mortimer  here  rcfl.  himfclf,—}  I  know  not  whether 
Milton  did  not  take  from  this  hint  the  lines  with  which  he  opens 
his  tragedy.  JOHNSO:;. 

Rather  from  the  beginning  of  the  laft  fcene  of  the  third  aft 
of  the  PhaenlJJte  of  Euripides  : 
7  ire/las.  ' 


&C. 

1  -  purfulvants  of  death,]  Furfuivants.     The  heralds  that, 
forerunning  death,  proclaim  jjis  approach.    JOHNSON, 

Neftor 


KING     HENRY     VI.         22  x 

Neftor-likc  aged,  in  an  age  of  care, 

Argue  the  end  of  *  Edmund  Mortimer. 

Thefe  eyes — like  lamps  whofc  wafting  oil  is  fpent— - 

Wax  dim,  J  as  drawing  to  their  exigent : 

Weak  (boulders,  over-borne  with  burth'ning  grief; 

4  And  pithlefs  arms,  like  to  a  wither'd  vine 
That  droops  his  faplefs  branches  to  the  ground. — 
Yet  are  thefe  feet — whofe  ftrengthlefs  Hay  is  numb, 
Unable  to  fupport  this  lump  of  clay, — 
Swift-winged  with  defire  to  get  a  grave, 

As  witting  I  no  other  comfort  have. — 

But  tell  me,  keeper,  will  my  nephew  come  ? 

Keep.  Richard  Pl-antagenet,.  my  lord,  will  come  : 
We  fen't  unto  the  Temple,  to  his  chamber  ; 
And  anfwer  was  retnrn'd,  thct  he  will  come. 

Mor.  Enough  ;  my  foul  then  fliatt  be  fatisfy'd.— • 
Poor  gentleman  I  his  wrong  doth  equal  mine. 
Since  Henry  Monmouth  firft  began  to  reign, 
(Before  whofe  glory  I  was  great  in  arms) 
This  loathforne  feqireftration  have  I  had  ; 
And  even  fince  then  hath  Richard  been  obfcur'dy 
Deprived  of  honour  and  inheritance  : 
But  now,  the  arbitrator  of  defpairs, 

5  Juft  death,  kind  umpire  of  men's  miferies, 
With  fwcet  enlargement  doth  difmiis  me  hence; 
I  would,  his  troubles  likewife  were  expir'd, 
That  fo  he  might  recover  what  was  loft. 

a  — EiknunJ  Mvrttnifr,'}  This  Edmund  Mortimer,  Tvhen  king 
Richard  II.  fet  out  upon  his  fatal  Irifli  expedition,  was  declared  by 
that  prince  heir  apparent  to  the  crown;  for  which  reafon  king 
Henry  IV.  and  V.  took  care  to  keep  him  in  prifon  during  their 
whole  reigns.  THEOBALD. 

3  — as  drawing  to  the br  exigtnt :  ]   Exigmt,  end.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  Doflor  DoJypoll,  a  comedy,    1 600  : 

"  Hath  driven  her  to  fome  defperate  exigent."  STEEVENS, 

*  Andpitblefs  arms, ]  Pith  was  ufed  for  marrow,  and,  fi- 
guratively, fajlrength.  JOHXSO.Y. 

5  Jyft  death,  kind  umpire  of  mcns1  miferies,]  That  is,  he  that 
terminates  or  concludes  mifcry.  The  expreffion  is  harfli  and 
forced.  JOHNSON, 

Enter 


222         F  I  R  S  T    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Enter  Richard  Plantagenet. 

Keep.  My  lord,  your  loving  nephew  now  is  come. 

Mor.  Richard  Plantagenet,  my  friend?  Is  he  come? 

Plant.  Ay,  noble  uncle,  thus  ignobly  us'd, 
Your  nephew,  late-dcfpifed  Richard,  comes. 

Mor.  Direct  mine  arms,  I  may  embrace  his  neck, 
And  in  his  bofoni  fpend  my  latter  gafp  : 
Oh,  tell  me,  when  my  lips  do  touch  his  cheeks, 
That  I  may  kindly  give  one  fainting  kifs. — 
And  now  declare,  fweet  ftem  from  York's  great  flock, 
Why  didft  thou  fay — of  late  thou  wert  defpis'd  ? 

Plant.  Firfl,  lean  thine  aged  back  againft  mine  arm  • 
And,  in  that  eafe,  6  I'll  tell  thee  my  difeafe. 
This  day,  in  argument  upon  a  cafe, 
Some  words  there  grew  'twixt  Somerfet  and  me  : 
Among  which  terms,  he  us'd  his  lavilh  tongue, 
And  did  upbraid  me  with  my  father's  death ; 
Which  obloquy  fct  bars  before  my  tongue, 
Elfe  with  the  like  I  had  requited  him  : 
Therefore,  good  uncle, — for  my  father's  fake, 
In  honour  of  a  true  Plantagenet, 
And  for  alliance'  fake, — declare  the  caufe 
My  father,  earl  of  Cambridge,  loft  his  head. 

Mor.  That  caufe,  fair  nephew,  that  imprifon'd  me, 
And  hath  detain'd  me,  all  my  flow'ring  youth, 
Within  a  loathfome  dungeon,  there  to  pine, 

6  — /'//  tell  thee  my  difeafe.']  Difeafe  feems  to  be  here  uneajinefe 
or  dlfcontent.     JOHNSON. 

It  is  fo  ufed  by  other  ancient  writers,  and  by  Shakefpeare  elfe- 
where.     Thus  likewife  in  Spenfer's  Faery  Queen,  Book  III.  c.  5  : 

"  But  labour'd  long  in  that  deep  ford  with  vain  difeafc" 
That  to  difeafe  is  to  difturb,  may  be  known  from  the  following  paf- 
fages  in  Chapman's  verfion  of  the  Iliad  and  OdyJJcy  : 

"  But  brother,  hye  thee  to  the  (hips,  andldomen  d'Jcafc.^  i.  e. 
wake  him.     Book  VI.  edit.  1^98.     Again,  OdyfT.  B.  VI  : 

"   with  which  he  declin'd 

"  The  eyes  of  any  \vaker  when  he  pleas'd, 
*'  And  any  fleepcr,  when  he  wiih'd,  difeafed" 
Again,  in  the  ancient  metrical  hiftory  of  the  Battle  of  Floddon  : 
"  He  thought  the  Scots  might  him  difeafe 
"  With  conflitutcd  captains  meet."    STEEVEXS. 


KING    HENRY     VI.          223 

Was  curfed  inftrument  of  his  deceafe. 

Plant.  Difcover  more  at  large  what  caufe  that  was ; 
For  I  am  ignorant,  and  cannot  guefs. 

Mor.  I  will  ;  if  that  my  fading  breath  permit, 
And  death  approach  not  ere  my  tale  be  done. 
Henry  the  fourth,  grandfather  to  this  king, 
Depos'd  his  nephew  *  Richard  ;  Edward's  fon, 
The  firft-begotten,  and  the  lawful  heir 
Of  Edward  king,  the  third  of  that  defcent : 
During  whofe  reign,  the  Percies  of  the  north, 
Finding  his  ufurpation  mod  unjuft, 
Endeavour'd  my  advancement  to  the  throne  : 
The  reafon  mov'd  thefe  warlike  lords  to  this, 
Was — for  that  (young  kind  Richard  thus  remov'd, 
Leaving  no  heir  begotten  of  his  body) 
I  was  the  next  by  birth  and  parentage  ; 
For  by  my  mother  I  derived  am 
From  Lionel  duke  of  Clarence,  the  third  fon 
To  king  Edward  the  Third,  whereas  he, 
From  John  of  Gaunt  doth  bring  his  pedigree, 
Being  but  the  fourth  of  that  heroic  line. 
But  mark  ;  as,  7  in  this  haughty  great  attempt, 
They  laboured  to  plant  the  rightful  heir, 
I  loft  my  liberty,  and  they  their  lives. 
Long  after  this,  when  Henry  the  fifth, — 
Succeeding  his  father  Bolingbroke, — did  reign, 
Thy  father,  earl  of  Cambridge, — then  ueriv'd 
From  famous  Edmund  Langley,  duke  of  York, — 
Marrying  my  filler,  that  thy  mother  was, 
Again,  in  pity  of  my  hard  diflrefs, 
Levied  an  army  ;  weening  to  redeem, 
And  have  inftall'd  me  in  the  diadem  : 
But,  as  the  reft,  fo  fell  that  noble  earl, 

*  bis  nephew  Richard ;  ]  Thus  the  old  copy.  Modern  editors 
read — his  coujin — but  without  neceffity.  Nephew  has  fometimes 
the  power  of  the  Latin  nepos,  and  is  uled  with  great  laxity  among 
our  ancient  Engliih  writers.  Thus  in  Othello,  lago  tells  Braban- 
tio— he  fhall  "  have  'his  nephews  (i.e.  the  children  of  his  own 
daughter)  neigh  to  him."  STEEVENS. 

7  — in  tbii  haughty  great  attempt}  Haughty  is  high.     JOHNSON. 

And 


224         FIRST    PART    OF 

And  was  beheaded.     Thus  the  Mortimers, 
In  whom  the  title  refled,  were  fupprefs'd. 

Plan.  Of  which,  my  lord,  your  honour  is  the  laft, 

Mor*  True  j  and  thou  feeft,  that  I  no  iflue  have ; 
And  that  my  fainting  words  do  warrant  death  : 
8  Thou  art  my  heir ;  the  reft,  I  wifh  thee  gather  : 
But  yet  be  wary  in  thy  ftudious  care. 

Plan.  Thy  grave  admonilhments  prevail  with  me  ; 
But  yet,  mcthinks,  my  father's  execution 
Was  nothing  lefs  than  bloody  tyranny. 

Mor.  With  filence,  nephew,  be  thou  politick ; 
Strong-fixed  is  the  houfe  of  Lancafter, 
And,  like  a  mountain,  not  to  be  remov'd. 
But  now  thy  uncle  is  removing  hence  ; 
As  princes  do  their  courts,  when  they  are  cloy'd 
With  long  continuance  in  a  fettled  place. 

Plan.  O,  uncle,  'would  fome  part  of  my  young  years 
Might  but  redeem  the  paffage  of  your  age  ! 

Mor.  Thou  dofl  then  wrong  me ;  as  the  flaught'rer 

doth, 

Which  giveth  many  wounds,  when  one  will  kill. 
Mourn  not,  except  thou  forrow  for  my  good ; 
Only,  give  order  for  my  funeral ; 
And  fo  farewel ;  9  and  fair  be  all  thy  hopes ! 
And  profperous  be  thy  life,  in  peace,  and  war  !  [Dies« 

Plan.  And  peace,  no  war,  befall  thy  parting  foul ! 
In  prifon  haft  thou  fpent  a  pilgrimage, 

8  7hou  art  my  beir ;   the  reft  I  ivijh  thee  gather  .•]  The  fenfe  is, 
I  acknowledge  thee  to  be  my  heir ;  the  conlequences  which  may 
be  colle&ed  from  thence,  I  recommend  it  to  thee  to  draw. 

REVISAL. 

9  and  fair  It  all  thy  bopes,~\  Mortimer  knew  Plantagenet's 
hopes  were  fair,  but  that  the  etfablifhment  of  the  Lancastrian  line 
difappointed  them  :  fure,  he  would  wifli,  that  his  nephew's  fair 
hopes  might  have  a  fair  iflue.    I  am  perfuaded  the  poet  wrote ; 

and  fair  befal  thy  hopes  !     THEOBALD. 

This  emendation  is  received  by  fir  Thomas  Hanmer  and  Dr, 
Warburton.  I  do  not  fee  how  the  readings  differ  in  fenfe.  Fair 
is  lucky ,  or  froffcrcuf.  So  we  fay,  a  fair  wind,  zndfair  fortune. 

JOHNSON. 

And, 


KING    HENRY    VI. 

And  like  a  hermit  over-pafs'd  thy  days. — 

Well,  I  will  lock  his  counfel  in  my  bread  ; 

And  what  I  do  imagine,  let  that  reft. — 

Keepers,  convey  him  hence  ;  and  I  myfelf 

Will  fee  his  burial  better  than  his  life. — 

1  Here  dies  the  dufky  torch  of  Mortimer, 

*  Choak'd  with  ambition  of  the  meaner  fort  : — • 

And,  for  thofe  wrongs,  thofe  bitter  injuries, 

Which  Somerfet  hath  offer'd  to  my  houfe,— * 

I  doubt  not,  but  with  honour  to  redrefs  : 

And  therefore  hafte  I  to  the  parliament ; 

Either  to  be  reftored  to  my  blood, 

3  Or  make  my  ill  the  advantage  of  my  good.     [Exit. 


1  Here  dies  the  dujky  torch ]  The  image  is  of  a  torch  juft 

extinguifhed,  and  yet  fmoaking.  But  we  fliould  read  lies  inftead 
of  dies.  For  when  a  dead  man  is  reprefented  by  an  extinguifhed 
torch,  we  muft  fay  the  torch  lies :  when  an  extinguilhed  torch  is 
compared  to  a  dead  man,  we  muft  fay  the  torch  dies.  The  reafort 
is  plain,  becaufe  integrity  of  metaphor  requires  that  the  terms 
proper  to  the  thing  illuftratingt  not  the  thing  illujlrated^  be  em- 
ployed. WAR  BUR  TON. 

1  Choatfd  with  ambition  of  the  meaner  firt : — ]  We  are  to  un* 
derftand  the  fpeaker  as  reflecting  on  the  ill  fortune  of  Mortimer, 
in  being  always  made  a  tool  of  by  the  Percies  of  the  North  in 
their  rebellious  intrigues ;  rather  than  in  aflerting  his  claim  to  the 
crown,  in  fupport  of  his  own  princely  ambition.  WAR  BURTON* 

3  In  the  former  editions  : 

Or  make  my  will  ///  advantage  of  my  good. 

So  all  the  printed  copies ;  but  with  very  little  regard  to  the  poet's 
meaning.  I  read  : 

Or  make  my  ill  th*  advantage  of  my  good. 
Thus  we  recover  the  antitbefis  of  the  expremon.    THEOBALD* 


Vol.  VI.  Q  ACT 


226          FIRST    PART    OF 
ACT     III.        SCENE     I. 

The  parliament. 

Fkurlfh.  Enter  king  Henry,  Exeter,  Glojler,  Win- 
chejler,  Warwick,  Somerfet,  Suffolk,  and  Richard 
Plant agenet.  Glqfter  offers  to  put  up  a  bill;  IPinchefter 
fnatches  it,  and  tears  it. 

Win.  Com'ft  thou  with  deep  premeditated  lines, 
With  written  pamphlets  ftudioufly  devis'd, 
Humphrey  of  Glofter  ?  if  thou  canft  accufe, 
Or  ought  intend'ft  to  lay  unto  my  charge, 
Do  it  without  invention  fuddenly  ; 
As  I  with  fudden  and  extemporal  fpeech 
Purpofe  to  an fwer  what  thou  canft  objedt. 

Gfa.  Prefumptuous  pri'eft  f   this  place  commands 

my  patience, 

Or  thou  fhouldft  find  thou  haft  diihonour'd  me. 
Think  not,  although  in  writing  I  preferred 
The  manner  of  thy  vile  outrageous  crimes, 
That  therefore  I  have  forg'd,  or  am  not  able 
Verbatim  to  rehearfe  the  method  of  my  pen  : 
No,  prelate ;  fuch  is  thy  audacious  wickednefs, 
Thy  lewd,  peftiferous,  and  dhTentious  pranks, 
As  very  infants  prattle  of  thy  pride. 
Thou  arfc  a  moft  pernicious  ufurer ; 
Froward  by  nature,  enemy  to  peace ; 
Lafcivious,  wanton,  more  than  well  befeems 
A  man  of  thy  profeflion,  and  degree  ; 
And  for  thy  treachery,  What's  more  manifeft  ? 
In  that  thou  laid'ft  a  trap  to  take  my  life, 
As  well  at  London  bridge,  as  at  the  Tower  ? 
Befide,  I  fear  me,  if  thy  thoughts  were  fifted, 
The  king,  thy  fovereign,  is  not  quite  exempt 
From  envious  malice  of  thy  fwelling  heart. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.        227 

Win.  Glofter,  I  do  defy  thee. — Lords,  vouchfafe 
To  give  me  hearing  what  I  fliall  reply. 
If  I  were  covetous,  perverfe,  ambitious, 
As  he  will  have  me,  How  am  I  fo  poor  ? 
Or  how  haps  it,  I  feek  not  to  advance 
Or  raife  myfelf,  but  keep  my  wonted  calling  ? 
And  for  difTention,  Who  preferreth  peace 
More  than  I  do, — except  I  be  provok'd  ? 
No,  my  good  lords,  it  is  not  that  offends  ; 
It  is  not  that,  that  hath  incens'd  the  duke  : 
It  is,  becaufe  no  one  fhould  fway  but  he  ; 
No  one,  but  he,  fhould  be  about  the  king; 
And  that  engenders  thunder  in  his  breaft, 
And  makes  him  roar  thefe  accufations  forth. 
But  he  fhall  know,  I  am  as  good 

Gk.  As  good  ? 
Thou  baftard  of  my  grandfather  !— • 

Win.  Ay,  lordly  fir ;  -For  what  are  you,  I  pray^ 
But  one  imperious  in  another's  throne  ? 

Gk.  Am  I  not  protestor,  faucy  prieft  ? 

Win.  And  am  not  I  a  prelate  of  the  church  ? 

Gk.  Yes,  as  an  out-law  in  a  caflle  keeps, 
And  ufeth  it  to  patronage  his  theft. 

Win.  Unreverent  Glofter ! 

Gk.  Thou  art  reverent 
Touching  thy  fpiritual  function,  not  thy  life. 

Win.  Rome  fhall  remedy  this. 

War.  4  Roam  thither  then. 

5  Som.  My  lord,  it  were  your  duty  to  forbear. 

War: 

*  — Roam  thither  then.']  Roam  to  Rome.  To  roam  is  fuppofed 
to  be  derived  from  the  cant  of  vagabonds,  \vho  often  pretended  a 
pilgrimage  to  Rome.  JOHNSON. 

The  jingle  between  roam  and  Rome  is  common  to  other  writers. 
So,  in  Nafh's  Lenten  Stuff\  &.c.  1599:  "  — — three  hundred 
thoufand  people  roamed  to  Rome  for  purgatorie  pills,  &c." 

STEEVENS. 

5  Som.  My  lord,  it  were  your  July  ioforlcar.'}  This  line,  in  the 

old  copy,  is  joined  to  the  former  hemiflich  fpoken  by  Warwick. 

Q  3  The 


228          FIRST    PART    Of 

War.  Ay,  fee  the  bifhop  be  not  over-borne. 

Som.  Methinks,  my  lord  fhould  be  religious, 
And  know  the  office  that  belongs  to  inch. 

War.  Methinks,  his  lordlhip  mould  be  humbler ; 
It  fitteth  not  a  prelate  fo  to  plead. 

Som.  Yes,  when  his  holy  iiate  is  touch'd  fo  near. 

War.  State  holy,  or  unhallow'd,  what  of  that  ? 
Is  not  his  grace  protector  to  the  king  ? 

Rich.  Plantagenet,  I  fee,  muft  hold  his  tongue  ; 
Left  it  be  faid,  Speak,  firrah,  when  you  Jhould  •> 
Muft  your  bold  verdlft  enter  talk  with  lords  ? 
Elfe  would  I  have  a  fling  at  Winchefler.          [Afide. 

K.  Henry.  Uncles  of  Glofter,   and  of  Winchefler, 
The  fpecial  watchmen  of  our  Englifh  weal ; 
I  would  prevail,  if  prayers  might  prevail, 
To  join  your  hearts  in  love  and  amity. 
Oh,  what  a  fcandal  is  it  to  our  crown, 
That  two  fuch  noble  peers  as  ye,  Ihould  jar ! 
Believe  me,  lords,  my  tender  years  can  tell, 
Civil  diffention  is  a  viperous  worm, 
That  gnaws  the  bowels  of  the  common-wealth. — 

[A  noife  within  ;  Down  with  the  tawny  coats ! 
What  tumult's  this  ? 

War.  An  uproar,  I  dare  warrant, 
Begun  through  malice  of  the  bilhop's  men. 

[A  noife  again,  Stones !  Stones  t 

Enter  the  Mayor  of  London,  attended. 

Mayor.  Oh,  my  good  lords, — and  virtuous  Henry,— 
Pity  the  city  of  London,  pity  us  ! 
The  bilhop  and  the  duke  of  Glofter's  men, 
Forbidden  late  to  carry  any  weapon, 
Have  fill'd  their  pockets  full  of  pebble-Hones ; 

The  modern  editors  have  very  properly  given  it  to  Somerfet,  foi 
whom  it  feems  to  have  been  meant. 

Ayy  fee^  the  b(fhop  be  not  over-borne^ 

was  as  erroneoufly  given  in  the  next  fpeech  to  Somerfet  inftcad 
of  Warwick,  to  whom  it  has  been  fince  reftored.    STEEVENS. 

And, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         2*9 

And,  banding  themfelves  in  contrary  parts, 
Do  pelt  fo  raft  at  one  another's  pate, 
That  many  have  their  giddy  brains  knock'd  out : 
Our  windows  are  broke  down  in  every  flreet, 
And  we,  for  fear,  compelled  to  Ihut  our  fhops. 

Enter  men  injkirmt/h,  with  bkody  pates. 

K.  Henry.  We  charge  you,  on  allegiance  to  ourfelf, 
To  hold  your  flaught'ring  hands,  and  keep  the  peace. 
Pray,  uncle  Glofter,  mitigate  this  flrife, 

Serv.  Nay,  if  we  be 
Forbidden  ftones,  we'll  fall  to  it  with  our  teeth. 

2  Serv.  Do  what  ye  dare,  we  are  as  refolute. 

\j$kirmijh  again. 

Glo.  You  of  my  houfhold,  leave  this  peevifh  broil, 
And  fet  this  6  unaccuftom'd  fight  afide. 

3  Serv.  My  lord,  we  know  your  grace  to  be  a  man 
Juft  and  upright ;  and,  for  your  royal  birth, 
Inferior  to  none,  but  to  his  majefty  : 

And,  ere  that  we  will  fuffer  fuch  a  prince. 

So  kind  a  father  of  the  common-weal, 

To  be  difgraced  by  7  an,  inkhorn  mate, 

We,  and  our  wives,  and  children,  all  will  fight, 

And  have  our  bodies  flaughter'd  by  thy  foes. 

i  Serv.  Ay,  and  the  very  parings  of  our  nails 
Shalt  pitch  a  field  when  we  are  dead.     [Begin  again. 

Qlo.  Stay,  flay,  I  fay ! 
And,  if  you  love  me,  as  you  fay  you  do. 
Let  me  perfuade  you  to  forbear  a  while. 

K.  Henry.  Oh,  'how  this  difcord  doth  afflict  my 

foul  !— 

Can  you,  my  lord  of  Winchefler,  behold 
My  fighs  and  tears,  and  will  not  once  relent  ? 
Who  fhould  be  pitiful,  if  you  be  not  ? 

6  unaccufton! d fight  afide. ~\  Unaccuftom'>d\sufifcemlyt  inde- 

C£nt.     JOHNSON. 

inkborn  mate^]  A  bookman.     JOHNSON, 

0.3  Or 


a3o          FIRST    PART    OF 

Or  who  Ihould  ftudy  to  prefer  a  peace, 

If  holy  churchmen  take  delight  in  broils  ? 

War.  My  lord  protedtor,    yield ;  —yield,   Win- 
chefter ; — 

Except  you  mean,  with  obftinate  repulfe, 
To  flay  your  fovereign,  and  deflroy  the  realm. 
You  fee  what  mifchief,  and  what  murder  too, 
Hath  been  enacted  through  your  enmity ; 
Then  be  at  peace,  except  ye  thirft  for  blood.  ' 

Win.  He  fhall  fubmit,  or  I  will  never  yield. 

Glo.  Compaffion  on  the  king  commands  me  {loop; 
Or,  I  would  fee  his  heart  out,  ere  the  prieft 
Should  ever  get  that  privilege  of  me. 

War.  Behold,  my  lord  of  Winchefter,  the  duke 
Hath  banifh'd  moody  difcontented  fury, 
As  by  his  fmoothed  brows  it  doth  appear  : 
Why  look  you  ftill  fo  ftern,  and  tragical  ? 

Glo.  Here,  Winchefter,  I  offer  thee  my  hand. 

K.  Henry.  Fie,  uncle  Beaufort  !  I  have  heard  yoir 

preach, 

That  malice  was  a  great  and  grievous  fin  : 
And  will  not  you  maintain  the  thing  you  teach, 
But  prove  a  chief  offender  in  the  fame  ? 

War.  Sweet  king  ! — the   bifliop 8  hath   a   kindly 

gird.— 

For  fhame,  my  lord  of  Winchefter  !  relent ; 
What,  {hall  a  child  inftruct  you  what  to  do  ? 

Win.  Well,  duke  of  Glofter,  I  will  yield  tothee;- 
Love  for  thy  love,  and  hand  for  hand  I  give. 

Glo.  Ay;  but,  I  fear  me,  with, a  hollow  heart.— 
See  here,  my  friends,  and  loving  countrymen ; 

8  —hath  a  kindly  gird.  —  ]  \.  e.  Feels  an  emotion  of  kind  re- 
morfe.  JOHNSON. 

A  kindly  gird  is  a  gentle  or  friendly  reproof.  Falihff  obferves, 
that  — "  men  of  all  forts  take  a  pride  to  gird  at  him  :"  and  in 
the  Taming  of  a  Shrew ,  Baptifla  fays  :  *'  •  '  "Tranio  bits  you 
now  ;"  to  which  Lucentio  anfwers  : 

'*  I  thank  thee  for  that  gird^  good  Tranio."    STEEVENS.' 

This 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         231 

This  token  ferveth  for  a  flag  of  truce, 
Betwixt  ourfelves,  and  all  our  followers : 
So  help  me  God,  as  I  diflemble  not ! 

Win.  [AfideJ]  So  help  me  God,  as  I  intend  it  not ! 

K.  Henry.  O  loving  uncle,  kind  duke  of  Glofter, 
How  joyful  am  I  made  by  this  contract !  — 
Away,  my  maflers !  trouble  us  no  more  ; 
But  join  in  friendfliip,  as  your  lords  have  done. 

i  Serv.  Content;  I'll  to  the  furgeon's. 

2,  Serv.  So  will  I. 

3  Serv.  And  I  will  fee  what  phyfic 
The  tavern  affords.  [Exeunt. 

War.  Accept  this  fcrowl,  moft  gracious  fovereign; 
Which  in  the  right  of  Richard  Plantagenet 
We  do  exhibit  to  your  majefty. 

GIo.  Well  urg'd,  my  lord  of  Warwick; — for,  fweet 

prince, 

An  if  your  grace  mark  every  circumftance, 
You  have  great  reafon  to  do  Richard  right : 
Efpecially,  for  thofe  occafions 
At  Eltham-place  I  told  your  majefty. 

K.  Henry.  And  thofe  occafions,  uncle,  were  of  force : 
Therefore,  my  loving  lords,  our  pleafure  is, 
That  Richard  be  reftored  to  his  blood ; 

War.  Let  Richard  be  reftored  to  his  blood  ; 
So  fliall  his  father's  wrongs  be  recompens'd. 

Win.  As  will  the  reft,  fo.willeth  Winchefter. 

K.  Henry.  If  Richard  will  be  true,  not  that  alone, 
But  all  the  whole  inheritance  I  give, 
That  doth  belong  unto  the  houfe  of  York, 
From  whence  you  fpring  by  lineal  defcent. 

Rich.  Thy  humble  fervant  vows  obedience, 
And  humble  fervice,  'till  the  point  of  death. 

K.  Henry.  Stoop  then,  and  fet  your  knee  againft 

my  foot ; 
9  And,  in  reguerdori  of  that  duty  done, 

9  •— —reguerdon— — ]  Recompence,  return.     JOHNSON. 


FIRST    PART    OF 

I  gird  thee  with  the  valiant  fword  of  York  : 
Rile,   Richard,  like  a  true  Plantagenet  ; 
And  rile  created  princely  duke  of  York. 

Rich.  And  fo  thrive  Richard,  as  thy  foes  may  fall  J 
And  as  my  duty  fprings,  fo  perifh  they 
That  grudge  one  thought  againfl  your  majefty  ! 

All.  Welcome,  high  prince,  the  mighty  duke  of 
York  ! 

Som.  Perifh,  bafe  prince,  ignoble  duke  of  York  ! 

[/jide. 

Glo.  Now  will  it  beft  avail  your  majefty, 
To  crofs  the  feas,  and  to  be  crown'd  in  France  : 
The  prefence  of  a  king  engenders  love 
Amongft  his  fubjects,  and  his  loyal  friends  ; 
As  it  difanimates  his  enemies. 

K.  Henry.  When  Glofler  fays  the  word,  king  Henry 

goes; 
For  friendly  counfel  cuts  off  many  foes. 

Glo.  Your  mips  already  are  in  readinefs. 

[Exeunt  all  but  Exeter. 

Exe.  Ay,  we  may  march  in  England,  or  in  France^ 
Not  feeing  what  is  likely  to  enfue  : 
This  late  difiention,  grown  betwixt  the  peers, 
Burns  under  feigned  alhes  of  forg'd  love, 
And  will  at  lalt  break  out  into  a  flame  : 
As  fefter'd  members  rot  but  by  degrees, 
'Till  bones,  and  flelh,  and  finews,  fall  away, 
1  So  will  this  bafe  and  envious  difcord  breed. 
And  now  I  fear  that  fatal  prophecy, 
Which,  in  the  time  of  Henry,  nam'4  the  fifth, 
Was  in  the  mouth  of  every  fucking  babe,  — 
That  Henry,  born  at  Monmouth,  mould  win  all  ; 
And  Henry,  born  at  Windfor,  fliould  lofe  all  : 
Which  is  fo  plain,  that  Exeter  doth  wifli 
His  days  may  finifh  ere  that  haplefs  time. 


1  So  vjitt  this  bafe  and  envious  difcord  lreed.~\  That    is,  fo  will 
the  malignity  of  this  difcord  propagate  itfclfy  and  advance. 

JOHNSON. 

SCENE 


KING    HENRY    VI,         235 

SCENE    II. 

Roan  in  France. 

Enter  Joan  la  Pucelle  dijguis'd,  and  foldiers  with  facks 
upon  their  backs,  like  countrymen. 

Pucel.  Thefe  are  the  city  gates,  the  gates  of  Roan, 
Through  which  our  policy  muft  make  a  breach  :•— 
Take  heed,  be  wary  how  you  place  your  words ; 
Talk  like  the  vulgar  fort  of  market-men, 
That  come  to  gather  money  for  their  corn. 
If  we  have  entrance,  (as,  I  hope,  we  ihall) 
And  that  we  find  the  flothful  watch  but  weak, 
J'll  by  a  lign  give  notice  to  our  friends, 
That  Charles  the  Dauphin  may  encounter  them.' 

i  Sol.  Our  lacks  fhall  be  a  mean  to  fack  the  city  %" 
And  we  be  lords  and  rulers  over  Roan ; 
Therefore  we'll  knock,  [Knocks. 

Watch,  tyvati? 

Pucel.  Paifans,  pauvres  gens  de  France  : 
Poor  market-folks,  that  come  to  fell  their  corn. 

Watch.  Enter,  go  in  ;  the  market-bell  is  rung. 

fucel  Now,  Roan,  I'll  lhake  thy  bulwarks  to  the 
ground.  [Exeunt \ 

Enter  Dauphin,  Baftard,  and  Alenpn. 

Dan.  Saint  Dennis  blefs  this  happy  flratagem  \ 
And  once  again  we'll  fleep  fecure  in  Roan. 

Baft.  J  Here  enter'd  Pucelle,  and  her  pradtifants : 

*  Our  facks./W/  le  the  means  to  fack  the  c/Vy,]  Falftaff  has  tljp 
fame  quibble,  fhewing  his  bottle  of  Jack :  "  Here's  that  will  fack 
a  city."  STEEVENS., 

3  — Here  entered  Pucelle,  and  her  praftifants.']  PraSUce,  in  the 
language  of  that  time,  was  treachery,  and  perhaps  in  the  fofter 
fcnfejtratagem.  Pratfifa/tts  are  therefore  ccnfederates  in  JJrata- 
gems.  JOHNSON. 

Now 


F  I  R  S  T    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Now  fhe  is  there,  how  will  ftie  fpecify 
Where  is  the  befl  and  fafeft  paflage  in  ? 

Reig.  By  thrufting  out  a  torch  from  yonder  tower; 
Which,  once  difcern'd,  fhews,  that  her  meaning  is, — 
*  No  way  to  that,  for  weaknefs,  which  Ihe  enter'd. 

Enter  Joan  la  Pucelk  on  a  battlement,  thrujiing  out  a 
torch  burning. 

Pucel  Behold,  this  is  the  happy  wedding  torch, 
That  joineth  Roan  unto  her  countrymen  ; 
But  burning  fatal  to  the  Talbotites. 

Baft.  See,  noble  Charles !  the  beacon  of  our  friend, 
The  burning  torch  in  yonder  turret  Hands. 

Dau.  Now  fhine  it  like  a  comet  of  revenge, 
A  prophet  to  the  fall  of  all  our  foes  ! 

Reig.  Defer  no  time,  Delays  have  dangerous  ends; 
Enter,  and  cry — The  Dauphin  ! — prefently, 
And  then  do  execution  on  the  watch. 

[An  alarum  ;  Talbot  in  an  excwfion. 

?al.  France,  thou  fhalt  rue  this  treafon  with  thy 

tears, 

If  Talbot  but  furvive  thy  treachery. — 
Pucelle,  that  witch,  that  damned  forcerefs, 
Hath  wrought  this  hellifh  mifchief  unawares, 
£  That  hardly  we  efcap'd  the  pride  of  France.  [Exit. 


*  No  way  to  that, — ]  That  is,  no  way  equal  to  tbat^  no  way 
fo  fit  as  that.  JOHNSON. 

5  That  hardly  ive  efcap'd  the  pride  of  France.]  Pride  fignifies 
the  haughty  power.  The  fame  Speaker  fays  afterwards,  aft  IV. 
fceue  vi : 

And  from  the  pride  of  Gallia  refcu'd  thee. 

One  would  think  this  plain  enough.     But  what  won't  a  puzzling 
critic  obfcure  !  Mr.  Theobald  fays,  Pride  of  France  is  an  abfurd 

rize  of  France  » 
'ARBURTON. 


«nd  unmeaning  cxprejjion,  and  therefore  alters  it  to  pri 
*nd  in  this  is  followed  by  the  Oxford  editor.    WAR 

An 


KING    HENRY    VI. 


235 


An  alarum. :  excurfions.  Enter  Bedford,  brought  in  fick, 
In  a  chair,  with  Talbot  and  Burgundy,  without. 
Within,  Joan  la  Pucelle,  Dauphin,  Bajlard,  and 
6  Alenpn,  on  the  walls. 

Pucel.  Good  morrow,  gallants !  want  ye  corn  for 

bread  ? 

I  think,  the  duke  of  Burgundy  will  faft, 
Before  he'll  buy  again  at  fuch  a  rate  : 
'Twas  full  of  darnel ;  Do  you  like  the  tafle  ? 

Burg.  Scoff  on,  vile  fiend,  and  ihamelefs  courtezan ! 
I  truft,  ere  long  to  choak  thee  with  thine  own, 
And  make  thee  curfe  the  harvefl  of  that  corn. 
Dau.  Your  grace  may  ftarve,  perhaps,  before  that 

time. 
Bed.  Oh,  let  no  words,  but  deeds,  revenge  this 

treafon ! 
Pucel.  What  will  you  do,  good  grey-beard  ?  break 

a  lance, 
And  run  a  tilt  at  death  within  a  chair  ? 

Tal.  Foul  fiend  of  France,  and  hag  of  all  defpight, 
Encompafs'd  with  thy  luflful  paramours  ! 
Becomes  it  thee  to  taunt  his  valiant  age, 
And  twit  with  cowardice  a  man  half  dead  ? 
Damfel,  I'll  have  a  bout  with  you  again, 
Or  elfe  let  Talbot  perifh  with  this  fhame. 
Pucel.  Are  you  fo  hot,  fir  ? — Yet,  Pucelle,  hold 

thy  peace ; 
If  Talbot  do  but  thunder,  rain  will  follow. — 

[~Talbot,  and  the  reft,  whifper  together  in  council. 
God  fpeed  the  parliament !  who  lhallbe  the  fpeaker  ? 
Tal.  Dare  ye  come  forth,  and  meet  us  in  the  field  ? 
Pucel.  Belike,  you  lordlhip  takes  us  then  for  fools, 
To  try  if  that  our  own  be  ours,  or  no. 

6  Alen$on,  on  the  walls. — ]  Alen^on  iir  T.  Hanmer  has 

replaced  here,  inftead  of  Reignier,  becaufe  Alen$on,  not  Reig- 
Bier,  appears  in  the  enfuing  Icenc.    JOHNSON, 


236          FIRST    PART    OK 

Td.  I  fpeak  not  to  that  railing  Hecate,, 
Bat  unto  thee,  Alencon,  and  the  reft  ; 
Will  ye,  like  foldiers,  come  and  fight  it  out  ? 

Alen.  Signior,  no. 

TJ/.  Signior,  hang !— bafe  muleteers  of  France  ! 
Like  peafant  foot-boys  do  they  keep  the  walls, 
And  dare  not  take  up  arms  like  gentlemen. 

PuceL  Captains,  away  :  let's  get  us  from  the  walls  3 
For  Talbot  means  no  goodnefs,  by  his  looks. — 
God  be  wi'  you,  my  lord  !  we  came,  fir,  but  to  tell 

you 
That  we  are  here.  [Exeunt  from  the  walls \ 

Tal  And  there  will  we  be  too,  ere  it  be  long, 
Or  elfe  reproach  be  Talbot's  greatefl  fame  I—- 
Vow, Burgundy,  by  honour  of  thy  houfe, 
(Prick'd  on  by  public  wrongs,  fufiain'd  in  France) 
Either  to  get  the  town  again,  or  die  : 
And  I, — as  fure  as  Englilh  Henry  lives, 
And  as  his  father  here  was  conqueror  $ 
As  fure  as  in  this  late-betrayed  town 
Great  Coeur-de-lion's  heart  was  buried  3 
So  fure  I  fvvear,  to  get  the  town,  or  die. 

Burg.  My  vows  are  equal  partners  with  thy  vows. 

TaL  'But,  ere  we  go,  regard  this  dying  prince, 
The  valiant  duke  of  Bedford  : — Come,  my  lords 
We  will  beftow  you  in  fome  better  place, 
Fitter  for  fickneis,  and  for  crazy  age. 

Bed.  Lord  Talbot,  do  not  fo  difhonour  me  \ 
Here  will  I  fit  before  the  walls  of  Roanx 
And  will  be  partner  of  your  weal,  or  woe. 
L.  Burg.  Courageous  Bedford,  letusnowperfuadeyou^ 

Bed.  Not  to  be  gone  from  hence ;  for  once  I  read 7, 

That 

7  •  once  I  read, 

Thatjiout  Pendragon,  in  bis  Utter,  &c.] 

This  hero  was  Uther  Pendragon,  brother  to  Aurelius,  and  father 
to  king  Arthur. 

Shakefpeare,  has  imputed  to  Pendragon  an  exploit  of  Aurelius, 
who,  fays  Holinfhed,  *'  even  ficke  of  a  flbie  as  he  was,  caufed 

him- 


K  I  Ii  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         237 

That  flout  P'endragon,  in  his  litter,  fick, 
Came  to  the  field,  and  vanquifhed  his  foes  : 
Methinks,  I  ihould  revive  the  foldiers'  hearts, 
Becaufe  I  ever  found  them  as  myfelf. 

Tal.  Undaunted  fpirit  in  a  dying  breaft  ! — 
Then  be  it  fo  : — Heavens  keep  old  Bedford  fafe  I—- 
And now  no  more  ado,  brave  Burgundy, 
But  gather  we  our  forces  out  of  hand, 
And  fet  upon  our  boafting  enemy. 

[Exeunt  Burgundy,  Talbot,  and  forces. 

An  alarum  :  excurfions.     Enter  Sir  John  Faftolffe,  and  a 
Captain* 

Cap.  Whither  away,   Sir  John  Faftolffe,  in  fuch 

hafle  ? 

Fqft.  Whither  away  ?  to  fave  myfelf  by  flight ; 
We  are  like  to  have  the  overthrow  again. 

Cap.  What  I  will  you  fly,  and  leave  lord  Talbot  ? 
Fajl.  Ay, 

All  the  Talbots  in  the  world,  to  fave  my  life.  [Exit. 
Cap.  Cowardly  knight !  ill  fortune  follow  thee  ! 

[Exit. 

Retreat:  excurfions.     Pucelle,  Alenfon,  and  Dauphin  fy. 

Bed.  Now,  quiet  foul,  depart  when  heaven  lhall 
pleafe  ; 

himfelfe  to  be  carried  forth  in  a  litter :  with  whofe  prefence  his 
people  were  fo  incouraged,  that  encountering  with  the  Saxons 
they  wan  the  victorie."  Hift.  of  Scotland,  p.  99. 

Harding,  however,  in  his  Chronitle,  (as  I  learn  from  Dr.  Gray) 
gives  the  Following  account  of  Uther  Pendragon  : 

"  For  which  the  king  ordain'd  a  horle-litter 
"  To  bear  him  fo  then  unto  Verolame, 
«  Where  Ocea  lay,  and  Oyfa  alfo  in  fear, 
"  That  faint  Albonc's  now  hight  of  noble  fame, 
"  Bet  downe  the  wailes ;  but  to  him  forth  they  came, 
"  Where  in  battayie  Ocea  and  Oyfa  were  flayn. 
*'  The  fielde  he  had,  and  thereof  was  full  fayne." 

STEEVENS* 

For 


238          FIRST    PART    OF 

For  I  have  feen  our  enemies'  overthrow. 
What  is  the  truft  or  ftrength  of  foolifli  man  ? 
They,  that  of  late  were  daring  with  their  feoffs, 
Are  glad  and  fain  by  flight  to  fave  themfelves. 

[DieS,  and  is  carried  of  in  his  chair. 

An  alarum  :   Enter  Talbot,   Burgundy  >  and  the  reft. 

Tal  Loft,  and  recovered  in  a  day  again  ! 
This  is  a  double  honour,  Burgundy  : — 
Yet,  heavens  have  glory  for  this  victory  ! 

Burg.  Warlike  and  martial  Talbot,  Burgundy 
Enflirines  thee  in  his  heart ;  and  there  erects 
Thy  noble  deeds,  as  valour's  monument. 

fal.  Thanks,  gentle  duke.     But  where  is  Pucelle 

now  ? 

I  think,  her  old  familiar  is  afleep  : 
Now  where's  the  Baftard's  braves,  and  Charles  his 

gleeks  ? 

What,  all  a-mort  ?  Roan  hangs  her  head  for  grief, 
That  fuch  a  valiant  company  are  fled. 
Now  will  we  take  fome  order  in  the  town, 
Placing  therein  fome  export  officers  ; 
And  then  depart  to  Paris,  to  the  king ; 
For  there  young  Henry,  with  his  nobles,  lies. 

Burg.  What  wills  lord  Talbot,  pleafeth  Burgundy. 

Tal.  But  yet,  before  we  go,  let's  not  forget 
The  noble  duke  of  Bedford,  late  deceas'd, 
But  fee  his  exequies  fulfill'd  in  Roan  ; 
A  braver  foldier  never  couched  lance, 
A  gentler  heart  did  never  fway  in  court : 
But  kings,  and  mightieft  potentates,  muft  die ; 
For  that's  the  end  of  human  mifery.  [Exeunt. 


SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.        239 

SCENE    III. 

Ybefame.     The  plain  near  tie  city. 
Enter  tie  Dauphin^  Bajlard,  Alenfon,  and  Joan  a  Pucelk* 

PuceL  Difmay  not,  princes,  at  this  accident, 
Nor  grieve  that  Roan  is  fo  recovered  : 
Care  is  no  cure,  but  rather  corrofive, 
For  things  that  are  not  to  be  remedy'd. 
Let  frantic  Talbot  triumph  for  a  while, 
And  like  a  peacock  fweep  along  his  tail ; 
We'll  pull  his  plumes,  and  take  away  his  train, 
If  Dauphin,  and  the  reft,  will  be  but  rul'd. 

Dau.  We  have  been  guided  by  thee  hitherto, 
And  of  thy  cunning  had  no  diffidence  ; 
One  fudden  foil  fhall  never  breed  diftruft. 

Baft.  Search  out  thy  wit  for  fecret  policies, 
And  we  will  make  thee  famous  through  the  world. 

Alen.  We'll  fet  thy  ftatue  in  fome  holy  place, 
And  have  thee  reverenc'd  like  a  blefled  faint ; 
Employ  thee  then,  fweet  virgin,  for  our  good. 

PuceL  Then  thus  it  muft  be ;  this  doth  Joan  devife : 
By  fair  perfuafions,  mix'd  with  fugar'd  words, 
We  will  entice  the  duke  of  Burgundy 
To  leave  the  Talbot,  and  to  follow  us. 

Dau.  Ay,  marry,  fweeting,  if  we  could  do  that, 
France  were  no  place  for  Henry's  warriors ; 
Nor  ihould  that  nation  boaft  it  fo  with  us, 
But  be  extirped  from  our  provinces  8. 

Aim.  For  ever  Ihould  they  be  expuls'd  from  France9, 

And 

8  But  le  extirped  from  our  provinces.]  To  extirf  is  to  root 
out.     So,  in  Lord  Sterline's  Darius,   1603: 

"  The  world  lhall  gather  to  extirf  our  name." 

STEEVENS. 

9  —expuls'd  from  France,]  i.e.  expelled.    So,  in  Ben  Jon  - 
fon's  Scjanus ; 

"  The 


FIRST    PART    OF 

And  not  have  title  of  an  earldom  here. 

Puce  1.  Your  honours  fhall  perceive  how  I  will  workj 
To  bring  this  matter  to  the  wilted  end. 

[Drums  beats  afar  of* 

Hark  !  by  the  found  of  drum,  you  may  perceive 
Their  powers  are  marching  unto  Paris-ward. 

[Here  bedt  an  EngliJJi  march. 

There  goes  the  Talbot,  with  his  colours  fpread  ; 
And  all  the  troops  of  Englifli  after  him. 

[French  march. 

Now,  in  the  rereward,  comes  the  duke,  and  his  ; 
Fortune,  in  favour,  makes  him  lag  behind. 
Summon  a  parley,  we  will  talk  with  him. 

[Trumpets  found  a  parley t 

Enter  the  duke  of  Burgundy,  marching* 

Dau.  A  parley  with  the  duke  of  Burgundy* 
Burg.  Who  craves  a  parley  with  the  Burgundy  ? 
Puce!.  The  princely  Charles  of  France,  thy  coun- 
tryman* 

Burg.  What  fay'fl  thou,  Charles  ?  for  I  am  march- 
ing hence. 
Dau.  Speak,  Pucelle  ;  and  enchant  him  with  thy 

words. 

Pucel.  Brave  Burgundy,  undoubted  hope  of  France ! 

Stay,  let  thy  humble  hand-maid  fpeak  to  thee. 

Burg.  Speak  on  ;  but  be  not  over-tedious. 

Pucel.  Look  on  thy  country,  look  on  fertile  France, 

And  fee  the  cities  and  the  towns  defac'd 

By  walling  ruin  of  the  cruel  foe  ! 

*  As  looks  the  mother  on  her  lowly  babe, 

When 

"  The  expulfed  Apicata  finds  them  there." 
Again,  in  Dray  ton's  Mufes  Elizium : 

"  And  if  you  expulfe  them  there, 

'*  They'll  hang  upon  your  braided  hair."    STEEVENS. 
1  As  looks  the  mother  on  her  lowly  babe,]  It  is  plain  Shakefpeare 
wrote, — lovely  babe,  it  anfwering  to  fertile  France  above,  which 
this  domestic  image  is  brought  to  illuflrate.    WARBURTON. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.        241 

When  death  doth  clofe  his  tender  dying  eyes, 

See,  fee,  the  pining  malady  of  France ; 

Behold  the  wounds,  the  moft  unnatural  wounds, 

Which  thou  thyfelf  haft  given  her  woful  breaft  ! 

Oh,  turn  thy  edged  fword  another  way ; 

Strike  thofe  that  hurt,  and  hurt  not  thofe  that  help ! 

One  drop  of  blood,  drawn  from  thy  country's  bo- 

fom, 
Should  grieve   thee  more  than  ftreams  of  foreign 

gore; 

Return  thec,  therefore,  with  a  flood  of  tears, 
And  waih  away  thy  country's  flained  fpots  ! 

Burg.  Either  ftie  hath  bewitch'd  me  with  her  words, 
Or  nature  makes  me  fuddenly  relent. 

Pucel.  Befides,  all  French  and  France  exclaims  on 

thee, 

Doubting  thy  birth  and  lawful  progeny. 
Whom  join'It  thou  with,  but  with  a  lordly  nation, 
That  will  not  trufl  thee,  but  for  profit's  fake  ? 
When  Talbot  hath  fet  footing  once  in  France, 
And  fafhion'd  thee  that  inftrument  of  ill, 
Who  then,  but  English  Henry,  will  be  lord, 
And  thou  be  thruft  out,  like  a  fugitive  ? 
Call  we  to  mind, — and  mark  but  this,  for  proof;— 
Was  not  the  duke  of  Orleans  thy  foe  ? 
And  was  he  not  in  England  prifoner  ? 
But,  when  they  heard  he  was  thine  enemy, 
They  fet  him  free,  without  his  ranfom  paid, 
In  fpight  of  Burgundy,  and  all  his  friends. 
See  then  !  thou  fight'ft  againfl  thy  countrymen, 
And  join'ft  with  them  will  be  thy  flaughter-men. 
Come,  come,  return  ;  return,  thou  wand'ring  lord ; 
Charles,  and  the  reft,  will  take  thee  in  their  arms. 

The  alteration  is  eafy  and  probable,  but  perhaps  the  poet  by 
lowly  babe  meant  the  bale  lying  low  in  death.  Lowly  anfwersas 
well  to  towns  defaced  and  wafting  ruin,  as  lovely  to  fertile. 

JOHNSON. 

VOL.  VI.  R  Burg. 


242          FIRST     PART    OF 

Burg.  I  am  vanquished  ;  1  thefe  haughty  words  of- 

hers 

Have  batter'd  me  like  roaring  cannon-fhot, 
And  made  me  almofl  yield  upon  my  knees. — 
Forgive  me,  country,  and  fweet  countrymen  ! 
And,  lords,  accept  this  hearty  kind  embrace  : 
My  forces  and  my  power  of  men  are  yours  ; — 
So,  farewel,  Talbot ;  I'll  no  longer  truft  thee. 
PitccL  }  Done  like  a  Frenchman  ;  turn,  and  turn 

again  ! 
Dau.  Welcome,  brave  duke  !  thy  friendfhip  makes' 

us  frelh. 

Baft.  And  doth  beget  new  courage  in  our  breads. 
Alen.  Pucelle  hatlibravely  play'd  her  part  in  this,, 
And  doth  deferve  a  coronet  of  gold. 

Dau.  Now  let  us  on,    my  lords,    and  join    GUI 

powers  ; 
And  feck  how  we  may  prejudice  the  foe.        [Exeunt) 

*  tbefe  haughty  ivorth  of  hers 

Have  latter'd  me  like  roaring  cannon-foot,] 
How  thefe  lines  came  hither  I  know  not ;  there  was  nothing  in  the 
fpeech  of  Joan  haughty  or  violent,  it  was  all  foft  entreaty  and* 
mild  expoft ulation.  JOHNSON. 

3  Done  like  a  Frenchman  ;  turn,  and  turn  again  /]  This  feenta 
to  be  an  offering  of  the  poet  to  his  royal  miltrefs's  refentment,i 
tor  Henry  the  Fourth's  laft  great  turn  in  religion,  in  the  yeap 
1593.  WAR  BURTON. 

The  inconltancy  of  the  French  was  always  the  fubject  of  fatirwj 
I  have  read  a  difiertarion  written  to  prove  that  the  index  of  the 
wind  upon  our  free  pies  was  made  in  form  of  a  cock,  to  ridicul? 
the  French  for  their  frequent  changes.  JOHNSON. 


S  C  E  N  K 


KING    HENRY     VI.         243 

SCENE    IV. 

Paris.     An  apartment  in  the  palace. 

Eiiter  king  Henry,  Glofter,    Vernon,    Baftf,   &c.     To 
them  Talbot,  with  Jobbers. 

Tal.  My  gracious  prince,— and  honourablepeers,— 
Hearing  of  your  arrival  in  this  realm, 
I  have  a  while  given  truce  unto  my  wars, 
To  do  my  duty  to  my  fovereign  : 
In  fign  whereof,  this  arm — that  hath  reclaim'd 
To  your  obedience  fifty  fortrefles, 
Twelve  cities,  and  feven  walled  towns  of  flrength, 
Befidc  five  hundred  prifoners  of  eftcem, — 
Lets  fall  his  fw'ord  before  your  high  nets'  feet ; 
And,  with  fubmiflive  loyalty  of,  heart, 
Afcribes  the  glory  of  his  conquefl  got, 
Firft  to  my  God,  and  next  unto  your  grace. 

K.  Henry.  Is  this  the  lord  Talbot,  uncle  Glofter, 
That  hath  fo  long  been  refident  in  France  ? 

Glo.  Yes,  if  it  pleafe  your  majefty,  my  liege. 

K.  Henry.  Welcome,  brave  captain,  and  victorious 

lord! 

When  I  was  young,  (as  yet  I  am  not  old) 
I  do  remember  how  my  father  fa  id, 
A  ftouter  champion  never  handled  fxvord. 
Long  fince  we  were  refolved  of  your  truth, 
Your  faithful  fervice,  and  your  toil  in  war; 
^et  never  have  you  tafted  our  reward, 
Or  been  reguerdon'd  4  with  fo  much  as  thanks, 
Becaufe  'till  now  we  never  faw  your  face  : 
Therefore,  (land  up ;  and,  for  thefe  good  deferts, 

4  Or  leen  reguerdon'd]  i,  e.  rewarded.  The  word  was  obfo- 
ete  even  in  the  tim-e  ofShakcfpeare.  Chaucer  ufes  it  in  \b&Boke 
>f  Boethius.  STEEVENS. 

R  2  We 


244          FIRST    PART    OF 

We  here  create  you  earl  of  Shrcwfbury ; 
And  in  our  coronation  take  your  place. 

[Exeunt  King,  Gb.  Tat. 

Ver.  Now,  Sir,  to  you,  that  were  fo  hot  at  fea, 
Difgracing  of  thefe  colours  that  I  wear5 
In  honour  of  my  noble  lord  of  York, — 
Dar'ft  thou  maintain  the  former  words  thou  fpak'fl 

Baf.  Yes,  fir  ;  as  well  as  you  dare  patronage 
The  envious  barking  of  your  faucy  tongue 
Againft  my  lord,  the  duke  of  Somerfet. 
Ver.  Sirrah,  thy  lord  I  honour  as  he  is. 
Baf.  Why,  what  is  he  ?  as  good  a  man  as  York. 
Ver*  Hark  ye;  not  fo  :  in  witnefs,  take  ye  that. 

[Strikes  him* 

Baf.  Villain,  thou  know'fl,  the  law  of  arms  is  fuch 
6  That,  who  fo  draws  a  fword,  *tis  prefent  death  ; 
Or  elfe  this  blow  Ihould  broach  thy  dearefl  blood. 
But  I'll  unto  his  majefty,  and  crave 
I  may  have  liberty  to  venge  this  wrong ; 
When  thou  fhalt  fee,  I'll  meet  thee  to  thy  coft. 

s  tbefe  colours  tbat  I  •wear'}  This  was  the  badge  of  a  rofet 

and  not  an  officer's  fcarf.     So,  in  Love's  Labour's  Lojt : 
"  And  wear  his  colours  like  a  tumbler's  hoop." 
Acl  III.  Scene  the  laft.     TOLLET. 

''  Tbaff  ivhofo  draws  ajkvordy  y tis  prefent  death  i\  Shakefpeare 
wrote : 

>  draws  a  fword  i'th'  prefence  't's  death  ; 

*.  e.  in  the  court,  or  in  the  prefence  chamber.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

This  reading  cannot  be  right,  becaufe,  as  Mr.  Edwards  ob- 
ferved,  it  cannot  be  pronounced.  It  is,  however,  a  good  com- 
ment, as  it  fliews  the  author's  meaning.  JOHNSON. 

I  believe  the  line  fliould  be  written  as  it  is  in  the  folio  : — 

That,  who  fo  Jra^ws  a  fword 

i.  t.  (as  Dr.  Warburton  has  obferved)  with  a  menace  in  the  court^ 
or  in  the  prefence-chamber.    STEEVENS. 

Johnfon,  in  his  collection  of  Ecclcjiajlical  JL<7-u'.y,'has  preferred 


am  told  that  there  are  many  other  ancient  canons  to  the  fam& 
purpofe.     Grey,    -  STEEVENS. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         245 

Per.  Well,  mifcreant,  I'll  be  there  as  foon  as  you; 
And,  after,  meet  you  fooner  than  you  would. 

[Exe  nt. 


ACT      IV.        S  C  E  N  E     I. 

Parts.     A  room  of  fate. 

Enter  king  Henry,  Glofter,  Wincloefter,  Tork,  Suffolk, 
Somerfet,  Warwick,  'Talbot,  Exeter,  and  Governor  of 
Paris. 

Glo.  Lord  bifhop,  fet  the  crown  upon  his  head. 

Win.  God  fave  king  Henry,  of  that  name  the  fixth ! 

Glo.  Now,  governor  of  Paris,  take  your  oath, — 
That  you  elect  no  other  king  but  him  : 
Efleem  none  friends,  but  fuch  as  are  his  friends  ; 
And  none  your  foes,  but 7  fuch  as  fhall  pretend 
Malicious  practices  againft  his  Hate  : 
This  fhall  ye  do,  fo  help  you  righteous  God  ! 

Enter  Sir  John  Fajlolfe. 

Faft.  My  gracious  fovereign,  as  I  rode  from  Calais, 
To  hafte  unto  your  coronation, 
A  letter  was  deliver'd  to  my  hands, 
Writ  to  your  grace  from  the  duke  of  Burgundy* 

Tal.  Shame  to  the  duke  of  Burgundy,  and  thee  ! 
I  vow'd,  bafe  knight,  when  I  did  meet  thee  next, 
To  tear  the  garter  from  thy  craven's  leg.  [plucking  it  off. 
(Which  I  have  done)  becaufe  unworthily 
Though  waft  inftalled  in  that  high  degree..— 
Pardon  me,  princely  Henry,  and  the  reft : 

7  —-/we/*  a f  Jball pretend]  To  pretend  is  to  dejigri,  \nintend. 

JOHNSON. 

R  Q  This 


246          FIRST    PART    OF 

This  daftard,  at  the  battle  of  Poi&iers 8, — 
When  but  in  all  I  was  fix  thoufand  ftrong, 
And  that  the  French  were  almoft  ten  to  one, — 
Before  we  met,  or  that  a  ftroke  was  given, 
Like  to  a  trufty  fquire,  did  run  away  ; 
In  which  affault  we  loft  twelve  hundred  men  ; 
Myfelf,  and  divers  gentlemen  befide, 
Were  there  furpriz'd,  and  taken  prisoners. 
Then  judge,  great  lords,  if  I  have  done  amifs  ; 
Or  whether  that  fuch  cowards  ought  to  wear 
This  ornament  of  knighthood,  yea,  or  no. 

Glo.  To  fay  the  truth,  this  fad  was  infamous, 
And  ill  befeeming  any  common  man  ; 
Much  more  a  knight,  a  captain,  and  a  leader. 

Tal.  When  firft  this  order  was  ordain'd,  my  lords, 
Knights  of  the  garter  were  of  noble  birth ; 
Valiant,  and  virtuous,  full  of 9  haughty  courage, 
Such  as  were  grown  to  credit  by  the  wars  ; 
Not  fearing  death,  nor  fhrinking  for  diftrefs, 
But  always  refolute  in  moft  extremes. 
He  then,  that  is  not  furniih'd  in  this  fort, 
Doth  but  ufurp  the  facred  name  of  knight, 
Profaning  this  moft  honourable  order  ; 
And  fhould  (if  1  were  worthy  to  be  judge) 

8  —  at  tie  battle  of  Poictiers.]  The  battle  of  Poicliers  was 
fought  in  the  year  1357^  the  31  ft  of  king  Edward  III.  and  the 
fcene  now  lies  in  the  ;th  year  of  the  reign  of  king  Henry  VI 
viz.  1428.     This  blunder  may   be  juftly  imputed  to  the  players 
or   tranfcribers  ;    nor    can  we   very  well   juitiiy  ourfelves    for 
permitting   it   to  continue  fo  long,  as  it  was  too  glaring  to  have 
efcaped  an  attentive  reader.     The  acYion  of  which  Shakefpeare  is 
noxv  fpeakina:,  happened  (according  to  Holinfhed)    "  neere  unto 
a  village  in  Beaufle  called  PataieJ'  which  we  fhould  read,  inileac 
of  Poi fliers.     "  P'rom  this  battell  departed  without  anie  itroke 
ftrikcn,    Sir  John  Fa/iolfe,    the  lame  yeere  by  his  valiantneffe 
elected  into  the  order  of  the  garter.     But  for  doubt  of  mifdealinj 
at  this  brunt,  the  duke  of  Bedford  tooke  from  him  the  image  o 
St.  George  and  his  garter,  &c."     Holinfhed,  Vol.  II.  p.  601. 

STEEVEVS. 

9  haughty  c ouragc , ]  Haughty   is  here  in  its  original  lenfe 

for  bigk.     JOHN s ON, 

Be 


KING    HENRY     VI.         247 

Be  quite  degraded,  like  a  hedge-born  fwain 
That  doth  prefumc  to  boaft  of  gentle  blood. 

K.  Henry.  Stain  to  thy  countrymen,!  thou  hear'ft 

thy  doom  : 

Be  packing  therefore,  thou  that  waft  a  knight  ; 
Henceforth  we  banifh  thce,  on  pain  of  death.  — 

[Exit  Fajlolfe. 
And  now,  my  lord  protector,  view  the  letter 
Sent  from  our  uncle  duke  of  Burgundy. 

Qlo.  What  means  his  grace,  that  he  hath  chang'd 

his  ftile  ? 
No  more  but,  plain  and  bluntly,  —  'To  the  king  ? 

[Reading. 

Hath  he  forgot,   he  is  his  fovereign  ? 
Or  doth  this  churlifh  fuperfcription 
Pretend  fome  alteration  in  good  will  '  ? 
What's  here  ?  —  I  have,  upon  efpedal  caufe,  —  [Reads. 

Mov'd  with  compajjion  of  my  country's  wreck, 

Together  with  the  pitiful  complaints 

Of  fuch  as  your  opprejjion  feeds  upon,— 

Forfakcn  your  pernicious  faction, 

And  join*  d  with  Charles,  the  rightful  king  of  France. 
O  monflrous  treachery  !  Can  this  be  fo  ; 
That  in  alliance,  amity,  and  oaths, 
There  fliould  be  found  fuch  falfe  diflembling  guile  ? 

K.  Henry.  What  !  doth  my  uncle  Burgundy  revolt? 

Glo.  He  doth,  my  lord  ;  and  is  become  your  foe. 

K.  Henry.  Is  that  the  worft,  this  letter  doth  contain  ? 

Glo.  It  is  the  worft,  and  all,  my  lord,  he  writes. 

K.  Henry.  Why  then,  lord  Talbot  there  fhall  talk 

with  him, 

And  give  him  chaftifement  for  this  abufe  :— 
My  lord,  how  fay  you  ?  are  you  not  content  ? 

Tal.  Content,  my  liege  ?  Yes;  but  that  I  am  pre- 
vented, 


In  %ood  will?]  Thus  the  old  copy.  To 
pretend  feems  to  be  here  ufed  in  its  Latin  fenfe,  i.e.  to  hold  cut, 
toflrctcbfcr-vard.  Modern  editors  read  portend,  STEEVENS. 

R  4  I  fhould 


248          FIRST    PART    OF 

I  fhould  have  begg'd  I  might  have  been  employ'd. 

K.  Henry.  Then  gather  flrength,  and  march  unto 

him  ftraight : 

Let  him  perceive,  how  ill  we  brook  his  treafon ; 
And  what  offence  it  is,  to  flout  his  friends. 

I'al.  I  go,  my  lord  ;  in  heart  defiring  flill, 
You  may  behold  confuiion  of  your  foes.     [£v//  Tul. 

Enter  Vernon,  and  BaJJet. 

Ver.  Grant  me  the  combat,  gracious  fovereign  ! 

Baf.  And  me,  my  lord,  grant  me  the  combat  too  ! 

York.  This  is  my  iervant ;  Hear  him,  noble  prince ! 

Som.  And  this  is  mine ;  Sweet  Henry,  favour  him  ! 

K.  Henry.  Be  patient,  lords,  and  give  them  leave 

to  fpeak. — 

Say,  gentlemen,  What  makes  you  thus  exclaim  ? 
And  wherefore  crave  you  combat  ?  or  with  whom  ? 

Ver.  With  him,  my  lord  ;  for  he  hath  done  me 
wrong. 

Baf.  And  I  with  him  ;  for  he  hath  done  me  wrong. 

K.  Henry.  WThat  is  that  wrong  whereof  you  both 

complain  ? 
Firft  let  me  know,  and  then  I'll  anfwer  you. 

Baf.  Croffing  the  fea  from  England  into  France, 
This  fellow  here,  with  envious  carping  tongue, 
Upbraided  me  about  the  rofe  I  wear  ; 
Saying — the  fanguine  colour  of  the  leaves 
Did  reprefent  my  mailer's  bluihing  cheeks, 
When  flubbornly  he  did  repugn  the  truth  % 
About  a  certain  qucftion  in  the  law, 
Argu'd  betwixt  the  duke  of  York  and  him  ; 
With  other  vile  and  ignominious  terms : 
In  confutation  of  which  rude  reproach, 
And  in  defence  of  my  lord's  worthinefs, 
I  crave  the  benefit  of  law  of  arms. 


*  —-did  repugn  tbe  truth,"]  To  repugn   is  to  refift. 
word  is  ufed  by  Chaucer,    STEEVENS, 


Tbe 
r<er. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.        249 

Vcr.  And  that  is  my  petition,  noble  lord  : 
For  though  he  feem,  with  forged  quaint  conceit, 
To  fet  a  glofs  upon  his  bold  intent, 
Yet  know,  my  lord,  I  was  provok'd  by  him  ; 
And  he  firft  took  exceptions,  at  this  badge, 
Pronouncing— that  the  palenefs  of  this  flower 
Bewray'd  the  faintnefs  of  my  mailer's  heart. 

York.  Will  not  this  malice,  Somerfet,  be  left  ? 

Som.  Your  private  grudge,  my  lord  of  York,  will 

out, 
Though  ne'er  fo  cunningly  you  fmother  it. 

K.  Henry.  Good  Lord  !    what  madnefs  rules  in 

brain-lick  men ; 

When,  for  fo  flight  and  frivolous  a  caufe, 
Such  factious  emulations  fliall  arife  !  — 
Good  coufins  both,  of  York  and  Somerfet, 
Quiet  yourfelves,  I  pray,  and  be  at  peace. 

Tork.  Let  this  diflention  firft  be  try'd  by  fight, 
And  then  your  highncfslhall  command  a  peace. 

Som.  The  quarrel  toucheth  none  but  us  alone ; 
Betwixt  ourfelves  let  us  decide  it  then. 

Tork.  There  is  my  pledge ;  accept  it,   Somerfet. 

Ver.  Nay,  let  it  reft  where  it  began  at  firft. 

Baf.  Confirm  it  fo,  mine  honourable  lord. 

Glo.  Confirm  it  fo  ?  Confounded  be  your  ftrife ! 
And  perifli  ye,  with  your  audacious  prate  ! 
Prefumptuous  vaflals !  are  you  not  afham'd, 
With  this  immodeft  clamorous  outrage 
To  trouble  and  difturb  the  king  and  us  ?— - 
And  you,  my  lords, — methinks,  you  do  not  well, 
To  bear  with  their  perverfe  objections ; 
Much  lefs,  to  take  occafion  from  their  mouths 
To  raife  a  mutiny  betwixt  yourfelves  ; 
Let  me  perfuade  you  take  a  better  courfe. 

Exe.  It  grieves  his  highnefs ; — Good  my  lords,  be 
friends. 

K.  Henry.  Come  hither,  you  that  would  be  com- 
batants : 

Hence- 


250         F  I  R  S  T    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Henceforth,  I  charge  you,  as  you  love  our  favour, 

Quite  to  forget  this  quarrel,  and  the  caufc.  — 

And  you,  my  lords, — remember  where  we  are  ; 

In  France,  amongft  a  fickle  wavering  nation  : 

If  they  perceive  diifention  in  our  looks, 

And  that  within  ourfelves  we  difagree, 

How  will  their  grudging  ftomachs  be  provok'd 

To  wilful  difobedience,  and  rebel  ? 

Betide,  What  infamy  will  there  arife, 

When  foreign  princes  fnall  be  certify'd, 

That,  for  a  toy,  a  thing  of  no  regard, 

King  Henry's  peers,  and  chief  nobility, 

Peftroy'd  themfelves,  and  loft  the  realm  of  France  ? 

O,  think  upon  the  conquest  of  my  father, 

My  tender  years  ;  and  let  us  not  forego 

That  for  a  trifle,  which  was  bought  with  blood  ! 

Let  me  be  umpire  in  this  doubtful  flrife. 

I  fee  no  reafon,  if  I  wear  this  rofe, 

[Putting  on  a  red  rofe. 

That  any  one  fliould  therefore  be  fulpicious 
I  more  incline  to  Sornerfet,  than  York  : 
Both  are  my  kinfmen,  and  I  love  them  both  : 
As  well  they  may  upbraid  me  with  my  crown, 
Becaufe,  forfooth,  the  king  of  Scots  is  crown'd. 
But  your  difcretions  better  can  perfuade, 
Than  I  am  able  to  inftruct  or  teach  : 
And  therefore,  as  we  hither  came  in  peace, 
So  let  us  flill  continue  peace  and  love. — 
Coufm  of  York,  we  inflitute  your  grace 
To  be  our  regent  in  thefe  parts  of  France  : — 
And  good  my  lord  of  Somerfet,  unite 
Your  troops  of  horfemen  with  his  bands  of  foot  ;— - 
And,  like  true  fubjecls,  fons  of  your  progenitors, 
Go  cheerfully  together,  and  digefl 
Your  angry  choler  on  your  enemies. 
Ourfelf,  my  lord  protestor,  and  the  reft, 
After  fome  refpite,  will  return  to  Calais ; 
Trom  thence  to  England ;  where  I  hope  ere  lone; 

^ 


KING    HENRY     VI.         251 

To  be  prefented,  by  your  victories, 

With  Charles,  Alencon,  and  that  traitorous  rout. 

\Ylourijh.     Exeunt. 

Manent  Fork,  Warwick,  Exeter,  and  Vernon. 

War.  My  lord  of  York,  I  promife  you,  the  king 
Prettily,  methought,  did  play  the  orator. 

Tork.  And  fo  he  did  ;  but  yet  I  like  it  not, 
In  that  he  wears  the  badge  of  Somerfet. 

War.  Tufh  !  that  was  but  his  fancy,  blame  him  not; 
I  dare  prefume,  fweet  prince,  he  thought  no  harm. 

York.  3  And,  if  I  wift,  he  did,— But  let  it  reft  ; 
Other  affairs  muft  now  be  managed.  [Exeunt. 

Manet  Exeter. 

Exe.  Well  didft  thou,  Richard,  to  fupprefs  thy 

voice  : 

For,  had  the  paffions  of  thy  heart  burfl  out, 
I  fear,  we  fhould  have  feen  decypher'd  there 
More  rancorous  fpight,  more  furious  raging  broils, 
Than  yet  can  be  imagin'd  or  fuppos'd. 
But  howfoe'er,  no  fimple  man  that  fees 
This  jarring  difcord  of  nobility, 
This  ihould'ring  of  each  other  in  the  court, 
This  factious  bandying  of  their  favourites, 

3  In  the  former  editions, 

And  if  I  wilh  be  did ]  By  the  pointing  reform*d,   and  a 

fingle  letter  expung'd,  I  have  reftor'd  the  text  to  its  purity.  And, 
if  I  iu",  be  did— Warwick  had  faid,  the  king  meant  no  harm  in 
wearing  Somerfet's  rofe  :  York  teftily  replies,  "  Nay,  if  I  know 
any  thing,  he  did  think  harm."  THEOBALD. 

This  is  followed  by  the  fucceeding  editors,  and  is  indeed  plau- 
fible  enough  ;  but  perhaps  this  fpeech  may  become  fufliciently  in- 
telligible without  any  change,  only  fuppofing  it  broken. 

And  if— I  wijb — he  did. 
or,  perhaps  : 

And  if  be  did,  I  wijb —     Jo  H  N  S  O  N . 

I  read,  I  ivijl.    The  pret.  of  the  old  obfolete  verb  I  *v/;, 
which  is  ufed  by  Shakefpeare  in  The  Merchant  of  Venice; 
"  There  be  fools  alive,  I  w/V, 
**  Silver'd  o'er,  and  fo  was  this."    STEEVENS. 

But 


e52  -        FIRST    PART    OF 

But  that  he  doth  prefage  fome  ill  event. 
'Tis  much,  when  fcepters  are  in  children's  hands  ; 
But  r^ore,  when  envy  breeds  unkind  divifion  ; 
There  comes  the  ruin,  there  begins  confuiion.  [Exit. 

SCENE    II. 

Before  the  walls  of  Bourdeaux. 
Enter  Talbof,  with  trumpets  and  drum. 

TaL  Go  to  the  gates  of  Bourdeaux,  trumpeter, 
Summon  their  general  unto  the  wall.  [Sounds. 

Enter  General  aloft. 

Engliih  John  Talbot,  captains,  calls  you  forth, 
Servant  in  arms  to  Harry  king  of  England  ; 

And  thus  he  would, Open  your  city  gates, 

Be  humbled  to  us  ;  call  my  fovereign  yours, 
And  do  him  homage  as  obedient  fubjedts, 
And  I'll  withdraw  me  and  my  bloody  power : 
But,  if  you  frown  upon  this  proffer'd  peace, 
You  tempt  the  fury  of  my  three  attendants, 
Lean  famine,  quartering  fteel,  and  climbing  fire  ; 
Who,  in  a  moment,  even  with  the  earth 
Shall  lay  your  {lately  and  air-braving  towers, 
If  you  forfake  4  the  offer  of  their  love. 

Gen.  Thou  ominous  and  fearful  owl  of  death, 
Our  nation's  terror,  and  their  bloody  fcourge  ! 
The  period  of  thy  tyranny  approacheth. 
On  us  thou  canft  not  enter,  but  by  death  : 
For,  I  proteft,  we  are  well  fortify'd, 
And  flrong  enough  to  iflue  out  and  fight : 
If  thou  retire,  the  Dauphin,  well  appointed, 
Stands  with  the  fnares  of  war  to  tangle  thee  : 
On  either  hand  thee  there  are  fquadrons  pitch'd, 

4  — fair  love.]  The  old  editions  read  : — the  offer  of  their  love. 
Sir  T.  Haamer  altered  it  to  our.    JOHN^'OX. 

To 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     VI. 

To  wall  thee  from  the  liberty  of  flight ; 
And  no  way  canft  thou  turn  thee  for  redrefs, 
,But  death  doth  front  thee  with  apparent  fpoil. 
And  pale  deftrudtion  meets  thee  in  the  face. 
Ten  thoufand  French  have  ta'eq  the  facrament, 
5  To  rive  their  dangerous  artillery 
Upon  no  chriilian  foul  but  Engliih  Talbot. 
Lo !  there  thou  fland'ft,  a  breathing  valiant  man, 
Of  an  invincible  unconquer'd  fpirit  : 
This  is  the  lateft  glory  of  thy  praife, 
That  I,  thy  enemy,  6  due  thee  withal ; 
For  ere  the  glafs,  that  now  begins  to  run, 
Finifli  the  procefs  of  his  fandy  hour, 
Thefe  eyes,  that  fee  thee  now  well  coloured, 
Shall  fee  thee  wither'd,  bloody,  pale,  and  dead. 

[T>rum  afar  off. 

Hark  !  hark !  the  Dauphin's  drum,  a  warning  bell, 
Sings  heavy  mufic  to  thy  timorous  foul ; 
And  mine  lhall  ring  thy  dire  departure  out. 

[Exit  from  the  walls. 

5  To  rive  their  dangerous  artillery]  I  do  not  underftand  the 
phrafe  to  rive  artillery,  perhaps  it  might  be  to  drive  ;  we  fay  to 
drive  a  blow,  and  to  drive  at  a  man,  when  we  mean  to  exprefs 
furious  aflault.     JOHNSON. 

To  rive  feems  to  be  ufed  with  Come  deviation  from  its  common 
meaning  in  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  act  iv.  fc.  ii : 

**  The  foul  and  body  rive  not  more  at  parting." 

STEEVEXS. 

Rive  their  artillery  feems  to  mean  charge  their  artillery  fo  much, 
as  to  endanger  their  burfting.  So,  in  Troilus  and  Crejfida,  Ajax 
bids  the  trumpeter  blow  fo  loud,  as  to  crack  his  lungs  and  jpiit 
his  brazen  pipe.  TOLLET. 

6  due  thee  withal  \\  To  due  is  to  endue ^  to  deck,  to  grace. 

JOHNSON. 

The  old  copy  reads,— -dew  tbee  vjitbal ;  and  perhaps  rightly.  The 
«/kv  of  praife  is  an  expreffion  I  have  met  with  in  other  poets  ; 
Shakefpeare  ufes  the  fame  verb  in  Macbeth : 

"  To  de-M  the  fovereign  flow'r,   and  drown  the  weeds.'* 
Again,  in  the  fecond  part  of  King  Henry  VI : 

"  — give  me  thy  hand, 

14  That  I  may  dew  it  with  my  mournful  tears." 

STEEVENS. 


FIRST    PART    OF 

Tal.  7  He  fables  not,  I  hear  the  enemy ; — 
Out,  fome  light  horfemen,  and  perufe  their  wings. — 
O,  negligent  and  heedlefs  difcipline  ! 
How  are  we  park'd,  and  bounded  in  a  pale  ; 
A  little  herd  of  England's  timorous  deer, 
Maz'd  with  a  yelping  kennel  of  French  curs  ! 
If  we  be  Englilh  deer,  8  be  then  in  blood  : 
9  Not  raical-like,  to  fall  down  with  a  pinch  ; 
But  rather  moody-mad,  and  defperate  flags, 
Turn  on  the  bloody  hounds  '  with  heads  of  fleel, 
And  make  the  cowards  fland  aloof  at  bay  : 
Sell  every  man  his  life  as  dear  as  mine, 
And  they  ihall  find  dear  deer  of  *us,  my  friends. — 
God,  and  faint  George !  Talbot,  and  England's  right ! 
Profper  our  colours  in  this  dangerous  fight  !  [Exeunt. 

SCENE     III. 

Another  part  of  France. 

Enter  a  Mfffenger,   meeting  Tork^   who  enters  with  a 
trumpet,  and  many  foldiers. 

Tork.  Arc  not  the  fpeedy  fcouts  return'd  again, 
That  dogg'd  the  mighty  army  of  the  Dauphin  ? 

7  — He  fables  nof, — ]  This  expreffion  Milton  has  borrowed  in 
his  Mafque  at  Ludlow  Caflle : 

"  She  fables  not,  I  feel  that  I  do  fear." 
It  occurs  again  in  the  Pinner  of  Wakefield,   \  599  : 

"  good  father  fable  not  with  him."    STEETENS. 

8  be  then  in  blood ;  ]  Be  in  high  fpirits,  be  of  true  mettle, 

JOHNSON. 

9  Not  rafcal-like, — ]  A  rafcal  deer  is  the  term  of  chafe  for  lean 
poor  deer.     JOHNSON. 

*  with  beads  of  Jleel,]  Continuing  the  image  of  the  Jeert 

he  fuppofes  the  lances  to  be  their  horns.     JOHNSON. 

*  dear  deer  of  us,']  The  fame  quibble  occurs  in  Kinr 
Henry  IV.  Part  I : 

"  Death  hath  not  {truck  fo  fat  a  deer  to-day, 
**  Though  many  a  dearer ,  &c."    STEEVENS» 

Mef 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.          255 

Meffl  They  are  return'd,  my  lord  ;  and  give  it  out, 
That  he  is  march'd  to  Bourdeaux  with  his  power, 
To  fight  with  Talbot  :  As  he  march'd  along, 
By  your  efpials  were  difcovcred 
Two  mightier  troops  than  that  the  Dauphin  led  ; 
Which  join'd  with  him,  and  made  their  march  for 
Bourdeaux. 

Tork.  A  plague  upon  that  villain  Somerfet  ; 
That  thus  delays  my  promifed  fupply 
Of  horfemen,  that  were  levied  for  this  fiege  ! 
Renowned  Talbot  doth  expect  my  aid  ; 
1  And  I  am  lowted  by  a  traitor  villain, 
And  cannot  help  the  noble  chevalier  : 
God  comfort  him  in  this  neceffity  ! 
If  he  mifcarry,  farewel  wars  in  France. 

Enter  Sir  JVdtiam  Lucy. 

Lucy.  Thou  princely  leader  of  our  Englilh  flrength, 
Never  fo  needfu'.  on  the  earth  of  France, 
Spur  to  the  refcue  of  the  noble  Talbot  ; 
Who  now  is  girdled  with  a  waift  of  iron, 
And  hemm'd  about  with  grim  deflruction  : 
To  Bourdeaux,  warlike  duke  !  to  Bourdeaux,  York! 
Elfe,  farewel  Talbot,  France,  and  England's  honour. 

Tork.  O  God  !  that  Somerfet  —  who  in  proud  heart 
Doth  flop  my  cornets  —  were  in  Talbot's  place  ! 
So  ihould  we  fave  a  valiant  gentleman, 
By  forfeiting  a  traitor,  and  a  coward. 
Mad  ire,  and  wrathful  fury,  makes  me  weep, 
That  thus  we  die,  while  remifs  traitors  fleep. 


3  And  am  I  lovjted—t—}  To  lowt  may  fignify  to  dtprefs,  to 
wers  to  dijbonour  ;  but  I  do  not  remember  it  fo  ufed.     We  may 
read,  And  I  am  flouted.     /  am  mocktd^  and  treated  with  con- 
tempt.    JOHNSON. 

To  lout)  in  Chaucer,  fignifies  lofubmit.     To  fubmit  is  to  let 
down.     So,  Dryden  : 

"  Sometimes  the  \i\\\fubmits  itfelf  a  while 
"  la  fmall  defcents,  &c."    STEEVENS. 

Lucy. 


256         FIRST    PART    OF 

Lucy.  O,  fend  fome  fuccour  to  the  diftrefs'd  lord  ! 

Tork,  He  dies,  we  lofe ;  I  break  my  warlike  word  : 
We  mourn,  France  fmiles ;  we  lofe,  they  daily  get ; 
All  'long  of  this  vile  traitor  Somerfet. 

Lucy.  Then,  God  take  mercy  on  brave  Talbot's 

foul! 

And  on  his  fon  young  John ;  whom,  two  hours  fincc, 
I  met  in  travel  towards  his  warlike  father  ! 
This  feven  years  did  not  Talbot  fee  his  fon  ; 
And  now  they  meet  where  both  their  lives  are  done. 

York.  Alas  !  what  joy  lhall  noble  Talbot  have, 
To  bid  his  young  fon  welcome  to  his  grave  ? 
Away  !  vexation  almoft  flops  my  breath, 
That  funder'd  friends  greet  in  the  hour  of  death.— 
Lucy,  farewel :  no  more  my  fortune  can, 
But  curfe  the  caufe  I  cannot  aid  the  man. — 
Maine,  Bloys,  Poictiers,  and  Tours,  are  won  away, 
'Long  all  of  Somerfet,  and  his  delay. 

Lucy.  Thus,  while  4  the  vulture  of  fedition 
Feeds  in  the  bofom  of  fuch  great  commanders, 
Sleeping  negledtion  doth  betray  to  lofs 
The  conqucft  of  our  fcarce-cold  conqueror, 
That  ever-living  man  of  memory, 
Henry  the  fifth  : — Whiles  they  each  other  crofs, 
Lives,  honours,  lands,  and  all,  hurry  to  lofs.    [Exit* 

SCENE    IV. 

Another  part  of  France. 
Enter  Somerfet,  with  his  army. 

Som.  It  is  too  late  ;  I  cannot  fend  them  now  : 
This  expedition  was  by  York,  and  Talbot, 
Too  rafhly  plotted  ;  all  our  general  force 

4  —  the  vulture— •}  Alluding  to  the  tale  of  Prometheus. 

JOHNSON. 

Might 


KING    HJE  N  R  Y    VI.          25? 

Might  with  a  Tally  of  the  very  town 

Be  buckled  with  :   the  over-daring  Talbot 

Hath  fullied  all  his  glofs  of  former  honour 

By  this  unheedful,  defperate,  wild  adventure : 

York  fet  him  on  to  fight,  and  die  in  fhame. 

That,  Talbot  dead,  great  York  might  bear  the  name; 

Capt.  Here  is  fir  William  Lucy,  who  with  me 
Set  from  our  o'er-match'd  forces  forth  for  aid. 

Enter  Sir  William  Lucy. 

Som.  How  now,  fir  William  ?  whither  were  you 

fent  ? 
Lucy*  Whither,  my  lord  ?  from  bought  and  fold 

lord  Talbot ; 

Who,  *  ring'd  about  with  bold  adverfity, 
Cries  out  for  noble  York  and  Somerfet, 
To  beat  afTailing  death  from  his  weak  legions. 
And  whiles  the  honourable  captain  there 
Drops  bloody  fweat  from  his  war-wearied  limbs, 
And,  6  in  advantage  ling'ring,  looks  for  refcue, 
You,  his  falfe  hopes,  the  truft  of  England's  honour, 
Keep  off  aloof  with  7  worthlefs  emulation. 
Let  not  your  private  difcord  keep  away 
The  levied  fuccours  that  fliould  lend  him  aid, 
While  he,  renowned  noble  gentleman, 
Yields  up  his  life  unto  a  world  of  odds : 
Orleans  the  Baftard,  Charles,  and  Burgundy, 
Alencon,  Reignier,  compafs  him  about, 
And  Talbot  periflieth  by  your  default. 
Som.  York  fet  him  on,    York  ihould  have  fent 

him  aid. 
Lucy.  And  York  as  faft  upon  your  grace  exclaims ; 

5  —  ring d  about— « ]  Environed,  encircled.     JOHNSON. 

*  — in  advantage  lingering, — ]  Protracting  his  relillance  by  the 
advantage  of  a  ftrong  poft.  JOHNSON. 

7  — worthlefs  emulation.}  In  this  line  emulation  fignifies  merely 
rivalry^,  not  ftruggle  for  iuperior  excellence.  JOHNSON. 

..VOL.  VL  S  Swear- 


258          FIRST    PART    OF 

Swearing,  that  you  withhold  his  levied  hofl, 
Collected  for  this  expedition. 

Som.  York  lies  ;  he  might  have  fent,  and  had  thev 

horfe  : 

I  owe  him  little  duty,  and  lefs  love  ; 
And  take  foul  fcorn,  to  fawn  on  him  by  fending. 

Lucy*  The   fraud  of  England,    not  the  force  of 

France, 

Hath  now  entrapt  the  noble-minded  Talbot  : 
Never  to  England  fliall  he  bear  his  life  ; 
But  dies,  betray'd  to  fortune  by  your  flrife. 

Som.  Come,  go  ;  I  will  difpatch  the  horfemen  flraight  : 
Within  fix  hours  they  will  be  at  his  aid. 

Lucy.  Too  late  comes  refcue;  he  ista'en,  or  flam: 
For  fly  he  could  not,  if  he  would  have  fled  ; 
And  fly  would  Talbot  never,  though  he  might. 

Som.  If  he  be  dead,  brave  Talbot  then  adieu  ! 

Lucy.  His  fame  lives  in  the  world,  his  fliame  in 
you.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE    V. 

A  field  of  battle  near  Eourdeaux. 
Enter  Talbot,  and  his  fin. 

Tal.  O  young  John  Talbot  !  I  did  fend  for  thee 
To  tutor  thee  in  ftratagems  of  war  ; 
That  Talbot's  name  might  be  in  thee  reviv'd, 
When  faplefs  age,  and  weak  unable  limbs, 
Should  bring  thy  father  to  his  drooping  chair. 
But,  —  O  malignant  and  ill-boding  flars  !  — 
Now  art  thou  come  unto  8  a  feaft  of  death, 
A  terrible  and  unavoided  danger  : 
Therefore,  dear  boy,  mount  on  my  fwifteft  horfe  ; 
And  I'll  dirett  thee  how  thou  flialt  eicape 


*  —  afcafl  of  </™//6,]  To  a  field  where  death  will 
with  [laughter.    JOIINSO.V, 

B 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     VI.        259 

By  fudden  flight :  come,  dally  not,  begone. 

John.  Is  my  name  Talbot  ?  and  am  I  your  fon  ? 
And  lhall  I  fly  ?  O  !   if  you  iove  my  mother, 
Dilhonour  not  her  honourable  name, 
To  make  a  baflard,  and  a  Have  of  me  : 
The  world  will  lay — He  is  not  Talbot's  blood, 
That  bafely  fled,  when  9  noble  Talbot  Hood. 

Tal.  Fly,  to  revenge  my  death,  if  I  be  ilain. 

John.  He,  that  flies  fo,  will  ne'er  return  again. 

y<s/.  If  we  both  flay,  we  both  are  fure  to  die. 

John.  Then,  let  me  ftay  ;  and,  father,  do  you  fly  : 
Your  lofs  is  great,  fo  '  your  regard  Ihould  be  ; 
My  worth  unknown,  no  lofs  is  known  in  me. 
Upon  my  death  the  French  can  little  boaft  ; 
In  yours  they  will,  in  you  all  hopes  are  loft. 
Flight  cannot  ftain  the  honour  you  have  won  ; 
But  mine  it  will,  that  no  exploit  have  done  : 
You  fled  for  vantage,  every  one  will  fwear  ; 
But,  if  I  bow,  they'll  fay — it  was  for  fear. 
There  is  no  hope  that  ever  I  will  ftay, 
If,  the  firft  hour,  I  Ihrink,  and  run  away. 
Here,  on  my  knee,  I  beg  mortality, 
Rather  than  life  preferv'd  with  infamy. 

3al.  Shall  all  thy  mother's  hopes  lie  in  one  tomb  ? 

»John*  Ay,   rather   than   I'll   fhame  my  mother's 
womb. 

fal.  Upon  my  blefling  I  command  thee  go. 
John.  To  fight  I  will,  but  not  to  fly  the  foe. 
Tal.  Part  of  thy  father  may  be  fav'd  in  thee. 
John.  No  part  of  him,  but  will  be  fhaine  in  me. 
¥al.  Thou  never  hadft  renown,  nor  canil  not  lofe  it. 

9  nolle  T allot  flood.]  For  what  reafon  this  fcene  is  written  in 
rhyme  I  cannot  guefs.  If  Shakeipeare  had  not  in  other  plays 
mingled  his  rhymes  and  blank  veries  in  the  fame  manner,  I 
fhould  have  fufpeded  that  this  dialogue  had  been  a  part  of  Ibme 
other  poem  which  was  never  fiuiflied,  and  tuat  being  loath  to  rhroW 
his  labour  away,  he  inferted  it  here. \  JOHXSO.V. 

*  —your  regard— }  Your  care  of  your  own  iafety.    JOHNSON. 

S   Z  John. 


*6o          FIRST    PART    OF 

John.  Yes,  your   renowned   name  ;    Shall   flight" 
abufe  it  ? 

fal.  Thy  father's  charge  {hall  clear  thee  from  that 
Rain, 

John.  You  cannot  witnefs  for  me,  being  (lain. 
If  death  be  fo  apparent,  then  both  fly. 

Tal.  And  leave  my  followers  here,  to  fight,  and  die  ? 
My  age  was  never  tainted  wirh  fuch  fhame. 

John.  And  fhall  my  youth  be  guilty  of  fuch  blame  ? 
No  more  can  I  be  fever'd  from  your  fide, 
"Than  can  yourfelf  yourfelf  in  twain  divide  : 
Stay,  go,  do  what  you  will,  the  like  do  I ; 
For  live  I  will  not,  if  my  father  die. 

Tal.  Then  here  I  take  my  leave  of  thee,  fair  fon, 
Born  to  eclipfe  thy  life  this  afternoon. 
Come,  fide  by  fide  together  live  and  die  ; 
And  foul  with  foul  from  France  to  heaven  fly. 

\Exettnti 

SCENE    VI. 

Alarum:  excurfwns,  wherein  Talbsts  fon  is kemm 'd about, 
and  Talbot  refcues  him. 

7'al.  Saint  George,  and  vidory!  fight, foldiers, fight: 
The  regent  hath  with  Talbot  broke  his  word, 
And  left  us  to  the  rage  of  France's  fword. 
Where  is  John  Talbot  ? — paufe,  and  take  thy  breath; 
I  gave  thee  life,  and  refcu'd  thee  from  death. 

Join.  O  twice  my  father  !  twice  am  I  thy  fon  : 
The  life,  thou  gav'ft  me  firft,  was  loft  and  done  ; 
'Till  with  thy  warlike  fword,  defpight  of  fate, 
To  my  determin'd  time  thou  gav'ft  new  date. 

Tal.  When  from  the  Dauphin's  creft  thy  fword 

ftruck  fire, 

It  warm'd  thy  father's  heart  with  proud  defire 
Of  bold-fac'd  victory.     Then  leaden  age, 
Quicken'd  with  youthful  fpleen,  and  warlike  rage, 

Beat 


KING    HENRY     VI.         26* 

Beat  down  Alencon,  Orleans,  Burgundy, 

And  frorti  the  pride  of  Gallia  refcu'd  thee. 

The  ireful  baflard  Orleans — that  drew  blood 

From  thee,  my  boy;  and  had  the  maidenhood 

Of  thy  firfl  fight — I  foon  encountered  ; 

And,  interchanging  blows,  I  quickly  Ihed 

Some  of  his  baflard  blood  ;  and,  in  difgrace, 

Befpoke  him  thus  :  Contaminated,  bafe, 

And  mif-begotten  blood  I  fpill  of  thine. 

Mean  and  right  poor  ;  for  that  pure  blood  of  mine, 

Which  thou  didjl  force  from  'Talbot,  my  brave  boy  :— 

Here,  purposing  the  Baflard  to.  deflroy, 

Came  in  flrong  refcue.     Speak,  thy  father's  care  ; 

Art  not  thou  weary,  John  ?  How  doft  thou  fare  ? 

Wilt  thou  yet  leave  the  battle,  boy,  and  fly, 

Now  thou  art  feal'd  the  fon  of  chivalry  ? 

Fly,  to  revenge  my  death,  when  I  am  dead ; 

The  help  of  one  Hands  me  in  little  flead. 

Oh,  too  much  folly  is  it,  well  I  wof, 

To  hazard  all  our  lives  in  one  fmall  boat. 

If  I  to-day  die  not  with  Frenchmen's  rage, 

To-morrow  I  fhall  die  with  mickle  age  : 

By  me  they  nothing  gain,  an  if  I  flay, 

'Tis  but  the  fhortning  of  my  life  one  day  : 

In  thee  thy  mother  dies,  our  houfhold's  name, 

My  death's  revenge,  thy  youth,  and  England's  fame  : 

All  thefe,  and  more,  we  hazard  by  thy  flay; 

All  thefe  are  fav'd,  if  thou  wilt  fly  away. 

John.  The  fword  of  Orleans  hath  not  made  me 

(mart, 

Thefe  words  of  yours  draw  life-blood  from  my  heart : 
*  Oh  what  advantage,  bought  with  fuch  a  lhame, 

To 

*  On  tbat  advantage,  bought  luitbfucb  ajhame, 

To  faise  a  paltry  life,  andjlay  Irigbt  fame  /] 

This  paflage  feems  to  lie  obfcure  and  disjointed.  Neither  the 
grammar  is  to  be  juftified  ;  nor  is  the  fentiment  better.  I  have 
ventur'd  ;tt  a  flight  alteration,  which  departs  ib  little  from  the  read- 
ing which  hae  obtain'd,  but  fo  much  raifes  the  fenfe,  as  well  a» 
S  3  take* 


a6z          FIRST    PART    OF 

To  fave  a  paltry  life,  and  flay  bright  fame  ! 

Before  young  Talbot  from  old  Talbot  fly, 

The  coward  horfe,  that  bears  me,  fall  and  die  I 

*  And  like  me  to  the  peafant  boys  of  France  ; 
To  be  fliame's  fcorn,  and  fubjedt  of  milchance  ! 
Surely,  by  all  the  glory  you  have  won, 

An  if  I  fly,  I  am  not  Talbot's  fon  : 
Then  talk  no  more  of  flight,  it  is  no  boot ; 
If  fon  to  Talbot,  die  at  Talbot's  foot. 

TaL  Then  follow  thou  thy  defperate  fire  of  Crete, 
Thou  Icarus  ;  thy  iite  to  me  is  fweet  : 
If  thou  wilt  fight,  fight  by  thy  father's  fide  ; 
And,  commendable  prov'd,  let's  die  in  pride.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE    VII. 

Alarum  :  excurfions.     Enter  old  Talbot,  led  ly  the  French* 

J'al.  Where   is  my   other  life  ?  —  mine  own  is 

gone  ;— 
O,  where's  young  Talbot  ?  where  is  valiant  John  ?— - 

*  Triumphant  death,  fmear'd  with  captivity  ! 
Young  Talbot's  valour  makes  me  fmile  at  thee  :— 
When  he  perceiv'd  me  ihrink,  and  on  my  knee, 

takes  away  the  obfcurity,  that  I  am  willing  to  think  it  reftore* 
the  author's  meaning  : 

Out  on  that  vantage.    THEOBALD. 

Sir  T.  Hanmer  rends,  O  what  advantage,  which  I  have  fol- 
lowed, though  Mr.  Theobald's  conje&ure  may  be  well  enough 
admitted.  JOHNSON. 

3  And  like  me  to  the  peafant  loys  of  France  ;  ]   To  like  one  to  the 
pea/ants  is,  to  compare,  to  level  ly  comparifon  ;  the  line  is  there- 
lore  intelligible  enough  by  itfelr,  but  in  this  fenfe  it  wants  con- 
nection.    Sir  T.  Hanmer  reads,  J}nd  leave  me,  which   makes  a 
clear  fenfe  and juft  conlequence.     But  as  change  is  not  to  be  al- 
lowed without  necerlity,  I  have  fuffered  like  to  fland,  becaufe  I 
fuppofe  the  author  meant  the  fame  as  make  like,  or  reduce  to  a  le- 
vel with.     JOHNSON. 

4  Triumphant  death,  fmear'd  ivilb  captivity  /]  That  is,  death 
ftained  and  dishonoured  with  captivity.     JOK.VSON. 

His 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         26j 

His  bloody  fword  he  brand ifh'd  over  me, 
And,  like  a  hungry  lion,  did  commence 
Rough  deeds  of  rage,  and  ftern  impatience : 
But  when  my  angry  guardant  ftood  alone, 
J  Tend'ring  my  ruin,  and  afiail'd  of  none, 
Dizzy-ey'd  fury,  and  great  rage  of  heart, 
Suddenly  made  him  from  my  fide  to  flart 
Into  the  clufl'ring  battle  of  the  French  : 
And  in  that  fea  of  blood  my  boy  did  drench 
His  over-mounting  fpirit ;  and  there  dy'd 
My  Icarus,  my  bloffom,  in  his  pride. 

Enter  John  Talbot,  borne. 

Serv.  O  my  dear  lord  !  lo,  where  your  fon  is  borne ! 
Tal.  6  Thou  antic  death,  which  laugh'ftus  here  to 

fcorn, 

Anon,  from  thy  infulting  tyranny, 
Coupled  in  bonds  of  perpetuity, 
Two  Talbots,  7  winged  through  the  lither  fky, 

In 

5  Tendering  my  ruin,—-'}  Watching  me  with  tendernefs  in  my 
fall.     JOHNSON. 

J  would  rather  read, — Tending  my  ruin,  &c.     TYRWHITT. 
I  adhere  to  the  old  reading.     So,  in  Hamlet,  Polonius  fays  to 
Ophelia  : 

'*  Tender  yourfelf  more  dearly."    STEEVENS. 

6  Thou  antic  death, ]  The  foot,  or  antic  of  the  play,  made 

fport  by  mocking  the  graver  perfonages.     JOHNSON. 

7  winged  through  the  litherjflj,]   Lither  is  flexible  or  yield- 
ing.    In  much  the  fame  fenfe  Milton  fays  : 

*'  He  with  broad  fails  , 

"  Winnow'd  the  luxom  air." 
That  is,  the  obfequious  air.    JOHNSON. 

Lither  is  the  comparative  of  the  adjeclive  lithe. 
So,  in  Lylly's  Endymion,    i  591  : 

"  to  breed  numbnefs  or  litherntfs?* 

Lithernffi  is  limber  nefs  or  yielding  ivcaknefs. 
Again,  in  Look  about  Ton,   1600  : 

"  I'll  bring  his  lither  legs  in  better  frame." 
Milton  might  have  borrow'd  the  exprefiion  from  Spenfer,  or  Gower, 
who  ufes  it  in  the  Prologue  to  his  Confejjio  An:antis : 

84  «  That 


FIRST    PAR  TOP 

In  thy  defpight,  fhall  'fcape  mortality. — 
O  thou  whofe  wounds  become  hard-favour'd  death, 
Speak  to  thy  father,  ere  thou  yield  thy  breath  : 
Brave  death  by  fpeaking,  whether  he  will,  or  no  ; 
Imagine  him  a  Frenchman,  and  thy  foe. — 
Poor  boy  !  he  fmiles,  methinks  ;  as  who  fhould  fay- 
Had  death  been  French,  then  death  had  died  to- 
day. 

Come,  come,  and  lay  him  in  his  father's  arms  ; 
My  fpirit  can  no  longer  bear  thefe  harms. 
Soldiers,  adieu !   I  have  what  I  would  have, 
Now  my  old  arms  are  young  John  Talbot's  grave. 

[Dies. 


ACTV.       SCENE      I. 

Continues  near  Bourdeaux. 

Enter  Charley    Akn$on,    Burgundy,  Bqftard  and  Joan 
la  Pucelle. 

Char*  Had  York  and  Somerfet  brought  refcue  in, 
'We  ihould  have  found  a  bloody  day  of  this. 

Baft.  How  the  young  8  whelp  of  Talbot's,  raging- 
wood, 

Did 

*'  That  unto  him  vvhiche  the  head  is, 
**  The  membres  buxom  lhall  bowe." 

In  the  old  fervice  of  matrimony,  the  wife  was  enjoined  to  be 
luxom  both  at  bed  and  board.  Buxom  therefore  anciently  fig« 
nified  obedient  or  yielding.  Stubbs,  in  his  Anatomic  of  Abufes^ 
1595,  ufes  the  word  in  the  fame  fen  fe  :  *'  -  are  fo  buxome  to 
their  fhamelefs  defires,  &c."  STEEVENS. 

•  —  -  .whelp  of  Talbofs,  raging  brood,]  Thus  the  modern  edi- 
I have  reftored  the  old  reading.     Raging-wood  fignifies 


raging  mad. 
So,  Hey 


Heywood  in  his  Dialognes  containing  a  number  of  effectual 

"  ——and 


KING    HENRY    VI. 

Did  flelh  his  puny  fword 9  in  Frenchmen's  blood  ! 

Pucel.  Once  I  encountered  him,  and  thus  I  faid, 
¥bou  maiden  youth)  be  vanquiJVd  by  a  maid : 
But — with  a  proud,  majeftical,  high  fcorn — 
He  anfwer'd  thus ;  Toung  T^albot  was  not  born— 
2"0  be  the  pillage '  of  a  giglot  wench  : 
So,  rufhing  in  the  bowels  of  the  French  ", 
He  left  me  proudly,  as  unworthy  fight. 

Bur.  Doubtlefs,  he  would  have  made  a  noble  knight; 
See,  where  he  lies  inherfed  in  the  arms 
Of  the  moft  bloody  nurfer  of  his  harms. 

Baft.  Hew  them  to  pieces,  hack  their  bones  afun- 

der; 
Whofe  life  was  England's  glory,  Gallia's  wonder. 

Char.  Oh,  no ;  forbear :  for  that  which  we  have  fled 
During  the  life,  let  us  not  wrong  it  dead. 

" and  God  wot 

**  He  is  wWat  a  word,  little  pott  foone  hot." 
again :  , 

««  as  good 

"  As  {he  gave  him.     She  was,  as  they  fay,  horn-wood." 
Again,  in  The  longer  tbou  livejl  the  more  Fool  tbou  artt   1570  : 

"  He  will  fight  as  he  were  wood." 
Again,  in  the  Myftery  of  Candlemas-Day,   1512: 

"  Like  as  a  vjodman  he  gan  to  tray."  STEEVENS. 
9  — in  Frenchmen's  blood!]  The  return  of  rhyme  where  young 
Talbot  is  again  mentioned,  and  in  no  other  place,  frrengthens 
the  fufpicion  that  thefe  verfes  were  originally  part  of  fome  other 
work,  and  were  copied  here  only  to  fave  the  trouble  of  com- 
pofing  new.  JOHNSON. 

1  — —  of  a  giglot  <u)encb.~\  Giglot  is  a  want  on ,  or  zjlrumpet* 

JOHNSON. 

The  word  is  ufed  by  Gafcoigne  and  other  authors,  though 
now  quite  obfolete. 
So,  in  the  play  of  Orlando  Furiofo,   \  599  : 

"  Whofe  choice  is  like  that  Greekifh  gigtofs  love, 
"  That  left  her  lord,  prince  Menelaus.      STEEVENS. 

*  in  the  bowels  of  the  French^  So,  in  the  firfl  part  of  Je* 

fonimo,  .1605  : 

"  Meet,  Don  Andrea  !  yes,  in  the  tank's  Itfiue h.n 

STEEVEMS. 


Enter 


266          FIRST    PART    OF 

Enter  Sir  William  Luty. 

Lucy. 3  Herald,  conduct  me  to  the  Dauphin's  tent ; 

to  know 
Who  hath  obtain'd  the  glory  of  the  day. 

Char.  On  what  fubmiffive  meffage  art  thou  fent  ? 

Lucy.  Submiffion,  Dauphin  ?  'tis  a  meer  French 

word  ; 

We  Englifh  warriors  wot  not  what  it  means. 
I  come  to  know  what  prifoners  thou  haft  ta'en, 
And  to  furvey  the  bodies  of  the  dead. 

Char.  For  prifoners  afk'ft  thou  ?  hell  our  prifon  is* 
But  tell  me  whom  thou  feek'ft. 

Lticy.  Where  is  the  great  Alcides  of  the  field, 
Valiant  lord  Talbot,  earl  of  Shrewfbury  ? 
Created,  for  his  rare  fuccefs  in  arms, 
Great  earl  of  Wafhford,  Waterford,  and  Valence  ; 
Lord  Talbot  of  Goodrig  and  Urchinfield, 
Lord  Strange  of  Blackmere,  lord  Verdun  of  Alton, 
Lord  Cromwell  of  Wingfield,  lord  Furnival  of  Shef- 
field, 

The  thrice  victorious  lord  of  Falconbridgc ; 
Knight  of  the  noble  order  of  faint  George, 
Worthy  faint  Michael,  and  the  golden  fleece  ; 
Great  marelhal  to  Henry  the  fixth, 
Of  all  his  wars  within  the  realm  of  France  ? 

Pucel  Here  is  a  filly  ftately  flile,  indeed  ! 
The  Turk  *,  that  two  and  fifty  kingdoms  hath, 
Writes  not  fo  tedious  a  flile  as  this. — 

3  Condufl  me  to  the  Dauphin  3  tent,  to  know 

Who  bath  obtain'd ] 

Lucy's  meflage  implied  that  he  knew  who  had  obtained  the  vic- 
tory :  therefore  fir  T.  Hanmer  reads  : 

Herald,  conduit  me  to  the  Dauphin's  tent.     JOHNSON. 
*  The  Turk,  &c.]  Alluding  probably  to  the  oftentatious  letter 
of  Sultan    Solyman  the  Magnificent,    to  the  emperor   Ferdinand, 
1562;  in  which  all  the  Grand  Senior's  titles  are  enumerated. 
See  Knolles's  Hifti  of  the  Turks,  5th  edit.  p.  789.     GRAY. 

Him, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VL         267 

Him,  that  thou  magnify'ft  with  all  thefe  titles, 
Stinking,  and  fly-blown,  lies  here  at  our  feet. 

Lucy.  Is    Talbot   Ham  ;    the    Frenchmen's  only 

fcourge, 

Your  kingdom's  terror  and  black  Nemefis  ? 
Oh,  were  mine  eye-balls  into  bullets  turn'd, 
That  I,  in  rage,  might  fhoot  them  at  your  faces  ! 
Oh,  that  I  could  but  call  thefe  dead  to  life  ! 
It  were  enough  to  fright  the  realm  of  France  : 
Were  but  his  picture  left  among  you  here, 
It  would  amaze  the  proudeft  of  you  all. 
Give  me  their  bodies ;  that  I  may  bear  them  hence, 
And  give  them  burial  as  befeems  their  worth. 

Pv.cel.  I  think,  this  upftart  is  old  Talbot's  ghoft, 
He  fpeaks  with  fuch  a  proud  commanding  fpirit. 
For  God's  fake,  let  him  have  'em  ;  to  keep  them  here, 
They  would  but  flink,  and  putrefy  the  air. 

Char,  Go,  take  their  bodies  hence. 

Lucy.  I'll  bear 

Them  hence  :  but  from  their  aflies  fliall  be  rear'd 
A  phoenix,  that  fhall  make  all  France  afeard. 

Char.  So  we  be  rid  of  them,  do  with  him  what  thou 

wilt. 

And  now  to  Paris,  in  this  conquering  vein ; 
All  will  be  ours,  now  bloody  Talbot's  flain.  [Exeunt* 

SCENE    II. 

England. 
Enter  King  Henry,  Glofter,  and  Exeter. 

K.  Henry.  Have  you  perus'd  the  letters  from  the 

pope, 
The  emperor,  and  the  earl  of  Armagnac  ? 

Glo.  i  have,  my  lord  ;  and  their  intent  is  this, — • 
They  humbly  fue  unto  your  excellence, 
To  have  a  godly  peace  concluded  of, 
Between  the  realms  of  England  and  of  France: 

K.  Henry. 


$6S          FIRST    PART    OF 

K.  Henry.  How  doth  your  grace  afFect  their  motion  ? 

G&.  Well,  my  good  lord  ;  and  as  the  only  means 
To  flop  effufion  of  our  Chriilian  blood, 
And  ftablifti  quietnefs  on  every  fide. 

K.  Henry.  Ay,  marry,  uncle  ;  for  I  always  thought, 
It  was  both  impious  and  unnatural, 
That  fuch  humanity  *  and  bloody  ftrife 
Should  reign  among  profefibrs  of  one  faith. 

Glo,  Befide,  my  lord, — the  fooner  to  effecl:, 
And  furer  bind,  this  knot  of  amity, — 
The  earl  of  Armagnac — near  knit  to  Charles, 
A  man  of  great  authority  in  France, — 
Proffers  his  only  daughter  to  your  grace 
In  marriage,  with  a  large  and  fumptuous  dowry. 

K.  Henry.  Marriage  ?  uncle,  alas !    my  years  are, 

young; 

And  fitter  is  my  fludy  and  my  books, 
Than  wanton  dalliance  with  a  paramour. 
Yet,  call  the  ambafiadors ;  and,  as  you  pleafe, 
So  let  them  have  their  anfwers  every  one  : 
I  fhall  be  well  content  with  any  choice, 
Tends  to  God's  glory,  and  my  country's  weal. 

Enter  a  Legate,  and  two  ambajfadors,  with  Wlnckefter 
as  cardinal. 

Exe.  6  What !  is  my  lord  of  Winchefler  inftall'd, 
And  call'd  unto  a  cardinal's  degree  ! 
Then,  I  perceive,  that  will  be  verify'd, 
Henry  the  fifth  did  fometime  prophefy,— 

5   immanity'}  i.e.  barbarity,  favagenefs.     STEEVENS, 

6  What !  ii  my  lord  of  Wincbejler  inflalfd, 

And  call'd  unto  a  cardinal's  degree  /] 

This  (as  Mr.  Edwards  has  obferved  in  his  MS.  notes)  argues  a 
great  forgetfulnefs  in  the   poet.     In  the  firft  aft  Glofter  fays : 

/  //  canvafs  tbee  in  thy  broad  cardinal'*  bat ; 
tnd  it  is  ftrange  that  the  duke  of  Exeter  fhould  not  know  of  his 
advancement.    STEEVENS. 


KING    HENRY    VI.        $69 

If  once  he  come  to  be  a  cardinal, 
•,  Hell  make  bis  cap  co-equal  with  the  crown. 

K.  Henry.  My  lords  ambaffadors,  your  feveral  fuits 
Have  been  confider'd  and  debated  on. 
Your  purpofe  is  -both  good  and  reafonable : 
And,  therefore,  are  we  certainly  refolv'd 
To  draw  conditions  of  a  friendly  peace ; 
Which,  by  my  lord  of  Winchefter,  we  mean 
Shall  be  tranfported  prefently  to  France. 

Gh.  And  for  the  proffer  of  my  lord  your  matter,— 
I  have  inform'd  his  highnefs  fo  at  large, 
As — liking  of  the  lady's  virtuous  gifts, 
Her  beauty,  and  the  value  of  her  dower, — 
He  doth  intend  Ihe  lhall  be  England's  queen. 

K.  Henry.  In  argument  and  proof  of  which  contract, 
Bear  her  this  jewel,  pledge  of  my  affection.— 
And  fo,  my  lord  protector,  fee  them  guarded, 
And  fafely  brought  to  Dover ;  where,  inftiipp'd, 
Commit  them  to  the  fortune  of  the  fea. 

[Exeunt  king,  and  train. 

Win.  Stay,  my  lord  legate ;  you  mall  firft  receive 
The  fum  of  money,  which  I  promifed 
Should  be  deliver'd  to  his  holinefs 
For  cloathing  me  in  thefe  grave  ornaments. 

Legate.  I  will  attend  upon  your  lordfhip's  leifure. 

Win.  Now  Winchefter  will  not  fubmit,  I  trow, 
Or  be  inferior  to  the  proudefl  peer. 
Humphrey  of  Glofter,  thou  malt  well  perceive, 
7  That,  nor  in  birth,  nor  for  authority, 
The  bifhop  will  be  over-borne  by  thee : 
I'll  either  make  thee  ftoop,  and  bend  thy  knee, 
Or  fack  this  country  with  a  mutiny.  [Exeunt. 

7  That,  nor  in  lirtb,—'}  I  would  read/^r  birth.  That  is,  thou 
flult  not  rule  me  though  thy  birth  is  legitimate  and  thy  autho- 
rity fupreme.  JOHNSON. 

The  old  copy  reads,  neither.    STEEVENS, 


SCENE 


2701         FIRST    PARTOF 

SCENE     III. 

France. 

Enter  "Dauphin^  Burgundy,  Alenfon,    and  Joan  la 
Pucelk. 

Dau.  Thefe  news,  my  lords,  may  cheer  our  droop 

ing  fpirits  : 

*Tis  faid,  the  flout  Parifians  do  revolt, 
And  turn  again  unto  the  warlike  French. 
Alen.  Then    march   to    Paris,    royal   Charles  o 

France, 
And  keep  not  back  your  powers  in  dalliance. 

Pucel.  Peace  be  amongft  them,  if  they  turn  to  us 
Elfe,  ruin  combat  with  their  palaces  ! 

Enter  a  Scout. 

Scout.  Succefs  unto  our  valiant  general, 
And  happinefs  to  his  accomplices  ! 

Dau.  What  tidings  fend  our  fcouts  ?  I  pr'ythec^ 
fpeak. 

Scout.  The  Englifh  army,  that  divided  was 
Into  two  parts,  is  now  conjoin'd  in  one ; 
And  means  to  give  you  battle  prefently. 

Dau.  Somewhat  too  fudden,  firs,  the  warning  is ; 
But  we  will  prefently  provide  for  them. 

Bur.  I  truft,  the  ghoft  of  Talbot  is  not  there ; 
Now  he  is  gone,  my  lord,  you  need  not  fear. 

Pucel.  Of  all  bafe  paflions,  fear  is  moft  accurs'd  :— • 
Command  the  conqueft,  Charles,  it  fhall  be  thine  ; 
Let  Henry  fret,  and  all  the  world  repine. 

Dau.  Then  on,  my  lords ;  And  France  be  fortu- 
nate !  [Exeunt* 


SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         27x 

SCENE    IV. 

Alarum  :  excurfons.     Enter  Joan  la  Pucelle. 

PuceL  The  regent  conquers,'  and  the  Frenchmen 

fly. 

Now  help,  9  ye  charming  fpells,  and  periapts ; 

And  ye  choice  fpirits,  that  admonilh  me, 

And  give  me  figns  of  future  accidents !      {Thunder. 

You  fpeedy  helpers,  that  are  fubftitutes 

Under  the  lordly  '  monarch  of  the  north, 

Appear,  and  aid  me  in  this  cnterprize ! 

Enter  Fiends. 

This  fpeedy  and  quick  appearance  argues  proof 
Of  your  accuftom'd  diligence  to  me. 
Now,  ye  familiar  fpirits,  that  are  cull'd 

9  — -ye  charming  f pells,  and  periapts ;]  Charms  fow*d  up.  Ezek. 
xiii.  1 8.  Woe  to  them  that  fo-vj  pillows  to  all  arm-boles^  to  bunt 
fouls.  POPE. 

Periapts  were  worn  about  the  neck  as  prefervatives  from  dif- 
eafe  or  danger.  Of  thefe,  the  firft  chapter  of  St.  John's  Gofpel 
was  deemed  the  moil  efficacious. 

Whoever  is  defirous  to  know  more  about  them,  may  confult 
Reginald  Scott's  Difiovery  of  Witchcraft^  1584,  p.  230,  &c. 

STEEVENS. 

The  following  ftory  which  is  related  in  fflfs,  Fits,  and  Fan- 
cies^ 1595,  proves  what  Mr.  Steevens  has  aflerted.  "  A  cardinal 
feeing  a  prieft  carrying  a  cudgel  under  his  gown,  reprimanded 
him.  His  excuie  was,  that  he  only  carried  it  to  defend  himfelf 
againft  the  dogs  of  the  town.  Wherefore,  I  pray  you,  replied 
the  -cardinal,  ferves  St.  John's  Gofpel?  Alas,  my  lord,  faid  the 
prieft,  thefe  curs  underftand  no  Latin."  MALONE. 

1  — monarch  of  the  nortb,~\  The  north  was  always  fuppofed  to 
be  the  particular  habitation  of  bad  fpirits.  Milton  therefore  af- 
fembles  the  rebel  angels  in  the  north.  JOHNSON. 

The  boaft  of  Lucifer  in  the  xivth  chapter  of  Ifaiah  is  faid  to 
be,  that  he  '•Mill Jit  upon  the  mount  of  the  congregation ,  in  tbf  Jtdes 
ef  tke  north.  STEEYENS. 

Out 


27*         FIRST    PART    OF 

*  Out  of  the  powerful  regions  under  earth, 

Help  me  this  once,  that  France  may  get  the  field. 

[They  walk,  andfpeak  not* 
Oh,  hold  me  not  with  filence  over-long ! 
Where  I  was  wont  to  feed  you  with  my  blood, 
I'll  lop  a  member  off,  and  give  it  you, 
In  earnefl  of  a  further  benefit ; 
So  you  do  condefcend  to  help  me  now. — 

[They  hang  their  heads. 

No  hope  to  have  redrefs  ? — My  body  lhall 
Pay  recompence,  if  you  will  grant  my  fuit. 

[Tbeyjhake  their  heads. 
Cannot  my  body,  nor  blood-facrifice, 
Intreat  you  to  your  wonted  furtherance  ? 
Then  take  my  foul ;  my  body,  foul,  and  all, 
Before  that  England  give  the  French  the  foil. 

[They  depart. 

See  !  they  forfake  me.     Now  the  time  is  come, 
That  France  muft  vail  her  lofty-plumed  creft, 
And  let  her  head  fall  into  England's  lap. 
My  ancient  incantations  are  too  weak, 
And  hell  too  flrong  for  me  to  buckle  with  :— 
Now,  France,  thy  glory  droopeth  to  the  duft.    [Exit 

Excurfwns.     Pucelk  and  York  fight  hand  to  hand. 
Pucelle  is  taken.     The  French  fy. 

Tork.  Damfel  of  France,  I  think,  I  have  you  faft  : 
Unchain  your  fpirits  now  with  fpelling  charms, 
And  try  if  they  can  gain  your  liberty. — 
A  goodly  prize,  fit  for  the  devil's  grace  ! 
See,  how  the  ugly  witch  doth  bend  her  brows, 
As  if,  with  Circe,  Ihe  would  change  my  fhape. 

Pucel.  Chang'd  to  a  worfer  ihape  thou  canft  not  be. 

Tork.  Oh,  Charles  the  Dauphin  is  a  proper  man ; 
No  Ihape  but  his  can  pleafe  your  dainty  eye. 

-  Out  of  tie  powerful  regions  under  eartl,]  I  believe  Shake- 
Ipeare  wrote  legions*    WAR  BUR  TON. 

PuceU 


KING    HENRY     VI.         273 

Puccl.  A  plaguing  mifchief  light  on  Charles,  and 

thcc  ! 

And  may  ye  both  be  fuddenly  furpriz'd 
By  bloody  hands,  in  deeping  On  your  beds  ! 

Tork.  Fell,  banning  hag  3 !  enchantrefs,  hold  thy 

tongue. 

Pucel.  I  pr'ythee,  give  me  leave  to  curfe  a  while. 

Tork.  Curie,  mifcrcant,  when  thou  comeft  to  the 

flake.  [Exeunt. 

Alarum.     Enter  Suffolk,  leading  in  lady  Margaret. 

Si'.f.  Be  what  thou  wilt,  thou  art  my  prifoner. 

\_Gazcs  on  her. 

!  Oh  faircfl  beauty,  do  not  fear,  nor  fly  ; 
For  I  will  touch  thee  but  with  reverent  hands. 
I  kit's  thefe  fingers  for  eternal  peace, 
And  lay  them  gently  on  thy  tender  fide. 
Who  art  thou  ?  lay,  that  I  may  honour  thcc. 

Mar.  Margaret  my  name  ;  and  daughter  to  a  king, 
The  king  of  Naples,  whofoc'er  thou  art.    . 

Suf.   An  earl  I  am,  and  Suffolk  am  I  call'd. 
Be  not  offended,  nature's  miracle, 
Thou  art  allotted  to  be  ta'en  by  me  : 
Sp  cloth  the  fwan  her  downy  cygnets  fave, 
Keeping  them  prifoners  underneath  her  wings. 
Yet,  if  this  fervile  ufage  once  offend, 
Go,  and  be  free  again,  as  Suffolk's  friend.  [Sheisgoittg* 
Oh,  flay  ! — I  have  no  power  to  let  her  pals  ; 
My  hand  would  free  her,  but  my  heart  fays — no. 
4  As  plays  the  fun  upon  the  glafly  ftreams, 
Twinkling  another  counterfeited  beam, 

So 

3   fell  banning  bag  /]   To  ban  is   to  curfe.     So,  in  the 

ye~M  of  Malta,   1633  : 

*'  I  Ian  their  fouls  to  everlafting  pains."    STEEVENS. 

4  Ai  plays  the  fun  ttfon  the  glajjy  jireams,  &c.]   This   comparl- 
fon,  made  between  things  which  feem  fufficiently  unlike,  is  in- 
tended to  exprefs  the  ibttnefs  and  delicacy  of  lady  Margaret's 

Vot.  VI.  T  beauty, 


274          FIRST    PART    OF 

So  feems  this  gorgeous  beauty  to  mine  eyes. 
Fain  would  I  woo  her,  yet  I  dare  not  fpeak  ; 
I'll  call  for  pen  and  ink,  and  write  my  mind  : 
Fie,  DC  la  Poole  !  5  difable  not  thyfelf  ; 
Haft  not  a  tongue  ?  is  fhe  not  here  thy  prifoner  ? 
Wilt  thou  be  daunted  at  a  woman's  fighc  ? 
Ay  ;  beauty's  princely  majcfty  is  fuch, 
Confounds  the  tongue,  and  makes  the  fenfcs  rough. 

Afar.  Say,  earl  of  Suffolk, — if  thy  name  be  fo, — 
What  ranfom  muft  I  pay  before  I  pafs  ? 
For,  I  perceive^  I  am  thy  prifoner. 

Suf.  How  can'ft  thou  tell,  flic  will  deny  thy  fuit, 
Before  thou  make  a  trial  of  her  love  ?  \_Afidc. 

Mar.  Why  fpeak'ft  thou  not  ?  what  ranfom  muft  I 
-      pay  ? 

Suf.  She's  beautiful ;  and  therefore  to  be  woo'd  : 
She  is  a  woman  ;  therefore  to  be  won.  [Afide. 

Mar.  Wilt  thou  accept  of  ranfom,  yea,  or  no  ? 

Suf.  Fond  man  !  remember,  that  thou  haft  a  wife; 
Then  how  can  Margaret  be  thy  paramour  ?      \_Afide. 

Mar.  I  were  beft  to  leave  him,  for  he  will  not  hear. 

Suf.  There  all  is  marr'd ;  there  lies  a  cooling  card 6. 

Mar.  He  talks  at  random ;  fure,  the  man  is  mad. 

Suf.  And  yet  a  difpenfation  may  be  had. 

Mar.  And  yet  I  would  that  you  would  anfwer  me. 
'  Suf.  I'll  win  this  lady  Margaret.     For  whom  ? 
Why,  for  my  king  :  Tufh  !  that's  7  a  wooden  thing. 

Mar, 

beauty,  which  delighted,  but  did  not  dazzle  :  which  was  bright, 
but  gave  no  pain  by  its  luftre.     JOHNSON. 

s   .  difable  not  thyfelf;]  Do  not  reprefent  thyfelf  fo  weak. 

To  difable  the  judgment  of  another  was,  in  that  age,  the  fame 
as  to  deftroy  its  credit  or  authority.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  A^  Tou  Like.  //,  ad  V  : — "  If  again,  it  was  not  well  cur, 
he  difabled  my  judgment"     STEEVENS. 

6  •       '    a  cooling  card.]  So,  in  Marias  andSylla,   1594: 

"  I'll  have  a  prefent  cooling  card  for  you."   STEEVENS. 

7  a  yjoodcn  thing.]  Is  an  aukward  bujinefs^  an  undertaking 
Siot  likely  tofucceed. 

So,  in  Lylly's  Galatbca,  1592:  "  Would  I  were  out  of  thefe 
tyoods,  for  I  (hall  have  but  wooden  luck." 

Again, 


KING    HENRY     VI.         275 

Mar.  He  talks  of  wood  :   It  is  fome  carpenter. 

Suf.  Yet  fo  my  fancy  may  be  fatisfy'd, 
And  peace  eftablifhed  between  thjefe  realms. 
But  there  remains  a  fcruple  in  that  too  i 
For  though  her  father  be  the  king  of  Naples, 
Duke  of  Anjou  and  Maine,  yet  is  he  poor, 
And  our  nobility  will  fcorn  the  match.  [Aftde. 

Mar.  Hear  ye,  captain  ?  Are  you  not  at  leilure  ? 

Suf.  It  fhall  be  fo,  difdain  they  ne'er  fo  much  : 
Henry  is  youthful,  and  will  quickly  yield. — 
Madam,  I  have  a  fecret  to  reveal. 

Mar.  What  though  I  be  enthral  I'd  ?  he  feems  a 

knight, 
And  will  not  any  way  dishonour  me.  [dfide. 

Suf.  Lady,  vouchfafe  to  liften  what  I  fay. 

Mar.  Perhaps,  I  fhall  be  refcu'd  by  the  French  ; 
And  then  I  need  not  crave  his  courtcfy.  \_AJide. 

Suf.  Sweet  madam,  give  me  hearing  in  a  caufe — 

Mar.  Tufh  !  women  have  been  captivate  ere  now. 

[4/ide. 

Suf.  Lady,  wherefore  talk  you  fo  ? 

Mar.  I  cry  you  mercy,  'tis  but  quid  for  quo. 

Suf.  Say,  gentle  princefs,  would  you  not  fuppofe 
Your  bondage  happy,  to  be  made  a  queen  ? 

Mar.  To  be  a  queen  in  bondage,  is  more  vile, 
Than  is  a  flave  in  bafe  fervility  ; 
For  princes  Ihould  be  free. 

Suf.  And  fo  fhall  you, 
If  happy  England's  royal  king  be  free. 

Mar.  Why,  what  concerns  his  freedom  unto  me  ? 

Suf.  Til  undertake  to  make  thee  Henry's  queen  ; 
To  put  a  golden  fcepter  in  thy  hand, 
And  fet  a  precious  crown  upon  thy  head, 

Again,  in  his  Ma'uPs  Mctamorpbojis,  1600  : 

*'  My  mailer  takes  but  wooden  pains." 
Again,  in  the  Knave  of  Spades,  &c.  no  date. 

"  To  make  an  end  of  that  fame  wooden  phrafe." 

STEEVSXS. 
T  2  If 


276          FIRST     PART    OF 

If  thou  wilt  condefccnd  to  be  my 

Mar.  What? 

St<f.  His  love. 

Mar.  I  am  unworthy  to  be  Henry's  wife. 

Suf.  No,  gentle  madam  ;  I  unworthy  am 
To  woo  fo  fair  a  dame  to  be  his  wife, 
And  have  no  portion  in  the  choice  myfelf. 
How  fay  you,  madam  ;  are  you  fo  content  ? 

Mar.  An  if  my  father  pleafe,  I  am  content. 

Suf.  Then  call  our  captains,  and  our  colours,  forth  : . 
And,  madam,  at  your  father's  caftle  walls 
We'll  crave  a  parley,  to  confer  with  him. 

Sound.     Enter  Relgnicr  on  the  walls. 

Suf.  See,  Reignicr,  fee,  thy  daughter  prifoncr. 

Reig.  To  whom  ? 

Suf.  To  me. 

Reig.  Suffolk,  what  remedy  ? 
I  am  a  foldier  ;  and  unapt  to  weep, 
Or  to  exclaim  on  fortune's  ficklenefs. 

Suf.  Yes,  there  is  remedy  enough,  my  lord  : 
Confent,  (and,  for  thy  honour,  give  confcnt) 
Thy  daughter  lhall  be  wedded  to  my  king  ; 
Whom  I  with  pain  have  woo'd  and  won  thereto ; 
And  this  her  eafy-held  imprifonment 
Hath  gain'd  thy  daughter  princely  liberty. 

Reig.  Speaks  Suffolk  as  he  thinks  ? 

Suf.  Fair  Margaret  knows, 
That  Suffolk  doth  not  flatter,  face,  or  feign. 

Reig.  Upon  thy  princely  warrant,  I  defcend, 
To  give  thee  anfvver  of  thy  juft  demand. 

[Exit  from  the  walls. 

Suf.  And  here  I  will  expect  thy  coming. 

Trumpets  found.     Enter  Reignier,  below. 

Reig.  Welcome,  brave  earl,  into  our  territories ; 
Command  in  Anjou  what  your  honour  plcafes. 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         27y 

Suf.  Thanks,  Reignier,  happy  for  fo  fweet  a  child, 
Fit  to  be  made  companion  with  a  king  : 
What  anfwcr  makes  your  grace  unto  my  fuit  ? 

Rcig.  Since  thou  doll  deign  to  woo  her  little  worth, 
To  be  the  princely  bride  of  fuch  a  lord  ; 
Upon  condition  I  may  quietly 
Fnjov  mine  own,  the  countries  Maine  and  Anjou, 
Free  from  opprcffion,  or  the  ilrokc  of  war, 
My  daughter  ih:-ill  be  Henry's,  if  he  plcafe. 

Suf.  That  is  her  ranfom,  I  deliver  her  ; 
And  thole  two  countries,  I  wi:l  undertake, 
Your  grace  iliall  well  and  quietly  enjoy. 

Reig.  And  I  again, — in  Henry's  royal  name, 
As  deputy  unto  that  gracious  king, — 
Give  thce  her  hand,  for  fign  of  plighted  faith. 

Suf.  Reignier  of  France,  I  give  thee  kingly  thanks, 
Becaufe  this  is  in  traffic  of  a  king  : 
And  yet,  methinks,  I  could  be  well  content 
To  be  mine  own  attorney  in  this  cafe.  \_Aflde. 

I'll  over  then  to  England  with  this  news, 
And  make  this  marriage  to  be  folemniz'd  : 
So,  farewel,  Reignier  !  Set  this  diamond  fafe   ' 
In  golden  palaces,  as  it  becomes. 

Rcig.  I  do  embrace  thee,  as  I  would  embrace 
The  Chriftian  prince,  king  Henry,  were  he  here. 

Mar.  Farewel,  my  lord  !  Goodwifhes,  praife,  and 

prayers, 
Shall  Suffolk  ever  have  of  Margaret.     [$be  is  going. 

Sttf.  Farewel,  fweet  madam  !  But  hark  you,  Mar- 
garet ; 
No  princely  commendations*to  my  king  ? 

MJ?-.  Such  commendations  as  become  a  maid, 
A  virgin,  and  his  fervant,  fay  to  him. 

Suf.  Words  fweetly  plac'd,  and  modeftly  diredled. 
But,  madam,  I  ipuft  trouble  you  again, — 
No  loving  token  to  his  majefty  ? 

Mar.  Yes,  my  good  lord ;  a  pure  unfpotted  heart, 
Never  yet  taint  with  love,  I  fend  the  kiner. 

T  3  Srf. 


278          FIRST    PART    OF 

Sitf.  And  this  withal.  [Kijes  her. 

Mar.  That  for  thyfelf ; — I  will  not  fo  prefume, 

8  To  fend  fuch  peevifh  tokens  to  a  king. 

.  [Exetmt  Reignler,  and  Margaret. 
Saf.  O,  \vcrt  thou  for  myfclf !— But,  Suffolk,  flay; 
Thou  may'fl  not  wander  in  that  labyrinth  ; 
There  Minotaurs,  and  ugly  trealbns,  lurk. 
Sollicit  Henry  with  her  wond'rous  praife  : 
Bethink  thce  on  her  virtues  that  furmounr, 

9  Mad,  natural  graces  that  extinguilh  art ; 
Repeat  their  fcmblance  often  on  the  feas, 
That,  when  thou  com'ft  to  kneel  at  Henry's  feet, 
Thou  may 'it  bereave  him  of  his  wits  with  wonder. 

[E.V/7. 

SCENE    V. 

dimp  of  the  duke  of  York  in  Anjou. 
Enter  Tork,  Warwick  ^  a  Shepherd^  and  fucelle. 

Tork.  Bring   forth   that  forcerefs,    condemn'd  to 

burn. 

Shcp.  Ah,  Joan  !  this  kills  thy  father's  heart  out- 
right ! 

Have  I  fought  every  country  far  and  near, 
And,  now  it  is  my  chance  to  find  thee  out, 

8  To  fend  fab  peevifh  tokens ]  Pccvijb,  for  child  ifli. 

WARBURTO.V. 

See  a  note  on  Cymbeline,  aft  1.  fc.  vii  :    "  He's  ftrange  and 
pcevijh"     STEKVENS. 

9  Mad,  natural  graces ^J    So  the  old  copy.     The  modern 

editors  have  been  content  to  read  her  natural  graces.     By  the 
word  maJ,    however,    I  believe    the   poet   only  meant  ivildor, 
uncultivated.     In   the  former  of  thefe  iignilications  he  appears 

to  have  ufed  it  in  O/kcliv he  jlc  /0i»\/y»-<j<:'V mad.     Which 

Dr.  Johnfon  has  properly  interpreted.     We  call  a  wild  girl,  to 
this  day,   a  mad-cap. 

Mail,  in  fome  of  the  ancient  books  of  gardening,  is  ufed  as  an 
epithet  to  plants  which  grow  rampant  and  wild.     STEEVENS. 

Muil 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VL         279 

Muft  I  behold  thy  timelefs  '  cruel  death  ? 

Ah,  Joan,  fweet  daughter  Joan,  I'll  die  with  thee  ! 

Pucel.  Decrepit  mifer  4 !  bafe  ignoble  wretch  ! 
I  am  defcended  of  a  gentler  blood  ,• 
Thou  art  no  father,  nor  no  friend,  of  mine. 

Shep.  Out,  out ! My  lords,  an  pleafc  you,  'tis 

not  fo ; 

I  did  beget  her,  all  the  parifh  knows  : 
Her  mother  liveth  yet,  can  teftify 
She  was  the  firft-fruit  of  my  batchelorfhip. 

War.  Gracelefs  !  wilt  thou  deny  thy  parentage  ? 

Tork.  This  argues  what  her  kind  of  life  hath  been  ; 
Wicked  and  vile  ;  and  fo  her  death  concludes. 

Sbep.  Fie,  Joan  !  3  that  thou  wilt  be  fo  obitacle  ! 

God 

1  — timelefs]  is  untimely.  So,  in  Dray  ton's  Legend  of  Robert 
Duke  of  Normandy  : 

**  Thy  itrength  was  buried  in  his  timelefs  death." 

STEEVENS. 

*  Decrepit  mifer !]  Mifer  has  no  relation  to  avarice  in  this  paf» 
fage,  but  fimply  means  a  miferable  creature.  So,  in  the  Inter- 
lude of  Jacob  and  Efau,  i  568  : 

"  But  as  for  thefe  mifer 3  within  my  father's  tent." 
Again,  in  Lord  Sterline's  tragedy  of  Crdfus,   1604  : 
"  Or  thinkit  thou  me  of  judgment  too  remifs, 

*'  A  mifer  that  in  miferie  remains, 
"  The  baftard  child  of  fortune,  barr'd  from  blifs, 

"  Whom  heaven  doth  hate,  and  all  the  world  difdains  ?" 
Again,  in  Holinihed,  p.  760,  where  he  is  fpeaking  of  the  death 
of  Richard  III :  "  And  fo  this  mifer,  at  the  fame  verie  point,  had 
like  chance  and  fortune,  &c."  Again,  p.  951,  among  the  lail 
words  of  lord  Cromwell:  "  —for  if  I  Ihould  fo  doo,  I  were 
a  very  wretch  and  a  mifer"  Again,  ibid:  "  — and  fo  patiently 
fuffered  the  ftroke  of  the  ax,  by  a  ragged  and  butcherlie  mifer, 
which  ill-favouredlie  performed  the  office."  STEEVENS. 

3  that  tbou  ivilt  be  fo  objiacle  !]   A  vulgar  corruption  of  ol>» 

Jllnate,  which  I  think  has  oddly  lafled  fince  our  author's  time  till 
now.     JOHNSON. 

The  fame  corruption  may  be  met  with  in  other  writers.  Thus, 
in  Chapman's  May-day,  1611  : 

"  An  obftacle  young  thing  it  is." 
Again,  in  The  Tragedy  of  Hoffman,   1631  : 
"  Be  not  objlade,  old  duke." 

T  4  Again, 


280          FIRST    PART    OF 

God  knows,  thou  art  a  collop  of  my  fleili  j 
And  for  thy  fake  have  I  fried  many  a  tear  : 
Deny  me  not,  I  pr'ythee,  gentle  Joan. 

Puce!,  Peafant,  a  vaunt  ! — You  have  fuborn'd  this 

man, 
Of  purpofe  to  obfcure4  my  noble  birth. 

SJ:cp.  'Tis  true,  I  gave  a  noble  to  the  prieil, 
The  morn  that  I  was  wedded  to  her  mother.— 
Kneel  down  and  take  my  bleffing,  good  my  girl. 
Wilt  thou  not  fioop  ?  Now  curfed  be  the  time 
Of  thy  nativity  !  I  would,  the  milk 
Thy  mother  gave  thee,  when  thou  luck'dft  her  breafl, 
Had  been  a  little  ratfbane  for  thy  fake ! 
Or  elfe,  when  thou  didil  keep  my  lambs  a-field, 
I  wifh  fome  ravenous  wolf  had  eaten  thee  ! 
Dofl  thou  deny  thy  father,  curfed  drab  ? 
O,  burn  her,  burn  her  ;  hanging  is  too  good.  [Exit. 

Tcrk.  Take  her  away  ;  for  me  hath  liv'd  too  long, 
To  fill  the  world  with  vicious  qualities. 

Pucel.  Firft,  let  me  tell  you  whom  you  have  con- 

demn'd  : 

Not  me  begotten  of  a  Ihepherd  fwain, 
But  iilu'd  from  the  progeny  of  kings  ; 
Virtuous,  and  holy  ;  chofen  from  above, 
By  infpiration  of  celeftial  grace, 
To  work  exceeding  miracles  on  earth. 
I  never  had  to  do  with  wicked  fpirits  : 
But  you, — that  are  polluted  with  your  lulls, 
Stain'd  with  the  guiltlefs  blood  of  innocents, 
Corrupt  and  tainted  with  a  thoufand  vices, — 
Bccaule  you  want  the  grace  that  others  have, 

Again,  in  Goiver  dc  Confejjione  Amantis,  B.  II  : 

"  He  thanked  God  of  his  miracle, 

"  To  whofe  might  may  be  none  objlacle"     STKLVENS. 
* wy  noble  birth. 

'77.«  true,  I  gave  a  nolle •] 

This  pafTage  Terms  to  corroborate  an  explanation,  fomcwhnr  far- 
fetched, which  I  have,  given  in  Henry  IV.  of  the  ncbleman*  and 
Royal  man.  JOHNSON. 

You 


KING    HENRY     VI.         28i 

You  judge  it  ftraight  a  thing  impoffible 
To  compafs  wonders,  but  by  help  of  devils. 
5  No,  mifconceived  !  Joan  of  Arc  hath  been 
A  virgin  from  her  tender  infancy, 
Chafte  and  immaculate  in  very  thought ; 
Whofe  maiden  blood,  thus  rigoroufly  effus'd, 
Will  cry  for  vengeance  at  the  gates  of  heaven. 

York.  Ay,  ay  ; — away  with  her  to  execution. 

War.  And  hark  ye,  firs;  becaufe  ftie  is  a  maid, 
Spare  for  no  faggots,  let  there  be  enough  : 
Place  barrels  of  pitch  upon  the  fatal  ftake, 
That  fo  her  torture  may  be  Ihortened. 

Pucel.  Will  nothing  turn  your  unrelenting  hearts  ?— 
Then,  Joan,  difcover  thine  infirmity  ; 
That  warranted!  by  law  to  be  thy  privilege.-— 
I  am  with  child,  ye  bloody  homicides  : 
Murder  not  then  the  fruit  within  my  womb, 
Although  ye  hale  me  to  a  violent  death. 

Tork.  Now  heaven  forefend  !  the  holy  maid  with 
child  ? 

War.  The  greateft  miracle  that  e'er  ye  wrought : 
Is  all  your  ftricl  precifenefs  come  to  this  ? 

York.  She  and  the  Dauphin  have  been  juggling: 
I  did  imagine  what  would  be  her  refuge. 

War.  Well,  go  to  ;  we  will  have  no  baftards  live ; 
Efpecially,  fince  Charles  muft  father  it. 

Pucel.  You  are  decciv'd  ;  my  child  is  none  of  his ; 
It  was  Alcncon,  that  enjoy 'd  my  love. 

Tork.  6  Alencon  !  that  notorious  Machiavel ! 
It  dies,  an  if  it  had  a  thoufand  lives. 

Pucel 

5  NJ,  m  ij conceived  ! — ]  i.e.  No\  ye  m!fconce!<versy  ye  who  mif- 
tnke  me  and  my  qualities.     STEEVENS. 

6   Alcncon!  that  notorious  Machiavel /]  Machiavel  being 

mentioned  fomewhat  before  his  time,  this  line  is  by  fome  of  the 
editors  given  to  the  players,  and  ejected  from  the  text.  JOHNSON. 

The  character  of  Machiavel  feems  to  have  made  fo  very  deep 
a#  imprellion  on  the  dramatic  writers  of  this  age,  that  he  is  many 


£82          F  I  R  S  T     P  A  R  T    O  F 

Pucel.  O,  give  me  leave,  I  have  deluded  you  ; 
'Twas  neither  Charles,  nor  yet  the  duke  I  nam'd, 
But  Reignier,  king  of  Naples,  that  prevail'd. 

War.  A  marry  'd  man  !  that's  moft  intolerable. 

Tork.  Why,  here's  a  girl  !  I  think,  Ihe  knows  not 

well, 
There  were  fo  many,  whom  Ihe  may  accufe. 

War.  It's  fign,  Ihe  hath  been  liberal  and  free. 

Tork.  And,  yet,  forfooth,  Ihe  is  a  virgin  pure.  — 
Strumpet,  thy  words  condemn  thy  brat,  and  thee  : 
Ufe  no  intreaty,  for  it  is  in  vain. 

Pucel.  Then  lead  me  hence  ;  —  with  whom  I  leave 

my  curfe  : 

May  never  glorious  fun  reflex  his  beams 
Upon  the  country  where  you  m?.ke  abode  ! 
But  darknefs,  and  the  gloomy  fliade  of  death  7 
Environ  you  ;  8  'till  mifchief,  and  defpair, 
Drive  you  to  break  your  necks,  or  hang  yourfelves  ! 

\_Rxlt  guarded. 

Tork.  Break  thou  in  pieces,  and  confume  to  afhes, 
Thou  foul  accurfed  minifter  of  hell  ! 


times  as  prematurely  fpoken  of.     So,  in  the  fall  ant 
1615,  one  of  the  characters  bids  Caradoc,  i.  e.  Caraftacus^ 

"  i  ...  read  Macbiavel  : 

"  Princes  that  would  "afpirc,  muft  mock  at  hell." 
Again  : 

"  "  •  -  my  brain 

"  Italianates  my  barren  faculties 

*'  To  Macbiai'dian  blacknefs  -  "     STEEVEXS. 
7  -^darknefs  and  the  gloomy  jbade  of  death  —  ]  The  exprellion 
is  fcriptural  :    *'  Whereby  the  day-fpring  from  on  high  hath 
vifited  us,  to  give  light  to  them  that  fit  in  darknefs  and  tie  fiafo-v 
of  death"     MALONE. 

8    -  till  mift  biff  and  dcfpalr 

Drive  you  to  break,  your  necks,  -  ] 

Perhaps  Shakefpeare  intended  to  remark  in  this  execration,  the 
frequency  of  filicide  among  the  Englifh,  which  has  been  com- 
monly imputed  to  the  gloominefs  of  their  air.  JOHNSON. 

Enter 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         283 

Enter  Cardinal  Beaufort,  &c. 

Car.  Lord  regent,  I  do  greet  your  excellence 
With  letters  of  commiffion  from  the  king. 
For  know,  my  lords,  the  ftates  of  Chriftendom, 
Mov'd  with  remorfe  at  thcfe  outrageous  broils, 
Have  earnelily  implor'd  a  general  peace 
9  Betwixt  our  nation  and  the  afpiring  French  ; 
And  fee  at  hand  the  Dauphin,  and  his  train, 
Approacheth,  to  confer  about  fome  matters. 

Tork.  Is  all  our  travel  turn'd  to  this  effedt  ? 
After  the  Slaughter  of  fo  many  peers, 
So  many  captains,  gentlemen,  and  foldiers, 
That  in  this  quarrel  have  been  overthrown, 
And  fold  their  bodies  for  their  country's  benefit, 
Shall  we  at  laft  conclude  effeminate  peace  ? 
Have  we  not  loft  moft  part  of  all  the  towns, 
By  treafon,  fallhood,  and  by  treachery, 
Our  great  progenitors  had  conquered  ? — 
Oh,  Warwick,  Warwick  !  I  forefee  with  grief 
The  utter  lofs  of  all  the  realm  of  France. 

War*  Be  patient,  York  ,*  if  we  conclude  a  peace, 
It  lhall  be  with  fuch  ftridt  and  fevere  covenants, 
As  little  lhall  the  Frenchmen  gain  thereby. 

Enter  Charles,  jflenfon,  Baftard,  and  Reignler. 
Char.  Since,  lords  of  England,  it  is  thus  agreed, 
That  peaceful  truce  lhall  be  proclaimM  in  France, 

9  Betwixt  our  nation  and  th*  afpiring  French  ;]  But  would  an 
ambaflador,  who  came  to  perfuade  peace  with  France,  ufe  it  as 
an  argument,  that  France  was  afpiring  ?  Shakefpeare  without 
doubt  wrote  : 

.  t)j>  refpiring  French  ; 

i.e.  who  had  but  juft  got  into  breath  again,  after  having  been 
almoil  hunted  down  by  the  Englifh.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

The  ambaflador  yet  ufes  no  argument,  but  if  he  did,  refpir- 
in*  would  not  much  help  the  caufe.  Shakefpeare  wrote  what 
might  be  pronounced,  and  therefore  did  not  write  //&'  refpiring. 

JOHNSON. 

We 


284         FIRST     PART    OF 

We  come  to  be  informed  by  yourfelves 
What  the  conditions  of  that  league  mnft  be. 

Tork.  Speak,  Winchcftcr;  for  boiling  cholerchoaks 
The  hollow  paflage  of  my  '  poiibn'd  voice, 
By  fight  of  thefe  our  -  baleful  enemies. 

Win.  Charles,  and  the  reft,  it  is  enacted  thus  : 
That — in  regard  king  Henry  gives  confent, 
Of  meer  compaffion,  and  of  lenity, 
To  eafe  your  country  of  diftrefsful  war, 
And  faffe  r  you  to  breathe  in  fruitful  peace, — 
You  ihall  become  true  liegemen  to  his  crown  : 
And,  Charles,  upon  condition  thou  wilt  fwear 
To  pay  him  tribute,  and  fubmit  thyfelf, 
Thou  lhalt  be  plac'd  as  viceroy  under  him, 
And  flill  enjoy  thy  regal  dignity. 

Alen.  Mult  he  be  then  as  lhadow  of  himfelf  ? 
Adorn  his  temples  J  with  a  coronet ; 
And  yet,  in  fubftance  and  authority, 
Retain  but  privilege  of  a  private  man  ? 
This  proffer  is  abiurd  and  reafonlefs." 

Char.  'Tis  known,  already  that  I  am  poflefs'd 
Of  more  than  half  the  Gallian  territories, 
And  therein  rcvercnc'd  for  their  lawful  king  : 
Shall  I,  for  lucre  of  the  reft  unvanquifli'd, 
Detract  fo  much  from  that  prerogative, 
As  to  be  call'd  but  viceroy  of  the  whole  ? 

1  poifoji'dvoice,']  Poifond  voice  agrees  well  enough  with 

baneful  enemies,  or  with  baleful,  if  it  can  be  ufed  in  the  fame 
fenfe.     The  modern  editors  read,  prifond  voice.     JOHNSON. 

z  —baleful  cnarrcs.']  Baleful  is  forr awful ;  I  therefore  rather 
imagine  that  we  flioulit  read  baneful,  hurtful,  or  mifchievous. 

JOHNSON-. 

Baleful  had  anciently  the  fame  meaning  as  baneful.  It  is  an 
epithet  very  frequently  beftow'd  en  poiibnous  plants  and  reptiles. 
So,  in  Romeo  and  Juliet : 

"  With  baleful  weeds,  and  precious-juiced  flowers." 

STEEVENS. 
3  ——with  a  coronet ;]  Ccronet  is  here  ufed  for  a  cro-wn. 

JOHNSON. 

No, 


KING    HENRY     VI.          285 

No,  lord  embaflador  ;  I'll  rather  keep 
That  which  I  have,  than,  coveting  for  more, 
Be  caft  from  poifibility  of  all. 

Tork.  Infulting  Charles  !  hafl  thou  by  fecret  means 
Us'd  interceffion  to  obtain  a  league  ; 
And,  now  the  matter  grows  to  compromife, 
Stand'fl  thou  aloof  *  upon  comparifon  ? 
Either  5  accept  the  title  thou  uiurp'it, 
Of  benefit  proceeding  from  our  king, 
And  not  of  any  challenge  of  defert, 
Or  we  will  plague  thee  with  inceflant  wars. 

Reig.  My  lord,  you  do  not  well  in  obftinncy 
To  cavil  in  the  courfe  of  this  contract : 
If  once  it  be  negledted,  ten  to  one, 
We  ihall  not  find  like  opportunity. 

Akn.  To  fay  the  truth,  it  is  your  policy, 
To  fave  your  fubjects  from  fuch  maffacre, 
And  ruthlefs  (laughters,  as  are  daily  feen 
By  our  proceeding  in  hoftility  : 
And  therefore  take  this  compact  of  a  truce, 
Although  you  break  it  when  your  pleafure  ferves. 

\_Afide,  to  the  Dauphin. 

War.  How  fay'ft  thou,  Charles  ?  Ihall  our  condi- 
tion ftand  ? 

Char.  It  ihall  : 

Only  referv'd,  you  claim  no  intereft 
Jn  any  of  our  towns  of  garrifon. 

Tork.  Then  fwear  allegiance  to  his  majefty  ; 
As  thou  art  knight,  never  to  difobey, 
Nor  be  rebellious  to  the  crown  of  England, 
Thou,  nor  thy  nobles,  vto  the  crown  of  England.— 
[Cherries,  and  the  reft,  give  tokens  of  fealty. 

4  — upon  cpmfarifon  ?~\  Do  you  ftand  to  compare  your  prefent 
ftate,  a  itate  which  you  have  neither  rigjht  or  power  to  maintain, 
with  the  terms  which  we  offer  ?  JOHNSON. 

5   accept  the  title  tbou  ufurp'/l. 

Of  benefit ] 

Benefit  is  here  a  term  of  law.    Be  content  to  live  as  the  lensf- 
ciay  of  our  -king.     JOHNSON. 

So, 


286         FIRST    PART    OF 

So,  now  difmifs  your  army  when  ye  pleafe ; 
Hang  up  your  enfigns,  let  your  drums  be  flill, 
For  here  we  entertain  a  folemn  peace.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE    VI. 

England. 
A  room  in  the  palace. 

Enter  Suffolk,  in  conference  with  king  Henry  ; 
Glofter,  and  Exeter. 

K.  Henry.  Your  wond'rous  rare  defcription,  noble 

earl, 

Of  beauteous  Margaret  hath  aftonifh'd  me  : 
Her  virtues,  graced  with  external  gifts, 
Do  breed  love's  fettled  paffions  in  my  heart : 
And  like  as  rigour  of  tempeftuous  gufts 
Provokes  the  mightieft  hulk  againft  the  tide  ; 
6  So  am  I  driven,  by  breath  of  her  renown, 
Either  to  fuflTer  fhipwreck,  or  arrive 
Where  I  may  have  fruition  of  her  love. 

Suf.  Tufli,  my  good  lord  !  this  fuperficial  tale 
Is  but  a  preface  of  her  worthy  praife  : 
The  chief  perfections  of  that  lovely  dame, 
(Had  I  fufficient  fkill  to  utter  them) 
Would  make  a  volume  of  enticing  lines, 
Able  to  ravifh  any  dull  conceit. 
And,  which  is  more,  fhe  is  not  fo  divine, 
So  full  replete  with  choice  of  all  delights, 
But,  with  as  humble  lowlinefs  of  mind, 
She  is  content  to  be  at  your  command ; 
Command,  I  mean,  of  virtuous  chafte  intents, 

6  So  am  I  driven,— —  ]  This  fimile  is  fomewhat  obfcure ;  he 
feems  to  mean,  that  as  a  fliip  is  driven  againft  the  tide  by  the 
wind,  fo.he  is  driven  by  love  agaiuil  the  current  of  his  intereft. 

JOHNSON. 

To 


KING    HENRY    VI.         287 

To  love  and  honour  Henry  as  her  lord. 

K.  Hemy.  And  otherwife  will  Henry  ne'er  prefume. 
Therefore,  my  lord  protestor,  give  confent, 
That  Margaret  may  be  England's  royal  queen. 

Glo.  So  Ihould  I  give  confent  to  flatter  fin. 
You  know,  my  lord,  your  highnefs  is  betroth'd 
Unto  another  lady  of  efteem ; 
How  fhall  we  then  difpenfe  with  that  contradr, 
And  not  deface  your  honour  with  reproach  ? 

Suf.  As  doth  a  ruler  with  unlawful  oaths  ; 
Or  one,  that,  7  at  a  triumph  having  vow'd 
To  try  his  ftrength,  forfaketh  yet  the  lifts 
By  reafon  of  his  adverfary's  odds  : 
A  poor  carl's  daughter  is  unequal  odds, 
And  therefore  may  be  broke  without  offence. 

Glo.  Why,  what,  I  pray,  is  Margaret  more  than 

that  ? 

Her  father  is  no  better  than  an  earl, 
Although  in  glorious  titles  he  excel. 

Suf.  Yes,  my  good  lord,  her  father  is  a  king, 
The  king  of  Naples,  and  Jerufalem  ; 
And  of  fuch  great  authority  in  France, 
As  his  alliance  will  confirm  our  peace, 
And  keep  the  Frenchmen  in  allegiance. 

Glo.  And  fo  the  earl  of  Armagnac  may  do, 
Becauie  he  is  near  kinfman  unto  Charles. 

Exe.  Befide,  his  wealth  doth  warrant  liberal  dower  j 
While  Reignier  fooner  will  receive,  than  give. 

Suf.  A  dower,  my  lords  !    difgrace  not  fo  your 

king, 

That  he  Ihould  be  fo  abject,  bafe,  and  poor, 
To  chufe  for  wealth,  and  not  for  perfect  love. 
Henry  is  able  to  enrich  his  queen, 
And  not. to  feek  a  queen  to  make  him  rich  : 
So  worthlefs  peafants  bargain  for  their  wives, 

7  —at  a  triumph— .]  That  is,  at  the  fports  by  which  a  tri- 
umph is  celebrated.    JOHNSON. 

As 


288         FIRST    PART    OF 

As  market-men  for  oxen,  meep,  or  horfe. 
But  marriage  is  a  matter  of  more  worth, 
Than  to  be  dealt  in  8  by  attorneyfhip  ; 
Not  whom  we  will,  but  whom  his  grace  affe<fr.s, 
Muft  be  companion  of  his  nuptial  bed  : 
And  therefore,  lords,  fince  he  affects  her  moft, 
It  moft  of  all  thefe  realbns  bindeth  us, 
In  our  opinions  me  mould  be  preferr'd. 
For  what  is  wedlock  forced,  but  a  hell, 
An  age  of  difcord  and  continual  flrife  ? 
Whereas  the  contrary  bringeth  forth  blifs, 
And  is  a  pattern  of  celeflial  peace. 
Whom  mould  we  match  with  Henry,  being  a  king, 
But  Margaret,  that  is  daughter  to  a  king  ? 
Her  peerlefs  feature,  joined  with  her  birth, 
Approves  her  fit  for  none,  but  for  a  king  : 
Her  valiant  courage,  and  undaunted  fpirit, 
(More  than  in  woman  commonly  is  fccn)  will 
Anfwer  our  hope  in  iffue  of  a  king  ; 
For  Henry,  fon  unto  a  conqueror, 
Is  likely  to  beget  more  conquerors, 
If  with  a  lady  of  ib  high  refolvc, 
As  is  fair  Margaret,  he  be  link'd  in  love. 
Then  yield,  my  lords  ;  and  here  conclude  with  me, 
That  Margaret  (hall  be  queen,  and  none  but  me. 
K.  Henry.  Whether  it  be  through  force  of  your 

report, 

My  noble  lord  of  Suffolk ;  or  for  that 
•My  tender  youth  was  never  yet  attaint 
With  any  paffion  of  inflaming  love, 
I  cannot  tell ;  but  this  I  am  atfur'd, 
I  feel  fuch  fharp  diffention  in  my  breaft, 
Such  fierce  alarums  both  of  hope  and  fear, 
As  I  am  fick  with  working  of  my  thoughts. 
Take,  therefore,  /hipping  ;  poft,  my  lord,  to  France;, 

*  -—£7  attornty/bifii — ]  By  the  intervention  of  another  man's 
choice;  or  the  diicretional  agency  of  another,    JOHNSOX. 

Agree 


KING    HENRY     VI.          289 
Agree  to  any  covenants ;  and  procure 
That  lady  Margaret  do  vouchfafe  to  come 
To  crofs  the  Teas  to  England,  and  be  crown'd 
King  Henry's  faithful  and  anointed  queen  : 
For  your  expences  and  fufficient  charge, 
Among  the  people  gather  up  a  tenth. 
Be  gone,  I  fay;  for,  'till  you  do  return, 
I  reit  perplexed  with  a  thoufand  cares.— 
And  you,  good  uncle,  banrfh  all  offence  : 
9  If  you  do  cenfure.  me  by  what  you  were, 
Not  what  you  are,  I  know  it  will  excufe 
This  fudden  execution  of  my  will. 
And  fo  condud:  me,  where  from  company, 
I  may  revolve  and  '  ruminate  my  grief.  [Exit* 

Glo. 

9  If  y°u  do  cenfure  me  &c.]  To  cenfure  is  here  (imply  to  judge. 
If  in  judging  me  you  confider  the  paft  frailties  of  your  ownyoutb. 

JOHNSON. 

1  — ruminate  my  grief. ~\  Grief  in  the  firfl  line  is  taken  gene- 
rally for  fain  or  uneafinefi ;  in  the  fecond  fpecially  forjbrr&vj. 

Of  this  play  there  is  no  copy  earlier  than  that  of  the  folio  in 
1623,  though  the  two  fucceeding  parts  are  extant  in  two  editions 
in  quarto.  That  the  fecond  and  third  parts  were  publifhed  with- 
out the  firft,  may  be  admitted  as  no  weak  proof  that  the  copies 
were  furreptitioufly  obtained,  and  that  the  printers  of  that  time 
gave  the  publick  thoie  plays  not  fuch  as  the  author  deligned, 
but  fuch  as  they  could  get  them.  That  this  play  was  written 
before  the  two  others  is  indubitably  collected  from  the  feries  of 
events ;  that  it  was  written  and  played  before  Henry  the  Fifth 
is  apparent,  becaufe  in  the  epilogue  there  is  mention  made  of 
this  play,  and  not  of  the  other  parts  : 

Henry  the  fix th  in  fivaddling  bands  c  rsnund  kingt 

Whofejiatefo  many  had  the  managing 

That  they  loft  France,  and  made  bis  England  Meed 

Which  oft  ourftage  batbfiewn. 

France  is  loft  in  this  play.  The  two  following  contain,  as  the 
old  title  imports,  the  contention  of  the  houfes  of  York  and 
Lancafter. 

The  fecond  and  third  parts  of  Henry  VI.  were  printed  in  1600. 

When  Henry  V.  was  written,  we  kriow  not,  but  it  was  printed 

likewiie  in  1 600,  and  therefore  before  the  publication  of  the  firft 

VOL.  VI.  U  part; 


290    FIRST    PART    OF,    &c. 

Glo.  Ay,  grief,  I  fear  me,  both  at  firft  and  laft. 

[Exeunt  Glofter,  and  Exeter. 

Suf.  Thus  Suffolk  hath  prevail'd  :    and  thus  he 

goes, 

As  did  the  youthful  Paris  once  to  Greece  ; 
With  hope  to  find  the  like  event  in  love, 
But  profper  better  than  the  Trojan  did. 
Margaret  ihall  now  be  queen,  and  rule  the  king  ; 
But  I  will  rule  both  her,  the  king,  and  realm. 

[Exit. 

part :  the  firft  part  of  Henry  VI.  had  been  often  Jbewn  on  tie 
Jlage,  and  would  certainly  have  appeared  in  its  place  had  the 
author  been  the  publifher.  JOHNSON. 


HENRY 


HENRY     VI. 


PART       II, 


U  j  Perfons 


Perfons  Reprefented. 

King  Henry  the  Sixth. 

Humphrey,  duke  of  Glofter,  v.ncle  to  the  k 

Cardinal    Beaufort,    bijhop  of  Wmchefter. 

Duke  of  York,  pretending  to  the  crown. 

Duke  of  Buckingham,  -j 

Duke  of  Somerfet>        left-be  king's  party, 

Duke  of  Suffolk,  J 


. 

Lord  Clifford,  of  the  king's  party* 
JLprd  Say. 

Lord  Scales,  governor  of  the  Towtr* 
Sir  Humphrey  Stafford. 
Young  Stafford,  his  brother. 
Alexander  Iden,  a  Kentijh  gentleman. 
Young  Clifford,  fon  to  lord  Clifford. 
Edward  Plantagenet.  7    -          ,77,     f 
Richard  PlantafenetJ  >"  >°  the  Me  "/ 
Vaux,  a  fea  captain,  and  Walter  Whitmore,  pirates*. 
A  Herald.     Hume  and  Southwell,  two  priefts. 
Bolingbrokc,  an  aftro&ger. 
A  fpirit,  attending  on  Jordan  the  witch. 
Thomas  Homer,  an  armourer.     Peter,  his  man. 
Clerk  of  Chatham.     Mayor  of  Saint  Albans. 
Simpcox,  an  impojlor. 

Jack  Cade,  Bevis,  Michael,  John  Holland,  Dick  the 
butcher^  Smith  the  weaver t  and  fever al  others,  rebels* 

Margaret,  queen  to  king  Henry  VI. 

Dame  Eleanor,  wife  to  tbe  duke  of  Glojler. 

Mother  Jordan,  a  witch. 

Wife  td  Simpcox. 

Petitioners,   Aldermen,   a  Beadle,    Sheriff,   and  Officers,, 

Citizens,    with  Faukoners,   Guards,   Mefl'engers,  and 

other  Attendants. 

¥he  SCENE  is  laid  very  difperfedly  in  fever al parts 
of  England, 


'SECOND    PART    OF 

KING    HENRY    VI. 

ACT      I.       S  C  E  N  E     |. 

the  Palace. 

Flourijb  of  trumpets :  then  hautboys.  Enter  king  Henryy 
duke  Humphrey,  Salijbury ,  Warwick^  and  Beaufort,  on 
the  one  fide ;  the  Queen,  Suffolk,  Tork,  Sowerfet,  and 
Buckingham,  on  the  other. 

*  Suf.  As  by  your  high  imperial  majefty 
I  had  in  charge  at  my  depart  for  France, 

As 

1  Second  Part  &c.]  This  and  the  third  part  were  firft 
written  under  the  title  of  The  Contention  of  Tork  and  Lancaflery 
printed  in  1600,  but  fince  vaitly  improved  by  the  author.  POPE. 

Second  Part  of  King  Henry  FL]  This  and  The  Third  Part 
of  King  Henry  V~L  contain  that  troublefome  period  of  this  prince's 
reign  which  took  in  the  whole  contention  betwixt  the  houfes  of 
York  and  Lancafter :  and  under  that  title  were  thefe  two  plays 
firft  afted  and  publifhed.  The  prefent  fcene  opens  with  king 
Henry's  marriage,  which  was  in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his 
reign  ;  and  clofes  with  the  firft  battle  fought  at  St,  Albans,  and 
won  by  the  York  faction,  in  the  thirty-third  year  of  his  reign  ; 
fo  that  it  comprizes  the  hillory  and  tranfa&ioas  of  ten  years, 

THEOBALD. 

It  appears  from  the  books  of  the  Stationers'  Company  that  this 
play,  &c.  was  entered  by  Tho.  Millington,  March  12,  1593. 
It  was  altered  by  Crowne,  and  acted  in  the  year  1 68 1 .  STEEVENS. 

1  As  ly  your  high,  &c.]  Vide  Hall's  Chronlde,  fol.  66.  year 
23.  init.  POPE. 

It  is  apparent  that  this  play  begins  where  the  former  ends,  and 

continues  the  feries  of  traniaftions  of  which  it  prefuppofes  the 

U  3  firft 


294      SECOND    PART    OF 

As  procurator  to  your  excellence  ?, 

To  marry  princefs  Margaret  for  your  grace  ; 

So,  in  the  famous  ancient  city,  Tours, — 

In  prefence  of  the  kings  of  France  and  Sicil, 

The  dukes  of  Orleans.,  Calaber,  Bretaigne,   Alen- 

con, 
Seven   earls,    twelve  barons,    twenty  reverend   bU 

Ihops, — 

I  have  performed  my  tafk,  and  was  efpous'd  : 
And  humbly  now  upon  my  bended  knee, 
In  fight  of  England  and  her  lordly  peers, 
Deliver  up  my  title  in  the  queen 
To  your  moft  gracious  hand,  that  are  the  fubftance 
Of  that  great  fhadow  I  did  reprefent ; 
The  happieft  gift  that  ever  marquefs  gave, 
The  faireft  queen  that  ever  king  received. 

K.  Henry.  Suffolk,  arife. — Welcome,  queen  Mar- 
garet : 

I  can  exprefs  no  kinder  fign  of  love, 
Than  this   kind  kifs. — O  Lord,  that  lends  me  life, 
Lend  me  a  heart  replete  with  thankfulnefs  ! 
For  thou  haft  given  me,  in  this  beauteous  face, 
A  world  of  earthly  bleflings  to  my  foul, 
If  fympathy  of  love  unite  our  thoughts. 

<j[.  Mar.  Great  king  of  England,  and  my  gracious 
lord; 

firft  part  already  known.  This  is  a  fufficient  proof  that  the  fe- 
cond  and  third  parts  were  not  written  without  dependance  on  the 
firft,  though  they  were  printed  as  containing  a  complete  period  or" 
hiftory.  JOHNSON. 

3  As  procurator  to  your  excellence,  feV.]  So,  in  Holinfhed, 
p.  625:  "  The  mar^uefle  of  Suffolk  as  procurator  to  king 
Henrie,  efpoufed  the  faid  ladie  in  the  church  of  faint  Martins. 
At  the  which  marriage  were  prefent  the  father  and  mother  of  the 
bride;  the  French  king  himfelf  that  was  uncle  to  the  hulband, 
and  the  French  queea  alfo  that  was  aunt  to  the  wife.  There 
were  alfo  the  dukes  of  Orleance,  of  Calabre,  of  Alanfon,  and 
of  Britaine,  feaven  carles,  twelve  barons,  twenty  bifhops,  &c." 

STEEVENS. 

The 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         295 

4  The  mutual  conference  that  my  mind  hath  had—- 
By day,  by  night ;  waking,  and  in  my  dreams ; 
In  courtly  company,  or  at  my  beads, — 
With  you  5  mine  alder-liefeft  fovereign, 
Makes  me  the  bolder  to  falute  my  king 
With  ruder  terms  ;    fuch  as  my  wit  affords, 
And  over-joy  of  heart  doth  minifter. 

K.  Henry.  Her  fight  did  ravifh  :  but  her  grace  in 

fpeech, 

Her  words  y-clad  with  wifdom's  majefty, 
Makes  me,  from  wondering,  fall  to  weeping  joys ; 
Such  is  the  fulnefs  of  my  heart's  content. — 
Lords,  with  one  cheerful  voice  welcome  my  love. 

All.  Long  live  queen  Margaret,  England's  hap- 
pinefs  ! 

j-^.  Mar.  We  thank  you  all.  [Flour  if/:. 

Suf.  My  lord  protector,  fo  it  pleafe  your  grace, 
Here  are  the  articles  of  contracted  peace, 
Between  our  fovereign  and  the  French  king  Charles, 
For  eighteen  months  concluded  by  confent. 

Glo.  reads.~\  Imprimis,  It  is  agreed  betzvesn  the  French 
king,  Charks,  and  William  de  la  Poole,  marquefs  of  Suf- 
folk) embajfador  for  Henry  king  of  England, — that  the  fat  d 

*  T7je  mutual  conference  •  •  •  ]  I  am  the  bolder  to  addrefs  you, 
having  already  familiarized  you  to  my  imagination.  JOHNSON. 

5  mine  alder-liefeft  fovcreign,]    AUer-lipvcft  is    an  old 

Englifli  word  given  to  him  to  whom  the  fpeaker  is  fupremely  at- 
tached :  lieveft  being  the  fuperlative  of  the  comparative  levart 
rather,  from  lief.  So,  Hall  in  his  Chronicle,  Henry  VI.  folio  12. 
*'  Ryght  hyghe  and  mighty  prince,  and  my  ryght  noble,  and, 
after  one,  levcft  lord."  WAR  BURTON. 

Alder -liefejl — ]  Is  a  corruption  of  the  German  word  alder- 
liebfte,  beloved  above  all  things. 

The  word  is  ufed  by  Chaucer  ;  and  is  put  by  Marfton  into  the 
mouth  of  his  Dutch  courtefan  : 

"  O  mine  alder-liefeft  love." 
Again  : 

"  pretty  fweetheart  of  mine  aUer-liefejl  affection." 

Again,  in  Gafcoigne  : 

"  and  to  mine  alder-lic'vejl  lord  I  muft  indite." 

STEEVENS. 
U  4  Hcmy 


296       SECOND     PART     OF 
Henry  Jhall    efpoufe    -the    lady   Margaret,    daughter    to 
Reignier  king  of  Naples,    Sicilia-,    And  Jerufalem  ;    and 
crown  her  queen  of  England,  ere  the  thirtieth  of  May 
next  enfuing. 

Item,   'That  the  dutchies  of  Anjou  and  of  Maine,  fhdl 
be  rekafed  and  delivered  to  the  king  her  fa 

K.  Henry.  Uncle,  how  now  ? 

Glo.  Pardon  me,  gracious  lord  ; 
Some  fudden  qualm  hath  ftruck  me  to  the  heart, 
And  dimm'd  mine  eyes,  that  I  can  read  no  further. 

K.  Henry.  Uncle  of  Winchester,  I  pray,  read  on. 

Win.  Item,  it  is  further  agreed  between  them, — that 
the  duUlnes  of  Anjou  and  Maine  Jhall  be  releafed  and  de- 
livered to  the  king  her  father  ;  and  Jhe  fent  over  of  the 
king  of  England' *s  own  proper  coft  and  charges,  without 
any  dowry. 

K.  Henry.  They  pleafe  us  well. — Lord  marquefs, 

kneel-down ; 
We  here  create  thee  the  firft  duke  of  Suffolk, 
And  gird  thee  with  the  fword. — 
Coufin  of  York,  we  here  difcharge  your  grace 
From  being  regent  in  the  parts  of  France, 
'Till  term  of  eighteen  months  be  full  expir'd. — 
Thanks,  uncle  Wincheiter,  Glofter,  York,  and  Buck- 
ingham, 

Somerfet,  Salifbury,  and  Warwick  ; 
6  We  thank  you  all  for  this  great  favour  done, 
In  entertainment  to  my  princely  queen. 
Come,  let  us  in  ;  and  with  all  fpeed  provide 
To  fee  her  coronation  be  perform'd. 

[Exeunt  King,  Queen,  and  Suffolk. 

Glo.  Brave  peers  of  England,  pillars  of  the  Hate, 
To  you  duke  Humphrey  muft  unload  his  grief, 

"  Wi  thank  you  for  all  this  great  favour  done,~\   Undoubtedly  we 
fhould  read,  from  a  regard  both  to  the  fenfe  and  the  metre  : 

W~€  thank  you  all  for  this  great  favour  done.     REVISAL. 
The  firft  folio  confirms  the  propriety  of  this  conjefture. 

STEEVENS. 

Your 


?K  I  'N  &    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         297 

Your  grief,  the  common  grief  of  all  the  land. 

What !  did  my  brother  Henry  fpend  his  youth, 

His  valour,  coin,  and  people,  in  the  wars  ? 

Did  he  fo  often  lodge  in  open  field, 

In  winter's  cold,  and  fummer's  parching  heat, 

To  conquer  France,  his  true  inheritance  ? 

And  did  my  brother  Bedford  toil  his  wits, 

To  keep  by  policy  what  Henry  got  ? 

Have  you  yourfelves,  Somerfet,  Buckingham, 

Brave  York,  and  Salisbury,  victorious  Warwick, 

Receiv'd  deep  fears  in  France  and  Normandy  ? 

Or  hath  mine  uncle  Beaufort,  and  myfelf, 

With  all  the  learned  council  of  the  realm, 

Study'd  fo  long,  fat  in  the  council-houfe, 

Early  and  late,  debating  to  and  fro 

How  France  and  Frenchmen  might  be  kept  in  awe  ? 

Or  hath  his  highnefs  in  his  infancy 

Been  crown'd  in  Paris,  in  defpight  of  foes  ; 

And  fhall  thefe  labours,  and  thefe  honours,  die  ? 

Shall  Henry's  conqueft,  Bedford's  vigilance, 

Your  deeds  of  war,  and  all  our  counfe!,  die  ? 

O  peers  of  England,  fhameful  is  this  league  ! 

Fatal  this  marriage  !  cancelling  your  fame  ; 

Blotting  your  names  from  books  of  memory  ; 

Razing  the  characters  of  your  renown  ; 

Reverfing  monuments  of  conquer'd  France  ; 

Undoing  all,  as  all  had  never  been  ! 

Car.  Nephew,  what  means  this  pafiionate  difcourfe? 
7  This  peroration  with  fuch  circumftance  ? 
For  France,  'tis  ours  ;  and  we  will  keep  it  dill. 

Glo.  Ay,  uncle,  we  will  keep  it,  if  we  can; 
But  now  it  is  impoflible  we  fhould  : 
Suffolk,  the  new-made  duke  that  rules  the  roaft, 
Hath  given  the  dutchies  of  Anjou  and  Maine 
Unto  the  poor  king  Reignier,  whofe  large  ftyle 


7  This  peroration  with  fuck  circumftance  ?~\  This   fpeech  crowd- 
ed with  fo  many  inftances  of  aggravation.     JOHNSON. 

Agrees 


1198      SECOND    PART    OF 

Agrees  not  with  the  leannefs  of  his  purfe. 

Sal.  Now,  by  the  death  of  him  who  dy'd  for  all,, 
Thefe  counties  were  the  keys  of  Normandy  : — 
But  wherefore  weeps  Warwick,  my  valiant  fon  ? 

War.  For  grief  that  they  are  paft  recovery  : 
For,  were  there  hope  to  conquer  them  again, 
My  fword  Ihould  fhed  hot  blood,  mine  eyes  no  tears.- 
Anjou  and  Maine  !  myfelf  did  win  them  both  ; 
Thofe  provinces  thefe  arms  of  mine  did  conquer  : 
8  And  are  the  cities,  that  I  got  with  wounds, 
Deliver'd  up  again  with  peaceful  words  ? 
Mort  Dieu  ! 

Tork.  For  Suffolk's  duke— may  he  be  fuffocatc, 
That  dims  the  honour  of  this  warlike  ifle  ! 
France  ihould  have  torn  and  rent  my  very  heart, 
'Before  I  would  have  yielded  to  this  league. 
I  never  read  but  England's  kings  have  had 
Large  fums  of  gold,  and  dowries,  with  their  wives  : 
And  our  king  Henry  gives  away  his  own, 
To  match  with  her  that  brings  no  vantages. 

Gk.  A  proper  jefl,  and  never  heard  before, 
That  Suffolk  ihould  demand  a  whole  fifteenth. 
For  cofls  and  charges  in  tranfporting  her  ! 
She  Ihould  have  {laid  in  France,  and  ilarv'd  in  France, 
Before 

Car.  My  lord  of  Glofler,  now  ye  grow  too  hot ; 
It  was  the  pleafure  of  my  lord  the  king. 

Glo.  My  lord  of  Winchefter,  I  know  your  mind ; 
'Tis  not  my  fpeeches  that  you  do  miflike, 
But  'tis  my  prefence  that  doth  trouble  you. 
Rancour  will  out :  Proud  prelate,  in  thy  face 
I  fee  thy  fury  :  if  I  longer  Hay, 
We  fhall  begin  our  ancient  bickerings  9. — 

Fare,- 

8  And  are  the  cities,  &.C.]  The  indignation  of  Warwick  is  na- 
'tural,  and  I  vvifli  it  had  b:en  better  exprefled  ;  there  is  a  kind  of 
jingle  intended  in  wounds  and  words.     JOHNSO.V. 

9  Buhir'uigs.]  To  hi-, ker  is  tojt irmijb.     In  the  ancient  merri- 

cal 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.          299 

Farewel,  my  lords ;  and  fay,  when  I  am  gone, 

I  prophefy'd— • France  will  be  loft  ere  long.        [£A://. 

Car.  So,  there  goes  our  protestor  in  a  rage. 
'Tis  known  to  you,  he  is  mine  enemy  : 
Nay,  more,  an  enemy  unto  you  all ; 
And  no  great  friend,  I  fear  me,  to  the  king. 
Confider,  lords — he  is  the  next  of  blood, 
And  heir  apparent  to  the  Engliih  crown  ; 
Had  Henry  got  an  empire  by  his  marriage, 
And  all  the  wealthy  kingdoms  of  the  weft, 
There's  reafon  he  Ihould  be  difpleas'd  at  it. 
Look  to  it,  lords  ;  let  not  his  fmoothing  words 
Bevvitch  your  hearts  ;  be  wife,  and  circumfped:. 
What  though  the  common  people  favour  hirn, 
falling  him — Humphrey,  the  good  duke  of  Glojler ; 
Clapping  their  hands,  and  crying  with  loud  voice  — 
Jefu  maintain  your  royal  excellence  ! 
With — God  preferve  the  good  duke  Humphrey  ! 
I  fear  me,  lords,  for  all  this  flattering  glofs, 
He  will  be  found  a  dangerous  protestor. 

cal  romance  of  Guy  E.  of  Warwick,  bl.  1.  no  date,  the  heroes 
confult  whether  they  fliould  bicker  on  the  walls,  or  defcend  to 
battle  on  the  plain.  Again,  in  the  genuine  ballad  of  Lbevy 
Cbace  : 

"  Bomen  lickarte  upon  the  bent 

"  With  their  browd  aras  cleare." 
Again,  in  Drayton's  Polyollion,  Song  IX  : 

"  From  bickering  with  his  folk  to  keep  us  Britains  back." 
Again,  in  the  SpaniJJ)  Mafquerado,  by  Greene,   11589: 

"  fundry  times  bicke red  with  our  men,  and  gave  them  the 

foyle."  Again,  in  Holinfhed,  p.  537  :  "  At  another  bickering 
alfo  it  chanced  that  the  Englifhmen  had  the  upper  hand."  Again, 
p.  572  :  "•  At  firil  there  was  a  fliarpe  bickering  betwixt  them,  but 
in  the  end  viclorie  remained  with  the  Engliflimen."  Lcvi  pugna 
congredior  is  the  expreifion  by  which  Barrett  in  his  Alvearie,  or 
Quadruple  Difl.  1580,  explains  the  verb  to  bicker.  STEEVENS. 

1  And  all  tbt  wealthy  kingdoms  of  the  iveft^\  Certainly  Shake- 
fpeare  wrote  soft.  WAUBURTON". 

There  are  wealthy  kingdoms  in  the  iveft  as  well  as  in  the  cafl+ 
And  the  wefterp  kingdoms  were  more  likely  to  be  in  the  thought 
of  the  ipeaker,  JOHNSON. 

Bud. 


3oo      SECOND     PART    OF 

Buck.  Why  fhould  he  then  protect  our  fovcreign| 
He  being  of  age  to  govern  of  himfeif  ? — 
Coufm  of  Somerfet,  join  you  with  me, 
And  all  together, — with  the  duke  of  Suffolk,—   > 
We'll  quickly  hoife  duke  Humphrey  from  his  feat. 

Car.  This  weighty  bnfinefs  will  not  brook  delay  ;* 
I'll  to  the  duke  of  Suffolk  prefently.  [£.v;/. 

Soni.  Coufin  of  Buckingham,  though  Humphrey's 

pride,  ^ 

And  greatnefs  of  his  place  be  grief  to  us, 
Yet  let  us  watch  the  haughty  cardinal ; 
His  infolence  is  more  intolerable 
Than  all  the  princes  in  the  land  befide; 
If  Glofter  be  difplac'd,  he'll  be  protestor. 

Buck.  Thou,  or  I,  Somerfet,  will  be  protector, 
Defpight  duke  Humphrey,  or  the  cardinal. 

{Exeunt  Buckingham  and  Somerfit, 

Sal.  Pride  went  before,  ambition  follows  him. 
While  thefe  do  labour  for  their  own  preferment, 
Behoves  it  us  to  labour  for  the  realm. 
I  never  faw  but  Humphrey  duke  of  Glofter 
Did  bear  him  like  a  noble  gentleman. 
Oft  have  I  feen  the  haughty  cardinal — 
More  like  a  foldier,  than  a  man  o'the  church, 
As  flout,  and  proud,  as  he  were  lord  of  all, — . 
Swear  like  a  ruffian,  and  demean  himfeif 
Unlike  the  ruler  of  a  common-weal. — 
Warwick  my  fon,  the  comfort  of  my  age  ! 
Thy  deeds,  thy  plainnefs,  and  thy  houfe-keeping, 
Hath  won  the  greateft  favour  of  the  commons, 
Excepting  none  but  good  duke  Humphrey. — 
And,  brother  York,  thy  adts  in  Ireland, 
In  bringing  them  to  civil  difcipline  ; 
Thy  late  exploits  done  in  the  heart  of  France, 
When  thou  wert  regent  for  our  fovereign, 
Have  made  thee  fear'd,  and  honour'd,  of  the  peo- 
ple :— 
Join  we  together,  for  the  public  good; 

In 


It  I  N  G    HENRY    VI.         301 

fn  what  we  can,  to  bridle  and  fupprefs 
The  pride  of  Suffolk,  and  the  cardinal, 
With  Somerfet's  and  Buckingham's  ambition  ; 
And,  as  we  may,  cherifh  duke  Humphrey's  deeds, 
While  they  do  tend  the  profit  of  the  land  z. 

War.  So  God  help  Warwick,  as  he  loves  the  land, 
And  common  profit  of  his  country  f 

Tork.  And  ib  fays  York,  for  he  hath  greateft  caufe. 

[Aftde. 

Sal  Then  let's  make  hafte,  and  look  unto  the  main. 

War.  Unto  the  main  !   Oh  father,  Maine  is  loft  ; 
That  Maine,  which  by  main  force  Warwick  did  win, 
And  would  have  kept,  fo  long  as  breath  did  laft  : 
Main  chance,  father,  you  meant  ;  but  I  meant  Maine; 
Which  I  will  win  from  France,  or  elfe  be  flain. 

\_Ex.  Warwick  and  Salijbwy. 

Tork.  Anjou  and  Maine  are  given  to  the  French  ; 
Paris  is  loft  ;  the  ftate  of  Normandy 
Stands  5  on  a  tickle  point,  now  they  are  gone. 
Suffolk  concluded  on  the.  articles  ; 
The  peers  agreed;  and  Henry  was  well  pleas'dy 
To  change  two  dukedoms  for  a  dukers  fair  daughter. 
I  cannot  blame  them  all  ;  What  is't  to  them  ? 
*Tis  thine  they  give  away,  and  not  their  own. 
Pirates  may  make  cheap  pennyworth  of  their  pillage, 
And  purchafe  friends,  and  give  to  courtezans, 
Still  revelling,  like  lords,  'till  all  be  gone  : 

*  "  -  the  profit  of  tie  land."]  I  think  we  might  read,  more 
clearly  —  to  profit  of  the  land,  —  i.  e.  to  profit  themfelves  by  it, 
unlefs  'tend  be  written  for  attend.  STEEVENS. 

3  -  on  a  tickle  point,  -  ]  Tickle  is  very  frequently  ufed  for 
ticklifh  by  poets  contemporary  with  Shakefpeare.  So,  Heywood 
in  his  Epigrams  on  Proverls,  1562  : 

"  Time  is  tickell,  we  may  matche  time  in  this, 

"  For  we  be  even  as  tickell  as  time  is." 
Again,  in  the  Spanijb  Tragedy,    1605  : 

"  Now  ftands  our  fortune  on  a  tickle  point." 
Again,  in  S  oilman  and  Perfeda,   1  599  : 

"  The  reft  by  turning  of  niy  tickle  wheel." 


While 


S02      SECOND    PART    OF 

While  as  the  filly  owner  of  the  goods 
Weeps  over  them,  and  wrings  his  haplefs  hands, 
And  fhakes  his  head,  and  trembling  {lands  aloof, 
While  all  is  ihar'd,  and  all  is  borne  away  ; 
Ready  to  flarve,  and  dares  not  touch  his  own. 
So  York  muft  fit,  and  fret,  and  bite  his  tongue, 
While  his  own  lands  are  bargain'd  for,  and  fold. 
Methinks,  the  realms  of  England,  France,  and  Ireland, 
Bear  that  proportion  to  my  flefh  and  blood, 
As  did  the  fatal  brand  Althea  burnt 
Unto  the  prince's  heart  of  Calydon  4. 
Anjou  and  Maine,  both  given  unto  the  French  ! 
Cold  news  for  me  ;  for  I  had  hope  of  France, 
Even  as  I  have  of  fertile  England's  foil. 
A  day  will  come,  when  York  fhall  claim  his  own  ; 
And  therefore  I  will  take  the  Nevils'  parts, 
And  make  a  fhew  of  love  to  proud  duke  Humphrey, 
And,  when  I  fpy  advantage,  claim  the  crown, 
For  that's  the  golden  mark  I  feek  to  hit : 
Nor  fhall  proud  Lancafler  ufurp  my  right, 
Nor  hold  the  fcepter  in  his  childifh  fift, 
Nor  wear  the  diadem  upon  his  head, 
Whofe  church-like  humour  fits  not  for  a  crown. 
Then,  York,  be  flill  a  while,  'till  time  do  ferve  : 
Watch  thou,  and  wake,  when  others  be  afleep, 
To  pry  into  the  fecrets  of  the  flate ; 
'Till  Henry,  furfeiting  in  joys  of  love, 
With  his  newbride,  and  England's  dear-bought  queen  j 
And  Humphrey  with  the  peers  be  fall'n  at  jars : 
Then  will  I  raife  aloft  the  milk-white  rofe, 
With  whofe  fweet  fmell  the  air  fhall  be  perfum'd  ; 
And  in  my  flandard  bear  the  arms  of  York, 
To  grapple  with  the  houfe  of  Lancafler; 
And,  force  perforce,   I'll  make  him  yield  the  crown, 
Whofe  bookifh  rule  hath  pull'd  fair  England  down. 

[Exit  York. 

+  ~— the  prince's  heart  of  Calydon.']    Mcleager.    STEEVENS. 

SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         303 

SCENE    II. 

tf&*  duke  of  GloJleSs  foufe. 

Enter  duke  Humphrey  and  bis  wife  Eleanor. 

Elean.  Why  droops  my  lord,  like  over-ripen'd  corn, 
Hanging  the  head  at  Ceres'  plenteous  load  ? 
Why  doth  the  great  duke  Humphrey  knit  his  brows, 
As  frowning  at  the  favours  of  the  world  ? 
Why  are  thine  eyes  fix'd  to  the  fallen  earth, 
Gazing  on  that  which  feems  to  dim  thy  fight  ? 
What  fee'ft  thou  there  ?  king  Henry's  diadem, 
Inchas'd  with  all  the  honours  of  the  world  ? 
If  fo,  gaze  on,  and  grovel  on  thy  face, 
Until  thy  head  be  circled  with  the  fame. 
Put  forth  thy  hand,  reach  at  the  glorious  gold  :— 
What,  is't  too  fliort  ?  I'll  lengthen  it  with  mine : 
And,  having  both  together  heav'd  it  up, 
We'll  both  together  lift  our  heads  to  heaven  ; 
And  never  more  abafe  our  fight  fo  low 
As  to  vouch fafe  one  glance  unto  the  ground. 

Gb.  O  Nell,  fweet  Nell,  if  thou  doft  love  thy 

lord, 

Banifh  the  canker  of  ambitious  thoughts  : 
And  may  that  thought,  when  I  imagine  ill 
Againft  my  king  and  nephew,  virtuous  Henry, 
Be  my  laft  breathing  in  this  mortal  world  ! 
My  troublous  dream  this  night  doth  make  me  fad. 

Elean.  What  dream'd  my  lord  ?  tell  me,  and  I'll 

requite  it 
With  fweet  rehearfal  of  my  morning's  dream. 

G/o.  Methoughr,  this  ftaff,  mine  office-badge  in 

court, 

Was  broke  in  twain ;  by  whom,  I  have  forgot, 
But,  as  I  think,  it  was  by  the  cardinal  ; 
And  on  the  pieces  of  the  broken  wand 

Were 


304      SECOND     PART    OF 

Were  plac'd  the  heads  of  Edmund  duke  of  Somerfer, 
And  William  de  la  Poole  firft  duke  of  Suffolk. 
This  was  my  dream  ;  what  it  doth  bode,  God  knows. 

Elean.  Tut,  this  was  nothing  but  an  argument, 
That  he,  that  breaks  a  flick  of  Glofter's  grove, 
Shall  loie  his  head  for  his  prefumption. 
But  lift  to  me,  my  Humphrey,  my  fweet  duke  : 
Methought,  I  fat  in  feat  of  majefty, 
In  the  cathedral  church  of  Weftminfter, 
And  in   that   chair  where  kings    and   queens    are 

crown'd  ; 

Where  Henry,  and  dame  Margaret,  kneel'd  to  me, 
And  on  my  head  did  let  the  diadem. 

Glo.  Nay,  Eleanor,  then  muft  I  chide  outright : 
Prefumptuous  dame,  ill-nurtur'd  Eleanor  ! 
Art  thou  not  fecond  woman  in  the  realm  ; 
And  the  protector's  wife,  belov'd  of  him  ? 
Haft  thou  not  worldly  pleafure  at  command, 
Above  the  reach  or  compafs  of  thy  thought  ? 
And  wilt  thou  ftill  be  hammering  treachery, 
To  tumble  down  thy  hulband,  and  thyfelf, 
From  top  of  honour  to  difgrace's  feet  ? 
Away  from  me,  and  let  me  hear  no  more. 

Elean.  What,  what,  my  lord!  are  you  fo  choleric 
With  Eleanor,  for  telling  but  her  dream  ? 
Next  time,  I'll  keep  my  dreams  unto  myfelf, 
And  not  be  check'd. 

Glo.  Nay,  be  not  angry,  I  am  pleas'd  again. 

Enter  a  Afcffenger. 

Mejf.  My  lord  protector,  'tis  his  highnefs*  pleafure, 
You  do  prepare  to  ride  unto  Saint  Albans, 
Whereas  the  king  and  queen  do  mean  to  hawk  5. 

Glo. 

5  Whereas  the  king  and  queen  do  mean  to  havjk.~\    Jfficreas  is 
the  fame  as  where ;   and   leems  to  be  brought  into  ufe  only  on 
account  ot  its  being  a  diifyllable.    So,  in  Marias  and  Sylla^  1 594  : 
**  But  fee  whereas  Lucretius  is  return'd. 
"  Welcome,  brave  Roman  !" 

The 


KING    HENRY     VI.         305 

Glo.  I  go. — Come,  Nell,  thou  wilt  ride  with  us  ? 

Ekan.  "Yes,  my  good  lord,  I'll  follow  prcfenrly. 

[Exit  Glojler. 

Follow  I  mufr,  I  cannot  go  before, 
While  Glofter  bears  this  bale  and  humble  mind. 
Were  I  a  man,  a  duke,  and  next  of  blood, 
I  would  remove  thefe  tedious  ilumbling-blocks, 
And  fmooth  my  way  upon  their  headlefs  necks  : 
And,  being  a  woman,  I  will  not  be  flack 
To  play  my  part  in  fortune's  pageant. 
Where  are  you    there  ?    Sir  John  !    nay,  fear  not, 

man, 
We  are  alone  ;  here's  none  but  thee,  and  I. 

Enter  Hume. 

Hume.  Jefu  preferve  your  royal  majefty  ! 
Elean.  My  majefty  !  why,  man,  I  am  but  grace. 
Hume.  But,  by  the  grace  of  God,  and  Hume's  ad- 
vice, 
Your  grace's  title  fhall  be  multiply'd. 

Ekan.  What  fay'fl  thou,  man  ?  haft  thou  as  yet 

conferr'd 

With  Margery  Jourdain,  the  cunning  witch  ; 
And  Roger  Bolingbroke,  the  conjurer  ? 
And  will  they  undertake  to  do  me  good  ? 

Hume.  This  they  have  promiied, — to  fhew  your 

highnefs 

A  fpirit  rais'd  from  depth  of  under  ground, 
That  ftia'1  make  anfwer  to  fuch  queftions, 

The  word  is  feveral  times  ufed  in  this  piece,  as  well  as  in  fome 

others  ;   and  always  with  the  fame  fenfe. 

Again,  in  the  ;  ift  fonnet  of  Lord  Stcrllnc,   1604  : 

"  I  dream'd  the  nymph,  that  o'er  my  fancy  reigns, 
"  Came  to  a  part  iv/je>-eas  I  p.ius'd  alone  :" 

Again,  in  the  T'ryal  of  Treasure,   1567  : 

44  Whereas  (he  is  refident,  I  mult  needes  be.'* 

Again,  in  Daniel's  Tragedy  of  Cleopatra,    1^99  : 

"  That  I  ihould  pals  tvberca.;  O<5\avia  itands 
"  To  view  my  mifery,  &c."     STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  X  As 


306      SECOND     PART    OF 

As  by  your  grace  ftiall  be  propounded  him. 

6  El&m.  It  is  enough  ;  I'll  think  upon  the  queftions  : 
When  from  faint  Albans  we  do  make  return, 
We'll  fee  thofe  things  effected  to  the  full. 
Here,  Hume,  take  this  reward  ;  make  merry,  man/, 
With  thy  confederates  in  this  weighty  caufe. 

\_Rxit  Eleanor. 

Hume.  Hume  muft  make  merry  with  the  dutcheis' 

gold ; 

Marry,  and  frail.     But,  how  now,  Sir  John  Hume  ? 
Seal  up  your  lips,  and  give  no  words  but — mum  ! 
The  bufinefs  afketh  lilerit  fecrecy. 
Dame  Eleanor  gives  gold,  to  bring  the  witch  : 
Gold  cannot  come  amifs,  were  Ihe  a  devil. 
Yet  have  I  gold,  flies  from  another  coaft  : 
I  dare  not  fay,  from  the  rich  cardinal, 
And  from  the  great  and  new-made  duke  of  Suffolk  ; 
Yet  I  do  find  it  fo  :  for,  to  be  plain, 
They,  knowing  dame  Eleanor's  afpiring  humour, 
Have  hired  me  to  undermine  the  dutchcfs, 
And  buz  thefe  conjurations  in  her  brain. 
They  fay,  A  crafty  knave  does  need  no  broker 7 ; 
Yet  am  I  Suffolk's  and  the  cardinal's  broker. 
Hume,  if  you  take  not  heed,  you  mail  go  near 
To  call  them  both — a  pair  of  crafty  knaves. 

6  Elean.  It  is  enough ',  &c.]     This  fpeech  flands thus  in  the 
old  quarto  : 

"  Elean.  Thanks,  good  fir  John, 

Some  two  days  hence  I  guefs  will  fit  our  time  ; 

Then  fee  that  they  be  here. 

For  now  the  king  is  riding  to  St.  Albans, 

And  all  the  dukes  and  earls  along  with  him. 

When  they  be  gone,  then  fafely  may  they  come, 

And  on  the  backficle  of  mine  orchard  here 

There  caft  their  fpells  in  filence  of  the  night, 

And  fo  refolve  us  of  the  thing  we  wifh  : 

Till  when,  drink  that  for  my  fake,  and  farewell." 

STEEVENS. 

7  •"       >-A  crafty  knave  does  need  no  broker ;]  This  is  a  prover- 
bial lenter.ce.    See  Ray's  Colletfion.    STEEVENS. 

Well, 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         307 

Well,  fo  it  ftands :  And  thus,  I  fear,  at  laft, 
Hume's  knavery  will  be  the  dutchefs'  wreck ; 
And  her  attainture  will  be  Humphrey's  fall : 
8  Sort  how  it  will,  I  lhall  have  gold  for  all.       [Exit. 


SCENE    III. 

An,  apartment  in  the  palace. 

Enter  three  or  four  petitioners.  Peter,  the  armourer's  wany 
being  one. 

o 

i  Pet.  My  matters,  let's  (land  clofe ;  my  lord  pro- 
tector will  come  this  way  by  and  by,  and  then  we 
may  deliver  our  fupplications 9  in  the  quill. 

2  Pet. 

8  Sort  how  it  <suitt,      »  ••  ]  Let  the  iflue  be  what  it  will. 

JOHNSON. 

9  in  the  quill."]  In  quill  is  fir  Thomas  Hanmer's  read- 
ing ;  the  reft  have  in  the  quill.     JOHNSON. 

Perhaps  our  fupplications  in  the  quill,  or  in  quill,  means  no  more 
than  our  written  or  penned  fupplications.  We  ftill  fay,  a  drawing 
in  chalk,  for  a  drawing  executed  by  the  ufe  of  chalk.  STEEVENS. 

In  the  quill ^\  This  may  mean,  with  great  exathiefs  and  obferv- 
ance  of  form,  or  with  the  utmoft  pun6tilio  of  ceremony.  The 
phrafe  feems  to  be  taken  from  part  of  the  drefs  of  our  anceftors, 
whofe  ruffs  were  quilled.  While  thefe  were  worn,  it  might  be 
the  vogue  to  fay,  fuch  a  thing  is  in  the  quill,  i.  e.  in  the  reigning 
mode  of  tafte.  TOLLET. 

To  this  obfervation  I  may  add,  that  after  printing  began,  the 
fimilar  phrafe  of  a  thing  being  in  print,  was  ufed  to  exprefs  the 
fame  circumftance  of  exaftnefs.  "  All  this,"  (declares  one  of  the 
quibbling  fervants  in  the  Tkvo  Gentlemen  of  fcrona)  "  I  fay  /'» 
print,  for  in  print  I  found  it."  STEEVENS. 

Deliver  our  fupplications  in  quill.~\  This  may  be  fuppofed  to 
have  been  a  phrafe  formerly  in  ufe,  and  the  fame  with  the  French 
en  quille,  which  is  faid  of  a  man,  when  he  ftands  upright  upon 
his  feet  without  ftirring  from  the  place.  The  proper  fenie  of 
quille  in  French  is  a  nine-pin,  and  in  fome  parts  of  England, 
nine-pins  are  ftill  called  cayls,  which  word  is  ufed  in  the  ftatute 
X  z  33  Hen, 


3o3      SECOND    PART    OF 

2  Pet.  Marry,  the  Lord  protedt  him,   for  he's  a 
good  man  !  Jefu  bids  him  ! 

Enter  Suffolk,  and  <j)ueen, 

1  Pet.  Here  'a  comes,  methinks,    and  the  queen 
with  him  :  I'll  be  the  firft,  fure. 

2  Pet.  Come  back,  fool ;  this  is  the  duke  of  Suf- 
folk, and  not  my  lord  protestor. 

Suf.  How  now,   fellow  ?  wouldfl  any  thing  with 
,     me  ? 

i  Pet.  I  pray,  my  lord,  pardon  me  !  I  took  ye  for 
my  lord  proteftor. 

Q.  Mar.  For  my  lord  protector  !  are  yo^r  fnp- 
plications  to  his  lordlhip  ?  Let  me  fee  them  :  What 
is  thine  ? 

i  Pet.  Mine  is,  an't  pleafe  your  grace,  againtt  John 
Goodman,  my  lord  cardinal's  man,  for  keeping  my 
Jioufe,  an4  lands,  and  wife  and  all,  from  me. 

Suf.  Thy  wife  too  ?  that  is  fome  wrong,  indeed. 
What's  your's  ?  what's  here  !  [reads.']  Againft  the  duke 
of  Suffolk,  for  encbfing  the  commons  of  Melford. — How 
now,  fir  knave  ? 

2,  Pet.  Alas,  fir,  I  am  but  a  poor  petitioner  of  our 
whole  townfhip. 

Peter.  Againft  my  matter,  Thomas  Homer,  for  fay- 
ing, That  the  duke  of  York  was  rightful  heir  to  the 
prown. 

^.  Mar.  What  fay'fl  thou  ?  Did  tjie  duke  of  York 
fay,  he  was  rightful  heir  to  the  crown  ? 

Peter.  That  my  miftrefs  was  ?  No,  forfooth  :  my 
matter  faid.  That  he  was ;  and  that  the  king  was  an 
ufurper. 

Suf.  Who  is  there  ? — Take  this  fellow  in,  and  fend 

33  Hen.  VIII.  c.  ix.     Duetts  in  the  old  Britifli  language  alfo  fig- 
jiifies  any  piece  of  wood  fet  upright.     HAWKINS. 

for 


KING    HENRY     VI.         3O9 

for  his  mafter  with  a  purfbivant  prefently  : — we'll  hear 
more  of  your  matter  before  the  king. 

[Exit  Peter,  guarded. 

^.  Mar.  And  as  for' you,  that  love  to  be  protected 
Under  the  wings  of  our  protedtor's  grace, 
Begin  your  fuits  anew,  and  fue  to  him. 

[Tears  the  petitions. 
Away,  bafe  cullions ! — Suffolk,  let  them  go« 

All.  Come,  let's  be  gone.  [Exeunt  Petitioners. 

<$.  Mar.  My  lord  of  Suffolk,  fay,  is  this  the  guife, 
Is  mis  the  fafhion  in  the  court  of  England? 
Is  this  the  government  of  Britain's  ifle, 
And  this  the  royalty  of  Albion's  king  ? 
What  !  fhall  king  Henry  be  a  pupil  ftill, 
Under  the  furly  Glofter's  governance  ? 
Am  I  a  queen  in  title  and  in  flyle, 
And  muft  be  made  a  fubject  to  a  duke  ? 
I  tell  thee,  Poole,  when  in  the  city  Tours 
Thou  ran'ft  a  tilt  in  honour  of  my  love, 
And  ftol'ft  away  the  ladies'  hearts  of  France; 
I  thought,  king  Henry  had  refembled  thee, 
In  courage,  courtfhip,  and  proportion  : 
But  all  his  mind  is  bent  to  holinefs, 
To  number  Ave-Marics  on  his  beads  : 
His  champions  are — the  prophets,  and  apoftles  j 
His  weapons,  holy  faws  of  facred  writ ; 
His  ftudy  is  his  tilt-yard,  and  his  loves 
Are  brazen  images  of  canoniz'd  faints. 
I  would,  the  college  of  the  cardinals 
Would  chufe  him  pope,  and  carry  him  to  Rome, 
And  fet  the  triple  crown  upon  his  head  ; 
That  were  a  ftate  fit  for  his  holinefs. 

Suf.  Madam,  be  patient :  as  I  was  caufc 
Your  highnefs  came  to  England,  fo  will  I 
In  England  work  your  grace's  full  content. 

i^.  Mar.  Befide  the  haught  proteclor,    have  .we 

Beaufort, 

The  imperious  churchman ;  Somerfet,  Buckingham, 
X  3  And 


3io      SECOND    PART    OF 

And  grumbling  York  :  and  not  the  lead  of  thefe," 
But  can  do  more  in  England  than  the  king. 

Suf.  And  he  of  thefe,  that  can  do  moft  of  all, 
Cannot  do  more  in  England  than  the  Nevils : 
Salifbury,  and  Warwick,  are  no  limple  peers. 

<^.  Mar.  Not  all  thefe  lords  do  vex  me  half  fo  much, 
As  that  proud  dame,  the  lord  protector's  wife. 
She  fweeps  it  through  the  court  with  troops  of  ladies, 
More  like  an  empreis,  than  duke  Humphrey's  wife ; 
Strangers  in  court  do  take  her  for  the  queen  : 
She  bears  a  duke's  revenues  on  her  back, 
And  in  her  heart  fhe  fcorns  our  poverty  : 
Shall  I  not  live  to  be  aveng'd  on  her  ? 
Contemptuous  bafe-born  callat  as  fhe  is, 
She  vaunted  'mongft  her  minions  t'other  day, 
The  very  train  of  her  worft  wearing-gown 
Was  better  worth  than  all  my  father's  lands, 
'Till  Suffolk  gave  two  dukedoms  for  his  daughter. 

Suf.  Madam,  myfelf  have  lim'd  a  bum  for  her  ' ; 
And  plac'd  a  quire  of  fnch  enticing  birds, 
That  ftie  will  light  to  liften  to  their  lays, 
And  never  mount  to  trouble  you  again. 
So,  let  her  reft  :  And,  madam,  lift  to  me  ; 
For  I  am  bold  to  counfel  you  in  this. 
Although  we  fancy  not  the  cardinal, 
Yet  mult  we  join  with  him,  and  with  the  lords, 
'Till  we  have  brought  duke  Humphrey  in  difgrace. 
As  for  the  duke  of  York,—4  this  late  complaint 
Will  make  but  little  for  his  benefit  : 
So,  one  by  one,  we'll  weed  them  all  at  laft, 
And  you  yourfelf  fhall  fleer  the  happy  helm. 

1  lim'd  a  lufh  for  her\~\    So,  inArden  of  FevtrJ):am^  1592  : 

"  Lime  your  twigs  to  catch  this  weary  bird." 
Again,  in  the  Tragedy  of  Mariam,   1613  : 

"  A  crimfon  bujb  that  ever  limes  the  foul."    STEEVEXS. 
*  -  this  late  complaint]  That  is,  The  complaint  of"  Peter 

the  armourer's  man  againft  his  mailer,  for  laying  that  York  was 
the  rightful  king.    JOHNSON. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         3u 

20  them  enter  king  Henry,  duke  Humphery,  Cardinal 
Beaufort,  Buckingham^  Tork,  Salisbury,  Warwick, 
and  the  dutchefs  of  Glojler. 

K.  Henry.  For  my  part,    noble  lords,  I  care  not 

which ; 
Or  Somerfet,  or  York,  all's  one  to  me. 

Tork.  If  York  have  ill  demean'd  himfelf  in  France, 
Then  let  him  J  be  deny'd  the  regentfhip. 

Som.  If  Somerfet  be  unworthy  of  the  place, 
Let  York  be  regent,  I  will  yield  to  him. 

War.  Whether  your  grace  be  worthy,  yea,  or  no^ 
Difpute  not  that ;  York  is  the  worthier. 

Car.  Ambitious  Warwick,  let  thy  betters  fpeak. 

War.  The  cardinal's  not  my  better  in  the  field. 

Buck.  All  in  this  prefence  are  thy  betters,  War- 
wick. 

War.  Warwick  may  live  to  be  the  beft  of  all. 

Sal.  Peace,  fon  ; — and  fhew  fome  reafon,  Buck- 
ingham, 
Why  Somerfet  Ihould  be  preferr'd  in  this. 

%.  Mar.  Becaufe  the  king,  forfooth,  will  have  it 
fo. 

Glo.  Madam,  the  king  is  old  enough  himfelf 
To  give  4  his  cenfure  :  thefe  are  no  women's  matters; 

j^.  Mar.  If  he  be  old  enough,  what  needs  your 

grace 
To  be  protector  of  his  excellence  ? 

Glo.  Madam,  I  am  protector  of  the  realm  ; 
And,  at  his  pleafure,  will  refign  my  place. 

Suf.  Refign  it  then,  and  leave  thine  infolence. 
Since  thou  wert  king,  (as  who  is  king,  but  thou  ?) 

s  le  deny* d ]  The  folio   reads    denay'd.     I  have 

noted  the  variation  onty  to  obferve,  that  the  one  word  is  fre- 
quently ufed  for  the  other  among  the  old  writers.     STEEVENS. 

*  ,    bis  cenfurc  :~\  Through  all   theie  plays  cenfure  is  ufed 

in  an  indifferent  fenfe,  fimply  for  judgment  or  opinion. 

JOHNSON". 
"  X  4     •  The 


3i2       SECOND    PART    OF 

The  commonwealth  hath  daily  run  to  wreck  : 
The  Dauphin  Hath  prevailed  beyond  the  feas  ; 
And  all  the  peers  and  nobles  of  the  realm 
Have  been  as  bondmen  to  thy  fovereignty. 

Car.  The  commons  haft  thou  rack'd  ;  the  clergy's 

bags 
Are  lank  and  lean  with  thy  extortions. 

Som.  Thy  fumptuous  buildings,    and  thy  wife's 

attire, 
Have  coft  a  mafs  of  publick  treafury. 

Buck.  Thy  cruelty  in  execution, 
Upon  offenders,  hath  exceeded  law, 
And  left  thee  to  the  mercy  of  the  law. 

^.  Mar.  Thy  fale  of  offices,  and  towns  in  France,— 
If  they  were  known,  as  the  fufpect  is  great,  — 
Would  make  thee  quickly  hop  without  thy  head. 

[Exit  Glofter.     The  Queen  drops  her  fan. 
Give  me  my  fan  :  What,  minion  !  can  you  not  ? 

[Gives  the  Dutcbefs  a  box  on  the  ear, 
I  cry  you  mercy,  madam  ;  Was  it  you  ? 

Elean.  Was't  I  ?   yea,   I  it  was,  proud  French- 

woman : 

Could  I  come  near  your  beauty  with  my  nails,  .- 
I'd  fet  my  ten  commandments  in  your  face  s. 

K.  Henry.  Sweet  aunt,  be  quiet  ;  'twas  againfl  her 

will. 
Elean.  Againfl  her  will  !  —  Good  king,  look  to't  in 

time  ; 
She'll  hamper  thee,  and  dandle  thee  like  a  baby  : 


s  P  II  fet  my  ten  commandments  in  your  face.  ~\  So,  'v 
Hoey   1607: 

"  —  your  harpy  \\zsjet  his  ten  commandments  on  my  back." 
Again,  in  Selimus  Emperor  of  the  Turks,   1638  : 

"  I  would  fet  a  tap  abroach,  and  not  live  in  fear  of  my  wife's 
ten  commandments." 
Again,  in  77je  Play  of  the  Four  .P'.f,   1569  : 

"  Now  ten  times  I  befeeche  him  that  hie  fits, 
"  Thy  wives  x  com.  may  ferche  thy  five  wits." 

STEHVENS. 

Though 


KING    HENRY     VI.         «I3 

Though  in  this  place  moft  mafter  wears  no  breeches, 
She  fhall  not  flrike  dame  Eleanor  unreveng'd. 

6  [Exit  Eleanor. 

Buck.  Lord  cardinal,  I  will  follow  F.leanor, 
And  liften  after  Humphrey,  how  he  proceeds  : 
She's  tickled  now  ;  her  fume  can  need  no  fpurs, 
She'll  gallop  faft  enough  to  her  deftruction. 

[Exit  Buckingham. 

Re-enter  duke  Humphrey. 

Glo.  Now,  lords,  my  cholcr  being  over-blown 
With  walking  once  about  the  quadrangle, 
I  come  to  talk  of  commonwealth  affairs. 
As  for  your  fpightful  falfe  objections, 
Prove  them,  and  I  lie  open  to  the  laxv  : 
But  God  in  mercy  deal  fo  with  my  foul, 
As  I  in  duty  love  my  king  and  country  ! 
But,  to  the  matter  that  we  have  in  hand  : — 
I  fay,  my  fovereign,  York  is  meeteft  man 
To  be  your  regent  in  the  realm  of  France. 

Suf.  Before  we  make  eledtion,  give  me  leave 
To  fhew  fome  reafon,  of  no  little  force, 
That  York  is  moft  unmeet  of  any  man. 

Tork.  I'll  tell  thee,  Suffolk,  why  I  am  unmeet. 
Firft,  for  I  cannot  flatter  thee  in  pride  : 
Next,  if  I  be  appointed  for  the  place, 
My  lord  of  Somerfet  will  keep  me  here, 
Without  difcharge,  money,  or  furniture, 
'Till  France  be  won  into  the  Dauphin's  hands. 
Laft  time,  I  danc'd  attendance  on  his  will, 

Exit  Eleanor.']  The  quarto  adds,  after  the  exit  of  Eleanor, 
the  following  : 

"  King.  Believe  me,  love,  that  thou  wert  much  to  blame. 
"  I  would  not  for  a  thoufand  pounds  in  gold, 
"  My  noble  uncle  had  been  here  in  place.—— 

k"  See,  where  he  comes !  I  am  glad  he  met  her  not." 
STEEVENS. 


'Till 


3i4      SECOND    PART    OF 

'Till  Paris  was  befieg'd,  famifh'd,  and  loft. 

War.  That  can  I  witnefs ;  and  a  fouler  fa£t 
Did  never  traitor  in  the  land  commit. 

Suf.  Peace,  head-ftrong  Warwick  ! 

War.  Image  of  pride,    why  fhould  I  hold  my 
peace  ? 

Enter  Homer  the  armourer,  and  his  man  Peter,  guarded. 

Suf.  Becaufe  here  is  a  man  accus'd  of  treafon : 
Pray  God,  the  duke  of  York  excufe  himfelf  ! 

Tork.  Doth  any  one  accufe  York  for  a  traitor  ? 

K.  Henry.  What  mean'ft  thou,  Suffolk  ?  tell  me  : 
What  are  thefe  ? 

Suf.  Pleafe  it  your  majefty,  this  is  the  man 
That  doth  accufe  his  matter  of  high  treafon  : 
His  words  were  thefe  ; — that  Richard,  duke  of  York, 
Was  rightful  heir  unto  the  Englifh  crown  ; 
And  that  your  majefty  was  an  ufurper. 

K.  Henry.  Say,  man,  were  thefe  thy  words  ? 

Arm.  An't  lhall  pleafe  your  majefty,  I  never  faid 
nor  thought  any  fuch  matter  :  God  is  my  witnefs,  I 
am  falfely  accus'd  by  the  villain. 

Peter.  7  By  thefe  ten  bones,  my  lords,  [holding  up 
his  hands']  he  did  fpeak  them  to  me  in  the  garret 
one  night,  as  we  were  fcouring  my  lord  of  York's 
armour. 

Tork.  Bafe  dunghill  villain,  and  mechanical, 

7  By  thefe  ten  loncs,  &c.]  We  have  juft  heard  a  dutchefs 
threaten  tofct  her  ten  commandments  in  the  face  or  a  queen.  The 
jefts  in  this  play  turn  rather  too  much  on  the  enumeration  of 
fingers. 

This  adjuration  is,  however,  very  ancient.  So,  in  the  myflery 
of  Candlemas-Day ,  1512: 

"  But  by  their  bouys  ten,  thei  be  to  you  untrue." 
It  occurs  likewife  more  than  once  in  the  morality  of  Hycke  Scor- 
ntr.     Again,   in  Monjicur  Thomas,    1637  : 

"  By  thefe  ten  bont^  fir,  by  thefe  eyes  and  tears." 
Again,  in  The  longer  thou  livejl  the  more  Fool  thou  art,   1 570  : 

"  By  thefe  tenne  boues  I  will,  I  have  fwornet"  STEEVENS. 

I'll 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI. 

I'll  have  thy  head  for  this  thy  traitor's  fpeech  : — 

I  do  befeech  your  royal  majefty, 

Let  him  have  all  the  rigour  of  the  law. 

Arm.  Alas,  my  lord,  hang  me,  if  ever  I  fpake  the 
words.  My  accufer  is  my  prentice  ;  and  when  I  did 
correct  him  for  his  fault  the  other  day,  he  did  vow 
upon  his  knees  he  would  be  even  with  me  :  I  have 
good  witnefs  of  this  ;  therefore,  I  befeech  your  ma- 
jefty, do  not  caft  away  an  honeft  man  for  a  villain's 
accufation. 

K.  Henry.  Uncle,  what  fhall  we  fay  to  this  in  law  ? 

Glo.  This  doom,  my  lord,  if  I  may  judge. 
Let  Somerfet  be  regent  o'er  the  French, 
Becaufe  in  York  this  breeds  fufpicion  : 
And  let  thefe  have  a  day  appointed  them 
For  fmgle  combat,  in  convenient  place  ; 
For  he  hath  witnefs  of  his  fervant's  malice  : 
This  is  the  law,  and  this  duke  Humphrey's  doom. 

8  K.  Henry.  Then  be  it  fo.  My  lord  of  Somerfet, 
We  make  your  grace  lord  regent  o'er  the  French. 

8  K.  Henry.  Then  le  iifo,  &c.]  Thefe  two  lines  I  have  in. 
ferted  from  the  old  quarto ;  and,  as  I  think,  very  neceflarily. 
For,  without  them,  the  king  has  not  declared  his  aflent  to  Glof- 
ter's  opinion :  and  the  duke  of  Somerfet  is  made  to  thank  him 
for  the  regency  before  the  king  has  deputed  him  to  it. 

THEOBALD. 

After  the  lines  inferted  by  Theobald,  the  king  continues  his 
fpeech  thus  : 

• over  the  French  ; 

And  to  defend  our  right  'gainft  foreign  foes, 
And  fo  do  good  unto  the  realm  of  France. 
Make  hafte,  my  lord  ;  'tis  time  that  you  were  gone : 
The  time  of  truce,  I  think,  is  full  expir'd. 
Som,  I  humbly  thank  your  royal  majefty, 

And  take  my  leave,  to  poft  with  Ipeed  to  France. 

[Exit  Somerfet. 

King.  Come,  uncle  Glofter  ;  now  let's  have  our  horfe, 
For  we  will  to  St.  Albans  prefently. 
Madam,  your  hawk  they  lay,  is  iwift  of  flight, 
And  we  will  try  how  fhe  will  fly  to-day.     [Exeunt  omnes. 

STEEVENS. 

Sow. 


316      SECOND    PART    OF 

Som.  I  humbly  thank  your  royal  majefty. 

Arm.  And  I  accept  the  combat  willingly. 

Peter.  Alas,  my  lord,  I  cannot  fight ;  for  God's 
fake,  pity  my  cafe  !  the  fpight  of  9  a  man  prevaileth 
againft  me.  O,  Lord  have  mercy  upon  me  !  I  ihall 
never  be  able  to  fight  a  blow  :  O  Lord,  my  heart ! — 

Glo.  Sirrah,  or  you  mutt  fight,  or  elfe  be  hang'd.- 

K.  Henry.  Away  with  them  to  prifon  :  and  the  day 
Of  combat  ihall  be  the  laft  of  the  next  month. — 
Come,  Somerfet,  we'll  fee  thee  lent  away. 

[Flour  i/b.     Exeunt. 

SCENE     IV. 
Duke  Humphrey's  garden. 

1  Enter  mother  Jourdain,   Hume,    Soutkwely    and 
Bolingbroke. 

Hume.  Come,  my  matters  ;  the  dutchefs,  I  tell 
you,  cxpefts  performance  of  your  promifes. 

Baling.  Matter  Hume,  we  are  therefore  provided : 
Will  her  ladyfhip  behold  and  hear  our  exorcifms  ? 

Hume.  Ay  ;  What  elfe  ?  fear  you  not  her  courage. 

Roling.  I  have  heard  her  reported  to  be  a  woman  of 
an  invincible  fpirit  :  But  it  fhall  be  convenient,  matter 
Hume,  that  you  be  by  her  aloft,  while  we  be  bufy  be- 
low ;  and  fo,  I  pray  you,  go  in  God's  name,  and  leave 
us.  [£*/V  Hume.]  Mother  Jourdain,  be  you  proftrate, 

, »  — a  man — ]  The  old  copy  reads  of  my  man.     STEEVENS. 

1  Enter,  &c.]  The  quarto  reads  : 
Enter  Elcatior,  Sir  John  Hum,  Roger  Bolinglrook  a  conjurer ,  anil 

Margery  Jourdain  a  witch. 

Eleanor.  Here,  fir  John,  take  this  fcroll  of  paper  here, 
Wherein  is  writ  the  queftions  you  Ihall  afk  : 
And  I  will  ftand  upon  this  tower  here, 
And  hear  the  fpirit  what  it  fays  to  you  ; 
And  to  my  queftions  write  the  anfwers  down. 

[She  goes  uj>  to  tie  to-ivcr. 
STEEVENS. 

and 


KING    HENRY     VI.          3I? 

and  grovel  on  the  earth  : — John  Southwel,  read  yon ; 
and  let  us  to  our  work. 

Enter  Eleanor,  above. 

Elean.  Well  faid,  my  matters ;  and  welcome  all. 
To  this  geer ;  the  fooner  the  better. 

Boling.  Patience,  good  lady ;  wizards  know  their 

times  : 

*  Deep  night,  dark  night,  the  filent  of  the  night, 
The  time  of  night  when  Troy  was  fet  on  fire  ; 

1  Deep  night,  dark  night,  the  filer.t  of  the  night,]  T'he  filent  of 
the  night  is  a  c'afiical  expreffion  :  and  means  nn  interlunar  night. 

Arnica  jiicntla  luna.     So   Pliny,  Inter  omne>   <-'ero  convenit, 

vtllljjime  in  coitu  ejusfierni,  quern  diem  alii  interhuai,  alii  filentis 
luna:  appellant,  lib.  xvi.  cap.  39.  In  imitation  of  this  language, 
Milton  fays : 

"  The  fun  to  me  is  dark 
"  And/fc»/  as  the  moon, 
«'  When  (he  deferts  the  night, 

**  Hid  in  her  vacant  Interlunar  cave."     WAREURTON. 
I  believe  this  difplay  of  learning  might  have  been  fpared.     Si- 
lent, though  an  adjedive,  is  ufed  by  Shakefpeare  as  a  lubftantive. 
So,  in  The  Tempejl,  the  -jafl  of  night  is    ufed  for  the  greatefl 
part  of  it.     The  old  quarto  reads,  the  filencc  of  the  night.     The 
variation  between  the  copies  is  worth  notice. 
Bolingbrook  wakes  a  circle* 

Sol.  Dark  night,  dread  night,  \hejilence  of  the  night, 
Wherein  the  furies  maflt  in  hellifh  troops, 
Send  up,  I  charge  you,  from  Cocytus'  lake 
The  fpirit  Afcalon  to  come  to  me  ; 
To  pierce  the  bowels  of  this  central  earth, 
And  hither  come  in  twinkling  of  an  eye  !  , 

Afcalon,  afcend  !  afcend  !" 

In  a  fpeech  already  quoted   from  the  quarto,  Eleanor  fays, 
they  have 

caft  their  fpells  injilence  of  the  night. 

And  in  the  ancient  Interlude  of  Nature,  bl.  1.  no  date,  is  the 
fame  expreffion : 

*'  Who  taught  the  nyghtyngall  to  recorde  befyly 
**  Her  ftrange  entunes  \njylence  of  the  rygkt  ?" 
Again,  in  the  Faithful  Shepherdefs  of  B.  and  Fletcher  : 
«'  ThrougrTiYill/7f«cc  of  the  night, 
**  Guided  by  the  glow-worm's  light."    STEEVENS, 

The 


3i8      SECOND    PART    OF 

The  time  when  fcritch-owls  cry,  and  ban-dogs  howl  *, 
When  fpirits  walk,  and  ghofls  break  up  their  graves, 
That  time  befl  fits  the  work  we  have  in  hand. 
Madam,  fit  yon,  and  fear  not ;  whom  we  raife, 
We  will  make  fafl  within  a  hallow'd  verge. 

[Here  they  perform  the  ceremonies,  and  make  the  circle ; 
Bolingbroke^  or  Southwel  reads,  Conjuro  te,  &c. 
It  thunders  and  lightens  terribly  ;  then  the  fpirit 

rifeth. 

Spirit.  Adfum. 
M.  Jourd.  Afmath, 

By  the  eternal  God,  whofe  name  and  power 
Thou  tremblcft  at,  anfwer  that  I  fhall  afk  ; 
For,  'till  thou  fpeak,  thou  fhalt  not  pafs  from  hence. 
Spirit.  Aflc  what  thou  wilt: — That  I  had  faid  and 

done  4 ! 

Baling.   Ftrft,  of  the  king.     What  Jhall  of  him  be- 
come ?  [Reading  out  of  a  paper. 
Spirit.  The  duke  yet  lives,  that  Henry  fhall  depofe; 
But  him  out-live,  and  die  a  violent  death. 

[As  the  Spirit  fpeaks9  they  write  the  anjiver. 
Boling.  What  fates  await  the  duke  of  Suffolk  ? 
Spirit.  By  Water  fhall  he  die,  and  take  his  end. 
Boling.  What  flail  befall  the  duke  of  Somerfet  ? 
Spirit.  Let  him  fhun  caflles  ; 
Safer  fhall  he  be  upon  the  fandy  plains, 
5  Than  where  caflles  mounted  ftand. 

Have 

3 — ban-dogs  £0-u'/,]  The  etymology  of  the  word  bait'doesis  un- 
fettled.  They  leem,  however,  to  have  been  defigned  by  poets 
to  fignify  fome  terrific  beings  whofe  office  it  was  to  make  night 
hideou^  like  thole  mentioned  in  the  firlt  book  and  eighth  fatire  of 
Horace : 

«  ferpentes,  atque  videres 

"  Infirnas  errare  canes"     STEEVENS. 

*  that  I  had  faid  and  done!]  It  was  anciently  believed 

that  fpirits  who  were  raifed  by  incantations,  remaiu'd  above 
ground,  and  anfwer'd  queftions  with  reluctance.  See  both  Lucan 
and  Statius.  STEEVENS. 

5  Than  where  cajlks  mounted  J! and.]  I  rememler  to  have  read 

this 


KING     HENRY    VI.         3I9 

Have  done,  for  more  I  hardly  can  endure. 

Soling.  Defcend  to  darknefs,  and  the  burning  lake : 
*  Falfe  fiend,  avoid  ! 

der  and  lightning.     Spirit  defiends. 


Enter  the  duke  of  York,  and  the  duke  of  Buckingham,  with 
their  guard,  and  break  in. 

York.  Lay  hands    upon   thefe  traitors,  and  their 

tram. 

Beldame,  I  think,  we  watch'd  you  at  an  inch. — 
What,  madam,  are  you  there  ?  the  king  and  com- 
monweal 

Are  deep  indebted  for  this  piece  of  pains  ; 
My  lord  protestor  will,  I  doubt  it  not, 
See  you  well  guerdon'd  for  thefe  good  deferts. 

Elean.  Not  half  fo  bad  as  thine  to  England's  king, 
Injurious  duke  ;  that  threat'fl  where  is  no  caufe. 
Buck.  True,  madam,  none  at  all.    What  call  you 
this?  [Shewing  her  the  papers. 

Away  with  them  ;  let  them  be  clapp'd  up  clofe, 

this  prophecy  in  fome  of  our  old  chronicles,  where,  I  think,  it 
ran  thus  : 

"  Safer  (hall  he  be  on  fand, 

*'  Than  where  cailles  mounted  (land  :" 
at  prefent  I  do  not  recollect  where.    STEEVENS. 

6  Falfc  fiend,  avoid!'}  Inftead  of  this  fhort  fpeech  at  the  d if- 
million  of  the  Ipirit,  the  old  quarto  gives  us  the  following  : 

Then  down,  I  fay,  unto  the  damned  pool 

Where  Pluto  in  his  fiery  waggon  fits, 

Riding,  amidll  the  fing'd  and  parched  fmoaks, 

The  road  of  Dytas,  by  the  river  Styx  ; 

There  howle  and  burn  for  ever  in  thofe  flames  : — 

'Zounds  !  we  are  betray 'd  !" 
Dytas  is  written  by  miftake  for  Ditis,  the  genitive  cafe  of  Dist 
which  is  ufed  inftead  of  the  nominative  by  more  than  one  ancient 
author. 

So,  in  Tho.  Drant's  Tranflation  of  the  fifth  Satire  of  Horace, 
1567: 

"  And  by  that  meanes  made  manye  foules  lord  2)///j  hall 
to  feeke,"    STEEVENS, 

And 


32o       SECOND     PART    OF 

And  kept  afunder : — You,  madam,  fhall  with  us  :«— 

Stafford,  take  her  to  thee 

We'll  ice  your  trinkets  here  forth-coming  a!l  ; 
Away  !     [_&xeuni  guards  with  Jour  darn,  Southwell,  &c.' 
Tork.  7  Lord  Buckingham,  methinks,  you  watch'd 

h?r  well  : 

A  pretty  plot,  well  chofe  to  build  upon  ! 
Now,  pray,  my  lord,  let's  fee  the  devil's  writ. 
What  have  we  here  ?  [Reads. 

'The  duke  yet  lives,  that  Henry  flail  depofe ; 
But  him  out -live,   a nd  die  a  violent  death. 
Why,   this  is  juft,   Alo  te,  JLinida,  Romanes  vlncerc 

poffe. 

Well,   to  the  reft  : 

Tell  me  what  fate  awaits  the  duke  of  Suffolk  ? 
By  Water  flail  he  die,  and  take  his  end. 
Wbat  flail  betide  the  duke  of  Somerfet  ? 
Let  him  flun  caftles  ; 
Safer  flail  he  be  on  thefandy  plains, 
Than  where  caftks  mounted Jland. 
Come,  come,  my  lords  : 
8  Thefe  oracles  are  hardily  attain'd, 
And  hardly  underftood. 

7  Lord  Buckingham,  tnetbinks  &c.]  This  repetition  of  the  pro- 
phecies, which  is  altogether  unneceflary.  jsfrer  what  the  Ipeclators 
had  heard  in  the  fcene  immediately  preceding,  is  not  to  be  found 
in  the  firfl  edition  of  this  play.     POPE. 
8   Thefe  oracles  arc  hardly  attain  dy 

A»d  hardly  undfrfiood.  ] 

Not  only  the  iamenefs  of  the  verfification,  but  the  imperfec- 
tion of  the  fenfe  too,  made  me  fufpeft  this  paflage  to  be  corrupt. 
York,  feizing  the  parties  and  their  papers,  fays,  he'll  fee  the 
devil's  writ ;  and  finding  the  wizard's  anfwers  intricate  and  ambi- 
guous, he  makes  this  general  comment  upon  iuch  fort  of  intelli- 
gence, as  I  have  refiored  the  text : 

Thefe  oracles  are  hardily  attained, 

And  hardly  underload. 

i.  e.  A  great  rifque  and  hazard  is  run  to  obtain  them  ;  and  yet, 
atter  the'e  hardy  fteps  taken,  the  informations  are  fo  perplexed 
that  they  are  hardly  to  be  underflood,  THEOBALD. 

The 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     VI.          321 

The  king  is  ndw  in  progrefs  towards  faint  Albahsj 
With  him,  the  hufband  of  this  lovely  lady  : 
Thither  go  thcfe  news,  as  faft  as  horfe  can  carry  them; 
A  forry  breakfaft  for  my  lord  protestor. 

Buck.  Your  grace  fhall  give  me  leave,  mv  lord  of 

York, 
To  be  the  port,  in  hope  of  his  reward. 

York.  At  your  pleafure,  my  good  lord. 
Who's  within  there,  ho ! 

Enter  a  Serving-man. 

Invite  my  lords  of  Salifbury,  and  Warwick, 

To  fup  with  me  to-morrow  night. — Away  !  [Exeunt* 


A  C  T     II.       SCENE      L 

At  Saint  Albans. 

Enter  king  Henry,   §)ueen9     Glofter,    Cardinal,   and. 
Suffolk)  with  Falconers  hallooing. 

<3>.  Mar.  Believe  nie,    lords,    9  for  flying  at  the 

brook, 

I  faw  not  better  fport  thefe  feven  years'  day  : 
Yet,  by  your  leave,  '  the  wind  was  very  high  ; 
And,  ten  to  one,  old  Joan  had  riot  gone  out. 

0  for  fying  at  the  IrooJc^]  The  falconer's  term  for  haWk- 

ing  at  water-fowl.     JOHNSON. 

1  —————  the  ~.\jind  -tut. s  vny  big/j  j 

And)  ten  to  one^  old  Joan  bad  not  gone  out,~\ 

I  am  told  by  a  gentleman  better  acquainted  with  falconry  thaft 
myfelf,  that  the  meaning,  however  exprefied,  is,  that  the  wind 
being  high,  it  was  ten  to  one  that  the  old  hawk  had  flown  o^uite 
away ;  a  trick  which  hawks  often  play  their  mailers  in  windy 
weather.  JOHNSON. 

VOL.  VI.  Y  0U 


322      SECOND    PART    OF 

K.  Henry.  But  what  a  point,  my  lord,  your  falcoa 

made, 

And  what  a  pitch  fhe  flew  above  the  reft  !  — 
To  lee  how  God  in  all  his  creatures  works  ! 
Yea,  man  and  birds  %  are  fain  of  climbing  high. 

Suf.  No  marvel,  an  it  like  your  majefty, 
My  lord  protector's  hawks  do  tower  fo  well  ; 
They  know,  their  mailer  loves  to  be  aloft  J, 
And  bears  his  thoughts  above  his  falcon's  pitch. 

Glo.  My  lord,  'tis  but  a  bafe  ignoble  mind 
That  mounts  no  higher  than  a  bird  can  foar 

Car.  1  thought  as  much  ;  he'd  be  above  the  clouds. 

Glo.  Ay,  my  lord  cardinal  ;  How  think  you  by 

that? 
Were  it  not  good,  your  grace  could  fly  to  heaven-? 

old  Joan  had  not  gone  out,  i.e.  the  wind  was  fo  high  it 
was  ten  to  one  that  old  Joan  would  not  have  taken  her  flight  at 
the  game.  PERCY. 

The  ancient  books  of  hawking  do  not  enable  me  to  decide  on 
the  merits  of  fuch  difcordant  explanations.  It  may  yet  be  re- 
marked, that  the  terms  belonging  to  thisonce  popular  amufement, 
were  in  general  fettled  with  the  utmofl  precifion  ;  and  I  may  at  leaf] 
venture  to  declare,  that  a  miftrefs  might  have  been  kept  at  a  cheaper 
rate  than  a  falcon.  To  compound  a  medicine  to  cure  one  ol 
thefe  birds  of  worms,  it  was  necefiary  to  defiroy  no  fewer  ani- 
mals than  a  iamb,  a  culver,  a  pigeon,  a  bitfk,  and  a  cat.  I  have 
this  intelligence  from  the  Booke  of  Haukinge,  &c.  bl.  1.  no  date. 
This  work  (as  I  learn  from  fir  John  Hawkins's  very  elegant  edi- 
tion of  Walton's  Complete  Angler}  was  written  by  dame  Julyana. 
Bernes,  priorefs  of  the  nunnery  of  Sopwell,  near  St.  Albans, 
(where  Shakefpeare  has  fixed  the  prefent  fcene)  and  was  firft 
trynted  at  Wepmeftre  by  JPynlyn  Je  Wordt,  1496.  STEEVENS. 

1  -  are  fain  of  climbing  high."]  Fain,  in  this  place,  fig- 
nifies  fond.  The  word  (as  I  am  informed)  is  flill  ufed  in  Scot- 
land. 

So,  in  Heywood's  Epigrams  on  Proverbs^   1562  : 
"  Fay  re  words  make  fooles  faine." 

Again,  in  Whettfone's  Promos  and  Caffandra,   1^78: 
"  Her  brother's  life  will  make  her  glad  andyi/».'r 

STEEVENS, 


-  to  1'e  aloft,}  Perhaps  alluding  to  the  adage  : 
Hyia^;  hawks  are  fit  for  princes,." 
ion.    $TE<TENI. 


K.  Hatty, 


KING    H  E  N  R  Y  t  VI.         323 

K.  Henry.  The  treafury  of  everlafting  joy  ! 
Car.  Thy  heaven  is  on   earth ;    thine   eyes  and 
thoughts 

4  Beat  on  a  crown,  the  treafure  of  thy  heart; 
Pernicious  protector,  dangerous  peer, 

That  fmooth'ft  it  fo  with  king  and  common-weal ! 
Glo.  What,  cardinal,  is  your  prieflhood  grown  fa 

peremptory  ? 

Tanteae  animis  c<elejlibus  ir<e  ? 
Churchmen  fo  hot  ?  good  uncle,  hide  fuch  malice  ; 

5  With  fuch  holinefs  can  you  do  it  ? 

Suf.  No  malice,  fir ;  no  more  than  well  becomes 
So  good  a  quarrel,  and  fo  bad  a  peer. 

*  Beat  &c.]  To  bait  or  leat  (bathe]  is  a  term  in  falconry. 

JOHNSOIT, 

To  bathe  and  to  beat,  or  bate,  are  diftinct  terms  in  this  diverfion* 
To  bathe  a  hawk  was  to  vvafti  his  plumage.  Tobcat,  or  bate,  was  to 
flutter  with  his  wings.  To  beat  on  a  crown  is  equivalent  to  an 
expreffion  which  is  ftill  ufed— to  hammer,  i.  e*  to  work  in  the 
mind.  Shakefpeare  employs  it  in  another  play  : 

"  Wilt  thou  1H11  be  hammering  treachery  ?" 
So,  in.  Lylly's  Maid's  Metamorphojis,    1600: 

"  With  him  whofe  reftlefs  thoughts  do  beat  on  thee*'" 
Again,  in  Dodor  Dodypoll,   1600  : 

"  Since  my  niind  beats  on  it  mightily." 
Again,  in  Herod  and  Aniipate r,    1622: 

"  I  feel  within  my  cogitations  beating" 
Later  editors  concur  in  reading)  Bent  on  a  crown.     I  follow  the 

Old  Copy.      S  TEE  YENS. 

s  With  fuch  holinefs  can  you  do  it  ?]  Do  what  ?  The  verfe  wants 
a  foot ;  we  fhould  read  : 

With  fuch  holinefs  can  you  not  do  it  ? 

Spoken  ironically.     By  holinefs  he  means  hypocrify  :  and  fays, 
have  you  not  hypocrily  enough  to  hide  your  malice  ? 

WARBURTON. 

The  verfe  is  lame  enough  after  the  emendation,  nor  does  the 
negative  particle  improve  the  fenfe.  When  words  are  omitted  it 
is  not  often  eafy  to  lay  what  they  were  if  there  is  a  perfect  fenfe 
without  them.  I  read,  but  fomewhat  at  random  : 

A  churchman,  withfach  holinefs  can  you  do  it  ? 
The  tranfcriber  faw  churchman  juft  above,  and  therefore  omitted 
it  in  the  fecond  liae.     JOHNSON. 

Y  2  Gfa 


324      SECOND     PART    OF 

Glo.  As  who,  my  lord  ? 

Suf.  Why,  as  yourielf,  my  lord  ; 
An't  like  your  lordly  lord-protectorfhip. 

Glo.  Why,  Suffolk,    England  knows  thine  info 
lence. 

<|>.  Mar.  And  thy  ambition,  Glofter. 

K.  Henry.  I  prythee,  peace,  good  queen ; 
And  whet  not  on  thefe  too  too  furious  peers, 
For  blefTed  are  the  peace-makers  on  earth. 

Car.  Let  me  be  bleffed  for  the  peace  I  make, 
Againft  this  proud  protector,  with  my  fvvord  \ 

Glo.  Faith,    holy  uncle,    'would  'twere" 
come  to  that. 

Car.  Marry,  when  thou  dar'ft. 

Glo.  Make  up  no  factious  numbers  for 

the  matter,  )  Afide* 

In  thine  own  perfon  anfwer  thy  abufe. 

Car.  Ay,  where  thou  dar'lt  not  peep  : 

an  if  thou  dar'ft, 
This  evening,  on  the  eaft  fide  of  the  grove.  J 

K.  Henry.  How  now,  my  lords  ? 

Car.  Believe  me,  coufin  Glofter, 
Had  not  your  man  put  up  the  fowl  fo  fuddenly, 
We'd  had  had  more  fporr. 6  Come  with  thy  two- 
hand  fword.  \Afide  to  Glofter. 

Glo.  True,  uncle. 
Are  you  advis'd  ? — the  eaft  fide  of  the  grove  ? 

6  "Come  ivitb  thy  two-band fivord, 

Glo.  True,  uncle^  are  ye  (idvii'd — the  eafi-Jide  of  the  grove. 

Cardinal,   I  am  <vjitb you.~\ 

Thus  is  the  whole  fpeech  placed  to  Glofter,  in  all  the  editions : 
but,  furely,  with  great  inadvertence.  It  is  the  cardinal  who  firft 
appoints  the  eaft-fide  of  the  grove  :  and  how  finely  does  it  ex- 
prefs  rancour  and  impetuofity  for  fear  Glofter  fhould  iniftake,  to 
repeat  the  appointment,  and  aik  his  antagonift  if  he  takes  him 
right!  THEOBALD. 

The  two-band  fouord  is  mentioned  by  Holinfhed,  p.  833  : 
**  — And  he  that  touched  the  tawnie  ftiield  fhould  eaft  a  fpear  on 
foot  with  a  target  on  his  arme,  and  after  to  fight  with  a  t-wo- 
handjword."  STEEVENS. 

Qk. 


KING    HENRY     VI.         325 

Cardinal,  I  am  with  you.  \_Afide* 

K.  Henry.  Why,  how  now,  uncle  Glofter  ? 

Glo.  Talking  of  hawking;  nothing  elfe,  my  lord.— 
Now,  by  God's  mother,  prieft,  I'll  fhave  your  crown 

foi  this, 
Or  all  my  fence  ihall  fail  ?.  [Jfide. 

Car.  [afide]  Medice,  teipfum ; 
Protector,  fee  to't  well,  protect  yourfelf. 

K,  Henry.  The  winds  grow  high  ;  fo  do  your  fto- 

machs,  lords. 

How  irkfome  is  this  mufic  to  my  heart ! 
When  fuch  firings  jar,  what  hopes  of  harmony  ? 
I  pray,  my  lords,  let  me  compound  this  ftrife. 

Enter  one,  crying,  A  miracle  ! 

Glo.  What  means  this  noife  ? 
Fellow,  what  miracle  doft  thou  proclaim  ? 

One.  A  miracle  !  a  miracle  ! 

Suf.  Come  to  the  king,  and  tell  him  what  miracle. 

One.  Forfooth,  a  blind  man  at  faint  Alban's  mrine, 
Within  this  half  hour,  hath  received  his  fight ; 
A  man,  that  ne'er  faw  in  his  life  before. 

K.  Henry.  Now,  God  be  prais'd  !  that  to  believing 

fouls 
Gives  light  in  darknefs,  comfort  in  defpair  ! 

Enter  the  Mayor  of  faint  Albans,  and  bis  brethren,  bear- 
ing Simpcox  between  two  in  a  chair,  Simpcox's  wife 
following. 

Car.  Here  come  the  townfmen  on  proceffion, 
To  prefent  your  highnefs  with  the  man. 

K.  Henry.  Great  is  his  comfort  in  this  earthly  vale, 
Though  by  his  fight  his  fin  be  multiply'd, 

7  my  fence  flail  fail. ~\  Fence  is  the  art  of  defence.     So, 

ifcl  Much  Ado  about  Nothing  : 

"  Defpight  hi34nice/f»ff,  and  his  aftive  practice," 

STEEVENS. 

Y  3  G/<7.; 


326      SECOND    PART    OF 

Glo.  Stand  by,   my  matters,  bring  him  near  the 

king, 
His  highnefs'  pleafure  is  to  talk  with  him. 

K.  Henry.  Good  fellow,  tell  us  here  the  circum* 

itance, 

That  we  for  thee  may  glorify  the  Lord. 
What,  haft  thou  been  long  blind,  and  now  reftor'd  ? 

Simp,  Born  blind,  an't  pleafe  your  grace. 

Wife.  Ay,  indeed,  was  he. 

Suf.  What  woman  is  this  ? 

Wife.  His  wife,  an't  like  your  worfhip. 

Glo.  Had'fl  thou  been  his  mother,  thou  could'ft 
have  better  told. 

K-  Henry.  Where  wert  thou  born  ? 

Simp.  At  Berwick  in  the   north,    an't  like  your 
grace. 

K.  Henry.  Poor  foul  !  God's  goodnefs  hath  been 

great  to  thee  : 

Let  never  day  nor  night  unhallow'd  pafs, 
But  Hill  remember  what  the  Lord  hath  done. 

Queen*  Tell  me,  good  fellow,  cam'il  thou  here  by 

chance, 
Or  of  devotion,  to  this  holy  ihrine  ? 

Simp.  God  knows,  of  pure  devotion  ;  being  call'd 
A  hundred  times,  and  oftner,  in  my  fleep 
By  good  faint  Alban  ;  8  who  faid, — Saunder,  come  ; 
Come,  offer  at  my  farine,  and  I  will  help  tbec. 

Wife.  Moft  true,  forfooth ;  and  many  time  and  oft 
Myfelf  have  heard  a  voice  to  call  him  fo, 

Car.  What,  art  thou  lame  ? 

Simp.  Ay,  God  Almighty  help  me  ! 

8  • who/aid, — Saunder,  &c.]    The  former  copies  : 

ivbofaiJ)  Simon,  come  ; 

Come  offer  at  my  Jhrine,  find  /  *'.'///  help  thee. 

Why,  Simrnf  The  chronicles  that  take  notice  of  Glofter's  de» 
te£ting  this  pretended  miracle,  tell  us,  that  the  impoftor,  who  af- 
ferted  himfelf  to  be  cured  of  blinrlnefs,  was  called  SaunJcr  Sinip'- 
(ox—Simon  was  therefore  a  corruption.  THEOBALD. 

Suf. 


KING    HENRY    VI.         327 

Suf.  How  cam'ft  them  fo  ? 

Simp.  A  fall  off  of  a  tree. 

Wife.  A  plum-tree,  mafter. 

Glo.  How  long  haft  thou  been  blind  ? 

Simp.  O,  born  fo,  mafter. 

Glo.  What,  and  would'ft  climb  a  tree  ? 

Simp.  But  that  in  all  my  life,  when  I  was  a  youth, 

Wife.  Too  true  ;  and  bought  his  climbing  very  dear. 

Glo.  Mafs,  thou  lov'dft  plums  well,  that  would'ft 

venture  fo. 
Simp.  Alas,  good  mafter,  my  wife  defir'd  fome  dam- 

fons, 
And  made  me  climb,  with  danger  of  my  life. 

Glo.  A  fubtle  knave  !  but  yet  it  lhall  not  ferve. — 
Let  me  fee  thine  eyes: — wink  now; — now  open 

them : — 
In  my  opinion,  yet  thou  fee'ft  not  well. 

Simp.  Yes,  mafter,  clear  as  day  ;  I  thank  God,  and 

faint  Alban. 
Glo.  Say'ft  thou  me  fo  ?  What  colour  is  this  cloak 

of? 

Simp.  Red,  mafter ;  red  as  blood. 
Glo.  Why,  that's  well  faid  :  what  colour  is  my 

gown  of  ? 

Simp.  Black,  forfooth  ;  coal-black,  as  jet. 
K.  Henry.  Why  then,  thou  know'ft  what  colour 

jet  is  of? 

Suf.  And  yet,  I  think,,  jet  did  he  never  fee. 
Glo.  But  cloaks,  and  gowns,  before  this  day,  a 

many. 

Wife.  Never,  before  this  day,  in  all  his  life. 
Glo.  Tell  me,  firrah,  what's  my  name  ? 
Simp.  Alas,  mafter,  I  know  not. 
Glo.  What's  his  name  ? 
Simp.  I  know  not. 
Gb.  Nor  his  ? 
Simp.  No,  indeed,  mafter. 
Glo.  What's  thine  own  name  ? 
Y  4 


32S       SECOND    PART    OF 

Simp.  Saunder  Simpcox,  an  if  it  pleafe  you,  matter, 

Glo.  Then  Saunder,  fit  there,  the  lyingeft  knave 
In  Chrittendom.     If  thou  hadft  been  born  blind, 
Thou  might'ft  as  well  have  known  all  our  names,  as 

thus 

To  name  the  feveral  colours  we  do  wear. 
Sight  may  diftinguim  colours;  but  fuddcnly 
To  nominate  them  all,  it  is  impoflible.— 
My  lords,  faint  Alban  here  hath  done  a  miracle  ; 
Would  ye  not  think  that  cunning  to  be  great, 
That  could  rettore  this  cripple  to  his  legs  again? 

Simp.  O,  matter,  that  you  could  ! 

Glo.  My  mailers  of  faint  Alban's, 
Have  you  not  beadles  in  your  town,  and  things 
Call'd  whips  ? 

Mayor.  Yes,  my  lord,  if  it  pleafe  your  grace. 

Glo.  Then  fend  for  one  prefently. 

Mayor.  Sirrah,  go  fetch  the  beadle  hither  ftraight. 

[Exit  Meffenger. 

Glo.  Now  fetch  me  a  ftool  hither  by  and  by.  Now, 
firrah,  if  you  mean  to  fave  yourfelf  from  whipping, 
leap  me  over  this  ftool,  and  run  away. 

Simp.  Alas,  matter,  I  am  not  able  to  ftand  alone  : 
You  go  about  to  torture  me  in  vain. 

Enter  a  Beadle,  with  icbips. 

Glo*  Well,  fir,  we  rnuft  have  you  find  your  logs. 
Eirrah  beadle,  whip  him  '.till  he  leap  over  that  fame 
Aool. 

Bead.  I  will,  my  lord. — Come  on,  firrah  ;  off 
with  your  doublet  quickly. 

Simp.  Alas,  matter,  what  mail  I  do  ?  I  am  not  able 
to  ftand. 

[Afier  lie  Beadle  bath  lit  him  once,  le  leaps  over 
/reel,  and  runs  away  ;  and  the  people  foUobo 
and  cry,  A  Miracle.  ! 

ft.  Henry.  O  God,  feeft  thou  this,  and  bcar'ft  fo 
long  ? 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.       329 

SHtecn.  It  made  me  laugh,  to  fee  the  villain  run. 

Glo.  Follow  the  knave  ;  and  take  this  drab  away. 

W~if.  Alas,  fir,  we  did  it  for  pure  need. 

Glo.  Let  them  be  whipt  through  every  market  town 
Until  they  come  to  Berwick,  whence  they  came. 

[Exit  Beadle,  with  the  woman,  &c. 

Gar.  Duke  Humphrey  has  done  a  miracle  to  day. 

Suf.  True  ;  made  the  lame  to  leap,  and  fly  away. 

Glo.  But  you  have  done  more  miracles  than  I; 
You  made,  in  a  day,  my  lord,  whole  towns  to  fly. 

Enter  Buckingham. 

K.  Henry.  What  tidings  with   our  coufin  Buck- 
ingham ? 

Buck.  Such  as  my  heart  doth  tremble  to  unfold. 
A  fort  of  naughty  perfons,  9  lewdly  bent,— 
Under  the  countenance  and  confederacy 
Of  lady  Eleanor,  the  protector's  wife, 
The  ring-leader  and  head  of  all  this  rout,— 
Have  practis'd  dangeroufly  againft  your  liate, 
Dealing  with  witches,  and  with  conjurers  : 
Whom  we  have  apprehended  in  the  fadt; 
Railing  up  wicked  fpirits  from  under  ground, 
Demanding  of  king  Henry's  life  and  death, 
And  other  of  your  highnefs*  privy  council, 
As  more  at  large  your  grace  fliall  underftand. 

Car.  And  fo,  my  lord  protedtor,   by  this  means 
1  Your  lady  is  forth-coming  yet  at  London. 
This  news,  I  think,  hath  turn'd  your  weapon's  edge; 
JTis  like,  my  lord,  you  will  not  keep  your  hour. 

[Afide  to  Glofter. 

Glo.  Ambitious  churchman,    leave  to  afflidt  my 
heart ! 

*  ••'  '  lewdly  lent,"}  Lewdly,  in  this  place,  and  in  fome  others, 
does  not  fignify  wantonly ,  but  wickedly.  STEEVENS. 

1  Tour  lady  is  fertb-c oming  —  ]  That  is,  Your  lady  is  in  Cllf- 
fody.  JOHNSON. 

Sorrow 


33o      S  E  C  O  N  D    P  A  R.  T    O  F 

Sorrow  arid  grief  have  vanquifh'd  all  my  powers  ; 
And,  vanquifli'd  as  I  am,  I  yield  to  thee, 
Or  to  the  meaneft  groom. 

K.  Henry,  O  God,  what  mifchiefs  work  the  wicked 

ones ; 
Heaping  confufion  on  their  own  heads  thereby  ! 

Queen.  Glofter,  fee  here  the  tainture  of  thy  nefl  ; 
And,  look,  thyfelf  be  faultlefs,  thou  wert  befl. 

Glo.  Madam,  for  myfelf,  to  heaven  I  do  appeal, 
How  I  have  lov'd  my  king,  and  common-weal : 
And,  for  my  wife,  I  know  not  how  it  ftands ; 
Sorry  I  am  to  hear  what  I  have  heard  : 
Noble  {he  is ;  but,  if  fhe  have  forgot 
Honour,  and  virtue,  and  conversed  with  fuch 
As,  like  to  pitch,  defile  nobility, 
I  banifh  her,  my  bed,  and  company  ; 
And  give  her,  as  a  prey,  to  law,  and  fhame, 
That  hath  difhonour'd  Glofter's  honeft  name. 

K.  Henry.  Well,  for  this  night,  we  will  repofe  us 

here : 

To-morrow,  toward  London,  back  again, 
To  look  into  this  bufinefs  thoroughly, 
And  call  thefe  foul  offenders  to  their  anfwers ; 
*  And  poife  the  caufe  in  juftice'  equal  fcales, 
Whofe  beam  (lands  fure,  whofe rightful caufeprevails. 

\_Flouriff}.     Exeunt. 


*  And polfe  the  caufe  injiiftice*  equal fcalcs^ 
WTiofe  beamjiands  fure,  lubofe  rit  ' 


rightful  caufe  prevails.] 

The  fenfe  will,  I  think,  be  mended  if  we  read  in  the  optative 
mood  : 

jufllce^  equal fcale, 
Whofe  beam  Hand/an- ,  whoft  rightful  caufe  prevail ! 

JOHNSON,    - 


SCENE 


KING    HENRY    VI.         33I 

SCENE    II. 

fhe  duke  of  Tork's  garden. 
Enter  Tork,  Salijbury,  and  Warwick. 

Tork.  Now,  my  good  lords  of  Salisbury  and  War- 
wick, 

Our  fimple  fupper  ended,  give  me  leave, 
In  this  clofe  walk,  to  fatisfy  myfelf, 
3  In  craving  your  opinion  of  my  title, 
Which  is  infallible,  to  England's  crown. 

Sal.  My  lord,  I  long  to  hear  it  at  full. 

War.  Sweet  York,  begin  ;  and  if  thy  claim  be  good, 
The  Nevils  are  thy  fubjects  to  command. 

Tork.  Then  thus : 

Edward  the  Third,  my  lords,  had  feven  fons : 
The  firft,  Edward  the  Black  Prince,  prince  of  Wales; 
The  fecond,  William  of  Hatfield;  and  the  third, 
Lionel,  duke  of  Clarence ;  next  to  whom, 
Was  John  of  Gaunt,  the  duke  of  Lancafter  : 
The  fifth,  was  Edmund  Langley,  duke  of  York  ; 
The  fixth,  was  Thomas  of  Woodftock,    duke  of 

Glofter ; 

William  of  Windfor  was  the  feventh,  and  laft. 
Edward,  the  Black  Prince,  dy'd  before  his  father ; 
And  left  behind  him  Richard,  his  only  fon, 
Who,  after  Edward  the  Third's  death,  reign'd  king ; 
'Till  Henry  Bolingbroke,  duke  of  Lancafter, 
The  eldeft  fon  and  heir  of  John  of  Gaunt, 
Crown'd  by  the  name  of  Henry  the  fourth, 
Seiz'd  on  the  realm ;  depos'd  the  rightful  king  ; 
Sent  his  poor  queen  to  France,  from  whence  Ihe  came, 

3  In  craving  your  opinion  of  my  title,  x 

Which  is  infallible,  to  England's  crown,"] 

I  know  not  well  whether  he  means  the  opinion  or  the  title  is  in- 
fallible.   JOHNSON, 

And 


33*      SECOND     PART    OF 

And  him  to  Pomfret;  where,  as  both  you  know, 
Harmlels  Richard  was  murder'd  traiteroufly. 

War.  Father,  the  duke  hath  told  the  truth; 
Thus  got  the  houfe  of  Lancafter  the  crown. 

Tork.  Which  now  they  hold  by  force,  and  not  b] 

right ; 

For  Richard,  the  firft  fon's  heir,  being  dead, 
The  iffue  of  the  next  fon  mould  have  reign'd. 

Sal.  But  William  of  Hatfield  dy'd  without  an  hei 

Tork.  The  third  fon,  duke  of  Clarence,  (from  who! 

line 

I  claim  the  crown)  had  iffue — Philippe,  a  datighte 
Who  married  Edmund  Mortimer,  earl  of  March. 
Edmund  had  iffue — Roger,  earl  of  March  : 
Roger  had  iffue — Edmund,  Anne,  and  Eleanor. 

Sal.  This  Edmund,  in  the  reign  of  Bolingbroke 
As  I  have  read,  laid  claim  unto  the  crown  ; 
And,  but  for  Owen  Glendower,  had  been  king, 
Who  kept  him  in  captivity,  'till  he  dy'd. 
But,  to  the  reft. 

Tork.  His  eldeft  filler,  Anne, 
My  mother,  being  heir  unto  the  crown, 
Married  Richard,  earl  of  Cambridge  ;  who  was  fa 
To  Edmund  Langley,  Edward  the  third's  fifth  fon. 
By  her  I  claim  the  kingdom  :  Ihe  then  was  heir 
To  Roger,  earl  of  March  ;  who  was  the  fon 
Of  Edmund  Mortimer;  who  married  Philippe, 
Sole  daughter  unto  Lionel,  duke  of  Clarence: 
So,  if  the  iffue  of  the  elder  fon 
Succeed  before  the  younger,  I  am  king. 

War.  What  plain  proceeding  is  more  plain  than 

this  ? 

Henry  doth  claim  the  crown  from  John  of  Gaunt 
The  fourth  fon ;  York  claimeth  it  from  the  third. 
'Till  Lionel's  iffue  fails,  his  Ihould  not  reign  : 
It  fails  not  yet ;  but  flourifhes  in  thee, 
And  in  thy  fons,  fair  flips  of  fuch  a  flock. — 
Then,  father  Salifbury,  kneel  we  both  together ; 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         333 

And,  in  this  private  plot,  be  we  the  firft, 
That  fhall  falute  our  rightful  fovcreign 
With  honour  of  his  birth-right  to  the  crown. 

Both.  Long  live  our  fovereign  Richard,  England's 
king  ! 

York.  We  thank  you,  lords.     But  I  am  not  your 

king 

'Till  I  be  crown'd  ;  and  that  my  fvvord  be  ftain'd 
With  heart-blood  of  the  houfe  of  Lancafter  : 
And  that's  not  fuddenly  to  be  perform'd  ; 
But  with  advice,  and  filent  fecrecy. 
Do  you,  as  I  do,  in  thefe  dangerous  days, 
Wink  at  the  duke  of  Suffolk's  infolence, 
At  Beaufort's  pride,  at  Somerfet's  ambition, 
At  Buckingham,  and  all  the  crew  cf  them, 
'Till  they  have  fnar'd  the  fhepherd  of  the  flock, 
That  virtuous  prince,  the  good  duke  Humphrey  : 
'Tis  that  they  feek ;  and  they,   in  feeking  that, 
Shall  find  their  deaths,  if  York  can  prophefy. 

Siil.  My  lord,  break  we  off;  we  know  your  mind 
at  full. 

War.  My  heart  aifures  me,  that  the  earl  of  War- 
wick 
Shall  one  day  make  the  duke  of  York  a  king. 

York.  And,  Nevil,  this  I  do  affure  myfelf, — 
Richard  fhall  live  to  make  the  earl  of  Warwick 
The  greateft  man  in  England,  but  the  king.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE     III. 

A  hall  of  juftice. 

Sound  trumpets.  Enter  king  Henry,  queen  Margaret,  Glqfter, 
York,  Suffolk,  and  Salisbury ;  the  Dutchefs,  mother  Jour* 
dain,  Sout  fa-el,  Hume,  and  Bolingln'oke,  under  guard. 

K.  Henry.  Stand  forth,    dame  Eleanor  Cobham, 
Glofter's  wife  : 

In 


334      SECOND    PART    OF 

In  fight  of  God,  and  us,  your  guilt  is  great ; 
Receive  the  fentence  of  the  law,  for  fins 
Such  as  by  God's  book  are  adjudg'd  to  death.-— 
You  four,  from  hence  to  priibn  back  again  ; 

[To  the  other  prifoturM 

From  thence,  unto  the  place  of  execution  : 
The  witch  in  Smithfield  fhall  be  burnt  to  afhes, 
And  you  three  fhall  be  ftrangled  on  the  gallows. — 
You,  madam,  for  you  are  more  nobly  born, 
Defpoiled  of  your  honour  in  your  life, 
Shall,  after  three  days  open  penance  done, 
Live  in  your  country  here,  in  banifhment, 
With  fir  John  Stanley,  in  the  ifle  of  Man. 

Ekan.  "^"elconie  is  banilhment,  welcome  were  myj 
death. 

Glo.  Eleanor,  the  law,  thou  feeft,  hath  judged  thee; 
I  cannot  juftify  whom  the  law  condemns. — 

[Exeunt  Eleanor,  and  the  others,  guarded*. 
Mine  eyes  are  full  of  tears,  my  heart  of  grief. 
.  Ah,  Humphrey,  this  difhonour  in  thine  age 
Will  bring  thy  head  with  forrow  to  the  ground  !— > 
I  befeech  your  majefty,  give  me  leave  to  go  ; 
4  Sorrow  would  folace,  and  mine  age  would  eafe. 

K.  Henry.  Stay,  Humphrey  duke  of  Giofter :  ere 

thou  go, 

Give  up  thy  ftaff;  Henry  will  to  himfelf 
Protedtor  be ;  and  God  (hall  be  my  hope, 
My  ftay,  my  guide,  and  lanthorn  to  my  feet  t 
And  go  in  peace,  Humphrey  ;  no  lefs  belov'dj 
Than  when  thou  weit  proteclor  to  thy  king. 

<$>.  Mar.  I  fee  no  reafon,  why  a  king  of  years 

Should  be  to  be  protected  like  a  child. 

I  God  and  king  Henry  govern  England's  realm  : 


4  Sorrow  -xouldfolace,  and  my  age  would  eafe. ~\  That  is,  Sof« 
..lei  have  ;  iorrow  requires  lolace,  and  age  requires  cafe. 

JOHNSON. 

*  Cod  and  king  Henry  govtr*  England? s  realm ;]    The  word' 

rcabit 


KING    HE  N  R  Y    VI.         335 

Give  up  your  ftaff,  fir,  and  the  king  his  realm. 

Glo.  My  ftaff? — here,  nolle  Henry,  is  my  ftaff: 
As  willingly  do  I  the  fame  r«fign, 
As  e'er  thy  father  Henry  made  it  mine ; 
And  even  as  willingly  at  thy  feet  I  leave  it, 
As  others  would  ambitioufty  receive  it. 
Farewel,  good  king :  When  I  am  dead  and  gone, 
May  honourable  peace  attend  thy  throne  ! 

[Rvt  Glojter. 

Q.  Mar.  Why,  now  is  Henry  king,  and  Margaret 

queen ; 

And  Humphrey,  duke  of  Glofter,  fcarce  himfelf, 
That  bears  fo  fhrewd  a  maim  ;  two  pulls  at  once, — 
His  lady  banifh'd,  and  a  limb  lopp'd  off. 
6  This  ftaff  of  honour  raught : — There  let  it  ftand, 
Where  beft  it  fits  to  be,  in  Henry's  hand. 

Suf.  Thus  droops  this  lofty  pine,  and  hangs  his 

fprays  ; 
Thus  Eleanor's  pride  dies  in  her  youngeft  days. 

York.  7  Lords,  let  him  go.— Pleafe  it  your  majefty, 
This  is  the  day  appointed  for  the  combat ; 
And  ready  are  the  appellant  and  defendant, 
The  armourer  and  his  man,  to  enter  the  lifts, 
So  pleafe  your  highnefs  to  behold  the  fight. 

^.  Mar.  Ay,  good  my  lord ;  for  purpofely  there- 
fore 

realm  at  the  end  of  two  lines  together  is  difpleafing  ;  and  when 
it  is  confidered  that  much  of  this  fcene   is  written  in  rhyme,  it 
will  not  appear  improbable  that  the  author  wrote,  govern  Eng- 
lancTi  helm.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  a  preceding  fcene  of  this  play  : 

And  you  yourfelf  (hall  fteer  the  happy  helm.     STEEVENS. 

6  Tbisjlajf  of  honour  raught : — ]  Raught  is  the  ancient  prete- 
rite of  the  verb  reach,  and  is  frequently  ufed  by  Spenfer,  as  in 
the  following  inftance,  b.  iii.  c.  ix.  i".  20  : 

'*  Her  golden  lockes  that  were  in  trnmels  gay 
*'  Upbounden,  did  themfelves  adowne  difplay, 
**  And  raught  unto  her  heeles."-  STHEVEN^. 

7  Lords,  let  him  go.  ]  i.e.  Let  him  pafs  out  of  your  thoughts, 
ukcHumphrey  had  already  left  the  fiage,     STEEVENS. 

Left 


336      SECOND     PART    OF 

Left  I  the  court,  to  lee  this  quarrel  try'd. 

K.  Henry.  O'  God's  name,  fee  the  lifts  and  all  things 

fit  ; 
Here  let  them  end  it,  and  God  defend  the  right  I 

Tork.  I  never  faw  a  fellow  8  worfe  betted, 
Or  more  afraid  to  fight,  <han  is  the  appellant, 
The  fervantof  this  armourer,  my  lords. 

Enter  at  one  door  the  armourer  and  his  neighbours,  d)-ink- 
ing  to  him  Jo  much  that  he  is  drunk  ;  and  be  enters 
with  a  drum  before  him,  and  his  ft  off9  with  a  fand- 
bag  faftened  to  it  ;  and  at  the  other  door  enters  his  man, 
with  a  drum  and  fand-bag,  and  prentices  drinking  IQ 
him. 

i  Neigh.  Here,  neighbour  Homer,  I  drink  to  you 
in  a  cup  of  fack  ;  And  fear  not,  neighbour,  you  fhall 
do  well  enough. 

2,  Nrigh.  And  here,  neighbour,  here's  *  a  cup  of 
charneco. 


3 

8  •  -varfc  be/fed,]  In  a  worfe  plight.     JOHNSON. 

9  -  with  a  fand'bag  faftened  to  it  ;]  As,    according  to  the 
old  laws  of  duels,  knights  were  to  fight  with  the   lance  and 
fword  ;  fo  thofe  of  inferior  rank    fought  with   an  ebon  ftaft"  or 
battoon,  to  the  farther  end  of  which  was  fixed  a  bag  crammjd 
"hard  with  fand.     To  this  cuftom  Hudibras  has  alluded  in  thefe 
humourous  lines  : 

**  Engag'd  with  money-bags,  as  bold 

"  As  men  with  fand-bags  did  of  old."    WAR  BUR  TON. 
Mr.  Sympfon,  in  his  notes  on  Ben  Jonfon,  obferves,  that  apaf- 
fage  in  St.  Chryfoftom  very  clearly  proves  the  great  antiquity  of 
this  practice.    STEEVENS. 

1  -  a  cup  of  charneco.']  On  which  the  Oxford  Editor  thus 
criticizes  in  his  index  :  "  This  feems  to  have  been  a  cant  word 
for  fome  flrong  liquor,  which  was  apt  to  bring  drunken  fellows  to 
the  flocks,  fince  in  Spanifh  charniegos  is  a  term  ufed  for  the  flocks." 
It  was  no  cant  word,  but  a  common  name  for  a  fort  of  fweet  wine, 
as  appears  from  a  paflage  in  a  pamphlet  intitled,  The  Difcovery  of 
a  London  Monjtery  called  the  Black  Dog  of  Newgate  ,  printed 
1612:  ';  Some  drinking  the  neat  wine  of  Orleance,  fome  the 
Gafcony,  fome  the  Bourdeaux.  There  wanted  neither  flierry, 
fack,  nor  charncco,  inaligo,  nor  amber-colour'd  candy,  nor  li- 

quorifh 


KING    HENRY    VI.         w 

3  Neigh.  And  here's  a  pot  of  good  double  beer, 
neighbour  :  drink,  and  fear  nor  your  man. 

Arm,  Let  it  come,  i'faith,  and  I'll  pledge  you  all ; 
And  a  fig  for  Peter  ! 

1  Pren.  Here,  Peter,  I  drink  to  thee  ;  and  be  not 
afraid.  v 

2  Pren.  Be  merry,  Peter,  and  fear  not  thy  matter : 
fight  for  credit  of  the  prentices. 

Peter.  I  thank  you  all :  drink,  and  pray  for  me,  I 
pray  you  ;  for,  I  think,  I  have  taken  my  laft  draught 
in  this  world. — -Here,  Robin,  an  if  I  die,  I  give  thee 
my  apron  j — and,  Will  ^  thou  ihalt  have  my  hammer  : 
— and  here,  Tom,  take  all  the  money  that  I  have.— 
O  Lordj  blefs  mej  I  pray  God  !  for  I  am  never  able 

quorifh  ipocras,  brown  beloved  baftard,  fat  aligant,  or  any  quick  - 
fpirited  liquor." — And  as  charneca  is,  in  Spanifti,  the  name  of  a 
kind  of  turpentine-tree,  I  imagine  the  growth  of  it  was  in  fome 
diftrift  abounding  with  that  tree  ;  or  that  it  had  its  name  from  a 
certain  flavour  refembling  it.  WAR  BURTON. 

The  vulgar  name  for  this  liquor  was  cbaringo.  I  meet  with  it 
In  an  old  catch  fet  to  mufic  by  Lavves.  HAWKINS. 

In  a  pamphlet  entitled,  Wit's  Miferie,  or  the  World's  Mad- 
ucfs,  printed  in  1596,  it  is  faid,  that  "  the  only  medicine  for 
the  fleghm  is  three  cups  of  cbarneco  falling.'* 

In  A  Collection  of  Epig rams  and  Satires^  without  date,  but  of 
the  fame  age,  this  liquor  is  mentioned  again  : 

**  happy  is  the  man  doth  rightly  know 

"  The  virtue  of  three  cups  of  cbarneco." 
Again,  in  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Wit  without  Many: 
"  Where  no  old  charneco  is,  nor  no  anchovies." 
Again,  in  Deckar's  tioncft  WTjore,  1630,  adPart: 

"  Imprimis,  a  pottle  of  Greek  wine,   a  pottle  of  Peter-fa- 
meene,  a  pottle  of  cbarneco,  and  a  pottle  of  Ziattica." 
Again,  in  the  Fair  Maid  of  the  Weft,  1615  : 

"  Aragoofa,  or  Peter-fee-me,  canary,  or  cbarneco" 

STEEVENS. 

a  cup  of  charnico.]  Mention  is  made  &f  this  liquor  in  ao 

ancient  colle&ion  of  Epigrams,  now  in  my  poneilion  : 

;t  When  Seigneur  Sack -and -Sugar  drink-drown 'd  reels, 
1  He  vows  to  hew  the  fpurs  from  fellow's  heels ; 
"  When  calling  for  a  quart  of  charnicoy 
"  Into  a  loving  league  they  prefent  grow  :  &c."  PERCY, 

VOL.  VI.  Z  to 


338      SEC  ON  D    P  A  R  T    C  F 

,to  deal  with,  my  mafter,   he  hath  learnt  fo  much 
fence  already, 

Sal  Come,  leave  your  drinking,  and  fall  to  blows.— 
Sirrah,  w hat's  thy  name  ? 

Peter.  Peter,  forfooth. 

Sal.  Peter  !  what  more  ? 
-     Peter.  Thump. 

Sal.  Thump!  then  fee  thou  thump  thy  mafterwelF. 

Arm.  Mailers,  I  am  come  hither,  as  it  were,  upon 
my  man's  inftigation,  to  prove  him  a  knave,  and  myi 
felf  an  honeft  man  :  and  touching  the  duke  of  York,— i 
I  will  take  my  death,  I  never  meant  him  any  ill,  no* 
the  king,  nor  the  queen  ;  And  therefore,  Peter,  have 
at  thee  with  a  downright  blow,  '  as  Bcvis  of  South* 
ampton  fell  upon  Afcapart. 

York.  Difpatch.:— *  this  knave's' tongue  begins  tj 

double. 
Sound  trumpets,  alarum  to  the  combatants. 

[They  fight,  and  Peter  firikes  him  down. 

Arm.  Hold,  Peter,  hold  !  I  confefs,  I  confefs  trea-r 
ion.  [Dies. 

•Tork.  Take  away  his  weapon  :  ^-Fellow,  thank  God* 
and  the  good  wine  in  thy  matter's  way. 


1  -  as  Bei'ii  of  Southampton  fell  upon  Afcapart  J\  I   havt? 
added  this  From  the  old  quarto.     WAR  BURTON. 

Afiapart  —  the  giaiat  01  the  ftory  —  a  name  familiar  to  our  attf 
ceftors,  is-  mentioned  by  Dr.  Donne: 

'*  Thofe  dfiaparts,  men  big  enough  to  throw 
"  Charibg-crbfs  for  a  bar,  &V."     JOHNSON. 

The  figures  of  thefe  Combatants  are  fUll  preferved  on  the  gatejf 
of  Southampton.    ST>:EVENS, 

*  tbis^  knai>t's  tonguf  begins  to  Jou1>le.\  So,  in  Holinflied,  whefe 
narrative  Shakelptare  has  deierted,  by  making  the  armourer  con- 


hen  he  fhould  have  come  to  the  field  frelh  and  faft- 
ing,  his  neighbours  came  to  him,  and  gave  him  wine  and  ftrongl 
dnhk  in  fuch  excellive  fort,  that  he  was  therewith  diftempered, 
and  reeled  as  he  went  ;  and  fo  was  llain  without  guilt  ;  as  for 
the  faHip  fervant  he  lived  aot  long,"  £sV.  STEEVENS.  (J 


K  I  N  G  'H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         339 

Peter.  O  God  !  have  I  overcome  mine  enemy  in 

this  prefence  ? 
O  Peter,  thou  haft  prevailed  in  right  ! 

K.  Henry.  Go,  take  hence  that  traitor  from  our 

fight ; 

For,  by  his  death,  we  do  perceive  his  guilt 3  : 
'And  God,  in  juflice,  hath  rcveaPd  to  us 
The  truth  and  innocence  of  this  poor  fellow, 
Which  he  had  thought  to  ha  vc  murder'd  wrongfully.—- 
Come,  fellow,  follow  us  for  thy  reward.       [Exeunt. 

SCENE     IV. 

Tbejlreet. 
Enter  duke  Humphrey,  and  his  men,  in  mourning  cloaks. 

Glo.  Thus,  fometimes,  hath  the  brighteft  day  a 

cloud  ; 

And,  after  fummer,  evermore  fucceeds 
Barren  winter,  with  his  wrathful  nipping  cold  : 
So  cares  and  joys  abound,  as  feafons  fleet 4.— 
Sirs,  what's  o*  clock  ? 

Serv.  Ten,  my  lord. 

Glo.  Ten  is  the  hour  that  was  appointed  me, 
To  watch  the  coming  of  my  puniih'd  dutchefs  : 

3  For,  by  his  death,  we  Jo  perceive  his  guilt.']  According  to  the 
ancient  ufage  of  the  duel,  the  vanquifhed  perfon  not  only  loft  his 
life  but  his  reputation,  and  his  death  was  always  regarded  as  a 
certain  evidence  of  his  guilt.  We  have  a  remarkable  initance  of 
this  in  an  account  of  the  Duellum  inter  Dominum  Jobanncm  Han- 
nejly,  Militem,  &  Robertum  Katlenton,  Armigerum,  in  quo  Robertus 
ftiit  occifuf.  From  whence,  fays  the  hiitorian,  **  magna  fuit  evi- 
dtxtia  quod  militis  caufa  erat  vera,  ex  quo  mors  alter iui  fey ue&atttr." 
A.  Murimuth,  ad  ann.  1380,  p.  149.  BOWLE. 

*  —as  feafons  fleet.]  "Tojiect  is  to  change.  So,  \nAntony  and 
Cleopatra  : 

"  now  \hcjleeting  moon 

"  No  planet  is  of  mine."    STEEVKJJS. 

Z  2  Uneath 


34o      S  E  C  O  N  D     P  A  R  T    O  F 

5  Uneath  may  flic  endure  the  flinty  ftreets, 
To  tread  them  with  her  tender-feeling  feet. 
Sweet  Nell,  ill  can  thy  noble  mind  abrook 
The  abject  people,  gazing  on  thy  face, 
With  envious  looks  ftill  laughing  at  thy  fhamc  ; 
That  erfl  did  follow  thy  proud  chariot  wheels, 
When  thou  didft  ride  in  triumph  through  the  flrcets* 
But,  ibft  !  I  think,  fhe  comes  ;  and  I'll  prepare 
My  tear-flain'd  eyes  to  fee  her  miieries. 

Enter  the  Dutckefs  in  a  white  JJxet,  far  feet  bare,  and 
a  taper  burning  in  her  band,  with  Sir  John  Stanley, 
ajlwiff,  and  officers. 


.  So  pleafe  your  grace,  we'll  take  her  from  the 
flieriff. 

Glo.  No,  ftir  not  for  your  lives  ;  let  her  pafs  by., 

Elean.  Come  you,  my  lord,  to  fee  my  open  fhame  ? 
Now  thou  dofl  penance  too.     Look,  how  they  gaze  ! 
See,  how  the  giddy  multitude  do  point, 
And  nod  their  heads,  and  throw  their  eyes  on  thec  ! 
Ah,  Glofter,  hide  thee  from  their  hateful  looks  ; 
And,  in  thy  clofet  pent  up,  rue  my  mame, 
And  ban  thine  enemies,  both  mine  and  thine. 

Glo.  Be  patient,  gentle  Nell  ;  forget  this  grief. 

Ekan.  Ah,  Glofter,  teach  me  to  forget  my  felt"  : 
For,  vvhilft  I  think  I  am  thy  marry'd  wife, 
And  thou  a  prince,  protestor  of  this  land, 
Methinks,  I  fliould  not  thus  be  led  along, 

5  Uneatb—]  5.  e.  Scarcely.     POPE. 

So,  in  the  metrical  romance  of  Guy  Earl  nf  JPartvict,  bl.  I.  no 
date  : 

'*  U»tat^cs  we  came  from  him  certain, 
"  That  he  ne  had  us  all  (lain." 

Eatb  is   the  ancient  word  for  eafe  or  eafv.     So,  in  Spenfcr't 
Faery  £««•,,   B.  IV.  c.  6  : 

**  More  eath  was  new  impreflion  to  receive." 
Uneatb  is  commonly  ufed  by  the  fame  author  for  »of  tafily. 


Mail'd 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         34t 

*  Mail'd  up  in  fhame,  with  papers  on  my  back ; 

And  followed  with  a  rabble,  that  rejoice 

To  fee  my  tears,  and  hear  my  deep-fee  groans. 

The  ruthlefs  flint  doth  cut  my  tender  feet ; 

And,  when  I  ftart,  the  envious  people  laugh, 

And  bid  me  be  advifed  how  I  tread. 

Ah,  Humphrey,  can  I  bear  this  ftiameful  yoke  ? 

Trow'ft  thou,  that  e'er  I'll  look  upon  the  world ; 

Or  count  them  happy,  that  enjoy  the  fun  ? 

No  ;  dark  lhall  be  my  light,  and  night  my  day  ; 

To  think  upon  my  pomp,  fhall  be  my  hell. 

Sometime  I'll  fay,  I  am  duke  Humphrey's  wife ; 

And  he  a  prince,  and  ruler  of  the  land  : 

Yet  fo  he  rul'd,  and  fuch  a  prince  he  was, 

That  he  flood  by,  whilft  I,  his  forlorn  dutchefs, 

Was  made  a  wonder,  and  a  pointing-ftock, 

To  every  idle  rafcal  follower. 

But  be  thou  mild,  and  bluih  not  at  my  fliame ; 

Nor  flir  at  nothing,  'tilt  the  axe  of  death 

Hang  over  thee,  as,  fure,  it  fhortly  will. 

For  Suffolk, — he  that  can  do  all  in  all 

With  her,  that  hatcth  thee,  and  hates  us  all,— 

And  York,  and  impious  Beaufort,  that  falfe  prieft, 

Have  all  lim'd  buihes  to  betray  thy  wings, 

And,  fly  thou  how  thou  canft,  they'll  tangle  thee  : 

But  fear  not  thou,  until  thy  foot  be  fnar'd, 

Nor  never  feek  prevention  of  thy  foes. 

Glo.  Ah,    Nell,    forbear ;  thou  aimeft  all  awry  ; 
I  muft  offend,  before  I  be  attainted  : 
And  had  I  twenty  times  fo  many  foes, 
And  each  of  them  had  twenty  times  their  power. 
All  thefe  could  not  procure  me  any  fcathe  7, 
So  long  as  I  am  loyal,  true,  and  crimelefs. 

6  MaiVdnp  injkame,— —  ]  Wrapped  up;  bundled  up  in  dif- 
grace  ;  alluding  to  the  flieet  of  penance.     JOHNSO.V. 

7  any  fcathe,]  Kcatbe  is  harm,   or  rnifchicf,     Chaucer, 
Spenfer,  and  all  our  ancient  writers,  are  frequent  in  their  ufe  of 
this  word.    STEEVENS. 

Z  2  Wouldft 


-342      SECOND     PARTOF 

Would'ft  have  rne  refcue  thee  from  this  reproach-  > 
Why,  yet  thy  fcandal  were  not  wip'd  away, 
But  I  in  danger  for  the  breach  of  law. 
8  Thy  greateft  help  is  quiet,  gentle  Nell  : 
I  pray  thee,  fort  thy  heart  to  patience  ; 
Thefe  few-days'  wonder  will  be  quickly  worn. 

Enter  a  Herald. 

Her.  I  fummon  your  grace  to  his  majefty's  parlia- 
ment, holden  at  Bury  the  firft  of  this  next  month. 
Glo.  And  my  confent  ne'er  afk'd  herein  before  ! 
This  is  clofe  dealing. — Well,  I  will  be  there. 

[Exit  Herald 

My  Nell,  I  take  my  leave  : — and,  matter  meriff, 
Let  not  her  penance  exceed  the  king's  commifiion. 
iSfor.  Ao't  pleafe  your  grace,  here  my  commiilion 

"lays: 

And  fir  John  Stanley  is  appointed  now 
To  take  her  with  him  to  the  ifle  of  Man. 

Glo.  Muft  you,  fir  John,  protect  my  lady  here  ? 
Stan.  So  am  I  given  in  charge,  may't  pleafe  your 

grace. 

•Glo.  FiiLieat  her  not  the  worfe,  in  thnt  I  pray 
You  ufe  her  well :  9  the  world  may  laugh  again  j 
And  I  may  live  to  do  you  kindnefs,  if 
You.  do  it  her.     And  ib,  fir  John,  farewek 

Elean.  What  gone,  my  lord  ;  and  bid  me  not  fare- 

wel  ? 
Glo.  Witnefs  my  tears,  I  cannot  flay  to  fpeak. 

[Exit  Gloftcr. 
Elean,  Art  thou  gone  too  ?  All  comfort  go  with 

.the    . 
For  none'abjuLS  with  me  ;  my  joy  is — death  ; 

8  Thy .^rt-atef  help  is  <ju?ct, — ]  The  poet  has  not  endeavoured 
to  raife  much  -compailvn  for  the  dutchefs,   \vho  indeed  i'ufters 
but  wiiat.iiii;  :   -ll  deiierved.     JoH^soN. 

9  « _.  .ii  may  laugh ]  That  is,  The  world  may 

.u-iibly  upon  me.    JOHNSON, 

Death 


r  KING     H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         S43 
Death,  at  whofe  name  I  oft  have  been  afear'd, 
Becaufe  I  u ifh'd  this  world's  eternity. — 
Stanley,   I  pr'ythce,.  go,,  and  take  .me  hcpce^ 
I  care  not  whither,  for  I  beg  no  favour,  - 
Only  convey  me  where  thou  art  commanded. 

Stan.  Why,  madam,  that  is  to- .the  ifle  of  Man  ; 
There  to  be  us'd  according  to  your  flate. 
.  Ekan.  That's  bad  enough,  for  I  am  but  reproacljj 
And  fhall  I  then  be  us'd  reproachfully  ? 

Stan.  Like  to  a  dutcheis,  and  'duke 'Humphrey's 

lady, 
According  to -that  flate  you  lhall  be  us'd. 

Ek an.  Sheriff,  farcwel,  and  better  than  I  fare ;    \ 
Although  thou  haft  been  conduct  of  my  lhame. 
5  Sher.  It  is  my  office  ;  and,  madam,  pardon  me.  t 
Elean.  Ay,  ay,  farewel ;  thy  office  is  difcharg'd." — • 
Come,  Stanley,  fhall  we  go  ? 

Stan.  Madam,  your  penance  done,  throw  off  this 

ftieet, 
And  go  we  to  attire  you  for  our  journey. 

J^lean.  My  fhame  will   not  be    Ihifted  with   my 

fheet  : 

No,  it  will  hang  upon  my  richeft  robes, 
And  {hew  itfelf,  attire  me  how  I  can. 
Go,  lead  the  way  ;  1 1  long  to  fee  my  prifon. 

[Exettnt. 

1  /  long  to  fee  my  prifon.}  This  impatience  of  a  high 

fpirit  is  very  natural.  It  is  not  fo  dreadful  to  be  imprifoned,  as 
it  is  defireable  in  a  Hate  of  difgrace  to  be  flickered  from  the  fcora 
of  gazers.  JOHNSON. 


ACT 


344      SECOND    PART    OF 
ACT      III.        SCENE     I. 

The  abbey  at  Bury. 

Enter   king  Henry,    Queen,     Cardinal,     Suffolk,    York) 
and  Buckingham,   &c.   to  the  parliament. 

K.  Henry.  I  mufe,  my  lord  of  Gloilcr  is  not  come  ; 
*Tis  not  his  wont  to  be  the  hindmoft  man, 
Whate'er  occafion  keeps  him  from  us  now. 

£>.  Mar.  Can  you  not  fee  ?  or  will  you  not  pbferve 
The  ftrangenefs  of  hjs  alter'd  countenance  ? 
With  what  a  majefty  he  bears  himfelf  j 
]How  inlblent  of  late  he  is  become, 
How  proud,  how  peremptory,  and  unlike  himfelf  > 
We  know  the  time,  fince  he  was  mild  and  affable  j 
And,  if  we  did  but  glance  a  far-off  look, 
Immediately  he  was  upon  his  knee,   - 
That  all  the  court  admir'd  him  for  fiibmiffipn  : 
But  meet  him  now,  and,  be  it  in  the  n;orn, 
When  every  one  will  give  the  time  of  day, 
He  knits  his  brow,  and  mews  an  angry  eye, 
And  paffeth  by  with  ftiff  unbowed  knee, 
Difdaining  duty  that  to  us  belongs. 
Small  curs  are  not  regarded,  when  they  grin  ; 
But  great  men  tremble,  when  the  lion  roars  j 
And  Humphrey  is  no  little  man  in  England. 
Firft,  note,  that  he  is  near  you  in  defcent ; 
And,  Ihould  you  fall,  he  is  the  next  will  mount, 
*Me  feemeth  then,  it  is  no  policy, — 
Refpe&ing  what  a  rancorous  mind  he  bears, 

*  Mefccmrth  •  •  ~]  That  is,  it  feemeth  to  me,  a  word  morf 
grammatical  than  mctbink.^  which  has,  I  know  not  how,  intrud- 
ed into  its  place.  JOHNSON. 

And 


KING    HENRY    VI.         345 

And  his  advantage  following  your  deceafe, — 

That  he  Ihould  come  about  your  royal  perfon, 

Or  be  admitted  to  your  highnefs'  council. 

By  flattery  hath  he  won  the  commons'  hearts  ; 

And,  when  he  pleafe  to  make  commotion, 

'Tis  to  be  fear'd,  they  all  will  follow  him. 

Now  'tis  the  fpring,  and  weeds  are  fhallow-rooted  ; 

Surfer  them  now,  and  they'll  o'er-grow  the  garden, 

And  choak  the  herbs  for  want  of  hufbandry. 

The  reverent  care,  I  bear  unto  my  lord, 

Made  me  colledr.  thefe  dangers  in  the  duke. 

If  it  be  fond,  call  it  a  woman's  fear; 

Which  fear  if  better  reafons  can  fupplant, 

I  will  fubfcribe,  and  fay — I  wrong'd  the  duke. 

My  lords  of  Suffolk, — Buckingham, — and  York,— 

Reprove  my  allegation,  if  you  can  ; 

Or  elfe  conclude  my  words  effectual. 

Suf.  Well  hath  your  highnefs  feen  into  this  duke  j 
And,  had  I  firfl  been  put  to  fpeak  my  mind, 
I  think,  I  fhould  have  told 3  your  grace's  tale. 
The  dutchefs,  by  his  fubornation, 
Upon  my  life,  began  her  devilifh  practices : 
Or  if  he  were  not  privy  to  thofe  faults, 
Yet,  by  reputing  of  his  high  defcent 4, 
(As  next  the  king,  he  was  fucceffive  heir,) 
And  fuch  high  vaunts  of  his  nobility, 
Did  inftigate  the  bedlam  brain-lick  dutchefs, 
By  wicked  means  to  frame  our  fovereign's  fall. 
Smooth  runs  the  water,  where  the  brook  is  deepefl ; 
And  in  his  fimple  fhew  he  harbours  treafon. 
The  fox  barks  not,  when  he  would  fteal  the  lamb. 

3  —  your  grace's  tale.~\  Suffolk  ufes  blghnefs  and  grace 

promifcuoufly  tp  the  queen.  Majefty  was  not  the  fettled  title  till 
the  time  of  king  James  the  Firft.  JOHNSON. 

*  Tet  ly  reputing  of  bis  high  Jcfienty]     Thus  the  old  copy. 

The  modern  editors  read — repeating.     Refuting  of  his  high  deficit, 

JS  valuing  himfelf  upon  it.     The  fame  word  occurs  in  the  jth  aft  : 

And  in  my  confcie,njce  do  rfpute  his  grace,  &c.  STEEVENS, 

No, 


S  E;C  O  N  G     P:A  R  T    OF 

No,  no,  my  fovcrcign  ;  G-loiler  is  a  man 
Unfounded  yet,  and  full  of  deep  decrit. 

Car.  Did  he  not^  contrary  to  form  of  law, 
Devife  ftrange  deaths  for  fmall  offences  done  ? 

York.'  And  did  he.  not,  in  his  proteclorfhip, 
Levy  great  fums  of  money  through  the  realm, 
For.foldiers1  pay  in  France,  and  never  fent  it  ? 
By  means  whereof,  the  towns  each  day  revolted. 

Buck.  Tut !  thefe  are  petty  faults    to  faults  un- 
known, 

Which  time  will  bring  to  light  in  fmooth  duke  Hum-- 
"  phrey. 

K*  Henry.  My  lords,  at  once  :  The  care  you  have 

of  us, 

To  mow  down  thorns  that  would  annoy  our  foot, 
fs  worthy  praife.:  But  fliall  !  fpeak  my  conference  ? 
Our  kinfman  Glofler  is  as  innocent 
From,  meaning  treafon  to  our  royal  perfon 
As  is  the  fucking  lamS,  or  harmlefs  dove  : 
The  duke  is  virtuous,  mild  ;  and  too  well  given, 
To  dream  on  evil,  or  to  work  my  downfall. 

j^J.  Mar.  Ah,   what's  more    dangerous   than  this 

fond  affiance  ! 

Seems  he  a  dove  ?  his  feathers  are  but  borrowed, 
For  he's  difpofed  as  the  hateful  raven. 
Is  he  a  larrib  ?  his  fkin  is  furely  lent  him, 
For  he's  inclin'd  as  is  the  ravenous  wolf. 
Who  cannot  fleal  a  fliape,  that  means  deceit  ? 
Take  heed,  my  lord  ;  the  welfare  of  us  all 
Hangs  on  the  cutting  Ihort  that  fraudful  man. 

Enter  Somerfet. 

Som.  All  health  unto,  my  gracious  fovereign  ! 
K.Henry.  Welcome,  lord  Somerfet.     What  news 

from  France  ? 

Som.  That  all  your  intereft  in  thofe  territories 
Is  utterly  bereft  you  ;  all  is-  loft. 

K.  Henry  t 


KING-HE -NR-Y     VI.         547 

K.  Henry.  Cold  news,  lord  Somerfet :  But  God's 

will  be  done ! 
Tork.  5  Cold   news  for  me ;    for  I  had  hope  of 

France, 

As  firmly  as  I  hope  for  fertile  England. 
Thus  are  my  bloffoms  blafled  in  the  bud, 
And  caterpillars  eat  my  leaves  away  : 
But  I  will  remedy  6  this  gear  ere  long, 
Or  fell  my  title  for  a  glorious  grave.  \_dpde. 

Enter  GloJIer. 

G.lo.  All  happinefs  unto  my  lord  the  king ! 
Pardon-,  my  liege,  that  I  have  {laid  fo  long. 

Suf.  Nay,  Glofter,  know,  that  thou  art  come  too 

foon, 

Unlefs  thou  wert  more  loyal  than  thou  art : 
I  do  arreft  thee  of  high  treafon  here. 

Glo.  Well,  Suffolk,  yet  thou  ftialt  not  fee  me  bluih, 
Nor  change  my  countenance  for  this  arreft; 
A  heart  unfpotted  is  not  eafily  daunted. 
The  pureft  ipring  is  not  fo  free  from  mud, 
As  I  am  clear  from  treafon  to  my  fovereign  : 
Who  can  accufe  me  ?  wherein  am  I  guilty  ? 

Tork.  'Tis  thought,  my  lord,  that  you  took  bribes 

of  France, 

And,  being  protestor,  ftay'd  the  foldiers*  pay ; 
By  means  whereof,  his  highnefs  hath  loft  France. 

Glo.  Is  it  but  thought  fo  ?   What  arc  they,  that 
think  it  ? 

5  Cold  news  for  me ;  &c.]  Thefe  two  lines  York  had  fpoken 
before  in  the  firfl  aft  of  this  play.     He  is  now  meditating  on  his 
tiifappointment,  and  comparing  his  former  hopes  with  his  prefent 
lofs.     STEEVENS. 

6  this  gear ]  Gear  was  a '  general  word  for  things  or 

lhatters.    JOHNSON. 

So,  in  the  ftory  of  King  Darius,  an  interlude,   1565  : 
"  Wyll  not  yet  this^m-  be  amended, 
'«  Nor  your  finful  afts  corrected?"    STEEVENS. 

J  never 


348      SECOND    PART    OF 

I  never  robb'd  the  foldiers  of  their  pay, 
Nor  ever  had  one  penny  bribe  from  France. 
So  help  me  God,  as  I  have  watch'd  the  night, — 
Ay,  night   by  night, — in  fludying  good  for  Eng- 
land ! 

That  doit  that  e'er  I  wrefted  from  the  king, 
Or  any  groat  I  hoarded  to  my  ufe, 
Be  brought  againft  me  at  my  trial  day ! 
No  ;   many  a  pound  of  mine  own  proper  (lore-, 
Becaufe  I  would  not  tax  the  needy  commons, 
Have  I  difpurfed  to  the  garrifons, 
And  never  afk'd  for  reftitution. 

Car.  It  ferves  you  well,  my  lord,  to  fay  fo  much. 

Glo.  I  fay  no  more  than  truth,  fo  help  me  God ! 

Tork.  In  your  protectorfhip,  you  did  devife 
Strange  tortures  for  offenders,  never  heard  of, 
That  England  was  defatn'd  by  tyranny. 

Glo.  Why,  'tis  well  known,  that,  whiles  I  was  pro« 

tector, 

Pity  was  all  the  fault  that  was  in  me ; 
For  I  fhould  melt  at  an  offender's  tears, 
And  lowly  words  were  ranfom  for  their  fault, 
Unlefs  it  were  a  bloody  murderer, 
Or  foul  felonious  thief,  that  fleec'd  poor  paffcngers, 
I  never  gave  them  condign  punifhment : 
Murder,  indeed,  that  bloody  fin,  I  tortur'd 
Above  the  felon,  or  what  trefpafs  elfe. 

Suf.  My  lord,  7  thefe  faults  are  eafy,  quickly  an* 

fwer'd  : 

But  mightier  crimes  are  laid  unto  your  charge, 
Whereof  you  cannot  eafily  purge  yourfelf, 
I  do  arrelt  you  in  his  highnefs'  name ; 
And  here  commit  you  to  my  lord  cardinal 
To  keep,  until  your  further  time  of  trial. 

K.  Henry.  My  lord  of  Glofter,  'tis  my  fpecial  hope, 

1  'tbcfe  faults  are  <•«#,——]  Eafy  is  flight,  inconfidcr- 

able,  as  in  other  pafiagee  of  this  author.    JOHNSON. 

That 


KING    HENRY    VI. 

That  you  will  clear  yourfelf  from8  all  fufpicion ; 
My  confcience  tells  me,  you  are  innocent. 

Glo.  Ah,  gracious  lord,  thefe  days  are  dangerous ! 
Virtue  is  choak'd  with  foul  ambition, 
And  charity  chas'd  hence  by  rancour's  hand  ; 
Foul  fubornation  is  predominant, 
And  equity  exil'd  your  highnefs'  land. 
I  know,  their  complot  is  to  have  my  life  ; 
And,  if  my  death  might  make  this  ifland  happy, 
And  prove  the  period  of  their  tyranny, 
I  would  expend  it  with  all  willingnefs  : 
But  mine  is  made  the  prologue  to  their  play  ; 
For  thoufands  more,  that  yet  fufpecl:  no  peril, 
Will  not  conclude  their  plotted  tragedy. 
Beaufort's  red  fparkling  eyes  blab  his  heart's  malice, 
And  Suffolk's  cloudy  brow  his  flormy  hate ; 
Sharp  Buckingham  unburdens  with  his  tongue 
The  envious  load  that  lies  upon  his  heart ; 
And  dogged  York,  that  reaches  at  the  moon, 
Whofe  over-weening  arm  I  have  pluck'd  back, 

By  falfe  accufe  doth  level  at  my  life  : 

And  you,  my  fovereign  lady,  with  the  reft, 

Cauielefs  have  laid  difgraces  on  my  head ; 

And,  with  your  befl  endeavour,  have  ftirr'd  up 

My-9  Hefeft  liege  to  be  mine  enemy  :  — 

Ay,  all  of  you  have  laid  your  heads  together, 

Myfelf  had  notice  of  your  conventicles, 

And  all  to  make  away  my  guiltlefs  life  : 

I  lhall  not  want  falfe  witnefs  to  condemn  me, 

Nor  ftore  of  treafons  to  augment  my  guilt ; 

8  all  fufpicion;]  The  folio  reads — allfufpence, 

Perhaps  the  author  wrote— -fufoffl.    So,  in  a  following  fcene : 

"  If  my/uffefibe  falfe,  forgive  me,  God!"  STEEVESTS. 

*.  -       'lief eft ]   Is  dearcfi.     JOHNSOW. 

So,  in  Spenfer's  Faery  Queen,  B.  II.  c.  i  : 

44  -Madam,  my  Hef, 

"  For  God's  dear  love,  &c." 
Again,  c.  ii : 

*'  ——Fly,  oh  my  liefejt  lord,"    STSEVENS. 

The 


SECOND    PART    OF 

The  ancient  proverb  will  be  well  effe&ed,^- 
A  ftaff  is  quickly  found  to  beat  a  dog. 

Car.  My  liege,  his  railing  is  intolerable  : 
If  thofe,  that  care  to  keep  your  royal  perfon 
From  tceafon's  fecret  knife,  and  traitors'  rage, 
Be  thus  upbraided,  chid,  and  rated  at, 
And  the  offender  granted  fcope  of  fpeech, 
'Twill  make  them  cool  in  zeal  unto  your  grace. 

Suf.  Hath  he  not  twit  our  fovereign  lady  here, 
With  ignomkiious  words,  though  clerkly  couch'd, 
As  if  fhe  had  fuborned  fome  to  fwear 
Falfe  allegations  to  o'erthrow  his  ftate  ? 

Q.  Mar.  But  I  can  give  the  lofer  leave  to  chide. 

Glo.  Far  truer  fpoke,  than  meant :  I  lofe,  indeed  ;— 
Beferew  the  winners,  for  they  play  me  falfe  ! — 
And  well  fuch  lofers  may  have  leave  to  fpeak. 

Buck.  He'll  wreft  the  fenfe,  and  hold  us  here  all 

day  :— 
Lord  cardinal,  he  is  your  prifoner. 

Car.\  Sirs,  take  away  the  duke,  and  guard  him  fure. 

Glo.  Ah,  thus  king  Henry  throws  away  his  crutch, 
Before  his  legs  be  firm  to  bear  his  body  : 
Thus  is  the  fnepherd  beaten  from  thy  fide, 
And  wolves  are  gnarling  who  (hall  gnaw  thee  firft. 
Ah,  that  my  frar  were  falfe  !  ah,  that  it  were  ! 
For,  good  king  Henry,  thy  decay  I  fear. 

[Exit  guarded. 

K.  Henry.  My  lords,  what  to  your  wifdom  icemcth 

beft, 
Do,  or  undo,  as  if  ourfelf  were  here. 

£>.  Mar.  What,  will  your  highnefs  leave  the_  par- 
liament ? 
.  K.  Henry.  Ay,  Margaret;  my  heart  is  drown'd  with 

grief, 

Whofe  flood  begins  to  flow  within  mine  eyes ; 
My  body  round  engirt  with  mifery  ; 
For  what's  more  miferable  than  difcontent  ? — 
Ah,  uncle  Humphrey  !  in  thy  face  I  fee 

The 


K  I  N  G"  II  EN  R  Y    VI;'        $$£ 

The  map  of  honour,  truth,  and  loyalty  ; 

And  yet,  good  Humphrey,  is  the  hour  to  come, 

That  e'er  J  prov'd  thee  falfc,  or  fear'd  thy  faith. 

What  low 'ring  ftar  now  envies  thy  eftate, 

That  thefe  great  lords,  and  Margaret  our  queen, 

Do  feck  fubverfion  of  thy  harmlefs  life  ? 

Thou  never  didfl  them  wrong,  nor  no  man  wrong : 

*  And  as  the  butcher  takes  away  the  calf, 

And  binds  the  wretch,   and  beats  it  when  it  ftrays, 

Bearing  it  to  the  btoody  flaughter-houfe ; 

Even  fo,  remorfelefs,  have  they  borne  him  hence* 

And  as  the  dam  runs  lowing  up  and  down, 

Looking  the  way  her  harmlefs  young  one  went, 

And  can  do  nought  but  wail  her  darling's  lofs  ; 

Even  fo  myfelf  bewail  good  Glofter's  cafe, 

With" fad  unhelpful  tears ;  and  with  dimm'd  eyes 

Look  after  him,  and  cannot  do  him  good  ; 

So  mighty  are  his  vowed  enemies. 

His  fortunes  I  will  weep  ;  and,  'twixt  each  groan, 

Say — Who's  a  traitor  '?  Glcfier  he  is  none.  [Eyit. 

*  And  as  the  luickr  takes  away  the  calf ^ 

And  binds  the  wretch,  and  leafs'it  when  ttftrays,  ] 
But  how  can  \\..Jlwy  when  it  is  bound?    The  poet  certainly  in- 
tended when  \tj?rives  ;  i.  e.  when  it  ftruggles  to  get  loofe.    And 
To  he  elfewhere  employs  this  word.     THIRLBY. 

•This  emendation  is  admitted -by 'the  fucceeding  editors  •  and 'I 
iiad  once  put  it  in  the  text.  I  am,  however,  inclined  to  believe 
'thut  in  this  paflage,  as  in  many, '  there  is  a  conifuiion  of  ideas, 
nnd  that  the  poet  'had  at  once  'before  him  a  butcher  carrying  a 
vcalf  bound,  and  a  butcher  driving  a  calf  to  the  {laughter,  and 
.beating  him  when  he  did  not  keep  the  path.  Part  of  the  lino 
Tvas  fuggefted  by  one  image,  and  part  by  another,  fo  that  Jlrivt 
is  the  oeft  word,  but^r^  is  the  right.  •  JOHJCSON. 
-'  -There-needs  no  alteration.  It  is  common  for  butchers  to  tie  a 
rope  or  halter  about  the  neck  of  a  calf  when  they  take  it  away 
'from  the  breeder's  farm,  and  to  beat  it  gently  if  it  attempts  to 
Uray  from  the  direft  road,  The  duke  ot  Glofter  is  borne  away 
like  the  calf,'  that  is,  he  is  taken  away  upon  his  feet;  bur  he  is 
not  earned  away  as  a  burthen  on  horfeb^ck,  or  upon  men's 
Ihoulders,'  or  in  their  hands*  TOLLET. 


352      SECOND    PART    OF 

J3>.  Mar.  *  Free  lords,    cold  fnovv  melts  with  the 

fun's  hot  beams. 

Henry  my  lord  is  cold  in  great  affairs, 
Too  full  of  foolifli  pity  ;  and  Glofler's  fliew 
Beguiles  him,  as  the  mournful  crocodile 
With  forrow  fnares  relenting  paffengers  ; 
Or  as  the  make,  roll'd  on  a  flowering  bank, 
With  flnning  checker'd  flough,  doth  fling  a  childy 
That,  for  the  beauty,  thinks  it  excellent. 
Believe  me,  lords,  were  none  more  wife  than  I, 
(And  yet,  herein*  I  judge  my  own  wit  good) 
This  Glofler  fliould  be  quickly  rid  the  world, 
To  rid  us  from  the  fear  we  have  of  him. 

Car.  That  he  Ihould  die,  is  worthy  policy  ; 
But  yet  we  want  a  colour  for  his  death  : 
'Tis  meet,  he  be  condemn'd  by  courfe  of  law, 

Suf.  But,  in  my  mind,  that  were  no  policy  ; 
The  king  will  labour  ftill  to  fave  his  life, 
The  commons  haply  rife  to  fave  his  life ; 
And  yet  we  have  but  trivial  argument, 
More  than  miltruft,  that  {hews  him  worthy  death. 

Tork.  So  that,  by  this,  you  would  not  have  him  die. 

Suf.  Ah,  York,  no  man  alive  fo  fain  as  I. 

Tork.  J  'Tis  York  that  hath  more  reafon  for  his 

•death.- 
But,  my  lord  cardinal,  and  you,  my  lord  of  Suffolk,— 

*  Free  lords,  &c.]  By  this  flie  means  (as  may  be  feen  by  the 
fecjuel)  you,  who  are  not  bound  up  to  fuch  precife  regards  of  re- 
ligion as  is  the  king  ;  but  are  men  of  the  world,  and  know  how 
jo  live.  WARBURTON. 

3  'Tis  Tork  that  hath  more  reafon  for  bis  death.']  Why  York  had 
more  reafon  than  the  reft  for  defiring  Humphrey's  death,  is  not 
very  clear ;  he  had  only  decided  the  deliberation  about  the  re- 
gency of  France  in  favour  of  Somerfet.  JOHNSON. 

York  had  more  reafon,  becaufe  duke  Humphrey  flood  between 
fcirn  and  the  crown,  which  he  had  propofed  to  himfelf  as  the  ter- 
mination of  his  ambitious  views.    So  aft  III.  fc.  v : 
For  Humphrey  being  dcaJ^  as  hejball  &et 
And  Henry  put  apart )  the  ntxt  for  tr.e ,     STEEVF.NS. 

Say 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VL         353 

Say  as  you  think,  and  fpeak  it  from  your  fouls,—. 

Wer't  not  all  one,  an  empty  eagle  were  fet 

To  guard  the  chicken  from  a  hungry  kite, 

As  place  duke  Humphrey  for  the  king's  proteclor? 

£>.  Mar.  So  the  poor  chicken  fliould  be  fare  of 
death. 

Skf.  Madam,  'tis  true :  And  wer't    not  madnefa 

then, 

To  make  the  fox  furveyor  of  the  fold  ? 
Who  being  accus'd  a  crafty  murderer, 
His  guilt  fhould  be  but  idly  potted  over, 
Becauie  his  purpofe  is  not  executed. 
4  No  ;  let  him  die,  in  that  he  is  a  fox, 
By  nature  prov'd  an  enemy  to  the  liock, 
Before  his  chaps  be  ftain'd  with  crimfon  blood ; 
As  Humphrey  prov'd  by  reafons  to  my  liege. 
And  do  not  ftand  on  quillets,  how  to  flay  him  : 
Be  it  by  gins,  by  fnares,  by  fubtilty, 
Sleeping,  or  waking,  'tis  no  matter  how, 
JSo  he  be  dead ;  for  that  is  good  deceit 5 
Which  mates  him  firft,  that  firft  intends  deceit. 

^.  Mar.  Thrice-noble  Suffolk,  'tis  refolutely  fpoke. 

4  No  :  let  him  die,  in  that  he  is  afoxt 
By  nature  proved  an  enemy  to  the  flock, 
Before  hi 3  chaps  be  f.aind  with  crimfon  Uood; 
As  Humphrey  prov'd  by  reafons  to  my  liege- .] 

The  meaning  of  the  fpeaker  is  not  hard  to  be  difcovered,  but  his 
expreffion  is  very  much  perplexed.  He  means  that  the  fox  may 
be  lawfully  killed,  as  being  known  to  be  by  nature  an  enemy  to 
flieep,  even  before  he"  has  aftually  killed  them  ;  fo  Humphrey 
may  be  properly  deftroyed,  as  being  proved  by  arguments  to  be 
the  king's  enemy,  before  he  has  committed  any  adtunl  crime. 

Some  may  be  tempted  to  read  treafons  for  rcafons,  but  the  drift 
of  the  argument  is  to  ihew  that  there  may  be  reafin  to  kill  him 
before  any  treafon  has  broken  out.  JOHNSON. 

5  for  that  is  good  deceit 

IWrich  mates  himjirjl^  that  firjt  intends  deceit.} 
Mates  him  means — that  firft  puts  an  end  to  his  moving.     To  mate 
is  a  term  in  chefs,  ufed  when  the  king  is  {topped  from  moving, 
and  an  end  put  to  the  game,     PERCY. 

VOL.  VI.  A  9  Suf. 


354      SECOND    PART    OF 

Suf.  Not  refolute,  except  fo  much  were  done  ; 
For  things  are  often  fpoke,  and  feldom  meant  : 
But,  that  my  heart  accordeth  with  my  tongue,  — 
Seeing  the  deed  is  meritorious, 
And  to  preferve  my  fovereign  from  his  foe,  _ 
Say  but  the  word,  and  °  I  will  be  his  prieft. 

Car.  But  I  would  have  him  dead,  my  lord  of  Suf- 

folk, 

Ere  you  can  take  due  orders  for  a  prieft  : 
Say,  you  confent,  7  and  ccnfure  well  the  deed, 
And  I'll  provide  his  executioner, 
I  tender  fo  the  fafety  of  my  liege. 

Suf.  Here  is  my  hand,  the  deed  is  worthy  doing;, 

g^Mar.  And  fo  fay  I. 

Tork.  And  I  :  and  now  we  three  have  fpoke  it, 
*  It  fkills  not  greatly  who  impugns  our  doom. 

Enter  a  Pojl. 

Poft.  Great  lords,  from  Ireland  am  I 
To  fignify  —  that  rebels  there  are  up, 
And  put  the  Englilhmen  unto  the  fword  : 
Send  fucconrs,  lords,  and  flop  the  rage  betime, 
Before  the  wound  do  grow  incurable  ; 
For,  being  green,  there  is  great  hope  of  help. 

Car.  A  breach,  that  craves  a  quick  expedient  flop  ! 
What  counfel  give  you  in  this  weighty  caufe  ? 

Tork.  That  Somerfet  be  fent  a  regent  thither  : 
Tis  meet,  that  lucky  ruler  be  employ'd  ; 
Witnefs  the  fortune  he  hath  had  in  France.  _ 

Som.  If  York,  with  all  his  far-fet  policy, 


6  *—-I™miebisprieJi.-\  I  will  be  the  attendant  on  .his  lad 
fcene,  I  will  be  the  laft  man  whom  he  will  fee.    JOHNSON 

•  A  —anfce'lfure™Mthe  Je«t,l  That  is,  approve  the  deed, 

judge  the  deed  good.     JOHNSON. 

•  Itjkilh  »&  —  ]  It  is  of  no  importance.     JOHNSON. 

So,  in  Sir  T.  More's  Utopia,  tranllated  by  R.  Robinfon,  16:4: 

I  will  defcnbe  to  you  one  or  other  of  them,  for  itjkilltth  no 

ereatlv  winch."    MALONE  J 


greatly  which."   JMALO.NE. 


K  I  N  6    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         «$$ 

Had  been  the  regent  there  inftead  of  me, 
He  never  would  have  ftaid  in  France  fo  long. 

York.  No,  not  to  lofe  it  all,  as  thou  haft  done  : 
I  rather  would  have  loll  my  life  betimes, 
Than  bring  a  burden  of  dimonour  home, 
By  flaying  there  fa  long,  'till  all  were  loft. 
Shew  me  one  fear  charactered  on  thy  fkin  : 
Men's  fleih  preferv'd  fo  whole,  do  feldom  win. 

j^.  Mar.  N  ay  then,  this  fpark  will  prove  a  raging 
fire, 

If  wind  and  fuel  be  brought  to  feed  it  with  : 

No  more,  good  York  ; — fweet  Somerfet,  be  ftiii  ;  — 
Thy  fortune,  York,  hadft  thou  been  regent  there, 
.  Might  happily  have  prov'd  far  worfe  than  his. 

Tork.  What,  worfe  than  nought  ?  nay,  then  alhame 
take  all ! 

Som.  And,  in  the  number,  thee,  that  wifheft  fhame  I 

Car.  My  lord  of  York,  try  what  your  fortune  is* 
The  uncivil  kerns  of  Ireland  are  in  arms, 
And  temper  clay  with  blood  of  Englifhmen  j 
To  Ireland  will  you  lead  a  band  of  men, 
Collected  choicely,  from  each  county  fome, 
And  try  your  hap  againft  the  Iriftimen  ? 

fork.  I  will,  my  lord,  fo  pleafe  his  majefty, 

Suf.  Why,  our  authority  is  his  confent ; 
And,  what  we  do  eftablifh,  he  confirms  : 
Then,  noble  York,  take  thou  this  tafk  in  hand. 

Tork.  I  am  content :  Provide  me  foldiers,  lords^ 
Whiles  I  take  order  for  mine  own  affairs. 

Suf.  A  charge,  lord  York,  that  Iwill  fee  performed. 
But  now  return  we  to  the  falfe  duke  Humphrey. 

Car.  No  more  of  hirn^  for  I  will  deal  with  him, 
That,  henceforth,  he  lhall  trouble  us  no  more. 
And  fo  break  off;  the  day  is  almoft  fpent : — 
Lord  Suffolk,  you  and  I  muft  talk  of  that  event. 

Tork.  My  lord  of  Suffolk,  within  fourteen  cUy3a 
At  Briftol  I  expect  my  foldiers  ; 
For  there  I'll  Ihip  them  all  for  Ireland* 

A  a  2  fuf, 


S56      SECOND     PART    OF 

Suf.  I'll  fee  it  truly  done,  my  lord  of  York. 

[Exeunt  all  but  York. 

Tork.    Now,  York,    or   never,    fteel  thy  fearful 

thoughts, 

And  change  mifdoubt  to  refolution  : 
Be  that  thou  hop'fl  to  be  ;  or  what  thou  art 
Refign  to  death,  it  is  not  worth  the  enjoying  : 
Let  pale-fac'd  fear  keep  with  the  mean-born  man, 
And  find  no  harbour  in  a  royal  heart. 
Falter  than  fpring-time  fhowers,  comes  thought  on 

thought ; 

And  not  a  thought,  but  thinks  on  dignity. 
My  brain,  more  bufy  than  the  labouring  fpider, 
Weaves  tedious  fnares  to  trap  mine  enemies. 
Well,  nobles,  well ;  'tis  politickly  done, 
To  fend  me  packing  with  an  hoft  of  men  : 
I  fear  me,  you  but  warm  the  ftarved  fnake, 
Who,  cherilh'd  in  your  brcafts,  will  fling  your  hearts. 
'Twas  men  I  lack'd,  and  you  will  give  them  me  : 
I  take  it  kindly ;  yet,  be  well  affur'd 
You  put  lharp  weapons  in  a  mad-man's  hands. 
Whiles  I  in  Ireland  nourilh  a  mighty  band, 
I  will  flir  up  in  England  fome  black  ftorm, 
Shall  blow  ten  thouiand  fouls  to  heaven,  or  hell : 
And  this  fell  tempeft  ihall  not  ceafe  to  rage 
Until  the  golden  circuit  on  my  head, 
Like  to  the  glorious  fun's  tranfparent  beams, 
Do  calm  the  fury  of  this 9  mad-bred  flaw. 
And,  for  a  minifler  of  my  intent, 
I  have  feduc'd  a  head-ftrong  Kentilhman, 
John  Cade  of  Afhford, 
To  make  coi#rnotion,  as  full  well  he  can, 
Under  the  title  of  John  Mortimer. 
In  Ireland  have  I  feen  this  ftubborn  Cade 
Oppofe  himfelf  againft  a  troop  of  kerns  ; 

*  — — mad-bred  J^w,]  Flaw  is  a  fudden  violent  gull  of  wind. 

ft 

>nc| 


KING    H  E  N  P.  Y     VI.          S5 

And  fought  fo  long,  'till  that  his  thighs  with  darts 
Were  almoft  like  a  fharp-quill*d  porcupine  : 
And,  in  the  end  being  reicu'd,  I  have  feen  him 
Caper  upright  like  to  '  a  wild  Morifco, 
Shaking  the  bloody  darts,  as  he  his  bells. 
Full  often,  like  a  lhag-hair'd  crafty  kern, 
Hath  he  converfcd  with  the  enemy  ; 
'And  undifcover'd  come  to  me  again, 
And  given  me  notice  of  their  villainies. 
This  devil  here  fhall  be  my  fubftitute  ; 
For  that  John  Mortimer,  which  now  is  dead, 
In  face,  in  gait,  in  fpeech  he  doth  refemble  : 
By  this  I  fhall  perceive  the  commons'  minds, 
How  they  affect  the  houfe  and  claim  of  York. 
Say,  he  be  taken,  rack'd,  and  tortured  ; 
I  know,  no  pain,  they  can  inflidt  upon  him, 
Will  make  him  fay  —  I  mov'd  him  to  thofe  arms. 
Say,  that  he  thrive,  (as  'tis  great  like  he  will) 
Why,  then  from  Ireland  come  I  with  my  ftrength, 
And  reap  the  harvefl  which  that  rafcal  fow'd  : 


1  -  a  wild  'Morifio^l  A  Moor  in  a  military  dance,  now 
called  Morris,  that  is,  a  Moorilh  dance.  JOHNSOX. 

In  Albion's  Triumph,  a  mafque,  1631,  the  feventh  entry  con- 
fifts  of  mimicKS  or  Morifcos. 
Again,  in  Marfton's  What  you  iv/7/,    1607  : 
"  Your  wit  (kips  'J.'  Morifco" 

The  Morris-dance  was  the  Tripujium  Mauritaniaim,  a  kind  of 
hornpipe.  Junius  defcribes  it  thus  :  **  -  faciem  plerunque 
inficiunt  fuligine,  et  peregrinum  veftium  cultum  affumunt,  qui 
ludicris  talibus  indulgent,  ut  Mauri  efle  videantur,  aut  e  longius 
remota  patria  credantur  advolafle,  atque  infolens  recreationis 
genus  advexifle." 

In  the  churchwardens'  accompts  of  the  parifli  of  St.  Helen's 
in  Abingron,  Berkftiire,  from  the  firft  year  of  the  reign  of  Phi- 
lip and  Mary,  to  the  thirty-fourth  of  queen  Elizabeth,  the  Mor- 
rice  bells  are  mentioned.  Anno  1  560,  the  third  of  Elizabeth,  — 
*'  For  two  doffin  of  ^forrcs  bells."  As  thefe  appear  to  have  been 
purchafed  by  the  community,  we  may  fuppofe  this  diverfion  was 
conftantly  practifed  at  their  public  feftivals.  See  the  plate  of 
Morris-mincers  at  the  end  of  the  firft  part  of  K.  Henry  IV.  with 
Mr.  Toilet's  remarks  annexed  to  it.  S  TEEVEXS. 

A  a  3  For* 


358      SECOND    PART    OF 

For,  Humphrey  being  dead,  as  he  ihall  be, 

And  Henry  put  apart,  the  next  for  me.  [Exit. 

SCENE     II.* 

An  apartment  in  the  palace. 

Enter  two  or  three,   running  over  the  fage,  from  the 
murder  of  duke  Humphrey. 

Fir/}.  M.  Run  to  my  lord  of  Suffolk;  let  him  know, 
We  have  difpatch'd  the  duke,  as  he  commanded. 

Second  M'  O,  that  it  were  to  do  ! — What  have  we 

done  ? 
Didft  ever  hear  a  man  fo  penitent  ? 

Enter  Suffolk. 

Firjl  M.  Here  comes  my  lord. 

Suf.  Now,  firs,  have  you  difpatch'd  this  thing  ? 

Firft  M.  Ay,  my  good  lord,  he's  dead. 

Suf.  Why,  that's  well  faid.     Go,  get  you  to  my 

houfe  ; 

J  will  reward  you  for  this  venturous  deed. 
The  king  and  all  the  peers  are  here  at  hand  ; 
Have  you  Jaid  fair  the  bed  ?  are  all  things  well, 
According  as  I  gave  directions  ? 

*  Scene  //.]  Tim.  foene,  and  the  directions  concerning  it,  ftan4 
thus  in  the  quarto  edition  : 

•>£  curta:nes  Icing  draiutie,   Duke  Humphrey  is  difcovertd 
in  his  <W,  and  tivo  men  lying  on  bis  breft,  axdfmotbering  bin: 
led.     And  then  enter  the  Duke  of  Suffolk  to  than. 

Sujf.  How  new,  iirs  !  what  have  you  difpatch'd  him  ? 
One,  Aye,  ray  lord  5  he's  dead,  I  warrant  you. 
f>ujf.  Then  fee  the  c.oaths  laid  fmooth  about  him  ftill, 
That  when  the  king  comes,   he  may  perceive 
No  other,  but  that  he  dide  of  his  own  accord. 
2.       All  things  is  handfome,  now  my  lord. 
Sujft  Then  drew  the  curtains  again,  and  get  you  gone, 
And  you  (hall  have  your  firm  reward  anon. 

[Exit  murtberen,     STEEVEVS. 
Ftrjl  M, 


KING    HENRY     VI.         359 
Firft  M.  Yes,  my  good  lord. 
Suf.  Away,  be  gone  !  [Exeunt  Murderers. 

Eater  king  Henry,  tie  Qveaij  Cjrdi/id,  Somerfet,  ivltb 


K.  Henry.  Go,  call  our  uncle  to  our  prcfenceflraight: 
Say,  we  intend  to  try  his  grace  to-day, 
If  he  be  guilty,  as  'tis  publiihed. 

Suf.  Til  call  him  prefently,  my  noble  lord.  [Exit.. 

X.  Henry.  Lords,  take  your  places  ;  —  And,  I  pray 

you  all, 

Proceed  no  ftraitcr  'gainft  our  uncle  Glofter, 
Than  from  true  evidence,  of  good  efleem, 
He  be  approv'd  in  pradice  culpable. 

4J;  Mar.  God  forbid,  any  malice  mould  prevail, 
That  faultlefs  may  condemn  a  nobleman  ! 
Pray  God,  he  may  acquit  him  of  fufpicion  ! 

A'.  Henry.  *  I  thank  thee  :  Well,  thefe  words  con- 
tent me  much.  - 

Re-enter  Suffolk. 

How  now  ?  why  look'ft  thou  pale  ?  why  trembleft 

thou  ? 

Where  is  our  uncle  ?  what  is  the  matter,  Suffolk  ? 
Suf.  Dead  in  his  bed,  my  lord  ;  Giofter  is  dead. 
<$\  Mar.  Marry,  God  forefend  ! 
Car.  God's  fecret  judgment  :  —  I  did  dream  to-night, 
The  duke  was  dumb,  and  could  not  fpeak  a  word. 

[The  king  fzvoons. 

*  /  thank  thee  :  &c.]  In  former  editions  : 

/  thank  thee,  AW/,  thefe  words  content  me  much. 
This  is  king  Henry's  reply  to  his  wife  Margaret.     There  can  be 
no  reafon  why  he  fhould  forget  his  own  wife's  name,  and  call  her 
Nell  inftead  of  Margaret.     As  the  change  of  a  fingle  letter  fets 
all  right,  I  am  willing  to  fuppofe  it  came  from  his  pen  thus  : 
/  thank  thee.     Well,  thefe  words  content  rr.e  much. 

THEOBALD. 

A  a  4  %.  Marg* 


360      SECOND     PART    OF 

%.  Alar.  How  fares  my  lord  ? — Help,  lords !  the 
king  is  dead. 

Som.  Rear  up  his  body  ;  wring  him  by  the  nofe. 

§.  Mar.  Run,  go,  help,  help  ! — Oh,  Henry,  optf 
thine  eyes  ! 

Suf.  He  doth  revive  again ; — Madam,  be  patient. 

K.  Henry.  O  heavenly  God  ! 

<£.  Afar.  How  fares  my  gracious  lord  ? 

Suf.  Comfort,  my  fovereign !  gracious  Henry,  com- 
fort! 

K.  Henry.  What,  doth  my  lord  of  Suffolk  com* 

fort  me  ? 

Came  he ;  right  now  to  ling  a  raven's  note, 
Whofe  difoial  tune  bereft  my  vital  powers ; 
And  thinks  he,  that  the  chirping  of  a  wren, 
By  crying  comfort  from  a  hollow  breaft, 
Can  chalc  away  the  firft-conceived  found  ? 
Hide  not  thy  poifon  with  fuch  fugar'd  words. 
Lay  not  thy  hands  on  me  ;  forbear,  I  fay  ; 
Their  touch  affrights  me,  as  a  ferpent's  ftir-g. 
Thou  baleful  meflenger,  out  of  my  fight ! 
Upon  thy  eye-balls  murderous  tyranny 
Sits,  in  grim  majefly,  to  fright  the  world. 
Look  not  upon  me,  for  thine  eyes  are  wounding  :— ^ 
Yet  do  not  go  away  ; — Come,  bafilifk, 
And  kill  the  innocent  gazer  with  thy  fight  : 
For  in  the  made  of  death  I  mail  find  joy  ; 
In  life,  but  double  death,,  now  Glofter's  dead. 

<^.  Mar.  Why  do  you  rate  my  lord  of  Suffolk  thus  ? 
Although  the  duke  was  enemy  to  him, 
Yet  he,  moft  chriftmn-like.  laments  his  death  : 
And  for  my  ft.- If, — foe  as  he  was  to  me, 
Might  liquid  tears,  or  heart-offending  groans, 
Or  blood-confuming  fighs  recall  his  life, 
I  would  be  blind  with  weeping,  fick  with  groans, 
Look  pale  as  primrofe,  with  blood-drinking  fighs, 

5  ~— -  right  KO-JJ—  ]  Juft  now,  evcp  now,    JOHNSON, 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         36j 

And  all  to  have  the  noble  duke  alive. 

What  know  I  how  the  world  may  deem  of  me  ? 

For  it  is  known,  we  were  but  hollow  friends  ; 

It  may  be  judg'd,  I  made  the  duke  away  : 

So  lhall  my  name  with  flander's  tongue  be  wounded, 

And  princes'  courts  be  fill'd  with  my  reproach. 

This  get  I  by  his  death  :  Ay  me,  unhappy  ! 

To  be  a  queen,  and  crown'd  with  infamy  ! 

A'.  Henry.  Ah,  woe  is  me  for  Glofter,  wretched 

man  ! 
<^.  Mar.  4  Be  woe  for  me,   more  wretched  than 

he  is. 

What,  doft  thou  turn,  away,  and  hide  thy  face  ? 
I  am  no  loathfome  leper,  look  on  me. 
What,  art  thou,  like  the  adder,  waxen  deaf  *  ? 

4  Pe  ivoefor  me, ]  That  is,  Let  not  woe  be  to  thee  for 

Glofter,  but  for  me.     JOHNSON. 

5  JFbat,  art  tbou,  like  the  adder,  <vjaxen  deaf?]  This  allufion 
which  has  been  borrowed  by  many  writers  from  the  Proverbs  of 
Solomon,  and  Pfalm  Iviii.  may  receive  an  odd  illullration  from  the 
following  paflage  in  Gmver  de  ConfeJJione  Amaniis,  B.  I.  fol.  x, 

A  ferpent,  which  that  afpidis 

Is  cleped,  of  his  kinde  hath  this, 

That  he  the  flone  nobleft  of  all 

The  whiche  that  men  carbuncle  call, 

Bereth  in  his  heed  above  on  hight ; 

For  whiche  whan  that  a  man  by  flight 

(The  flone  to  \vynne,  and  him  to  dantc) 

With  his  carecte  him  wolde  enchante, 

Anone  as  he  perceiveth  that, 

He  leytb  downe  bis  one  eare  all  plat 

Unto  the  groundc,  and  bait  it  faft  : 

And  eke  that  other  eare  ahfafte 

Hcfioppctb  ivitb  his  faille fo fore 

Thai  be  the  ivordes,  Jaffe  nor  more, 

Of  his  encbantcment  ne  beretb  : 

And  in  this  wife  himfelfe  he  (kiereth, 

So  that  he  hath  the  wordes  wayved, 

And  thus  his  eare  is  nought  deceived." 
Shakefpeare  has  the  fame  allufion  in  Troilus  and  CreJJida: 

"  Have  ears  more  deaf  than  adder t^  tp  the  voice  of  any  true 
Uccilion."    STEEVENS, 


362      SECOND     PART    OF 

Be  poifonous  too,  and  kill  thy  forlorn  queen. 

Is  all  thy  comfort  fhut  in  Glofler's  tomb  ? 

Why,  then  dame  Margaret  was  ne'er  thy  joy  : 

Ereft  his  flatue  then,  and  worfhip  it, 

And  make  my  image  but  an  ale-houfe  iign. 

XVas  I,  for  this,  nigh  wreck'd  upon  the  fea ; 

And  twice  by  6  aukward  wind  from  England's  bank 

Drove  back  again  unto  my  native  clime  ? 

What  boded  this,  but  well-fore-warning  wind 

Did  fcem  to  fay, — Seek  not  a  fcorpion's  ncft, 

Nor  fct  no  footing  on  this  unkind  fhore  ? 

What  did  I  then,  but  curs'd  the  gentle  gufts, 

And  he  that  loos'd  them  from  their  brazen  caves  ; 

And  bid  them  blow  towards  England's  blcfled  fhoie, 

Or  turn  our  flern  upon  a  dreadful  rock  ? 

Yet  ./Eolus  would  not  be  a  murderer, 

£ut  left  that  hateful  office  unto  thee  : 

The  pretty  vaulting  fea  refus'd  to  drown  me  ; 

Knowing,  that .thou  wouldft  have  me  drown'd  on  fhore 

With  tears  as  fait  as  fea  through  thy  unkindnefs : 

7  The  fplitting  rocks  cowr'd  in  the  finking  fands, 

And  would  not  dam  me  with  their  ragged  fides ; 

Becaufe  thy  flinty  heart,  more  hard  than  they, 

Might  in  thy  palace  perifh  Margaret 3. 

As  far  as  I  could  ken  thy  chalky  cliffs, 

When  from  thy  fhore  the  tempeft  beat  us  back, 

I  flood  upon  the  hatches  in  the  florin  : 

And  when  the  dufky  fky  began  to  rob 

My  earnefl-gaping  fight  of  thy  land's  view, 

6  i  '      auk-ivard  wind — ]  Thus  the  old  copy.     The  modern 
editors  read  adverfc  ivinds.     STEEVENS. 

7  The  fplitting  rocks  &c.]  The  fenfe  feems  to  be  this.— The 
rocks  hid  themielves  in  the  fands,  which  funk  to  receive  them 
into  their  bofom.     STEEVENS. 

8  Might  in  t/y  palace  perifli  Margaret."}   The  verb  ptrijb  is  here 
ufed  actively.     So,    in  the  Maid's  Tragedy,  by  Beaumont  and, 
Fletcher : 

"  let  not  my  fins 

'*  Perijh  your  noble  youth."    STEEVENS. 

I  took 


KING    HENRY    VI.       363 

I  took  a  coflly  jewel  from  my  neck, — 

A  heart  it  was,  bound  in  with  diamonds, — 

And  threw  it  towards  thy  land ;  the  fea  receiv'd  it ; 

And  fo,  I  wifh'd,  thy  body  might  my  heart  : 

And  even  with  this,  I  loft  fair  England's  view, 

And  bid  mine  eyes  be  packing  with  my  heart ; 

And  call'd  them  blind  and  dufky  fpe&acles, 

For  lofing  ken  of  Albion's  wifhed  coaft. 

How  often  have  I  tempted  Suffolk's  tongue 

(The  agent  of  thy  foul  inconftancy) 

5  To  fit  and  witch  me,  as  Afcanius  did, 

When  he  to  madding  Pido,  would  unfold 

Kis  father's  acts,  commenc'd  in  burning  Troy  ? 

Am  I  not  witch'd  like  her  ?  or  thou  not  falfe  like 

him  ? 

Ay  me,  I  can  no  more  !  Die,  Margaret ! 
For  Henry  weeps,  that  thou  doft  live  fo  long. 

Noife  within.      Enter  Warwick,    Salisbury,   and  many 
Commons. 

War.  It  is  reported,  mighty  fovereign. 
That  good  duke  Humphrey  traiterouily  is  murdcr'd 
By  Suffolk's  and  the  cardinal  Beaufort's  means. 

9  To  Jit  and  \\'ztc\i  niCy  as  Afcanius  did^ 

When  be  to  madding  Dido  "Mould  unfold 

His  father 's  aEls^  commenced  in  burning  Troy  f\ 
The  poet  here  is  unqueftionably  alluding  to  Virgil  (sEneiJ  I.) 
but  he  ftrangely  blends  fa£t  with  fiftion.  In  the  firft  place,  it 
was  Cupid  in  the  femblance  of  Afcanius,  who  fat  in  Dido's  lap, 
and  was  fondled  by  her.  But  then  it  was  not  Cupid  who  related 
to  her  the  procefs  of  Troy's  deftrudtion,  but  it  was  jEneas  him- 
felf  who  related  this  hiftory.  Again,  how  did  the  fuppofed  Af- 
canius fit  and  watch  her  ?  Cupid  was  ordered,  while  Dido  mif- 
takenly  carefled  him,  to  bewitch  and  infect  her  with  love.  To 
this  circumftance  the  poet  certainly  alludes ;  -and,  unlefs  he  had 
wrote,  as  I  have  reilored  to  the  text : 

To  Jit  and  witch  me, 
why  fliould  the  queen  immediately  draw  this  inference  : 

Am  I  not  witch'd  like  her  f    THEOBALD. 

The 


364      SECOND     PART    OF 

The  commons,  like  an  angry  hive  of  bees, 
That  want  their  leader,  fcatter  up  and  down, 
And  care  not  who  they  fting  in  his  revenge. 
Myfelf  have  calm'd  their  fpleenful  mutiny, 
Until  they  hear  the  order  of  his  death. 

K.  Henry.  That  he  is  dead,  good  Warwick,  'tis  too'i 

true  ; 

But  how  he  died,  God  knows,  '  not  Henry  : 
Enter  his  chamber,  view  his  breathlefs  corpfe, 
And  comment  then  upon  his  fudden,  death. 

War.  That  I  fhall  do,  my  liege  : — Stay,  Salifbury, 
With  the  rude  multitude,  'till  I  return. 

^Warwick  goes  in. 
K.  Henry.  O  thou  that  judgeft  all  things,  flay  my 

thoughts  ; 

My  thoughts,  that  labour  to  perfuade  my  foul, 
Some  violent  hands  were  laid  on  Humphrey's  life ! 
If  my  fufpect  be  falfe,  forgive  me,  God  ; 
For  judgment  only  doth  belong  to  thee  ! 
Fain  would  I  go  to  chafe  his  paly  lips 
With  twenty  thoufand  kiffes,  and  to  drain 
Upon  his  face  an  ocean  of  fait  tears ; 
To  tell  my  love  unto  his  dumb  deaf  trunk, 
And  with  my  fingers  feel  his  hand  unfeeling  : 
But  all  in  vain  are  thefe  mean  obfequies ; 
And,  to  furvey  his  dead  and  earthy  image, 
What  were  it  but  to  make  my  forrow  greater  ? 

[A  bed,  with  Glofter's  body  y  put  fort  J:. 
War.  Come  hither,  gracious  fovereign,  view  this 

body. 
K-  Henry.  That  is  to  fee  how  deep  my  grave  is 

made : 

For,  with  his  foul,  fled  all  my  worldly  folace ; 
*  For  feeing  him,  I  fee  my  life  in  death, 

War 

1  not  Henry  :\  The  poet  commonly  ufes  Henry  as  a 

word  of  three  fyllables.     JOHNSON. 

*  for  feeing  bimt  I  fee  my  life  in  death. ~\  Though,  by  a  violent 

opera-* 


KING    HENRY     VI.         365 

War.  As  furely  as  my  foul  intends  to  live 
With  that  dread  King,  that  took  our  (late  upon  him 
To  free  us  from  his  Father's  wrathful  curfe, 

do  believe  that  violent  hands  were  laid 
Upon  the  life  of  this  thrice-famed  duke. 

Suf.  A  dreadful  oath,  fworn  with  a  folemn  tongue ! 
What  inftance  gives  lord  Warwick  for  his  vow  ? 

War.  Sec,  how  the  blood  is  fettled  in  his  face  ! 
1  Oft  have  I  feen  a  timely-parted  ghoft, 

Of 

operation,  fome  fenfe  may  be  extracted  from  this  reading,  yet  I 
think  it  will  be  better  to  change  it  thus : 

For  feeing  him,  I  fee  my  death  in  life. 

That  is,  Seeing  him  I  live  to  fee  my  own  deftru(ftion.  Thus  it 
will  aptly  correfpond  with  the  firft  line  : 

Come  hither )  gracious  fovereign,  view  this  body. 

K.  Henry.  That  is  to  fee  bvvj  deep  my  grave  is  made* 

JOHNSON. 

— I  fee  my  life  in  death. ~\  Surely  the  poet's  meaning  is  obvious 
as  the  words  now  fland. — I  fee  my  life  def.royed  or  endangered  ly 
J>is  death.  PERCY. 

3  Oft  have  I  feen  a  timely-parted  gboft^ 

Of  afiy  femblancel,  meager  %  fate,  and  bloodlefi^\ 
All  that  is  true  of  the  body  of  a  dead  man,  is  here  laid  by  War- 
wick of  the  foul.     I  would  read  : 

Oft  have  I  feen  a  timely-parted  corfe. 

But  of  two  common  words  how  or  why  was  one  changed  for  the 
other  ?  I  believe  the  tranfcriber  thought  that  the  epithet  timely- 
farted  could  not  be  ufed  of  the  body,  but  that,  as  in  Hamlet 
there  is  mention  of  peace-parted  fouls,  fo  here  timely-parted  muft 
have  the  fame  fubilantive.  He  removed  one  imaginary  diffi- 
culty, and  made  many  real.  If  the  foul  is  parted  from  the  body, 
the  body  is  likewife  parted  from  the  foul. 

I  cannot  but  flop  a  moment  to  obferve  that  this  horrible  de- 
fcription  is  fcarcely  the  work  of  any  pen  but  Shakefpeare's. 

JOHNSON. 

This  is  not  the  firft  time  that  Shakefpeare  has  confounded  the 
terms  that  fignify  body  and  foul,  together.  So,  in  the  Muifummer 
Right's  Dream  : 

"  .damned^/r/Af  all 

"  That  in  crofs-ways  and  floods  have  burial." 
It  is  furely  the  body  and  not  the  foul  that  is  committed  to  the 
earth,  or  whelm'd  in  the  water.     The  word  ghoft,  however,  is 
Ccentioufly  ufed   by  our  ancient  writers.     In  Spenfer's  Faery 


366      SECOND    PART    OF 

Of  afhy  femblance,  meager,  pale,  and  bloodlefs,    - 

Being  all  defcended  to  the  labouring  heart ; 

Who,  in  the  conflict  that  it  holds  with  death, 

Attracts  the  fame  for  aidance  'gainft  the  enemy  ; 

Which  with  the  heart  there  cools,  and  ne'er  returneth 

To  biulh  and  beautify  the  cheek  again. 

But,  fee,  his  face  is  black,  and  full  of  blood ; 

His  eye-balls  further  out  than  when  he  liv'd, 

Staring  full  ghaflly  like  a  Wrangled  man  : 

His  hair  up-rear'd,  his  noftrils  itretch'd  with  ftrug- 

gling ; 

His  hands  abroad  difplay'd,  as  one  that  grafp'd 
And  tugg'd  for  life,  and  was  by  ftrength  fubdu'd. 
Look  on  the  fhcets,  his  hair,  you  fee,  is  flicking ; 
His  well  proportion'd  beard  made  rough  and  rugged, 
Like  to  the  fu turner's  corn  by  tempefl  lodg'd. 
It  cannot  be,  but  he  was  murder'd  here  ; 
The  leaft  of  all  thefe  figns  were  probable. 

Suf.  Why,  Warwick,  who  ihould  do  the  duke  to 

death  ? 

Myfelf,  and  Beaufort,  had  him  in  protection  ; 
And  we,  I  hope,  fir,  are  no  murderers. 

War.  But  both  of  you  were  vow'd  duke  Hum- 
phrey's foes  ; 

And  you,  forfooth,  had  the  good  duke  to  keep  : 
Tis  like,  you  would  not  feaft  him  like  a  friend; 
And  'tis  well  fccn,  he  found  an  enemy. 

£>uecn,  B.  II.  c.  viii.  Sir  Gnyon  is  in  a  fvvoon,  and  two  knights 
are  about  to  ftrip  him,  when  the  Palmer  fays  : 

"  no  knight  fo  rude  1  weene 

"  As  to  doen  outrage  to  a  ileeprng  gkoft" 

Again,  in  the  fhort  copy  of  verfes  printed  at  the  conclufion  of 
the  three  firft  books  of  Spenfer's  Faerie  $ueen,  1 596  : 

"  And  grones  of  buried gbofles  the  heavens  did  perfe.'* 
Again,  in  our  author's  K.  Richard  II  : 

"  Thegbqfls  they  have  depos'd." 
Again,  in  Sir  A.  i&orges's  tranflation  of  Lucan,  B.  IX  : 

«  a  peafant  of  that  court 

"  Bids  him  not  tread  on  He&or's  gboft."    STEEVENS. 


KING     HENRY     VI.         367 

§.  Mar.  Then  you,  belike,  fufpect  thefc  noblemen 
As  guilty  Of  duke  Humphrey's  timelefs  death. 

War.  Who  finds  the  heifer  dead,  and  bleeding  frefli, 
And  fees  fa  ft  by  a  butcher  with  an  axe, 
But  will  fufpect,   'twas  he  that  made  the  daughter? 
Who  finds  the  partridge  in  the  puttock's  neft, 
But  may  imagine  how  the  bird  was  dead, 
Although  the  kite  foar  with  unbloody'd  beak  ? 
Even  fo  fufpicious  is  this  tragedy. 

<jij.  Mar.  Are  you  the  butcher,  Suffolk  ?  whcre's 

your  knife  ? 
Is  Beaufort  tcrm'd  a  kite  ?  where  are  his  talons  ? 

Suf.  I  wear  no  knife,  to  Slaughter  flecping  men  ; 
But  here's  a  vengeful  fvvord,  rufted  with  eafe, 
That  fhall  be  fcoured  in  his  rancorous  heart, 
That  ilandcrs  me  with  murder's  crimfon  badge  :— 
Say,  if  thou  dar'ft,  proud  lord  of  Warwickfhire, 
That  I  am  faulty  in  duke  Humphrey's  death. 

[Exit  Cardinal. 

War.  What  dares  not  Warwick,   if  falfe  Suffolk 
dare  him  ? 

£>.  Mar.  He  dares  not  calm  his  contumelious  fpirit, 
Nor  ceafe  to  be  an  arrogant  controller, 
Though  Suffolk  dare  him  twenty  thoufand  times. 

War.  Madam,    be  (till  ;    with  reverence  may   I 

fay  it ; 

For  every  word,  you  fpeak  in  his  behalf, 
Is  flander  to  your  royal  dignity. 

Suf.  Blunt-witted  lord,  ignoble  in  demeanour ! 
If  ever  lady  wrong'd  her  lord  fo  much, 
Thy  mother  took  into  her  blameful  bed 
Some  Item  untutor'd  churl,  and  noble  flock 
Was  graft  with  crab-tree  flip  ;  whofe  fruit  thou  art, 
And  never  of  the  Nevils'  noble  race. 

War.  But  that  the  guilt  of  murder  bucklers  thee, 
And  I  iliould  rob  the  death's-man  of  his  fee, 
Quitting  thee  thereby  of  ten  thoufand  ihames, 
.And  that  my  fovereign's  prefence  makes  me  mild, 

I  would, 


368      SECOND    PART    OF 

I  would,  falfc  murderous  coward,  on  thy  knee 
Make  thee  beg  pardon  for  thy  pafled  fpeech, 
And  fay — it  was  thy  mother  that  thou  mcant'ft, 
That  thou  thyfelf  waft  born  in  baftardy  : 
And,  after  all  this  fearful  homage  done, 
Give  thee  thy  hire,  and  fend  thy  foul  to  hell, 
Pernicious  blood-fucker  of  fleeping  men  ! 

Suf.  Thou  lhalt  be  waking,  while  I  Ihed  thy  blood, 
If  from  this  prefencc  thou  dar'ft  go  with  me. 

War.  Away  even  now,  or  I  will  drag  thee  hence : 
Unworthy  though  thou  art,  Pll  cope  with  thee, 
And  do  fome  fervice  to  duke  Humphrey's  ghofh 

[Exeunt. 

K.  Henry.  What  ftronger  breafl-plate  than  a  heart 

untainted  ? 

Thrice  is  he  arm'd,  that  hath  his  quarrel  juft; 
And  he  but  naked,  though  lock'd  up  in  fteel, 
Whofe  conscience  with  injuftice  is  corrupted. 

[A  noife  within. 

Q.  Mar.  What  noife  is  this  ? 

Re-enter  Suffolk  and  Warwick,  with  their  weapons  drawn. 

K.  Henry.  Why,  how  now,  lords  ?  your  wrathful 

weapons  drawn 

Here  in  our  prefence  ?  dare  you  be  fo  bold  ? — 
Why,  what  tumultuous  clamour  have  we  here  ? 

Suf.  The  traiterous  Warwick,  with  the  men  of  Bury, 
Set  all  upon  me,  mighty  fovereign. 

Noife  of  a  crowd  within.     Enter  Salifbury. 

Sal.  Sirs,  ftand  apart ;  the  king  ihall  know  your 

mind. — 

Dread  lord,  the  commons  fend  you  word  by  me, 
Unlefs  lord  Suffolk  ftraight  be  done  to  death, 
Or  banifhed  fair  England's  territories, 
They  will  by  violence  tear  him  from  your  palace, 
And  torture  him  with  grievous  lingering  death. 

They 


KING    HENRY    VI.         369) 
They  fay,  by  him  the  good  duke  Humphrey  died ; 
They  fay,  in  him  they  fear  your  highnefs"  death  j 
And  mere  inftindt  of  love,  and  loyalty, — 
Free  from  a  ftubborn  oppofite  intent, 
As  being  thought  to  contradict  your  liking,— « 
Makes  them  thus  forward  in  his  banilhment. 
They  fay,  in  care  of  your  molt  royal  perfon, 
That,  if  your  highnels  fhould  intend  to  flcep, 
And  charge — that  no  man  ftiould  difturb  your  reft, 
In  pain  of  your  diflike,  or  pain  of  death  ; 
Yet,  notwithftanding  fuch  a  flrait  edict, 
Were  there  a  ferpent  feen,  with  forked  tongue, 
That  flily  glided  towards  your  majcfty, 
It  were  but  neceffary  you  were  wak'd  j 
Left,  being  fuffcr'd  in  that  harmful  flumbcr, 
The  mortal  worm  4  might  make  the  deep  eternal  : 
And  therefore  do  they  cry,  though  you  forbid, 
That  they  will  guard  you,  whe'r  you  will,  or  no, 
From  fuch  fell  ferpents  as  falfe  Suffolk  is ; 
With  whofe  envenomed  and  fatal  fting, 
Your  loving  uncle,  twenty  times  his  worth, 
They  fay,  is  fruimefully  bereft  of  life. 

Commons  [w///>///.]  An  anfwer  from  the  king,  my  lord 

of  Salifbury. 

St'.f.  'Tis  like,  the  commons,  rude  uripolifh'd  hinds* 
Could  fend  fuch  meflage  to  their  fovereign  : 
But  you,  my  lord,  were  glad  to  be  empioy'd, 
To  fhew  how  quaint  an  orator  you  are  : 
But  all  the  honour  Salisbury  hath  won, 
Is — that  he  was  the  lord  ambaflador, 
Sent  from  5  a  fort  of  tinkers  to  the  king. 

4  The  mortal  worm———]    Serpents   in  general,  were  art- 
ciently  called  worms.     So,  in  the  Dei-ifs  Charter,   1607,  Pops 
Alexander  fays  when  he  takes  off  the  afpicks  from  the  young 
princes  : 

"  How  now,  proud  -Morais  f  how  taftes  yon  princes' blood  ?'" 

STEEVESS, 

5  -a  fort ]  Is  a  company.     JOHNSOX, 

§o,  in  the  MUfummer  Night's  Drer.m : 

*'  — rullet-pated  choughs,  many  in.  fort*    STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  B  b 


(37o      SECOND    PART    OF 

Within.  An  anfwer  from  the  king,  or  we  will  all 

break  in. 

K.  Henry.  Go,  Salifbury,  and  tell  them  all  from  me, . 
I  thank  them  for  their  tender  loving  care  : 
And  had  I  not  been  cited  fo  by  them. 
Yet  did  I  purpofe  as  they  do  entreat ; 
For,  fure,  my  thoughts  do  hourly  prophefy 
Mifchance  unto  my  ftate  by  Suffolk's  means. 
And  therefore, — by  his  majefly  I  fwear, 
Whofe  far  unworthy  deputy  I  am, — 
He  mail  not  breathe  infection  in  this  air 
But  three  days  longer,  on  the  pain  of  death. 

[Exit  Salifbury. . 

<^.  Mar.  Oh  Henry,  let  me  plead  for  gentle  Suf- 
folk ! 

K.  Henry.  Ungentle  queen,  to  call  him  gentle  Suf- 
folk. 

No  more,  I  fay  ;  if  thou  doft  plead  for  him, 
Thou  wilt  but  add  encreafe  unto  my  wrath. 
Had  I  but  faid,  I  would  have  kept  my  word  ; 
But,  when  I  fwear,  it  is  irrevocable :— • 
If,  after  three  days  fpace,  thou  here  be'ft  found 
On  any  ground  that  I  am  ruler  of, 
The  world  mall  not  be  ranfom  for  thy  life.— 
Come,  Warwick,  come,  good  Warwick,   go  with . 

me  ; 
I  have  great  matters  to  impart  to  thee. 

[Exeunt  all  but  Suffolk,  and  the  Queen. 
Q.  Mar.  Mifchance,  and  forrow,  go  along  with  you  { 
Heart's  difcontent,  and  four  affliction, 
Be  play-fellows  to  keep  you  company  ! 
There's  two  of  you  ;  the  devil  make  a  third  ! 
And  three-fold  vengeance  tend  upon  your  fteps  1 

Suf.  Ceafe,  gentle  queen,  thefe  execrations, 
And  let  thy  Suffolk  take  his  heavy  leave. 

Q.  Mar.   Fie,    coward  woman,    and  foft-hearted 

wretch  ! 
Haft  thou  not  fpirit  to  curfe  thine  enemies  ? 

•Suf,. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         37, 

Suf.  A  plague  upon  them  !   wherefore  Ihould  I 

curfe  them  ? 

6  Would  curfes  kill,  as  doth  the  mandrake's  groan, 
I  would  invent  as  bitter  fearching  terms, 
As  curft,  as  harlh,  and  horrible  to  hear, 
Delivered  itrongly  through  my  fixed  teeth^ 
With  full  as  many  iigns  of  deadly  hate, 
As  lean-fac'd  Envy  in  her  loathfome  cave  : 
My  tongue  Ihould  ftumble  in  mine  earneft  words; 
Mine  eyes  Ihould  fparkle  like  the  beaten  flint; 
My  hair  be  fix'd  on  end,  as  one  diftraft ; 
Ay,  every  joint  Ihould  feem  to  curfe  and  ban  : 
And  even  now  my  burden'd  heart  would  break, 
Should  I  not  curfe  them.     Poifon  be  their  drink  ! 
Gall,  worfe  than  gall,  the  daintieft  that  they  tafte  ! 
Their  fweeteft  fhade,  a  grove  of  cyprefs  trees 7 I 
Their  chiefefl  profpedt,  murdering  bafilifks8 ! 
Their  fofteft  touch,  as  fmart  as  lizards'  flings  ! 
Their  mufic,  frightful  as  the  ferpent's  hifs ; 
And  boding  fcritch-owls  make  the  concert  full ! 
All  the  foul  terrors  in  dark-featcd  hell 

$.  Mar.  Enough,  fweet  Suffolk,  thou  torment'ft 
thyfelf ; 

6  Would  curfes  kill,  as  doth  tie  mandrake  s groan,}  The  fabulous 
accounts  of  the  plant  called  a  mandrake  give  it  an  inferior  degree 
of  animal  life,  and  relate,  that  when  it  is  torn  from  the  ground 
it  groans,  and  that  this  groan  being  certainly  fatal  to  him  that  is 
offering  fuch  unwelcome  violence,  the  pra&ice  of  thofe  who  ga- 
ther irrmdrakes  is  to  tie  one  end  of  a  ftring  to  the  plant,  and 
the  other  to  a  dog,  upon  whom  the  fatal  groan  discharges  its 
malignity.     JOHNSON-. 

The  fame  alluiion  occurs  in  Ariftippxs,  or  tie  Jovial  Pbilofo' 
pber,  by  Randolph  : 

'*  This  is  the  mandrake's  voice  that  undoes  me"  STEEVENS. 

7  • a  cyprefc  tree!}    Cyprefs  was  employed  in  the  funeral 

tites  of  the  Romans,  and  hence  is  always  mentioned  as  an  ill- 
boding  plant.    STEEVENS. 

8   murdering  lajilifis  ! Lizard's  flings!]     It  has  been 

laid  of  the  lafdijk  that  it  had  the  power  of  deftroying  by  a  fmgle 
glance  of  its  eye.     A  lizard  has.  no  fling,  but  is  quite  inoffea- 
five.     STEEVENS. 

B  b  2  And 


37*      SECOND    PART    OF 

And  thefe  dread  curfes — like  the  fun  'gainft  glafs, 
Or  like  an  over-charged  gun, — recoil, 
And  turn  the  force  of  them  upon  thyfelf. 

Suf.  9  You  bade  me  ban,    and  will  you  bid  me1 

leave  ? 

Now,  by  the  ground  that  I  am  bnnifh'd  from, 
Well  could  I  curfe  away  a  winter's  night, 
Though  {landing  naked  on  a  mountain  top, 
Where  biting  cold  would  never  let  grafs  grow, 
And  think  it  but  a  minute  fpent  in  iport. 
•    j^.  Mar.  Oh,  let  me  entreat  thec  ceafe  !  Give  me 

thy  hand, 

That  I  may  dew  it  with  my  mournful  tears ; 
Nor  let  the  rain  of  heaven  wet  this  place, 
To  walh  away  my  woeful  monuments. 
Oh,  could  this  kifs  be  printed  in  thy  hand  ; 

[Kffis  his  band. 

1  That  thou  might'ft  think  upon  thefe  by  the  feal, 
Through  whom  a  thoufand  fighs  are  breath 'd  for  thee! 
So,  get  thee  gone,  that  I  may  know  my  grief; 
'Tis  but  furmis'd  whilfl  thou  art  Handing  by, 
As  one  that  furfcits  thinking  on  a  want. 
I  will  repeal  thee,  or,  be  well  afTur'd, 
Adventure  to  be  banifhed  myfelf  : 
And  banifhed  I  am,  if  but  from  thee. 
Go,  fpeak  not  to  me  ;  even  now  be  gone. — 
Oh,  go  not  yet ! — Even  thus  two  friends  condemn'd 
Embrace,  and  kifs,  and  take  ten  thoufand  leaves, 

9  You  laJemelan,  and  will  you  lid  me  leave  ?]  This  incon- 
liflency  is  very  commotv  in  real  life.  Thofe  who  are  vexed  to 
impatience  are  angry  to  fee  others  lefs  diftuvbed  than  themfelves ; 
but  when  others  begin  to  rave,  they  immediately  lee  in  them 
what  they  could  not  find  in  themfelves,  the  deformity  and  folly 
of  ufelefs  rage.  JOHNSON. 

1   Tfjat  tbeu  might'J}  think  upon,  thefe  by  tbefeal^ 

through  whom  a  thoufand Jigbs  &c.] 

That  by  the  imprcflion  of  my  kifs  for  ever  remaining  on  thy  hand 
.  thou  mightefl  think  on  thofe  lips  through  which  a  thoufand  lighs 
will  be  breathed  for  thee.    JOHNSON. 

Lothel 


KING     HENRY     VI.         373 

Lothcr  a  hundred  times  to  part  than  die. 
Yet  now  farewel  ;  and  farewel  life  with  thee  ! 

Suf.  Thus  is  poor  Suffolk  ten  times  banifhed, 
Once  by  the  king,  and  three  times  thrice  by  thee. 
Tis  not  the  land  J  care  for,  wert  thou  hence  ; 
A  wildernefs  is  populous  enough, 
So  Suffolk  had  thy  heavenly  company  : 
For  where  thou  art,  there  is  the  world  itfelf, 
With  every  feveral  plcafure  in  the  world  ; 
And  where  thou  art  not,  defolation. 
I  can  no  more  :  —  Live  thou  to  joy  thy  life  ; 
Myfelf.no  joy  in  nought,  but  that  thou  liv'fl. 

Enter  Vnuy, 

<3>.  Mar.  Whither  goes  Vaux  fo  fafl  ?  what  news, 
I  pry'thce  ? 

Vaux.  To  fignify  unto  his  majefty, 
That  cardinal  Beaufort  is  at  point  of  death  : 
For  fuddenly  a  grievous  ficknefs  took  him, 
That  makes  him  gafp,  and  flare,  and  catch  the  air, 
Blafpheming  God,  and  curfing  men  on  earth. 
Sometime,  he  talks  as  if  duke  Humphrey's  ghoft 
Were  by  his  fide  ;  fometime,  he  calls  the  king, 
And  whifpers  to  his  pillow,  as  to  him, 
The  fecrets  of  his  over-charged  ibul  : 
And  I  am  fent  to  tell  his  majefty, 
That  even  now  he  cries  aloud  for  him. 

^  Mar.  Go,  tell  this  heavy  meflage  to  the  king. 

[Exit  Vaux. 

Ay  me  !  what  is  this  world  ?  what  news  are  thefe  *  ? 
But  wherefore  grieve  I  }  at  an  hour's  poor  iofs, 

Omit- 


-  jfy  me  !  -ivl-at  is  tfcs  -wM  ?  what  no'vs  are  tl:rfef\   Imtead 
of  this  line,  the  quarto  reads  : 

Oh  !  what  is  worldly  pomp  ?  all  men  muft  die, 
And  woe  am  I  tor  Beaufort's  heavy  end.     STEEVENS. 
3  -  at  an  hour'  spoor  &/},]  She  means,  I  believe,  at  a  Iofs 
which  any  hour  fpent  in  contrivance  and  deliberation  will  enable 
B  b  3  her 


374      SECOND    PART    OF 

Omitting  Suffolk's  exile,  my  foul's  treafure  ? 
Why  only,  Suffolk,  mourn  I  not  for  thee, 
And  with  the  fouthern  clouds  contend  in  tears ; 
Theirs  for  the  earth's  encreafe,  mine  for  my  forrows  > 
Now,  get  thee  hence. — The  king,  thou  know'il,  U 

coming ; 
If  thou  be  found  by  me,  thou  art  but'  dead. 

Suf.  If  I  depart  from  thee,  I  cannot  live  : 
And  in  thy  fight  to  die,  what  were  it  elfe, 
But  like  a  pleafant  flumber  in  thy  lap  ? 
Here  could  I  breathe  my  foul,  into  the  air, 
As  mild  and  gentle  as  the  cradle  babe, 
Dying  with  mother's  dug  between  its  lips  : 
Where,  from  thy  fight,  I  fhould  be  raging  mad^ 
And  cry  out  for  thee  to  clofe  up  mine  eyes, 
To  have  thee  with  thy  lips  to  (top  my  mouth  ; 
So  fhouldft  thou  either  4  turn  my  flying  foul, 
Or  I  ihould  breathe  it  fo  into  thy  body, 
And  then  it  liv'd  in  fweet  Elyfium. 
To  die  by  thee,  were  but  to  die  in  jefl ; 
From  thee  to  die,  were  torture  more  than  death  ; 
Oh,  let  m,e  flay,  befall  what  may  befall. 

Q.  IvLir.  Away  !  though  parting  be  a  fretful  cor« 

rofive, 

It  is  applied  to  a  deathful  wound. 
To  France,  fwect  Suffolk  :  Let  me  hear  from  thee ; 
For  wherefoe'er  thou  art  in  this  world's  globe, 

lier  to  fupply.    Or  perhaps  flie  may  call  the  ficknefs  of  the  car- 
dinal the  lofs  of  an  hour,  as  it  may  put  fome  {top  to  her  fchemes. 

JOHNSON. 

I  believe  the  poet's  meaning  is,  Wherefore  do  I  grieve  that 
Beaufort  las  tiled  an  lour  before  bis  time,  who,  being  an  old  man, 
covild  not  have  had  a  long  time  to  live  ?  STEEVENS. 

4  -turn  tby  fly  ing  foul,]  Perhaps  Mr.  Pope  was  indebted 

to  this  paflfage  in  his  Eloifa  to  AMardy  where  he  makes  that  vo* 
brift  ofexquifite  fenfibiiity  fay  : 

"  See  my  lips  tremble,  and  my  eye-balls  roll, 
«'  Suck  my  laft  breath,  and  catch  my  flying  foul." 

$  TEE  YENS. 


KING    HENRY    VI.         375 
s  I'll  have  an  Iris  that  lhall  find  thee  out. 

Suf.  I  go. 

Q.  Mar.  And  take  my  heart  with  thee. 

Suf.  A  jewel  lock'd  into  the  woful'ft  cafk 
That  ever  did  contain  a  thing  of  worth. 
Even  as  a  fplitted  bark,  fo  funder  we  ; 
This  way  fall  I  to  death. 

§.  Mar.  This  way  for  me.  [Exeunt,  feverally. 

SCENE    III. 

We  Cardinals  bed-chamber. 

Enter  king  Henry  6,  Sail/bury  f  Warwick,  and  others,  to  tie 
Cardinal  in  bed. 

K.  Henry.  How  fares  my  lord  ?  fpeak,  Beaufort,  to 

thy  fovereign. 
Car.  If  thou  be'ft  death,  I'll  give  thee  England's 

treafure, 

Enough  to  purchafe  fuch  another  ifland, 
So  thou  wilt  let  me  live,  and  feel  no  pain. 

K.  Henry.-  Ah,  what  a  fign  it  is  of  evil  life, 
When  death's  approach  is  feen  fo  terrible  ! 
•  War.  Beaufort,  it  is  thy  fovereign  fpeaks  to  thee.; 

Car.  Bring  me  unto  my  trial  when  you  will. 
Dy'd  he  not  in  his  bed  ?  where  fhould  he  die  ? 
Can  I  make  men  live,  whe'r  they  will  or  no  ?— 
Oh!  torture  me  no  more,  I  will  confefs. — 
Alive  again  ?  then  fhew  me  where  he  is  ; 

5  ril  have  an  Iris ]  Iris  was  the  meflenger  of  Juno. 

JOHNSON. 

So,  in  Afft  Well  that  Ends  Well'. 

««  this  diftemper'd  meflenger  of  wet, 

"  The  many-colour'd  Iris "    STEEVENS.    ^ 

fi  Enter  king  Henry,  &c.]  The  quarto  offers  the  following  ftage 
directions.  Enter  King  and  Salijbury,  and  then  the  curtaines  be 
draivnt,  and  the  carc'inal  is  difcovered  in  bis  fyd,  raving  and  flar- 
ing «.«  if  he  were  mad.  STEEVENS. 


37$      S  E  C  O  N  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

I'll  give  a  thoufand  pound  to  look  upon  him.— 
He  hath  no  eyes,  the  duft  hath  blinded  them.— 
Comb  down  his  hair  ;  look  !  look  !   it  ftands  upright 
Like  lime-twigs  fet  to  catch  my  winged  foul  !  — 
Give  me  fome  drink  ;  and  bid  the  apothecary 
Bring  the  ftrong  poifon  that  I  bought  of  him. 

K.  Henry.  O  thou  eternal  Mover  of  the  heave 
Look  with  a  gentle  eye  upon  this  wretch  ! 
Oh,  beat  away  the  bufy  meddling  fiend, 
That  lays  ftrong  fiege  unto  this  wretch's  foul, 
And  from  his  bofom  purge  this  black  defpair  ! 

.  See,  how  the  pangs  of  death  do  make  hii 


> 

Sal.  Difturb  him  not,  let  him  pafs  peaceably. 
K.  Henry.  Peace  to  his  foul,  if  God's  good  pleafui 

be!— 

Lord  cardinal,  if  thou  think'fl  on  heaven's  blifs, 
Hold  up  thy  hand  7,  make  fignal  of  thy  hope.  — 
He  dies,  and  makes  no  fign  :•  —  O  God,  forgh 

him  ! 

War.  So  bad  a  death  argues  a  monftrous  life. 
K.  Henry.  8  Forbear  to  judge,  for  we  are  fmnc 

all.— 

Cloie  up  his  eyes,  and  draw  the  curtain  clofe  ; 
And  let  us  all  to  meditation,  9  [Exeunt 

AC 

7  HcUup  thy  hand,}  Thus  in  the  fpurious  play  of  K.  Jo 
l6|i,  Pandulph  fees  the  king  dying,  and  fays  : 

"  Then,  good  my  lord,  if  you  forgive  them  all, 
"  Lift  ufyour  ban<Hy  in  token  you  forgive." 
Again  : 

"  Lift  up  thy  hand,  that  we  may  witnefs  here, 
*'  Thou  dieit  the  fervant  of  our  Saviour  Chriil  :—  » 
"  No\v  joy  beride  thy  foul'!" 

This  K.  John  was  firlt  publifhed  in  1591.     STEEVENS. 
*  Forbear  tojitilge,  &c.] 

"  Peccantcs  culpare  cave,  nain  labimur  omnes, 

*'  Aut  furaus,  aut  fuimus,  vcl  pofllimus  efle  quod  hie  eft.' 

JOHNSON. 
f  Exeunt,]  This  is  one  of  the  fccnes  which  have  been  appl 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         377 
A  C  T     IV.       SCENE      I. 

The  coaft  of  Kent. 

Alarm.  Fight  at  fea\  Ordnance  goes  of.  Enter  cap- 
tain  Whitmoret  and  other  pirates,  with  Suffolk,  and 
other  prifoners. 

Cap.  *  The  gaudy,  blabbing,  and  remorfeful  day » 
Is  crept  into  the  bofom  of  the  fea  ; 
And  now  loud-howling  wolves  aroufe  4  the  jades 
That  drag  the  tragic  melancholy  night ; 

ed  by  the  critics,  and  which  will  continue  to  be  admired  when 
prejudice  (hall  ceafe,  and  bigotry  give  way  to  impartial  examina- 
tion. Thefe  are  beauties  that  rife  out  of  nature  and  of  truth  ; 
the  fuperficial  reader  cannot  mifs  them,  the  profound  can  image 
nothing  beyond  them.  JOHNSON. 

1  Fight  at  fea.]  Perhaps  Ben  Jonfon  was  thinking  of  this 
play,  when  he  put  the  following  declaration  into  the  mouth  of 
Morofe  in  the  Silent  Woman.  "  Nay,  I  would  fit  out  a  play 
that  were  nothing  butjigbts  affect,  drum,  trumpet,  and  target." 

STEEVENS. 

*   ne  gaudy  y  Mailing, day,]  The  epithet  Matting  applied 

to  the  day  by  a  man  about  to  commit  murder,  is  exquifitely 
beautiful.  Guilt  is  afraid  of  light,  coniiders  darknefs  as  a  na- 
tural fhelter,  and  makes  night  the  confidante  of  thofe  acTions 
which  cannot  be  trufted  to  the  tell-tale  day.  JOHNSON. 

3  remorfeful  day.~\   Remorfeful  is    pitiful.     So,  in  the 

Tew  Gentlemen  of  Verona  : 

"  a  gentleman, 

"  Valiant,  wife,  remorfeful^  well  accomplim'd." 
The  fame  idea  occurs  in  Macbeth : 

"  Scarf  up  the  tender  eye  of  pitiful  day"    STEEVENS. 
4  •-    •  'the jades 

That  drag  the  tragic  melancholy  night, 

t?7;o  Wtto  their  dro-~Mfy,  JlffW,  and  flagging  ivings 

Clip  dead  men?  graves, ] 

The  wings  of  the  jades  that  drag  night  appears  an  unnatural 
image,  till  it  is  remembered  that  the  chariot  of  the  night  is  fup- 
pofed,  by  Shakefpeare',  to  be  drawn  by  dragons.  JOHNSON. 

Who 


378      SECOND    PART    OF 

Who  with  their  drowfy,  flow,  and  flagging  wings 
Clip  dead  men's  graves,  and  from  their  mifty  jaws 
Breathe  foul  contagious  darknefs  in  the  air. 
Therefore,  bring  forth  the  foldiers  of  our  prize  ; 
For,  whilft  our  pinnace  anchors  in  the  Downs, 
Here  fliall  they  make  their  ranfom  on  the  fand, 
Or  with  their  blood  ftain  this  diicolour'd  fhorc. — 
Matter,  this  prifoner  freely  give  I  thee  ; — 
And  thou  that  art  his  mate,  make  boot  of  this ; — 
The  other,  Walter  Whitmore,  is  thy  ihare. 

[Pointing  to  Suffolk. 

i  Gent.  What  is  my  ranfom,  mafter  ?  let  me  know. 

Maft.  A  thoufand  crowns,  or  elfe  lay  down  your 
head. 

Mate.  And  fo  much  fliall  you  give,  or  off  goes 
yours. 

Wlnt.  What,  think  you  much  to  pay  two  thoufand 

crowns, 

And  bear  the  name  and  port  of  gentlemen  ? — 
Cut  both  the  villains'  throats ; — for  die  you  fliall ; 
5  Nor  can  thofe  lives  which  we  have  loft  in  fight, 
Be  counter-pois'd  with  fuch  a  petty  fum. 

1  Gent.  I'll  give  it,  fir ;  and  therefore  fpare  my  life. 

2  Gent.    And  fo  will   I,    and  write  home  for  it 

ftraight. 

fPhit.  I  loft  mine  eye  in  laying  the  prize  aboard, 
And  therefore,  to  revenge  it,  flialt  thou  die  ; 

[fTo  Suffolk. 

And  fo  fliould  thefe,  if  I  might  have  my  will. 
Cap.  Be, not  fo  rafh ;  take  ranfom,  let  him  live. 
Suf.  6  Look  on  my  George,  I  am  a  gentleman  ; 
Rate  me  at  what  thou  wilt,  thou  flialt  be  paid, — 
Whit*  And  fo  am  I ;  my  name  is— Walter  Whit- 
more, 

*  Nor  can  tbofe  //'*•«•—]  The  old  copy  reads  the  lives  of  tbofe. 

STEEVENS. 

*  Look  on  nty  George  j—*\  In  tlve  firfi  e-lition  it  is  my  ring. 

WARBURTON. 

How 


KING    HENRY    VI. 

How  now  ?  why  ftart'ft  thou  ?  what,  doth  death  af- 
fright ? 

Suf.  Thy  name  affrights  me,    in  whofe  found  is 

death. 

A  cunning  man  did  calculate  my  birth, 
And  told  me  —  that  by  Water  I  mould  die7  : 
Yet  let  not  this  make  thee  be  bloody-minded  ; 
Thy  name  is—Gualtier,  being  rightly  founded. 

Whit.  Gualtier,  or  Walter,  which  it  is,  I  care  not  : 
Ne'er  yet  did  bafe  dimonour  blur  our  name, 
But  with  our  fword  we  wip'd  away  the  blot  ; 
Therefore,  when  merchant-like  I  fell  revenge, 
Broke  be  my  fword,  my  arms  torn  and  defac'd, 
And  I  proclaim'd  a  coward  through  the  world  ! 

Suf.  Stay,  Whitmore  ;  for  thy  prifoner  is  a  prince, 
The  duke  of  Suffolk,  William  de  la  Pole. 

Whit.  The  duke  of  Suffolk,  muffled  up  in  rags  ! 

Suf,  Ay,  but  thefe  rags  are  no  part  of  the  duke  ; 
•Jove  fometime  went  difguis'd,  And  why  not  I  ? 

Cap.  But  Jove  was  never  {lain,  as  thou  malt  be. 

Suf.  Obfcure  and  9  lowly  fwain,   king   Henry's 

blood, 
The  honourable  blood  of  Lancafter, 

not  be  ihed  by  fuch  a  jaded  groom. 


7  —  £v  Water  —  ]  So,  In  queen  Margaret's  letter  to  this  duke  of 
Suffolk,  by  Michael  Druyton  : 

"  I  pray  thee,  Poole,  have  care  how  thou  doft  pafs, 
"  Never  the  fea  yet  half  fo  dangerous  was, 
"  And  one  foretold,  by  -wafer  thou  fhould'it  die,  &c.'* 
A  note  on  thefe  lines  fays,  "  The  witch  of  Eye  received  anfwer 
from  her  fpirit,  that  the  duke  of  Suffolk  fhould  take  heed  of 
water."    See  the  fourth  fcene  of  the  firfl  aft  of  this  play. 

STEEVENS. 

8  Jove  fometime  went  difguis'd,  &c.]  This  verfe  is  omitted  in 
all  but  the  firfl:  old  edition,  without  which  what  follows  is  not 
fenfe.     The  next  line  alfo  : 

OS/cure  and  lowJyfivain^  king  Henry's  llooctt 
yiras  falfly  put  in  the  Captain's  mouth.     POPE. 
£  Anvfr/uw'g,—  ]  The  quarto  reads  kwfy  final*. 

STEEVEKS. 

Hatf 


380      SECOND     PART    OF 

Haft  thou  not  kifs'd  thy  hand,  and  held  my  ftirrop  ? 
And  bare-head  plodded  by  my  foot-cloth  mule, 
And  thought  thee  happy  when  I  fliook  my  head  ? 
How  often  haft  thou  waited  at  my  cup, 
Fed  from  my  trencher,  kneel'd  down  at  the  boan|j 
When  I  have  feafted  with  queen  Margaret  ? 
Remember  it,  and  let  it  make  thee  creft-fall'n  ; 
Ay,  and  allay  this  thy  '  abortive  pride  : 
How  in  our  voiding  lobby  haft  thou  flood, 
And  duly  waited  for  my  coming  forth  ? 
This  hand  of  mine  hath  writ  in  thy  behalf, 
And  therefore  fhall  it  charm  thy  riotous  tongue. 

Whit.  Speak,   captain,    lhall   I  ftab  the  forlorn 
fwain  ? 

Cap.  Firft  let  my  words  ftab  him,  as  he  hath  me. 

Suf.  Bafe  flave  !  thy  words  are  blunt,  and  fo  art 
thou. 

Cap.  Convey  him  hence,  and  on  our  long  boat's  fide 
Strike  off  his  head. 

Suf.  *  Thou  dar'ft  not  for  thine  own. 

Cap.  3  Poole  ?  Sir  Poole  ?  lord  ? 
'Ay,  kennel,  puddle,  fink ;  whofe  filth  and  dirt 
Troubles  the  filver  fpring  where  England  drinks. 

1  -abortive pride  :]  Pride  that  has  had  birth  too  foon, 

pride  iffuing  before  its  time.     JOHNSON. 

*  Thou  dar'Jl  not  &c.]  In  the  quarto  edition  the  paflage  ftands 
thus ; 

Suf.  Thou  dar'ft  not  for  thy  own. 
Cap.  Yes,  Pole. 
Suf.  Pole? 

Cap.  Ay,  Pole,  puddle,  kennel,  fink,  and  dirt, 
I'll  flop  that  yawning  mouth  of  thine. 

I  think  the  two  intermediate    fpeeches  fhould  be  inferred  in  the 
text,  to  introduce  the  captain's  repetition  of  Poole^  &c. 

STEEVENS. 

3  PooJef  Sir  Poole?  lord?]  The  diflbnance  of  this  broken 
line  makes  it  almoil  certain  that  we  fhould  read  with  a  kind  oi 
ludicrous  climax : 

Poole  ?  Sir  Poole  ?  lord  Poole  ? 
He  then  plays  upon  the  name  Poole  ^  kennel,  pttdJle.    JOHNSON. 

Now 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         3gt 

Now  will  I  dam  up  this  thy  yawning  mouth, 
For  fwallowing  the  treafure  of  the  realm  : 
Thy  lips,  thatkifs'd  the  queen,  fhall  fwecp  the  ground ; 
And  thou,  that  fmil'dft  at  good  duke  Humphrey's 

death, 

Againft  the  fcnfelefs  winds  ihalt  grin  in  vain, 
Who,  in  contempt,  ihall  hifs  at  thee  again  : 
And  wedded  be  thou  to  the  hags  of  hell, 
For  daring  to  affy  4  a  mighty  lord 
Unto  the  daughter  of  a  worthlefs  king. 
Having  neither  fubjedt,  wealth,  nor  diadem. 
By  devilifh  policy  art  thou  grown  great, 
And,  like  ambitious  Sylla,  over-gorg'd 
With  gobbets  of  thy  mother's  bleeding  heart. 
By  thee,  Anjou  and  Maine  were  fold  to  France : 
The  falfe  revolting  Normans,  thorough  thee, 
Difdain  to  call  us  lord  ;  and  Picardy 
Hath  flain  their  governors,  furpriz'd  our  forts, 
And  fent  the  ragged  foldiers  wounded  home. 
The  princely  Warwick,  and  the  Nevils  all, — 
Whofe  dreadful  fwords  were  never  drawn  in  vain,-— 
As  hating  thee,  are  rifing  up  in  arms  : 
And  now  the  houfe  of  York — thruft  from  the  crown, 
By  lhamefnl  murder  of  a  guiltlefs  king, 
And  lofty  proud  encroaching  tyranny,— 
Burns  with  revenging  fire  ;  whofe  hopeful  colours 
Advance  our  half-fac'd  fun,  ftriving  to  fhine, 
Under  the  which  is  writ — Invitis  mibibus. 
The  commons  here  in  Kent  are  up  in  arms  : 
And,  to  conclude,  reproach,  and  beggary, 

4  to  affy ]  To  affy  is  to  betroth  in  marriage.    So, 

in  Drayton's  Ltgend  of  Pierce  Gave/ion : 

"  In  bands  of  wedlock  did  to  me  affy 
"  A  lady,  &c." 
Again,  in  the  171!*  Song  of  the  Polyolbion  : 

"  the  Almaine  emperor's  bride 

"  Which  after  to  the  earl  of  Anjou  was  a/y'J." 

STEEVENS. 

Is 


382      SECOND    PART    OF 

Is  crept  into  the  palace  of  our  king, 

And  all  by  thee  : — Away  !  convey  him  hence. 

Suf.  O  that  I  were  a  god,  to  (hoot  forth  thunder 
Upon  thefe  paltry,  fervile,  abjedt  drudges  ! 
Small  things  make  bafe  men  proud  :  this  villain  here,- 
Being  captain  of  a  pinnace  5,  threatens  more 
6  Than  Bargulus  the  flrong  Illyrian  pirate. 
Drones  fuck  not  eagles'  blood,  but  rob  bee-hives. 
It  is  impoflible,  that  I  fhould  die 
By  fuch  a  lowly  vaflal  as  thyfelf. 
Thy  words  move  rage,  and. not  remorfe,  in  me  : 
I  go  of  meffage  from  the  queen  to  France ; 
I  charge  thee,  waft  me  fafely  crofs  the  channel. 

5  Being  captain  of  a  pinnace,]  A  pinnace  did  not  anciently  fig- 
nify,  as  at  prefent,  a  man  of  war's  boat,  but  a  (hip  of  fmall  bur- 
then.    So,  in  Winwootfs  Memorials,  Vol.  III.    p.  118:    "  The 
king  (James  I.)   naming  the  great  mip,  Trade's  Increafe ;    and 
the  prince,  a  pinnace  of  250  tons  (built  to  wait  upon  her)  Pepper- 
corn."    STEEVENS. 

6  Than  Bargulus  tbejlrong  Elyrian  pirate.]  Mr.  Theobald  fays, 
"  This  wight  I  have  not  been  able  to  trace,  or  difcover  from 
what  legend  our  author  derived    his  acquaintance  with   him." 
And  yet  he  is  to  be  met  with  in  Tullfs  Offices ;  and  the  legend  is 
the  famous  Theopompus*  s  Hiftory.    "  Bargulus  Illyrius  latro,  dc  quo 
rfl  apud  Tbeopompumt  magnas  opes  babuit,"  lib.  ii.  cap.  n. 

WAR  BUR  TON. 

Dr.  Farmer  obferves  that  Shakefpeare  might  have  met  with 
this  pirate  in  two  translations.  Robert  Whytinton,  1533,  calls 
him  "  Bargulus,  a  pirate  upon  the  fee  of  Illiry  ;"  and  Nicholas 
Grimald,  about  twenty-three  years  afterwards,  *'  Bargulus,  the 
Illyrian  robber." 

Bargulus  does  not  make  his  appearance  in  the  quarto ;  but  we 
meet  with  another  hero  in  his  room.     The  Captain,  fays  Suffolk, 
.Threatens  more  plagues  than  mighty  Abradas^ 
The  great  Macedonian  pirate. 

I  know  nothing  more  of  this  Abradat,  than  that  he  is  men* 
tioned  by  Greene  in  his  Penelope's  Web,  1601  : 

"  Abradas  the  great  Macedonian  pirat  thought  every  one  had 
a  letter  of  mart  that  bare  fayles  in  the  ocean."  STEEVENS. 

In  Cotgrave's  Dictionary,  Abbras  is  the  name  of  a  terrible 
gyant  in  the  old  Romants  :  whence,  Ce  fier  Abbras  ;  this  kil- 
cow,  fkarecrow,  bugbear,  fa-nfli-buckler,  horrible  hackfter. 

TOLLET. 

Cap. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         383 

Cap.  Walter, — 

Wit*  Come,    Suffolk,   I  muft  waft  thee  to  thy 
death. 

Suf.  Gelidus  tlmor  occupat  artus  7 : — 'tis  thee  I  fear. 

Whit.  Thou  fhalt  have  caufe  to  fear,  before  I  leave 

thee. 
What,  are  ye  daunted  now  ?  now  will  ye  floop  ? 

i  Gent.  My  gracious  lord,  entreat  him,  fpeak  him 
fair. 

Svf.  Suffolk's  imperial  tongue  is  flern  and  rough, 
Us'd  to  command,  untaught  to  plead  for  favour. 
Far  be  it,  we  fhould  honour  fuch  as  thefe 
With  humble  fuit :  no,  rather  let  my  head 
Stoop  to  the  block,  than  thefe  knees  bow  to  any, 
Save  to  the  God  of  heaven,  and  to  my  king ; 
And  fooner  dance  upon  a  bloody  ipole, 
Than  itand  uncovered  to  the  vulgar  groom. 
True  nobility  is  exempt  from  fear : — 
More  can  I  bear,  than  you  dare  execute. 

Cap.  Hale  him  away,  and  let  him  talk  no  more  : 
Come,  fokliers,  fliew  what  cruelty  ye  can  8. — 

£.•••£  That  this  my  death  may  never  be  forgot!—* 
Great  men  oft  die  by  vile  bezonians9  : 
A  Roman  fwordcr '  and  banditto  Have 

7  Gelidus  timor  occupat  artus  :]  Ovid,  tie  Triftibus,  313. 

STEEVENS. 

8  Come foUlersJlewivbat  cruelty  ye  can.'}  Surely  this  line  belongs, 
to  the  next  fpeech.  No  cruelty  was  meditated  beyond  decollation  ; 
and  without  fuch  an  introduction,  there  is  an  obfcure  abruptnefs 
in  the  beginning  of  Suffolk's  reply  to  the  captain.     STEEVENS. 

9  — lezon:ans.~\  See  a  note  on  the  ad  part  of  Henry  IV,  a£t  V. 
fc.  iii  : 

Bifognofo,  is  a  mean  low  man. 
So,  in  Sir  Giles  Goofecap,    1 606  : 

"  if  he  come  to  me  like  your  Befognio  or  your  boor.'* 

Again,  in  Markham's  Englijb  Hujbandman,  p.  4  : 

"  The  ordinary  tillers  of  the  earth,  fuch  as  we  call  huiband- 
mcn  ;  in  France  pefants,  in  Spaine  befonyans^  and  generally  the 
cloutfhoe."  STEEVENS. 

1  A  Roman  fivorder,  &c.]  :.  e.  Herennius  a  centurion,  and 
Popilius  Laenas,  tribune  of  the  foldiers.  STEEVENS. 

Mur- 


384      SECOND    PART    OF 

Murder'd  fweet  Tully ;  Brutus'  baftard  hand  * 

Stabb'd  Julius  Czefar ;  favage  iflanders, 

3  Pompey  the  great ;  and  Suffolk  dies  by  pirates. 

[Exit  Walter  Whitmore,  with  Suffolk. 
Cap.  And  as  for  thefe  whole  ranfom  we  have  fet, 
It  is  our  pleafure,   one  of  them  depart : — 
Therefore  come  you  with  us,  and  let  him  go. 

[Exit  Captain,  with  all  but  thefrjl  Gentleman. 

Re-etfter  Whitmore,  with  Suffolk's  body. 

Whit.  4  There  let  his  head  and  lifelcfs  body  lie, 
Until  the  queen  his  miftrefs  bury  it.       [Exit.  Whit. 

i  Gent.  O  barbarous  and  bloody  fpedacle  ! 
His  body  will  I  bear  unto  the  king  : 
If  he  revenge  it  not,  yet  will  his  friends  ; 
So  will  the  queen,  that  living  held  him  dear.     [Exit. 

4  — Brutus'  baftard  hand]  Brutus  was  the  fon  of  Servilia,  a 
Roman  lady,  who  had  been,  concubine  to  Julius  Caefar. 

STEEVENS. 

3  Pompey  the  great ;  &c.]  The  poet  feems  to  have  confounded 
the  ftory  of  Pompey  with  forre  other.  JOHNSON. 

This  circumftance  might  be  advanced  as  a  ilight  proof,  in  aid 
of  many  ftronger,  that  our  poet  was  no  claffical  fcholar.  Such 
a  one  could  not  eafily  have  forgotten  the  manner  in  which  the 
life  of  Pompey  was  concluded.  Spenfer  likewife  abounds  with 
deviations  from  eftablifhed  hiftory  and  fable.  STEEVENS. 

*  77j>ere  let  bis  brad,  &c.]  Inftead  of  this  fpeech  the  quarto 
gives  us  the  following  : 

Cap.  Off  with  his  head,  and  fend  it  to  the  queen, 
And  ranfomlefs  this  prifoner  fliall  go  free, 
To  fee  it  fate  delivered  unto  her.    STEEVENS. 


SCENE 


KING    HE  N  K  Y     VI.          385 

SCENE      II. 

Another  part  of  Kent. 
Enter  George  Be-vh  and  John  Holland. 

'  Bevis.  Come,  and  get  thec  a  fword  J,  though  made 
Jof  a  lath  ;  they  have  been  up  thefe  two  days. 

HoL  They  have  the  more  need  to  fleep  now  then. 

Bevis.  I  tell  thee,  Jack  Cade  the  clothier  means  to 
chefs  the  commonwealth,  and  turn  it,  and  fet  a  new 
| nap  upon  it. 

HoL.  So  he  had  need,  for  'tis  thread-bare.  Well,  I 
fay,  it  was  never  merry  world  in  England,  fince  gen- 
tlemen came  up. 

Bevis.  O  milcrable  age  !  Virtue  is  not  regarded  in 
handycrafts-men. 

Hoi.  The  nobility  think  fcorn  to  go  in  leather 
aprons. 

Bevis.  Nay  more,  the  king's  council  are  no  good 
workmen. 

!  Hoi.  True  ;  And  yet  it  is  laid, — Labour  in  thy 
vocation  :  xvhich  is  as  much  to  fay  as, — let  the  ma- 
giftrates.be  labouring  men  ;  and  therefore  fhould  we 
be  magiftrates. 

Bevis.  Thou  haft  hit  it  :  for  there's  no  better  fign 
of  a  brave  mind,  than  a  hard  hand. 

HoL  I  lee  them !  I  fee  them  !  There's  Beft's  fon, 
the  tanner  of  Wingham. 

Bevis.  He  (hall  have  the  fkins  of  our  enemies,  to 
make  dog's  leather  of. 

HoL  And  Dick  the  butcher, — 

Bevis.  Then  is  fin  ftruck  down  like  an  ox,  and  ini- 
quity's throat  cut  like  a  calf. 

s  get  the  afiuorj,]  The  4to  reads— 'put  a  kng.ftaf  In 

thy  pike ,  &c.     STE: 

VOL,  VI.  C  c  W. 


336      SECOND    PART    OF 

Hoi.  And  Smith  the  weaver  : — 

Bevis.  Argo,  their  thread  of  life  is  fpun. 

Hoi.  Come,  come,  let's  fall  in  with  them.' 

Drum.      Enter  Cade,   Dick  the  butcher,    Smith  the-, 
weaver,  and  a  faityer,  with  infinite  numbers. 

Cade.  We  John  Cade,   fo  term'd  of  our  fuppofed 
father, 

Did.  Or  rather,  of  Healing 6  a  cade  of  herrings. 

[Afide. 

Cade.  For 7  our  enemies  fhall  fall  before  us,  infpired  ! 
with  the  fpirit  of  putting  down  kings  and  princes. 
— Command  filence. 

Dick.  Silence  ! 

Cade.  My  father  was  a  Mortimer, — 

Dick.  He  was  an  honeft  man,  and  a  good  brick- 
layer. [Afide. 

Cade.  My  mother  a  Plantagenet,— 

Dick.  I  knew  her  well,  fhe  was  a  midwife.  [_AJide. 

Cade.  My  wife  defcended  of  the  Lacies,— 

Dick.  She  was,  indeed,  a  pedlar's  daughter,  and  fold 
many  laces.  [Afide. 

6  —    •  —  a  cade  of  herrings.']  That  is,  A  barrel  of  herrings,: 
I  fuppofe  the  word  keg,  which  is  now  ufed,  is  cade  corrupted. 

JOHNSON. 

Nafh  fpeaks  of  having  weighed  one  of  Gabriel  Harvey's 
books  againft  a.  cade  of  herrings,  and  fays;  "  That  the  rebel 
Jacke  Cade  was  the  firft  that  devifed  to  put  redde  herrings  im 
cades,  and  from  him  they  have  their  name."  Praife  of  the  Red 
Herring,  1599.  STEEVENS. 

7  ~  our  enemies  Jliall  fall  before  KJ,— ]  He  alludes  to  hi* 
name  Cade,  from  cada*  Lat.  to  full.    He  has  too  much  learning 
for  his  character.     JOHNSON. 

We  John  Cade,  &c.J  This  paflage,  I  think,  fhould  be  regu- 
lated thus. 

Cade.  We  John  Cade,  fo  term'd  of  our  fuppofed  father,  for 
our  enemies  {hall  fall  before  us ; 

Dick.  Or  rather  of  Healing  a  cade  of  herrings. 

Can'*,  Infpired  with  the  fpirit  &c.    TYRWHITT. 

Smitft 


KING    HENRY    VI.         387 

Smith.  But,  now  of  late,   not  able  to  travel  with 
er 8  furr'd  pack,  {he  wafhes  bucks  here  at  home. 


Cade.  Therefore  am  I  of  an  honourable  houfe. 

Dick.  Ay,  by  my  faith  :  the  field  is  honourable ;  and 
here  was  he  born,  under  a  hedge;  for  his  father  had 
lever  a  houfe,  but  the  cage.  [Afide. 

Cade.  Valiant  I  am. 
I    Smith.  'A  muft  needs ;  for  beggary  is  valiant.  \_Afide. 

Cade.  I  am  able  to  endure  much, 
i    Dick.  No  queftion  of  that ;  for  I  have  feen  him 
.vhipp'd  three  market  days  together.  \_Afide. 

Cade.  I  fear  neither  fword  nor  fire. 

Smith.  He  need  not  fear  the  fword,  for  his  coat  is 
of  proof.  \_Afide. 

Dick.  But,  methinks,  he  fliould  Hand  in  fear  of  fire, 
being  fb  often  burnt  i'the  hand  for  ftealing  of  flieep. 

Cade.  Be  brave  then ;  for  your  captain  is  brave,  and 
vows  reformation.  There  {hall  be,  in  England,  feven 
half-penny  loaves  fold  for  a  penny  :  the  three-hoop'd 
pot  (hall  have  ten  hoops 9 ;  and  I  will  make  it  felony, 
to  drink  fmall  beer  :  all  the  realm  {hall  be  in  com- 
mon, and  in  Cheapfide  {hall  my  palfry  go  to  grais. 
And,  when  I  am  king,  (as  king  I  will  be) 

All.  God  fave  your  majefty  ! 

Cade.  I  thank  you,  good  people  : —  '  there  {hall 

be 

«  jfcrrVfjr*,— ]  A  wallet  or  knapfack  of  fkin  with  the 

hair  outward.  JOHNSON. 

9  the  three-hoop'd  pot  Jball  have  ten  hoops  ;]  In  the  Gulf 

Horn-Bookt;  a  fatirical  pamphlet  by  Deckar,  1609,  hoops  are 
mentioned  among  other  drinking  meafures  :  "  —his  boopes,  cans, 
half-cans,  &c."  And,  in  Naih's  Pierce  Pennileffe  bis  Supplication 
to  the  Devil,  \  595  :  *'  I  believe  hoopcs  in  quart  pots  were  invented 
to  that  end,  that  every  man  fliould  take  his  boopc,  and  no  more." 

STEEVENS. 

1  there  Jbatth  110  money;— ]  To  mend  the  world  by  banifhing 

money  is  an  old  contrivance  of  thole  who  did  not  confider  that 

the  quarrel*  and  mifcbiefs  which  arife  from  money,  as  the  fign. 

C  c  2  or 


388       SECOND     PART    OF 

be  no  money  ;  all  mall  eat  and  drink  on  my  fcore ; 
and  I  will  apparel  them  all  in  one  livery,  that  they 
may  agree  like  brothers,  and  worihip  me  their  lord. 

Dick.  The  firft  thing  we  do,  let's  kill  all  the 
lawyers. 

Cade.  Nay,  that  I  mean  to  do.  Is  not  this  a  la- 
mentable thing,  that  of  the  {kin  of  an  innocent  lamb 
ihould  be  made  parchment  ?  that  parchment,  being 
fcribbled  o'er,  ihould  undo  a  man  ?  Some  fay,  the  bee 
flings  :  but  I  fay,  'tis  the  bee's  wax  ;  for  I  did  but 
feal  once  to  a  thing,  and  I  was  never  my  own  matt 
iince.  How  now  ?  who's  there  ? 

Enter  fomcf  bringing  In  the  clerk  of  Chatham. 

Smith.  The  clerk  of  Chatham  :  he  can  write  ancj. 
read,  and  caft  accompt. 

Cade.  O  monflrous ! 

Smith.  We  took  him  fetting  of  boys  copies. 

Cade.  Here's  a  villain  ! 

Smith.  H'as  a  book  in  his  pocket,  with  red  letters 
In't. 

Cade.  Nay,  then  he  is  a  conjurer. 

Dick.  Nay,  he  can  make  obligations,  and  write 
court-hand. 

Cade.  I  am  forry  for't :  the  man  is  a  proper  man, 
on  mine  honour ;  unlefs  I  find  him  guilty,  he  mall  not 
die. — Come  hither,  firrah,    I  muft  examine  thee 
What  is  thy  name  ? 

Clerk.  Emanuel. 

Dick. z  They  ufc  to  write  it  on  the  top  of  letter; 
—•'Twill  go  hard  with  you. 

Cu 

or  ticket  of  riches,  muft,  if'  money  were  to  ceafe,  arife  5mm 
diately  from  riches  thcmk-lvcs,  and  could  never  be  at  an  end  t 
every  man  was  contented  with  his  own  iliarc  of  the  goods  of  life 

JOHNSON* 

*  Tbcy   i'fc  to  write  it  on  the  top  of  letters',]    i.e.    Of  lettt 
iniffive,  and  fuch  like  public  adts.     See  Mabillon's  Diplomata. 

^B 


'KING    HENRY     VI.          389 

Cade.  Let  me  alone  :— Doft  thou  ufe  to  write  thy 
lame  ?  or  haft  thou  a  mark  to  thyfelf,  like  an  honetl 
>lain-dealing  man  ? 

Clerk.  Sir,  I  thank  God,  I  have  been  fo  well  brought 
ip,  that  I  can  write  my  name. 

All.  He  hath  confefs'd  :  away  with  him ;  he's  a 
villain,  and  a  traitor. 

Cade.  Away  with  him,  I  fay  :  hang  him  with  his 
>en  and  inkhorn  about  his  neck. 

[Exit  dne  with  the  Clerk. 

Enter  Michael. 

Mich.  Where's  our  general  ? 

Cade.  Here  I  am,  thou  particular  fellow. 

Mich.  Fly,  fly,  fly  !  fir  Humphrey  Stafford  and  his 
ibrother,  are  hard  by,  with  the  king's  forces. 

Cade.  Stand,  villain,  ftand,  or  I'll  fell  thee  down  : 
He  fliall  be  encounter'd  with  a  man  as  good  as  him- 
felf  :  He  is  but  a  knight,  is  a'  ? 

Mich.  No. 

Cade.  To  equal  him,  I  will  make  myfelf  a  knight 
prefcntly  ;  Rife  up  fir  John  Mortimer.  Now  have 
at  him.  Is  there  any  more  of  them  that  be  knights  ? 
•  Mich.  Ay,  his  brother. 

Cade.  Then  kneel  down,  Dick  Butcher  ; 
Rife  up  fir  Dick  Butcher.    Now  found  up  the  drum. 

In  the  old  anonymous  play,  called  The  famous  Vittorics  of 
Henry  V.  containing  the  honourable  Eattcll  of  4gin-court,  I  find 
the  fame  circumftance.  The  archbifhop  of  Burges  (i.  e.  Bruges) 
is  the  fpeaker,  and  addreffes  himfelf  to  king  Henry  : 

"  I  befeech  your  grace  to  deliver  me  your  fafe 
"  Conduct,  under  your  broad  feai  Emanuel." 
The  king  in  anftver  fays : 

"  deliver  him  fate  conduct 

44  Under  our  broad  feal  Eaianuel"    STEEVENS. 


C  c  3  Enter 


390      SECOND    PART    OF 

Enter  Sir  Humphrey  Stafford,  and  his  Brother,  with 
and  foldiers. 

Staf.  Rebellious  hinds,  the  filth  and  fcum  of 
Mark'd  for  the  gallows, — lay  your  weapons  dowi 
Home  to  your  cottages,  forfake  this  groom  ; — 
The  king  is  merciful,  if  you  revolt. 

T.  Staf.  But  angry,  wrathful,  and  inclin'd  to  bl< 
If  you  go  forward  :  therefore  yield,  or  die. 

Cade.  As  for  thefe  filken-coated  flaves,  J I  pafs  not , 
It  is  to  you,  good  people,  that  I  fpeak, 
O'er  whom,  in  time  to  come,  I  hope  to  reign  ; 
For  I  am  rightful  heir  unto  the  crown. 

Staf*  Villain,  thy  father  was  a  plaiflerer ; 
And  thou  thyfelf,  a  fhearman,  Art  thou  not  ? 

Cade.  And  Adam  was  a  gardener. 

T.  Staf.  And  what  of  that  ? 

Cade.  Marry,  this  : — Edmund  Mortimer,  earl 

March, 
Married  the  duke  of  Clarence*  daughter ;  Did  he  not! 

Staf.  Ay,  fir. 

Cade.  By  her  he  had  two  children  at  one  birth. 

T.  Staf.  That's  falfe. 

Cade.  Ay,  there's  the  queftion  ;  but,  I  fay,  'tis  true: 
The  elder  of  them,  being  put  to  nurfe, 
Was  by  a  beggar-woman  ftol'n  away  ; 
And,  ignorant  of  his  birth  and  parentage, 
Became  a  bricklayer,  when  he  came  to  age  : 
His  fon  am  I ;  deny  it,  if  you  can. 

Dick.  Nay,  'tis  too  true;  therefore  he  ftiall  be  king. 

Smith.  Sir,  he  made  a  chimney  in  my  father's  houfe, 
and  the  bricks  are  alive  at  this  day  to  teflify  it ;  there- 
fore, deny  it  not. 

3  •—  I  pafs  not  \\  I  pay  them  no  regard.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  Drayton's  S^uejl  of  Cynthia  •' 

"  Transform  me  to  what  fliape  you  can, 
"  I  j>afs  not  what  it  be."    STEEVENS. 

Staf. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         39I 

Staf.  And  will  you  credit  this  bafe  drudge's  words, 
That  fpeaks  he  knows  not  what  ? 

AIL  Ay,  marry,  will  we ;  therefore  get  you  gone. 

T.  Staf.  Jack  Cade,  the  duke  of  York  hath  taught 
you  this. 

Cade.  He  lies,  for  I  invented  it  myfelf.  dfide.— 
Go  to,  firrah,  Tell  the  king  from  me,  that — for  his 
father's  fake,  Henry  the  fifth,  in  whofe  time  boys 
went  to  fpan-counter  for  French  crowns, — I  am  con- 
tent he  lhall  reign  ;  but  I'll  be  protector  over  him. 

Dick.  And,  furthermore,  we'll  have  the  lord  Say's 
head,  for  felling  the  dukedom  of  Maine. 

Cade.  And  good  reafon  ;  for  thereby  is  England 
maim'd,  and  fain  to  go  with  a  ftaff,  but  that  my  puif- 
fance  holds  it  up.  Fellow  kings,  I  tell  you,  that  that 
lord  Say  hath  gelded  the  common-wealth,  and  made  it 
an  eunuch :  and  more  than  that,  he  can  fpeak  French, 
and  therefore  he  is  a  traitor. 

Staf.  O  grofs  and  miferable  ignorance  ! 

Cade.  Nay,  anfwer,  if  you  can  :  The  Frenchmen 
are  our  enemies  :  go  to  then,  I  afk  but  this ;  Gan  he, 
that  fpeaks  with  the  tongue  of  an  enemy,  be  a  good 
counfcllor,  or  no  ? 

M.  No,  no ;  and  therefore  we'll  have  his  head. 

T.  Staf.  Well,  feeing  gentle  words  will  not  prevail, 
Aflail  them  with  the  army  of  the  king. 

Staf.  Herald,  away  :  and,  throughout  every  town, 
Proclaim  them  traitors  that  are  up  with  Cade  ; 
That  thofe,  which  fly  before  the  battle  ends, 
May,  even  in  their  wives'  and  childrens'  fight, 
Be  hang'd  up  for  example  at  their  doors  : — 
And  you,  that  be  the  king's  friends,  follow -me. 

[Exeunt  the  two  Staffords,  with  their  train. 

Cade.  And  you,  that  love  the  commons,  follow 

me. — 

Now  fliew  yourfelves  men,  'tis  for  liberty. 
We  will  not  leave  one  lord,  one  gentleman  : 
Spare  none,  but  fuch  as  go  in  clouted  Ihoon ; 

C  c  4  For 


392      SECOND     PART    OF 

For  they  are  thrifty  honefl  men,  and  fuch 

As  would  (but  that  they  dare  not)  take  our  parts. 

Dick.   They  are  all  in  order,  and  march  toward  us. 

Cade.  But  then  are  we  in  order,  when  we  are  moftj 
out  of  order.     Come,  march  forward,          [_Exeunt*\ 


SCENE    III. 

Another  -part  of  tie  field.      The  parties  fight,    and  both 
the  Stafforfa  arc  Jlain. 

Re- enter  CaJe,  and  the  reft. 

Cade.  Where's  Dick,  the  butcher  of  Afhford  ? 

Dick.  Here,  fir. 

Cade.  They  fell  before  thee  like  fneep  and  oxen, 
and  thou  behav'dft  thyfelf  as  if  thou  hadft  been  in 
'thine  own  ilaughter-houfe  :  therefore  thus  I  will  re- 
ward thee, — The  *  Lent  lhall  be  as  long  again  as  it  is; 
and  thou  fhalt  have  a  licence  to  kill  for  a  hundred 
"Jacking  one. 

Did.  I  defire  no  more. 

Cade.  And,  to  fpeak  truth,  thou  deferv'ft  no  lefs. 
5  This  monument  of  the  victory  will  I  bear ;  and  the 
bodies  {hall  be  dragg'd  at  my  horfe'  heels,  'till  I  do' 
come  to  London,  where  we  will  have  the  mayor's 
fword  borne  before  us. 


*  — — —  Lentjhallbe  as  long  as  It  Is,  <  •  '  ]  Methinks  it  might 
be  read  more  humoroufly,  Lentjball  Ic  as  long  again  as  it  is. 

JOHNSON. 

The  old  quarto  reads  as  long  again  as  it  is.     STEEVLNS. 

5  This  monument  of  the  viflory  'will  I  bear  • — ]  Here  Cade  m u ft 
be  fuppofed  to  take  off  Stafford's  armour.  So,  Holinfhed  : 

**  Jack  Cade,  upon  viftory  againit  the  Staffords,  apparelled 
himfelt  in  fir  Humphrey's  brigandine,  fet  lull  of  gilt  nails,  and 
for  iu  forae  glory  returned  again  toward  London."  STEEVENS. 

Dick. 


'KING    HENRY    VI.         393 

Dick.  6  If  we  mean  to  thrive  and  do  good,  break 
jppen  the  gaols,  and  let  out  the  prifoners. 

Cade.  Fear  not  that,  I  warrant  thee.  Come,  let's 
march  towards  London.  \_Exevnt. 


SCENE    IV. 

Black-Heath. 

Enter  king  Henry  with  a  fupplication,  and  queen  Mar- 
garet with  Suffolk's  head',  the  duke  of  Buckingham)  and 
and  the  lord  Say. 

£>.  Mar.  Oft  have  I  heard — that  grief  foftens  the 

mind, 

And  makes  it  fearful  and  degenerate, ; 
Think  therefore  on  revenge,  and  ceafe  to  weep. 
But  who  can  ceafe  to  weep,  and  look  on  this  ? 
Here  may  his  head  lie  on  my  throbbing  bread  : 
But  where's  the  body  that  I  ihould  embrac.  ? 

Buck.  What  anfwer  makes  your  grace  to  the  rebels* 
fupplication  ?  v 

K.  Henry.  I'll  fend  fome  holy  bifhop  to  entreat : 
For  God  forbid,  fo  many  fimple  fouls 
Should  perifh  by  the  fword  !   And  I  myfelf, 
Rather  than  bloody  war  Ihould  cut  them  fhort, 
Will  parly  with  Jack  Cade  their  general. — 
But  flay,  I'll  read  it  over  once  again. 

Q.  Mar.  Ah,  barbarous  villains  !  hath  this  lovely 

face 

7  Rul'd,  like  a  wandering  planet,  over  me  ; 
And  could  it  not  enforce  them  to  relent, 

6  If  ivc  mean  to  thrive  and  do  good,  &c.]   I  thirk  it  flrj'.sld  be 
read  thus,  If  we  mean  to  thrive,  do  good;  bre^k  open  :Le  gaols  ^ 
&c.     JOHNSON. 

7  RuV d  like  a  wandering plar.et  —  ]  Predominate  i  irrefiii!l..y  <  vcr 
my  paifions,  as  the  planets  ovtr  •!  e  lives  of  ihof;  that  are  bora 
under  their  influence,    JOH:>SON. 

That 


394      SECOND     PART    OF 

That  were  unworthy  to  behold  the  fame  ? 

K.  Henry.  Lord  Say,  Jack  Cade  hath  fworn  to  have 
thy  head. 

Say.  Ay,  but  I  hope,  your  highnefs  fhall  have  his. 

K.  Henry.  How  now,  madam  ? 
Lamenting  ftill,  and  mourning  Suffolk's  death  ? 
I  fear,  my  love,  if  that  I  had  been  dead, 
Thou  wouldeft  not  have  mourn'd  fo  much  for  me. 

^.  Mar.  No,  my  love,  I  fliould  not  mourn,  but 
die  for  thee. 

Enter  a  Mcffenger. 

K.  Henry.  How  now  !  what  news  ?  why  com'ft  thou 
in  fuch  hafte  ? 

Mef.  The  rebels  are  in  Southwark  ;  Fly,  my  lord  ! 
Jack  Cade  proclaims  himfelf  lord  Mortimer, 
Defcended  from  the  duke  of  Clarence'  houfe  ; 
And  calls  your  grace  ufurper,  openly, 
And  vows  to  crown  himfelf  in  Weftminfter. 
His  army  is  a  ragged  multitude 
Of  hinds  and  peafants,  rude  and  mercilefs : 
Sir  Humphrey  Stafford  and  his  brother's  death 
Hath  given  them  heart  and  courage  to  proceed  : 
All  fcholars,  lawyers,  courtiers,  gentlemen, 
They  call — falfe  caterpillars,  and  intend  their  death. 

K.  Henry.  O  gracelefs  men  !  they  know  not  what 
they  do. 

Buck.  My  gracious  lord,  8  retire  to  Kenelworth, 
Until  a  power  be  rais'd  to  put  them  do\vn. 

<%.  Mar.  Ah  !  were  the  duke  of  Suffolk  now  alive, 
Thefe  Kentilh  rebels  Ihould  be  foon  appeas'd. 

*  retire  to  Killingworth,]  Thus  all  the  modern  editors, 

but  we  fnould  read  to  Kenekvortb  ;  or  perhaps  Killingworth  might 
be  the  old  pronunciation.     STEEVKNS. 

In  the  letter  concerning  Q^ Elizabeth's  entertainment  at  this 
place,  we  find,  "the  caltle  hath  name  of  Kyllclingwoortb ;  but 
of  truth,  gvoounded  upon  faythfull  liory,  Kcnehvoorth." 

FAR  MCI  • 

A'.  Htur. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.       395 

K.  Henry.  Lord  Say,  the  traitor  hateth  thee, 
Therefore  away  with  us  to  Kenelworth. 

Say.  So  might  your  grace's  perfon  be  in  danger ; 
The  fight  of  me  is  odious  in  their  eyes  : 
And  therefore  in  this  city  will  I  flay, 
And  live  alone  as  fecret  as  I  may. 

Enter  another  Mejfenger. 

2  Mef.  Jack  Cade  hath  gotten  London-bridge  ; 
The  citizens  fly  him,  and  forfake  their  houfes  : 
The  rafcal  people,  thirfting  after  prey, 
Join  with  the  traitor;  and  they  jointly  fwear, 
To  fpoil  the  city,  and  your  royal  court. 

Buck.  Then  linger  not,  my  lord ;  away,  take  horfe. 

K.  Henry.  Come,  Margaret ;  God,  our  hope,  will 
fuccour  us. 

<$>.  Mar.  My  hope  is  gone,  now  Suffolk  is  deceased. 

K.  Henry.  Farewel,  my  lord  ;  truft  not  to  Kentilh 
rebels. 

Buck.  Truft  no  body,  for  fear  you  be  betray'd. 

Say.  The  truft  I  have  is  in  mine  innocence, 
And  therefore  am  I  bold  and  refolute.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE     V. 

London. 

Enter  lord  Scales,  and  others,  on  the  walls  of  the  Town, 
'Then  enter  two  or  three  Citizens  below. 

Scales.  How  now  ?  is  Jack  Cade  flain  ? 

i  Cit.  No,  my  lord,  nor  likely  to  be  flain ;  for  they 
have  won  the  bridge,  killing  all  thole  that  withftand 
them :  The  lord  mayor  craves  aid  of  your  honour  from 
the  Tower,  to  defend  the  city  from  the  rebels. 

Scales.  Such  aid  as  I  can  fpare,  you  Ihall  command; 
But  I  am  troubled  here  with  them  myfelf, 

The 


396      SECOND    PART    OF 

The  rebels  have  affay'd  to  win  the  Tower. 
But  get  you  into  Smithfield,  gather  head, 
And  thither  will  I  fend  you  Matthew  Gough  : 
Fight  for  your  king,  your  country,  and  your  lives ; 
And  fo  farewel,  for  I  muft  hence  again.         [Exeunt. 

SCENE    VI. 

Cannon- Street. 

Enter  Jack  Cade,  and  the  reft.     He  jtrikes  his  Jiaff  on 
London-Jlone. 

'  Cade.  Now  is  Mortimer  lord  of  this  city.  And 
Here,  fitting  upon  London-ftone,  I  charge  and  com- 
mand, that,  of  the  city's  coft,  the  pifling-conduit  run 
nothing  but  claret  wine  the  firft  year  of  our  reign. 
And  now,  henceforward,  it  fhall  be  treafon  for  any  that 
calls  me  other  than — lord  Mortimer. 

Enter  a  Soldier  running. 

'    & 

Sol.  Jack  Cade !  Jack  Cade ! 

Cade.  Knock  him  down  there  9.  [They  kill  him. 

Smith.  If  this  fellow  be  wife,  he'll  never  call  you 
Jack  Cade  more ;  I  think,  he  hath  a  very  fair  warning. 

Dick.  My  lord,  there's  an  army  gathered  together 
in  Smithfield. 

Cade.  Come  then,  let's  go  fight  with  them  :  But, 
firft,  go  and  fet  London-bridge  on  fire  ;  and,  if  you 
can,  burn  down  the  Tower  too.  Come,  let's  away. 

[Exeunt. 

9  Knock  hini  down  there."]  So,  Holinfhed,  p.  634  :  "  He  alfo 
put  to  execution,  &c.  and  other  being  his  old  acquaintance,  left 
they  (hould  bewraie  his  bafe  lineage,  difyaraging  him  for  his  uiurp- 
ed  name  of  Mortimer." 


SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         397 

SCENE    VII. 

Smitbfield. 


Alarum, 
with  the 


Enter  Jack  Cade  with  his  company,     fheyfght 
>  king's  forces,  and  Matthew  Gough '  hjlavt. 


Cade.  So,  firs  : — Now  go  fome  and  pull  down  the 
Savoy ;  others  to  the  inns  of  court ;  down  with  them 
all. 

Dick.  I  have  a  fuit  unto  your  lordfhip. 

Cade.  Be  it  a  lordfhip,  thou  ihalt  have  it  for  that 
word. 

Dick.  Only,  that  the  laws  of  England  may  come  out 
of  your  mouth  *. 

John.  Mafs,  'twill  be  fore  law  then;  for  he  was 
thruft  in  the  mouth  with  a  fpear,  and  'tis  not  whole 
yet.  \Afide. 

Smith.  Nay,  John,  it  will  be  {linking  law  ;  for  his 
breath  flinks  with  eating  toafled  cheefe.  [Afide* 

Cade.  I  have  thought  upon  it,  it  mall  be  fo.  Away, 
burn  all  the  records  of  the  realm  ;  my  mouth  fhall 
be  the  parliament  of  England. 

John.  Then  we  are  like  to  have  biting  ftatutes, 
unlefs  his  teeth  be  pull'd  out.  \_Af\de. 

Cade.  And  henceforward  all  things  lhall  be  in  com- 
mon. 

1  Matthew  Gougb]  **  A  man  of  great  wit  and  much  experience 
in  teats  of  chivalrie,  the  which  in  continuall  warres  had  {pent  his 
time  in  iervice  of  the  king  and  his  father."  Holinlhed,  p.  635. 

STEEVENS. 

1  That  the  la-jjs  of  England  may  come  out  of  your  mouth.]  This 
alludes  to  what  Holinflied  has  related  of  I  fat  Tyler,  p.  432.  *'  It 
was  reported  indeed,  that  he  fhould  faie  with  great  pride,  putting 
his  hands  to  his  lipps,  that  within  four  daies  all  the  laives  of  ILng* 
land  jbould  come  fourth  of  bii  mouth"  T  YRWHITT. 

Enter 


398      SECOND    PART    OF 

Enter  a  MeJJenger. 

Mef.  My  lord,  a  prize,  a  prize  !  here's  the  lord 
Say,  which  fold  the  town  in  France  ;  he  that  made  us 
pay  one  and  twenty  fifteens,  and  one  (hilling  to  the 
pound,  the  lafl  fubfidy. 

Enter  George  Bevis,  with  the  lord  Say. 

Cade.  Well,  he  fhall  be  beheaded  for  it  ten  times.— 
Ah,  3  thou  fay,  thou  ferge,  nay,  thou  buckram  lord ! 
now  art  thou  within  point-blank  of  ourjurifdiction 
regal.  What  canft  thou  anfwer  to  my  majefty,  for 
giving  up  of  Normandy  unto  monfieur  Bafimecu,  the 
dauphin  of  France  ?  Be  it  known  unto  thee  by  thefe 
prefence,  even  the  prefence  of  lord  Mortimer,  that  I 
am  the  befom  that  muft  fweep  the  court  clean  of  fuch 
filth  as  thou  art.  Thou  haft  moft  traiteroufly  cor- 
rupted the  youth  of  the  realm,  in  erecting  a  grammar- 
fchool :  and  whereas,  before,  our  fore-fathers  had  no 
other  books  but  the  fcore  and  the  tally,  thou  haft 
caufed 4  printing  to  be  us'd ;  and,  contrary  to  the 

king, 

3  thoufayy  tboufergc, ]  Say  was  the  old  word  for 

Jilk\  on  this  depends  the  feries  of  degradation,  foom/iy  toferget 
from  ferge  to  buckram.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  Spenfer's  Faerie  Queen,  B.  I.  c.  iv : 
"  All  in  a  kirtle  of  difcolour'dyay 
"  He  clothed  was." 
Again,  in  his  Pcrigot  and  Cuddy's  Roundelay  : 

*'  And  in  a  kirtle  of  green  fay." 

It  appears,  however,  from   the   following  paflage  iu  the  Fttery 
Queen,  B.  III.  c.  ii.  that  fay  was  notjilk: 

"  His  garment  neither  was  oijilk  nory^y."    STEEVENS. 

*  — : printing  to  be  ajV;— •]  Shakelpeare  is  a  little  too 

early  with  this  accufation.     JOHNSON'. 

Shakefpeare  might  have  been  led  into  this  miilake  by  Daniel, 
in  the  fixth  book  of  his  Civil  Wars,  who  introduces  printing  and 
artillery  as  contemporary^  inventions  : 

"  Let  there  be  found  two  fatal  inftruments, 
«•  The  one  to  publifh,  th'  other  to  defend 

"  In/pious 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         399 

king,  his  crown,  and  dignity,  thou  haft  built  a  paper- 
mill.  It  will  be  proved  to  thy  face,  that  thou  haft 
men  about  thee,  that  ufually  talk  of  a  notfn,  and  a 
verb  ;  and  fuch  abominable  words,  as  no  chriftian  car 
can  endure  to  hear.  Thou  haft  appointed  juftices 
of  peace,  to  call  poor  men  before  them  about  mat- 
ters they  were  not  able  to  anfwer.  Moreover,  thou 
haft  put  them  in  prifon ;  and, s  becaufe  they  could  not 
read,  thou  haft  hang'd  them ;  when,  indeed,  only  for 
that  caufe  they  have  been  moft  worthy  to  live»  Thou 
doft  ride  on  a  foot-cloth,  doft  thou  not 6  ? 

Say.  What  of  that  ? 

Cade.  Marry,  thou  ought'ft  not 7  to  let  thy  horfc 

**  Impious  contention,  and  proud  difcontents ; 
"  Make  that  inftamped  characters  may  fend 
"  Abroad  to  thoufands  thoufand  men's  intent ; 
"  And,  in  a  moment,  may  difpatch  much  more 
"  Than  could  a  world  of  pens  perform  before." 
Shakefpeare's  abfurdities  may  always  be  countenanced  by  thofeof 
writers  nearly  his  contemporaries. 

In  the  tragedy  of  Herod  and  dntipater,  by  Gervafe  Markham 
and  William  Sampfon,  who  were  both  fcholars,  is  the  following 
paflage  : 

"  Though  cannons  roar  yet  you  muft  not  be  deaf." 
Spenfer  mentions  cloth  made  at  Lincoln  during  the  ideal  reigti 
of  K.  Arthur,  and  has  adorn 'd  a  caftle  at  the  fame  period  "  with 
cloth  of  Arras  and  of  Toure."  Chaucer  introduces  guns  in  the 
time  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  and  (as  Mr.  Warton  has  obferved) 
Salvator  Rofa  places  a  cannon  at  the  entrance  of  the  tent  of  Ho- 
lofernes.  STEEVENS. 

s    •  .  lecaufe  they  could  not  read  thou  baft  hang'd  them ;— •] 

That  is,  They  were  hanged  becaufe  they  could  not  claim  the  be- 
nefit of  clergy.  JOHNSON. 

6  Thou  doft  ride  on  a  footcloth,— — ]  A  footdoth  was  a 

horfe  with  houfings  which  reached  as  low  as  his  feet.  So,  in 
the  tragedy  of  Mttleajfis  the  Turk,  1610  : 

"  I  have  feen,  fmce  my  coming  to  Florence,  the  fon  of  a 
pedlar  mounted  on  &  footdoth"  STEEVENS, 

1  •  -  '-10  let  thy  horfe  wear  a  cloak,'-—]  This  is  a  reproach 
truly  charafteriiHcal.  Nothing  gives  fo  much  offence  to  the 
lower  ranks  of  mankind  as  the  light  of  fuperfluiries  merely  often- 

wear 


400      SECOND    PART    OF 

wear  a  cloak,   when  honefter  men  than  thou  go  in 
their  hofe  and  doublets. 

Dick.  And  work  in  their  fhirt  too;  as  myfelf,  for 
example,  that  am  a  butcher. 

Say.  You  men  of  Kent, 

Dick.  What  fay  you  of  Kent  ? 

Say.  Nothing  but  this  :  'Tis  8  bona  terra,  mala  gens. 

Cade.  Away  with  him,  away  with  him  !  he  fpeaks 
Latin. 

Say.  Hear  me  but  fpeak,  and  bear  me  where  you 

will. 

Kent,  in  the  commentaries  Csefar  writ, 
Is  tern-i'd  the  civil'il  place  of  all  this  hie  9  : 
Sweet  is  the  country,  becaufe  full  of  riches  ; 
The  people  liberal,  valiant,  active,  wealthy  ; 
Which  rmkes  me  hope  you  are  not  void  of  pity. 
I  fold  not  Maine,  I  loft  not  Normandy  ; 
Yet,  to  recover  them,  would  lofe  my  life. 
Jufticc  with  favour  .have  I  always  done ; 
Prayers  and  tears  have  mov'd  me,  gifts  could  never. 
*  When  have  I  aught  exacted  at  your  hands  ? 

Kent 

8  Ion  ft  terra,  main  gem.  ]  After  this  line  the  quarto  pro- 
ceed thus  : 

"  Cade.  Bonj/m  terrum,  what's  that? 
"  Dick.  He  fpeaks  French. 
"  7f?//.  No,  'tis  Dutch. 

"  NIC?:,  No,   'tis  Outnlian  :  I  know  it  well  enough." 
Holinftied  has  likewife  ftigmatized  the  Kenrifli  men,  p.  677. 
•'  The  Ke::tijh-?.:en,  in  this  feafon  (whole  minds  be  ever  move- 
able  at  the  Change  of  princes)  came,  &:c."    STEEVENS. 

5  Is  term\l  the  cl- -'H'fi  place  of  all' ilh  //?,•;]  So,  in  C^far'a 
Comment.  B.  V.  "  Ex  his  omnibus  fi'.r.t  hurnaniffimi  qui  Cant! um 
incolunt."  The  paflage  is  thus  tranfiated  by  Arthur  Gelding, 
i  590.  "  Of  all  the  mhabitanteS  of  this  ifle,  the  clvile/l  are  the 
Kentifhfoke."  STEKVENS. 

1   WL-.  .  -/;/  excised  atyour  hands  ? 

Kefir  to  maintain,  the  king,  the  realm,  and  you, 
Large  gifts  have  I  brfio-vStl  on  Isanied  f!trks% 
B'ecav/e  my  look  preferred  me  to  the  king.] 

This  paff-.^e  I  know  not  well  how  to  explain.     It  is  pointed  To  as 
to  make  Say  declare  that  he  preferred  clerks  to  maintain  Kent 

and 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         4oi 

!ent  to  maintain,  the  king,  the  realm,  and  you, 
,arge  gifts  have  I  beftow'd  on  learned  clerks, 
Becanfe  my  book  preferred  me  to  the  king : 
JAnd — feeing  ignorance  is  the  curfe  of  God, 
((Knowledge  the  wing  wherewith  we  fly  to  heaven,— 
:tUnlefs  you  be  poflefs'd  with  devilifh  fpirits, 
You  cannot  but  forbear  to  murder  me. 
This  tongue  hath  parly'd  unto  foreign  kings 

CFor  your  behoof, 

I    Cade.  Tut !  when  ftruck'ft  thou  one  blow  in  the 

field? 
Say.  Great  men  have  reaching  hands  :  oft  have  I 

flruck 

Thofe  that  I  never  faw,  and  flruck  them  dead. 
George.  O  monftrous  coward  !  what,  to  come  be- 
hind folks  ! 
Say.  Thefe  cheeks  are  pale  with  watching  for  your 

good. 
Cade.  Give  him  a  box  o'the  ear,  and  that  will  make 

'em  red  again. 

Say.  Long  fitting  to  determine  poor  mens'  caufes 
Hath  made  me  full  of  ficknefs  and  difeafes. 

Cade.  Ye  fhali  have  a  hempen  caudle  then,  and  the 
help  of  a  hatchet. 

Dick.  Why  doft  thou  quiver,  man  2  ? 

Say. 

and  the  king.     This  is  not  very  clear ;  and  belides  he  gives  in 

the  following  line  another  reafon  of  his  bounty,  that  learning 

raifed  him,  and  therefore  he  fupported  learning.     I  am  inclined 

to  think  Kent  flipped  into  this  paflage  by  chance,  and  would  read: 

When  have  I  aught  exaded  at  your  hand, 

But  to  maintain  the  king,  the  realm,  and  you?      JOHNSON. 

I  concur  with  Dr.  Johnfon  in  believing  the  word  Kent  to  have 
been  fliuffled  into  the  text  by  accident.  Lord  Say,  as  the  paflage 
Hands  at  prefent,  not  only  declares  he  had  preferred  men  of 
learning  to  maintain  Kent,  'the  king,  the  realm,  but  adds  tautolo- 
gical \yyou  ;  for  it  fliould  be  remembered  that  they  'are  Kentifh 
men  to  whom  he  is  now  fpeaking.  I  would  read,  Bent  to  main- 
tain, feV.  i.  e.  ftrtnuoufly  refohed  to  the  utmoft,  to  &c.  STEEVENS. 

1  Why  doft  thou  quiver,  man?  &c.]  Otway  has  borrowed  this 
thought  in  Venice  Preferred: 

VOL.  VI.  D  d  "  Sfi- 


402      SECOND     PART    OF 

Say.  The  pally,  and  not  fear,  provokes  me  ? 

Cade.  Nay,  he  nods  at  us ;  as  who  Ihould  fay,  I'll 
be  even  with  you.  I'll  fee  if  his  head  will  ftand 
fteadier  on  a  pole,  or  no  :  Take  him  away,  and  behead 
him. 

Say.  Tell  me,  wherein  have  I  offended  moft  ? 
Have  I  affe&ed  wealth,  or  honour  ;  fpeak  ? 
Are  my  chefts  fill'd  up  with  extorted  gold  ? 
Is  my  apparel  fumptuous  to  behold  ? 
Whom  have  I  injur'd,  that  ye  feek  my  death  ? 
Thefe  hands  are  free  from  guiltlefs  blood-fhedding, 
This  breaft  from  harbouring  foul  deceitful  thoughts, 
O,  let  me  live  ! 

Cade.  I  feel  remorfe  in  myfelf  with  his  words :  but 
I'll  bridle  it ;  he  fhall  die,  an  it  be  but  for  pleading  fo 
well  for  his  life  ;.  Away  with  him  !  he  has  a  familiar 
under  his  tongue4;  he  fpeaks  noto'God's  name.  Go, 
take  him  away,  I  fay,  and  ftrike  off  his  head  pre- 
iently  ;  and  then  break  into  his  fon-in-law's  houfe,  Sir 
James  Cromer,  and  ftrike  off  his  head,  and  bring 
them  both  upon  two  poles  hither. 

All.  It  ftiall  be  done. 

Say.  Ah,  countrymen  !  if  when  you  make  your 

prayers, 
God  Ihould  be  fo  obdurate  as  yourfelves, 

"  Splnofa.  You  are  trembling,  fir. 
*'  Renault.  'Tis  a  cold  night  indeed,  and  I  am  aged, 
"  Full  of  decay  and  natural  infirmities." 

STEEVEKS. 

3  •••  "-bejljall  die,  an  it  le  but  for  pleading  fo  'well  for  bis 
life."]  This  fentiment  is  not  merely  defigned  as  an  exprelfion  of 
ferocious  triumph,  but  to  mark  the  eternal  enmity  which  the 
vulgar  bear  to  thofe  of  more  liberal  education  and  fuperior  rank. 
The  vulgar  are  always  ready  to  depreciate  the  talents  which  they 
'behold  with  envy,  and  infult  the  eminence  which  they  deipair  to 
reach.  STEEVENS. 

*  a  familiar  under  his  tongue;]  k.  familiar  is  a  da»mon  who 

Was  fuppofed  to  attend  at  call.    So,  in  Love's  Labour's  Loft : 
**  Love  is  a  familiar  j  there  is  no  angel  but  love :" 

STEEVENS. 

How 


KING    HENRY     VI. 

How  would  it  fare  with  your  departed  fouls  ? 
And  therefore  yet  relent,  and  fave  my  life. 

Cade.  Away  with  him,  and  do  as  I  command  ye. 

[Exeunt  fome,  with  lord  Say. 

The  proudeft  peer  of  the  realm  mall  not  wear  a  head 
on  his  fhoulders,  unlefs  he  pay  me  tribute  ;  there Ihall 
not  a  maid  be  married,  but  (he  Ihall  pay  to  me  her 
maiden-head  *  ere  they  have  it :  Men  mall  hold  of  me 
in  capite ;  and  we  charge  and  command,  that  their 
wives  be  as  free  as  heart  can  wifh,  or  tongue  can  tell. 

Dick.  My  lord,  when  mail  we  go  to  Cheaplide, 
and  take  up  commodities  upon  our  bills  5  ? 

Cade.  Marry,  prefently. 

All.  O  brave! 

Re-enter  one  with  the  heads. 

Cade.  But  is  not  this  braver  ? — Let  them  kifs  one 
another  6 ;  for  they  lov'd  well,  when  they  were  alive* 
Now  part  them  again,  left  they  confult  about  the  giv- 
ing up  of  fome  more  towns  in  France.  Soldiers,  de- 
fer the  fpoil  of  the  city  until  night :  for  with  thefe 
borne  before  us,  inflead  of  maces,  we  will  ride  through 
the  lireets ;  and,  at  every  corner,  have  them  kifs.— 
Away  !  \JLxeunt. 


* Jb  all  pay  to  me  her  maidenhead,  &c.]  Alluding  to  an  ancient 

ufage  on  which  B.  and  Fletcher  have  founded  their  play  called  the 
Cuftom  of  the  Country.  See  Mr.  Seyward's  note  at  the  beginning 
of  it.  See  alfo  Cowell's  LavjDiB.  in  voce  Manbet,  &c.  &c.  &c. 

STEEVEXS. 

s  —  Take  Kf  commodities  upon  our  li!h  ?]  Perhaps  this  is  an 

equivoque  alluding  to  the  brown  bills,  or  halberds,  with  which 
the  commons  were  anciently  armed.  PERCY. 

6  Let  them  kife  one  another  ;  ]  This  is  from  the  Mlrrourfor  Magi~ 
Jtrates  in  the  legend  of  Jack  Cade : 

**  With  thefe  two  heads  I  made  a  pretty  play, 

"  For  pight  on  poales  I  bore  them  through  the  ftrete, 

"  And  for  my  fport  made  each  kijje  other  fwete." 

FARMER. 

It  is  likewife  found  in  Holinflied,  p.  634  :  "  and  as  it  were  in  a 
fpite  caufed  them  in  every  ftreet  t«  kijje  together,"  STEEVENS. 

D  d  2  SCENE 


404      SECOND    PART    OF 

SCENE    VIII. 

Southwark. 

Alarum,    and  retreat.     Enter  again  Cade,   and  all  £/>" 
rabblement. 

Cade.  Up  Fifh-ftreet !  down  faint  Magnus*  corner  ! 
kill  and  knock  down  !  throw  them  into  Thames  !— - 

\_A  parley  founded. 

What  noife  is  this  I  hear  ?  Dare  any  be  fo  bold 
to  found  retreat  or  parley,  when  I  command  them 
kill  ? 

Enter  Buckingham,  and  old  Clifford,  attended. 

Buck.  Ay,  here  they  be  that  dare,  and  will  difturb 

thee  : 

Know,  Cade,  we  come  ambaffadors  from  the  king 
Unto  the  commons,  whom  thou  haft  mif-led  ; 
And  here  pronounce  free  pardon  to  them  all, 
That  will  forfake  thee,  and  go  home  in  peace. 

Clif.  What  fay  ye,  countrymen  ?  will  ye  relent, 
And  yield  to  mercy,  whilfl  'tis  offer'd  you  ; 
Or  let  a  rabble  lead  you  to  your  deaths  ? 
Who  loves  the  king,  and  will  embrace  his  pardon, 
Fling  up  his  cap,  and  fay — God  fave  his  majefty  t 
Who  hateth  him,  and  honours  not  his  father, 
Henry  the  fifth,  that  made  all  France  to  quake, 
Shake  he  his  weapon  at  us,  and  pafs  by. 

AIL  God  fave  the  king !  God  favc  the  king  ! 

Cade.  What,  Buckingham,  and  Clifford,  are  ye  fo  i 
brave  ? — And  you,  bafe peafants,  do  ye  believe  him? 
will  you  needs  be  hang'd  with  your  pardons  about 
your  necks  ?  Hath  my  fword  therefore  broke  through 
London  gates,  that  you  fhould  leave  me  at  the 
White-hart  in  Southwark  ?  I  thought,  ye  would  I 
never  have  given  out  thefe  arms,  'till  you  had  reco- 

ver'd  i 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         4o5 

ver'd  your  ancient  freedom  :  but  you  are  all  recreants, 
and  daftards  ;  and  delight  to  live  in  flavery  to  the  no- 
bility. Let  them  break  your  backs  with  burdens, 
take  your  houfes  over  your  heads,  ravifti  your  wives 
and  daughters  before  your  faces  :  For  me, — I  will 
make  Ihift  for  one  ;  and  ib — God's  curfe  'light  upon 
you  all ! 

All  We'll  follow  Cade,  we'll  follow  Cade. 

Clif.  Is  Cade  the  fon  of  Henry  the  fifth, 
That  thus  you  do  exclaim — you'll  go  with  him  ? 
Will  he  conduct  you  through  the  heart  of  France, 
And  make  the  meaneft  of  you  earls  and  dukes  ? 
Alas,  he  hath  no  home,  no  place  to  fly  to  ; 
Nor  knows  he  how  to  live,  but  by  the  fpoil, 
Unlefs  by  robbing  of  your  friends,  and  us. 
Wer't  not  a  lhame,  that,  whilft  you  live  at  jar, 
The  fearful  French,  whom  you  late  vanquifhed, 
Should  make  a  flart  o'er  feas,  and  vanquifh  you  ? 
Methinks,  already,  in  this  civil  broil, 
I  fee  them  lording  it  in  London  ftreets, 
Crying — Villageoh  !  unto  all  they  meet. 
Better,  ten  thoufand  bafe-born  Cades  mifcarry, 
Than  you  fhould  floop  unto  a  Frenchman's  mercy. 
To  France,  to  France,  and  get  what  you  have  loft  ; 
Spare  England,  for  it  is  your  native  coaft  : 
7  Henry  hath  money,  you  are  (Irong  and  manly  ; 
God  on  our  fide,  doubt  not  of  vidtory. 

AIL  A  Clifford  !  a  Clifford  !  we'll  follow  the  king, 
and  Clifford. 

Cade.  Was  ever  feather  fo  lightly  blown  to  and  fro, 
as  this  multitude  ?  the  name  of  Henry  the  fifth  hales 

7  Henry  bath  money,  ]  Dr.  Warburton  reads,  Henry  bath 

mercy,  but  he  does  not  feem  to  have  attended  to  the  fpeaker's 
drift,  which  is  to  lure  them  from  their  prefent  defign  by  the 
hope  of  French  plunder.  He  bids  them  fpare  England,  and  go 
to  France,  and  encourages  them  by  telling  them  that  all  is  ready 
for  their  expedition  j  that  they  have  Jlrength,  and  the  king  has 
money.  JOHNSON, 

D  d  2  them 


4o6      SECOND     PART    OF 

them  to  an  hundred  mifchiefs,  and  makes  them  leave 
me  defolate.  I  fee  them  lay  their  heads  together,  to 
furprize  me  :  my  fword  make  way  for  me,  for  here 
is  no  flaying. — In  defpight  of  the  devils  and  hell,  have' 
through  the  very  midtl  of  you  !  and  heavens  and  hor 
nour  be  witnefs,  that  no  want  of  resolution  in  me,  but 
only  my  followers'  bafe  and  ignominous  treafons, 
makes  me  betake  me  to  my  heels.  [Exit. 

Buck.  What,  is  he  fled  ?  go  fome,  and  follow  him  j 
And  he,  that  brings  his  head  unto  the  king, 
Shall  have  a  thoufand  crowns  for  his  reward. — 

[Exeunt  fome  of  them. 

Follow  me,  foldiers ;  we'll  devife  a  mean 
TO  reconcile  you  all  unto  the  king.  [fyttriit\ 

SCENE    IX. 

Kenelworth  cajlk, 

'Sound  trumpets.     Enter  king  Henry  9  queen  Margaret, 
and  Somerfet,  an  tke  terras. 

K.  Henry,  Was  ever  king,  that  joy'd  an  earthly 

throne, 

And  could  command  no  more  content  than  I  ? 
No  fooner  was  I  crept  out  of  my  cradle, 
IBut  I  was  made  a  king,  at  nine  months  old  ; 
Was  never  fubje<ft  long'd  to  be  a  king, 
As  I  dp  long  and  wifh  to  be  a  fubjed:. 

Enter  Buckingham^  and  Clifford. 

Buck.  Health,  and  glad  tidings,  to  your  majefly  ! 
K.  Henry.  Why,  Buckingham,  is  the  traitor  Cade 

furpriz'd  ? 
pr  is  he  but  retir'd  to  make  him  ftrong  ? 

Enter 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.        407 

Enter  belmv,  multitudes  with  halters  about  their  necks. 

Clif.  He's  fled,  my  lord,  and  all  his  powers  do 

yield  ; 

And  humbly  thus  with  halters  on  their  necks 
Expert  you  highnefs'  doom,  of  life,  or  death. 

K.  Henry.  Then,  heaven,  fet  ope  thy  everlafting 

gates, 

To  entertain  my  vows  of  thanks  and  praifc  ! — 
Soldiers,  this  day  have  you  redeemed  your  lives, 
And    fhew'd  how  well  you  love  your  prince  and 

country  : 

Continue  ft  ill  in  this  fo  good  a  mind, 
And  Henry,  though  he  be  infortunate, 
Allure  yourfelves,  will  never  be  unkind  : 
And  fo,  with  thanks,  and  pardon  to  you  all, 
I  do  difmifs  you  to  your  feveral  countries. 

All  God  fave  the  king  !  God  fave  the  king  ! 

Enter  a  Mejfenger. 

Mef.  Pleafe  it  your  grace  to  be  advertifcd, 
The  duke  of  York  is  newly  come  from  Ireland  : 
And  with  a  puiflant  and  a  mighty  power, 
Of  Gallow-glafies,  and  flout  Kernes8, 
Is  marching  hitherward  in  proud  array ; 
And  ftill  proclaimeth,  as  he  comes  along, 
His  arms  are  only  to  remove  from  thee 
The  duke  of  Somerfet,  whom  he  terms  a  traitor. 

K.  Henry.  Thus  ftands  my  ftate,  'twixt  Cade  and 

York  diflrefs'd ; 

Like  to  a  ihip,  that,  having  'icap'd  a  tempeft, 
9  Is  ftraitway  calm'd,  and  boarded  with  a  pirate : 

But 

5  O/Callow^lafles  and  ft  out  Kernes,]  Thefe  were  two  orders  of 
foot  ioldiers  among  the  Irifli.  See  Dr.  Warburton's  note  on  the 
fecond  fcene  of  the  firft  aft  of  Macbeth.  STEEVENS. 

»  //  Rraitway  claim'd  and  boarded  with  a  pirate;}  So  the  edt- 
D  d  4  nons 


4o8       SECOND     PART     OF 

But  now  is  Cade  driven  back,  his  men  difpers'd ; 
And  now  is  York  in  arms,  to  fecond  him. — 
I  pray  thee,  Buckingham,  go  and  meet  him  ; 
And  afk  him,  what's  the  reatbn  of  thefe  arms. 
Tell  him,  I'll  fend  duke  Edmund  to  the  Tower  ;-w 
And,  Somerfet,  we  will  commit  thee  thither, 
Until  his  army  be  difmifs'd  from  him. 

Som.  My  lord, 

I'll  yield  myfelf  to  prifon  willingly, 
Or  unto  death,  to  do  my  country  good. 

K.  Henry.  In  any  cafe  be  not  too  rough  in  terms  j 
For  he  is  fierce,  and  cannot  brook  hard  language. 

Buck,  I  will,  my  lord  ;  and  doubt  not  fo  to  deal, 
As  all  things  ihall  redound  unto  your  good. 

K.  Henry.  Come,  wife,  let's  in,  and  learn  to  go- 
vern better  ; 
For  yet  may  England  curfe  my  wretched  reign. 

[Exeunt. 

tions  read ;  and  one  would  think  it  plain  enough  ;  alluding  to 
York's  claim  to  the  crown.  Cade's  head-long  tumult  was  'well 
compared  to  a  tempcjl,  as  York's  premeditated  rebellion  to  &  pi- 
racy. But  fee  what  it  is  to  be  critical ;  Mr.  Theobald  fays, 
claimed  fliould  be  calm*d,  becaufe  a  calm  frequently  fucceeds  a 
tempeji.  It  may  be  fo  ;  but  not  here,  if  the  king's  word  may  be 
taken  ;  who  exprelly  fays,  that  no  fooner  was  Cade  driven  back, 
but  York  appeared  in  arms  : 

But  now  ii  Cade  driv'n  back,  bis  men  difpers'd ; 
And  now  is  Tork  in  arms  to  fecond  him.     WAR  BURTON. 
Dr.  Warburton  begins   his  note  by  roundly  aliening  that  the 
editions  read  claimed.     The  paflage,  indeed,  is  not  found  in  the 
quarto  ;  but  the  folio,   1623,  which  is  the  only  copy  of  autho- 
rity, reads  calmt,     Theobald  fays,  that  the  third  folio  had  anti- 
cipated his  correction.     I  believe  calnfd  is  right.     The  commo- 
tion raifed  by  Cade  was  over,  and  the  mind  of  the  king  was 
fubfiding  into  a  calm,  when  York  appeared  in  arms,  to  raife  frefh 
diflurbauces,  and  deprive  it  of  its  momentary  peace.    STEEYENS, 


SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI. 

SCENE      X. 

A  garden  in   Kent f. 
Enter  Jack  Cade. 

Cade.  Fie  on  ambition  !  fie  on  myfelf ;  that  have  a 
fword,  and  yet  am  ready  to  familh  !  Thefe  five  days 
have  I  hid  me  in  thefe  woods ;  and  durft  not  peep  out, 
for  all  the  country  is  lay'd  for  me  ;  but  now  am  I  fo 
hungry,  that  if  I  might  have  a  leafe  of  my  life  for  a 
thoufand  years,  I  could  flay  no  longer.  Wherefore, 
on  a  brick-wall  have  I  climb 'd  into  this  garden  ;  to  fee 
if  I  can  eat  grafs,  or  pick  a  fallet  another  while, 
which  is  not  amifs  to  cool  a  man's  ftomach  this  hot 
weather.  And,  I  think,  this  word  fallet  was  born  to 
do  me  good  :  for,  many  a  time,  z  but  for  a  fallet,  my 
brain-pan  had  been  cleft  with  a  brown  bill  ;  and, 
many  a  time,  when  I  have  been  dry,  and  bravely 
marching,  it  hath  ferv'd  me  inftead  of  a  quart-pot  to 
drink  in ;  and  now  the  word  fallet  muil  ferve  me  to 
feed  on. 

I  A  garden  in  Kent. ~\   Holinfhed,  p.  635,  fays:  *'  — —  a  gen- 
tleman or  Kent,  named   Alexander  Eden,  awaited  fo  his  time, 
that  he  tooke  the  faid  Cade  in  a  garden  in  Suffix,  fo  that  there  he 
was  flaine  at  Hothfield,  &c." 

Inftead  of  the  foliloquy  with  which  the  prefent  fcene  begins, 
the  quarto  has  only  this  ftage  direction.  Enter  Jack  Cade  at  one 
doorc,  and  at  the  other  M.  Alexander  Eyden  and  bis  men,  and  Jack 
Cade  lies  do-tun  picking  of  hearbes,  and  eating  them,  S TEE  YENS. 

II  but  for  a  fallet,  my  brain-pan  &c.]     A  fallet  by  corrup- 
tion from  cidata,  a  helmet  (fays  Skinner)  quia  galca  calatce  fue- 
runt.     POPE. 

So,  in  fir  Thomas  North's  tranflation  of  Plutarch,  "  — One 
of  the  company  feeing  Brutus  athirft  alfo,  he  ran  to  the  river  for 
water,  and  brought  it  in  h\s  fa/let." 

Again,  Ibid:  "  Some  were  driven  to  fill  their fallctfs  and  mur- 
riuns  with  water." 

Again,  in  The  longer  thou  live]}  the  more  Fool  thou  art,    1570  : 
"  This  will  beare  away  a  good  rappe, 
"  As  good  as  a  fallet  to  me  verilie."    STEEVEXS. 

Enter 


SECOND    PART    OF 


Enter  Iden,  with  Servants. 

Iden.  Lord,    xvho    would   live  turmoikd   in  the 

court, 

And  may  enjoy  fuch  quiet  walks  as  thefe  ? 
This  fmall  inheritance,  my  father  left  me, 
Contenteth  me,  and's  worth  a  monarchy. 
I  feck  not  to  wax  great  by  others'  waining  ; 
Or  gather  wealth,  I  care  not  with  what  envy  ; 
Sufficeth,  that  I  have  maintains  my  (late, 
And  fends  the  poor  well  pleafed  from  my  gate. 

Cade.  Here's  the  lord  of  the  foil  come  to  feize 
for  a  ftray,  for  entering  his  fee-fimple  without  leave. 
Ah,  villain,  thou  wilt  betray  me,  and  get  a  thoufand 
crowns  of  the  king  for  carrying  my  head  to  him  ;  but 
I'll  make  thee  eat  iron  like  an  oflridge,  and  fwallow 
my  fword  like  a  great  pin,  ere  thou  and  I  part. 

Iden.  Why,  rude  companion,  whatfoe'er  thou  be, 
I  know  thee  not  ;  Why  then  mould  I  betray  thee  ? 
Is't  not  enough,  to  break  into  my  garden, 
And,  like  a  thief,  to  come  to  rob  my  grounds, 
Climbing  my  walls  in  fpight  of  me  the  owner, 
But  thou  wilt  brave  me  with  thefe  fancy  terms  ? 

Cade.  Brave  thee  ?  ay,  by  the  bcfl  blood  that  ever 
was  broach'd,  and  beard  thee  too.  Look  on  me  well  : 
I  have  eat  no  meat  thefe  five  days  ;  yet,  come  thou 
and  thy  five  men,  and  if  I  do  not  leave  you  all  as  dead  as 
a  door-nail,  I  pray  God,  I  may  never  eat  grafs  more. 

Iden.  Nay,  it  mall  ne'er  be  faid,  while  England 

(lands, 

That  Alexander  Iden,  an  efquire  of  Kent, 
Took  odds  to  combat  a  poor  familh'd  man. 
Oppofe  thy  fledfafl-gazing  eyes  to  mine, 
See  if  thou  canft  out-face  me  with  thy  looks, 
Set  limb  to  limb,  and  thou  art  far  the  leffer  : 
Thy  hand  is  but  a  finger  to  my  fifl  ; 
Thy  leg  a  flick,  compared  with  this  truncheon  ; 

My 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.       4n 

My  foot  fliall  fight  with  all  the  ftrength  thou  haft  ; 

And  if  mine  arm  be  heaved  in  the  air, 

Thy  grave  is  digg'd  already  in  the  earth. 

1  As  for  more  words,  whofe  greatnefs  anfwers  words, 

Let  this  my  fvvord  report  what  fpeech  forbears. 

Cade.  By  my  valour,  the  moft  complete  champion 
that  ever  I  heard.— Steel,  if  thou  turn  the  edge,  or 
cut  not  out  the  burly-bon'd  clown  in  chines  of  beef 
ere  thou  fleep  in  thy  fheath,  I  befeech  Jove  on  my 
knees,  thou  may'ft  be  turn'd  to  hobnails. 

[Here  they  fgbt. 

O,  I  am  flam  !  famine,  and  no  other,  hath  flam  me : 
let  ten  thoufand  devils  come  againft  me,  and  give  me 
but  the  ten  meals  I  have  loft,  and  I'd  defy  them  all. 
Wither,  garden  ;  and  be  henceforth  a  burying-place 
to  all  that  do  dwell  in  this  houfe,  becaufe  the  uncon- 
quer'd  foul  of  Cade  is  fled. 

Iden.  Is't  Cade  that  I  have  flain,  that  monftrous 

traitor  ? 

Sword,  I  will  hallow  thee  for  this  thy  deed, 
And  hang  thee  o'er  my  tomb,  when  I  am  dead  4 : 
Ne'er  fliall  this  blood  be  wiped  from  thy  point ; 
But  thou  ihalt  wear  it  as  a  herald's  coat, 

3  As  for  more  words ,  ivbofe  greatnefs  anfivers  words, 

Let  this  my  fivord  report  what  fpeech  forbears.] 
Sir  Thomas  Hanmer,  and,  after  him",  Dr.  Warburton,  read  : 
As  for  more  words,  let  this  my  fword  report 
( Wbofe  greatnefe  anfwers  words )  wbatjpeecb  forbears. 
It  feems  to  be  a  poor  praife  of  a  fword,  that  its  greatnefs  anfovers 
•words,  whatever  be  the  meaning  of  the  expreffion.     The  old 
reading,  though  fomewhat  obfcure,  feems  to  me  more  capable 
of  explanation.     For  more  words,  whofe  pomp  and  tumour  may 
anfwer  words,  and  only  words,  I  fliall  forbear  them,  and  refer  the 
rejt  to  my  fword.     JOHNSON. 

4  — when  I  am  dead:]  How  Iden  was  to  hang  a  fword  over  his 
own  tomb,  after  he  was  dead,  it  is  not  eafy  to  explain.  The 
fentiment  is  more  corre&ly  exprefled  in  the  quarto  : 

Oh  fword,  I'll  honour  thee  for  this,  and  in  my  chamber 

Shalt  thou  hang,  as  a  monument  to  after  age, 

For  this  great  fervice  thou  hail  done  to  me.    STEEVENS. 

To 


SECOND     PART    OF 

To  emblaze  the  honour  that  thy  mafter  got. 

Cade.  Iden,  farewel ;  and  be  proud  of  thy  victory : 
Tell  Kent  from  me,  Ihe  hath  loft  her  beft  man,  and 
exhort  all  the  world  to  be  cowards  ;  for  I,  that  never 
fear'd  any,  am  vanquifh'd  by  famine,  not  by  valouilj 

[Dim 

Lien.  *  How  much  thou  wrong'ft  me,  heaven  b^ 

my  judge. 

Die,  damned  wretch,  the  curfe  of  her  that  bare  thee ! 
And  as  I  thruft  thy  body  in  with  my  fword, 
6  So  wifli  I,  I  might  thruft  thy  foul  to  hell. 
Hence  will  I  drag  thee  headlong  by  the  heels 
Unto  a  dunghill,  which  fhall  be  thy  grave, 
And  there  cut  off  thy  moft  ungracious  head ; 
Which  I  will  bear  in  triumph  to  the  king, 
Leaving  thy  trunk  for  crows  to  feed  upon.       [E.v/7. 

5  How  muck  thou  wrongjl  »it, — ]  That  is,  in  fuppofing  that  I 
am  proud  of  my  victory.     JOHNSO-J. 

6  So  ivijb  I,  I  might  thruft  thy  foul  to  hell.~\  Not  to  dwell  upon 
the  wickednefs  of  this  horrid  wifti,  with  which   Iden  debafes  his 
character,  the  whole  fpeech  is  \vild  and  confufed.     To  draw  a 
man  by  the  heels,  headlong,  is  fomewhat  difficult ;  nor  can  I 
difcover  how  the  dunghill  would  be  his  grave,  if  his  trunk  were 
left  to  be  fed  upon  by  crows.     Thefe  I  conceive  not  to  be  the 
faults  of  corruption  but  negligence,  and  therefore  do  not  attempt 
correction.    JOHNSON. 

The  quarto  is  more  favourable  both  to  Iden's  morality  and 
language.  It  omits  this  fuvage  wifh,  and  makes  him  only  add, 
after  the  lines  I  have  juft  quoted : 

I'll  drag  him  hence,  and  with  my  fword 
Cut  off  his  head,  and  bear  it  to  the  king. 

The  player  editors  feem  to  have  preferred  want  of  humanity  and 
common  fenfe,  to  fewnefs  of  lines,  and  defect  of  verfification. 

STEEVENS. 


ACT 


KING    HENRY    VI.         413 

4 

ACT      V.        SCENE     I. 

Fields  near  Saint  Albans. 

•  Enter  York,  attended,  with  drum  and  colours. 

York,  at  a  diftance  from  his  followers. 

From  Ireland  thus  comes  York,  to  claim  his  right, 
And  pluck  the  crown  from  feeble  Henry's  head  : 
Ring,  bells,  aloud ;  burn,  bonfires,  clear  and  bright, 
To  entertain  great  England's  lawful  king. 
7  Ah,  fanfta  majejlas  !  who  would  not  buy  thee  dear  ? 
Let  them  obey,  that  know  not  how  to  rule; 
This  hand  was  made  to  handle  nought  but  gold  : 
I  cannot  give  due  action  to  my  words, 
Except  a  fword,  or  fcepter,  8  balance  it. 
9  A  fcepter  ihall  it  have,  have  I  a  foul  ; 
On  which  I'll  tofs  the  flower-de-luce  of  France. 

Enter  Buckingham. 

Whom  have  we  here  ?  Buckingham,  to  difturb  me  ? 
The  king  hath  fent  him,  fure  :  I  muft  diflemble. 
Buck.  York,  if  thou  meaneft  well,  I  greet  thee  well. 
York.  Humphrey  of  Buckingham,  I  accept  thy 

greeting. 
Art  thou  a  meiFenger,  or  come  of  pleafure  ? 

7  Ab,  fanSa  majeftas  !]  Thus  the  old  copy  ;  inftead  of  which 
the  modern  editors  read,  Ah,  majefty!    STEEVENS. 

8  •  •       balance  /'/.]  That  is,  Balance  my  hand.     JOHNSON. 
9  Ajlepter  ftall  it  have,  have  I  ajoul ;  ] 

I  read : 

Afccpte rfoall  it  have,  have  I  a  fword. 

York  observes  that  his  hand  mult  be  employed  with  a  fword  or 
fcepter  ;  he  then  naturally  oblerves,  that  he  has  a  fword,  and  re- 
foives  that  if  he  has  a  fword  he  will  have  a  fcepter.  JOHNSON. 

I  rather  think  York  means  to  fay— -If  I  have  a  fcr.l^  my  hand 
flwll  not  be  without  a  fcepter.    STEEVEXS. 

Buck. 


414      SECOND    PART    OF 

Buck.  A  meffenger  from  Henry,  our  dread  liege, 
To  know  the  reafon  of  thefe  arms  in  peace ; 
Or  why,  thou — being  a  fubjedt  as  I  am, — 
Againft  thy  oath  and  true  allegiance  fworn, 
Should'ft  raife  fo  great  a  power  without  his  leave, 
Or  dare  to  bring  thy  force  fo  near  the  court. 
-  Tork.  Scarce  can  I  fpeak,  my  cholcr  is  fo  great. 
Oh,  I  could  hew  up  rocks,  and  fight  with  flint, 
I  am  fo  angry  at  thefe  abject  terms ; 
And  now,  like  Ajax  Telamonius, 
On  ilieep  and  oxen  could  I  fpend  my  fury  f 
I  am  far  better  born  than  is  the  king  ; 
More  like  a  king,  more  kingly  in  my  thoughts : 
But  I  mufl  make  fair  weather  yet  a  while, 

'Till  Henry  be  more  weak,  and  I  more  ftrong. 

O  Buckingham,  I  pr'ythee,  pardon  me, 
That  I  have  given  no  anfwer  all  this  while  ; 
My  mind  was  troubled  with  deep  melancholy. 
The  caufe  why  I  have  brought  this  army  hither, 
Is — to  remove  proud  Somerfet  from  the  king, 
Seditious  to  his  grace,  and  to  the  flate. 

Buck.  That  is  too  much  prefumption  on  thy  part : 
But  if  thy  arms  be  to  no  other  end, 
The  king  hath  yielded  unto  thy  demand  ; 
The  duke  of  Somerfet  is  in  the  Tower. 

Tork.  Upon  thine  honour,  is  he  prifoner  ? 

Buck.  Upon  mine  honour,  he  is  prifoner. 

Tork.  Then,  Buckingham,  I  do  difmils  my  pow- 
ers.— 

Soldiers,  I  thank  you  all ;  difperfe  yourfelves ; 
Meet  me  to-morrow  in  faint  George's  field, 
You  fliall  have  pay,  and  every  thing  you  wifh.— • 
And  let  my  fovereign,  virtuous  Henry, 
Command  my  eldefl  fon, — nay,  all  my  fons,— 
As  pledges  of  my  fealty  and  love, 
I'll  fend  them  all  as  willing  as  I  live ; 
Lands,  goods,  horfe,  armour,  any  thing  I  have 
is  his  to  ufe,  fo  Somerfet  may  die. 

SucL 


KING    HENRY    VI.         415 

Buck.  York,  I  commend  this  kind  fubmiflion : 
We  twain  will  go  into  his  highnefs'  tent.         [Exeunt. 

Enter  king  Henry,  and  Attendants. 

K.  Henry.  Buckingham,  doth  York  intend  no  harm 

to  us, 
That  thus  he  marcheth  with  thee  arm  in  arm  ? 

York.  In  all  fubmiffion  and  humility, 
York  doth  prefent  himfelf  unto  your  highnefs. 

K.  Henry.  Then  what  intend  thefe  forces  thou  doft 
bring  ? 

York.  To  heave  the  traitor  Somerfet  from  hence  ; 
And  fight  againfl  that  monftrous  rebel,  Cade, 
Whom  fince  I  hear  to  be  difcomfited. 

Enter  Idea,  with  Cade's  bead- 

Iden.  If  one  fo  rude,  and  of  fo  mean  condition, 
May  pafs  into  the  prefence  of  a  king, 
I,o,  I  prefent  your  grace  a  traitor's  head, 
The  head  of  Cade,  whom  I  in  combat  flew. 

K.  Henry.  The  head  of  Cade  ?— Great  God,  how 

juft  art  thou  ! — 

O,  let  me  view  his  vifage  being  dead, 
That  living  wrought  me  fuch  exceeding  trouble. 
Tell  me,-my  friend,  art  thou  the  man  that  flew  him  ? 

Iden.  I  was,  an't  like  your  majefly. 

K.  Henry.  How  art  thou  call'd  ?  and  what  is  thy 
degree  ? 

Iden.  Alexander  Iden,  that's  my  name  ; 
A  poor  efquire  of  Kent,  that  loves  the  king. 

Buck.  So  pleafe  it  you,  my  lord,  'twere  not  amifs 
He  were  created  knight  for  his  good  fervice. 

K.  Henry.  Iden,  kneel  down ;  [be  kneeh.~\  Rife  up 

a  knight. 

We  give  thee  for  reward  a  thoufand  marks ; 
And  will,  that  thou  henceforth  attend  on  us. 

£** 


4i6      SECOND    PART    OF 

Iden.  l  May  Iden  live  to  merit  fuch  a  bounty, 
And  never  live  but  true  unto  his  liege  ! 

K.  Henry.  See,  Buckingham  !  Somerfet  comes  with 

the  queen  ; 
Go,  bid  her  hide  him  quickly  from  the  duke. 

Enter  queen  Margaret,  and  Somerfet. 

<£.  Mar.  For  thoufand  Yorks  he  fhall  not  hide  his 

head, 
But  boldly  ftand,  and  front  him  to  his  face. 

Tork.  How  now  !  is  Somerfet  at  liberty  ? 
Then,  York,  unloofe  thy  long  imprifon'd  thoughts, 
And  let  thy  tongue  be  equal  with  thy  heart. 
Shall  I  endure  the  fight  of  Somerfet  ? — 
Falfe  king !  why  haft  thou  broken  faith  with  me, 
Knowing  how  hardly  I  can  brook  abufe  ? 
King  did  I  call  thee  ?  no,  thou  art  not  king; 
Not  fit  to  govern  and  rule  multitudes, 
Which  dar'ft  not,  no,  nor  canft  not  rule  a  traitor. 
That  head  of  thine  doth  not  become  a  crown ; 
Thy  hand  is  made  to  grafp  a  palmer's  ftaff, 
And  not  to  grace  an  awful  princely  fcepter. 
That  gold  mull  round  engirt  thefe  brows  of  mine; 
Whofe  fmile  and  frown,  like  to  Achilles'  fpear, 
Is  able  with  the  change  to  kill  and  cure. 
Here  is  a  hand  to  hold  a  fcepter  up, 
And  with  the  fame  to  adt  controlling  laws. 
Give  place ;  by  heaven,  thou  ihalt  rule  no  more 
O'er  him,  whom  heaven  created  for  thy  ruler. 

Som.  O  monflrous  traitor! — I  arreft  thee,  York, 
Of  capital  treafon  'gainft  the  king  and  crown  : 
Obey,  audacious  traitor  ;  kneel  for  grace. 

*  May  Iden  &c.]  Iden  has  fai  J  before  : 

Lord  !   "Mho  ivould  live  tur moiled  in  a  court  t 
And  may  enjoy ,  &c. 

Shakcfpeare  makes  Iden  rail  at  tliofe  enjoyments  which  he  fup- 
pofes  to  be  out  of  his  reach  ?  but  no  fooner  are  they  offered  to 
him  but  he  readily  accepts  them.  ANONYMOUS. 

Tork. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    Vt.         417 

TorL  Sirrahj  call  in  my  fons  to  be  my  bail.—- 

[Exit  an  Attendant. 

*  Wouldft  have  me  kneel  ?  firfl  let  me  affc  of  thefe, 
If  they  can  brook  I  bow  a  knee  to  man. — 
I  know,  ere  they  will  let  me  go  to  ward, 
They'll  pawn  their  fwords  for  my  enfranchifement. 

i^.  Mar.  Call  hither  Clifford ;  bid  him  come  amain-, 
To  lay,  if  that  the  baftard  boys  of  York 
Shall  be  the  furety  for  their  traitor  father. 

Tork.  O  blood-befpotted  Neapolitan, 
Out-cafl  of  Naples,  England's  bloody  fcourge  t 
The  fons  of  York,  thy  betters  in  their  birth, 
3  Shall  be  their  father's  bail ;  and  bane  to  thofe 
That  for  my  furety  will  refufe  the  boys. 

Enter  Edward  and  Richard. 

See,  where  they  come  ;  I'll  warrant,  they'll  make  it 
good. 

*  Wouldft  have  me  kneel  f  firft  let  me  aft  of  thefe  t 
If  they  can  brook  I  IHKV  a  knee  to  man. 
Sirrah,  call  ip  my  fons  to  be  my  bail.'} 

As  thefe  lines  have  hitherto  flood,  I  think  the  fenfe  perplexed 
and  obfcure.  I  have  ventured  to  tranfpofe  them.  AVAR  BUR  TON. 
I  believe  thefe  lines  fhould  be  replaced  in  the  order  in  which 
they  ftood  till  Dr.  Warburton  tranfpofed  them.  By  thefe  York 
means  his  knees.  He  fpeaks,  as  Mr.  Upton  would  have  faid, 
fa&iMi :  laying  his  hand  upon,  or  at  leaft  pointing  to,  his  knees. 

TYRWIUTT. 

The  fpeech  originally  ftood  thus : 

Would'ft  have  me  kneel  ?  Firfl:  let  me  afk  of  thele, 
If  they  can  brook  I  bow  a  knee  to  man. 

Sirrah,  call  in  my  fons  to  be  my  bail : 

I  know,  ere  they  will  have  me  go  to  ward, 
They'll  pawn  their  fwords  of  my  enfranchifement. 

STEEVENS. 

3  Shall  lc  tldr  father*  s  bail ;  and  bane  to  thofe}  Conlidering  how 
our  author  loves  to  play  on  words  fimilar  in  their  found,  but 
oppofite  in  their  fignification,  I  make  no  doubt  but  the  author 
wrote  bail  and  bale.  Bale  (from  whence  our  common  idjefibve, 
taleful)  iignifies  detriment,  ruin,  misfortune,  &c.  THEOBALD. 
Bale  figuifies  forrow.  Either  word  may  ferve.  JOHNSON. 

VOL.  VI.  E  e 


4i8      S  E  C  O  N  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Enter  Clifford. 

4>.  Mir.  And  here  comes  Clifford,  to  deny  their 

bail. 
Clif.  Health    and    all   happinefs  to  my  lord  thd 


. 

V  e  thank  thee,  Clifford  :    Say,  what  news 
with  thee  ? 

Nay,  do  not  fright  us  with  an  angry  look  • 
We  are  thy  fovereign,  Clifford,  kneel  aeai'n  ; 
For  thy  miftaking  ib,  we  pardon  thcc. 

Clif  This  is  my  king,  York,  I  do  not  miftake; 
But  thou  miftak'ft  me  much,  to  think  I  do  :— 
To  Bedlam  with  him  !  is  the  man  grown"  mad  ? 
K.  Henry.  Ay,  Clifford;  *  a  bedlam  and  ambitious 

humour 
Makes  him  oppofe  himfelf  againfl  his  kinj*. 

Clif.  He  is  a  traitor  ;  let  him  to  the  Tower, 
And  crop  away  that  fadious  pate  of  his. 

^  Mar.  He  is  arrefled,  but  will  not  obey  ; 
-iis^fons,  he  fays,  {hall  give  their  words  for  him. 
York.  Will  you  not,  fons  ? 

E.  Plan.  Ay,  noble  father,  if  our  words  will  ferve. 
R.Plan.  And  if  words  will  not,  then  our  weapons 

fhall. 

Clif.  Why,  what  a  brood  of  traitors  have  we  here  ! 
Tork.  Look  in  a  glafs,  and  call  thy  image  fo  ; 
I  am  thy  king,  and  thou  a  falfe-heart  traitor.— 
s  Call  hither  to  the  ftake  my  two  brave  bears, 

That 

4  ~  .  *  *^«*  and  amb'itlotn  humour}  Tine  wwd  bedlam  was 
not  ufcd  m  the  reign  of  king  Henry-  the  Sixth,  nor  was  Beth- 
lehem Hofmtal  (vulgarly  called  Bedlam)  converted  into  a  houfc 
or  hoipital  for  lunatics  till  the  reign  of  king  Henry  the  Eighth, 
^hogaveittotheatyot  London  for  that  purpofe!  DR.  GRAY 
5  CaUb.tbtr  to  tbeftalte  my  two  brave  <4;v, 

-  Bid  Salt/bury  and  Warwick  come  -  1 
The  Nev.ls,  earls  of  Warwick,  had  *tt*-'~*r&ijyfo  *™ 
cogjuzance  ;  but  the  Talbot3,  who  were  formerly  earls  of  Shrewf- 

burY, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         4,9 

That,  with  the  very  fhaking  of  their  chains, 
They  may  aftonifh  thefe  fell  lurking  curs  6  : 
Bid  Salifbury,  and  Warwick,  come  to  me. 

Dwns.     Enter  tkc  carls  of  Warzvkk  and  Sail/bury. 

Clif.  Are  thefe  thy  bears  ?  we'll  bait  thy  bears  to 

death, 

And  manacle  the  bear-ward  in  their  chains, 
If  thou  dar'ft  bring  them  to  the  baiting-place. 

R.  Plan.  Oft  have  I  feen  7  a  hot  o'er-wcening  cur 
Run  back  and  bite,  becaufe  he  was  withheld ; 
Who,  being  fuffer'd  with  the  bear's  fell  paw, 
Hath  clapp'd  his  tail  between  his  legs,  and  cry'd  : 
And  fuch  a  piece  of  fervice  will  you  do, 
If  you  oppofe  yourfelvcs  to  match  lord  Warwick. 

Clif.  Hence,  heap  of  wrath,  foul  indigefted  lump, 
As  crooked  in  thy  manners  as  thy  fhape  ! 

Tork.  Nay,  we  fhall  heat  you  thoroughly  anon. 

Clif.  Take  heed,  left  by  your  heat  you  burn  your- 
felves. 

K.  Henry.  Why,  Warwick,  hath  thy  knee  forgot  to 

bow  ? — 

Old  Salifbury, — lhame  to  thy  iilvcr  hair, 
Thou  mad  mif-leader  of  thy  brain-lick  fon  !—    - 
What,  wilt  thou  on  thy  death-bed  play  the. ruffian, 
And  feek  for  forrow  with  thy  fpedtacles  ? — 
Oh,  where  is  faith  ?  oh,  where  is  loyalty  ? 

bury,  had  a  lion  ;  and  the  prefent  earl  of  Talbot,  a  defcendant  of 
that  family,  has  the  fame.  $IR  J.  HAWKINS. 

6  —fell  lurking  cars .-]  Mr.  Roderick  would  read  "  fell 

barking;"  the  author  of  the  Revifal  "  fell  lurching;"  but,  per- 
haps, by  fell  lurking  is  meant,  curs  v.'ho  are  at  once  a  compound 
of  cruelty  and  treachery.  STEEVENS. 

''Oft  have  I  feen  Sec.]  Bear-baiting  was  anciently  a  royal  fport. 
See  Sto'.v's  Account  of  $>ueen  Elizabeth's  Amufements  of  this  kind', 
and  Langham's  Letter  concerning  that  Queen's  Entertainment  at 
Kenekvorth  Cajth.  PERCY. 

E  e  2  If 


420      SECOND    PART    OF 

If  it  be  banifiYd  from  the  frofly  head, 
Where  ihall  it  find  a  harbour  in  the  earth  ?— 
Wilt  thou  go  dig  a  grave  to  find  out  war, 
And  fliame  thine  honourable  age  with  blood  ? 
Why  art  thou  old,  and  want'it  experience  ? 
Or  wherefore  doft  abufe  it,  if  thou  haft  it  ? 
For  lhame  !  in  duty  bend  thy  knee  to  me, 
That  bows  unto  the  grave  with  micklc  age. 

Sal.  My  lord,  I  have  confidcr'd  with  myfelf 
The  title  of  this  moft  renowned  duke  ; 
And  in  my  confcicnce  do  repute  his  grace 
The  rightful  heir  to  England's  royal  feat. 

K.  Henry.  Haft  thou  not  fworn  allegiance  unto  me  ? 

Sal.  I  have. 

K.  Henry.  Canft  thou  difpenfe  with  heaven  for  fuch 
an  oath  ? 

Sal.  It  is  great  fin,  to  fwear  unto  a  fin  ; 
But  greater  fin,  to  keep  a  finful  oath. 
Who  can  be  bound  by  any  folcmn  vow 
To  do  a  murderous  deed,  to  rob  a  man, 
To  force  a  fpotlefs  virgin's  chaftity, 
To  reave  the  orphan  of  his  patrimony, 
To  wring  the  widow  from  her  cuftom'd  right ; 
And  have  no  other  reafon  for  this' wrong, 
But  that  he  was  bound  by  a  folemn  oath  ? 

Q.  Mar.  A  fubtle  traitor  needs  no  fophifrer. 

K.  Henry.  Call  Buckingham,  and  bid  him  arm  him- 
felf. 

Tork.  Call  Buckingham,  and  all  the  friends  thou 

haft, 
I  am  rcfolv'd  for  death,  or  dignity. 

Old  Clif.  The  firft  I  warrant  thee,  if  dreams  prove 

true. 

War.  You  were  beft  go  to  bed,  and  dream  again, 
To  keep  thee  from  the  tempcft  of  the  field. 

Old  Clif.  I  am  refolv'd  to  bear  a  greater  ftorm, 
Than  any  thou  canft  conjure  up  to-day; 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         42r 

And  that  I'll  write  upon  thy  burgonet  % 
Might  I  but  know  thee  by  thy  houfe's  badge. 

War.  Now  by  my  father's  badge  9,   old  Ncvil's 

creft, 

The  rampant  bear  chain'd  to  the  ragged  ftaff, 
This  day  I'll  wear  aloft  my  burgonet, 
(As  on  a  mountain  top  the  cedar  Ihews, 
That  keeps  his  leaves  in  fpight  of  any  ftorm) 
Even  to  affright  thee  with  the  view  thereof. 

Old  Clif.  And  from  thy  burgonet  I'll  rend  thy  bear, 
And  tread  it  under  foot  with  all  contempt, 
Defpight  the  bear-ward  that  protects  the  bear. 

T.  Clif.  And  fo  to  arms,  victorious  noble  father, 
To  quell  thefe  traitors,  and  their  'complices. 

R.  Plan.  Fie  !  charity,  for  ftiame !  fpeak  not  in 

fpight, 
For  you  fliall  fup  with  Jefu  Chrift  to-night. 

T.  Clif.  Foul  ftigmatic  ',    that's  more  than  thou 
canft  telj. 

R.  Plan.  If  not  in  heaven,  you'll  furely  fup  in  hell. 

[Exeunt  federally. 


SCENE     II. 

The  field  of  battle  at  Saint  Mans. 

Enter  Warwick. 


War.  Clifford  of  Cumberland,  'tis  Warwick  calls ! 
And  if  thou  doft  not  hide  thee  from  the  bear, 

«  lurgojict,'}  Is  a  helmet.     JOHNSON. 

So,  in  the  Martyr' d  Solder,   1638  : 

"  now  tye 

"  Strong  charms  upon  my  full-plum'd  burgonet" 

STEEVENS. 

9  — ny  father's  badge,]  The  quarto  reads— age.    STEEVENS. 
1  Foul  ftigmatic,]  \jligmttif  is  one  on  whom  nature  has  fee  a 
»iark  of  deformity,  a  ftigma.    STEEVENS. 

E  e  3  Now 


422      SECOND    PART    OF 
Now,  —  when  the  angry  trumpet  founds  alarm, 
And  dead  mens*  cries  do  fill  the  empty  air,  — 
Clifford,  I  fay,  come  forth  and  fight  with  me  ! 
Proud  northern  lord,  Clifford  of  Cumberland, 
Warwick  is  hoarfe  with  calling  thee  to  arms. 

Enter  York, 

How  now,,  my  noble  lord  ?  what,  all  a-fo.ot  ? 

Tork.  The  deadly-handed  Clifford  flew  my  fteed  j 
But  match  to  match  I  have  encountcr'd  him, 
And  made  a  prey  for  carrion  kites  and  crows 
Even  of.  the.  bonny  beaft  he  Ipv'd  fq  well. 

Enter  Clifford. 

IVcr.  Of  one  or  both  of  us  the  time  is  come. 
Tork.  Hold,  Warwick,  feek  thee  out  fome  other 

chacc, 
For  I  myfelf  muft  hunt  this  deer  to  death. 

flTar.  Then,  nobly,  York  ;  'tis  for  a  crown  thou. 

fight'ft.^- 

As  I  intend,  Clifford,  to  thrive  to-day, 
It  grieves  my  foul  to  leave  thee  unaflaird. 

[Exit  Warwick. 
Clif.  What  feefl  thou  in  me,  York  ?  why  dofl  thou 

paufe  ? 

Tork.  With  thy  brave  bearing  ihould  I  be  in  love, 
But  that  thou  art  fo  fafl  mine  enemy. 

Clif.  Nor  fliould  thy  prowcfs  want  praife  and  efteem, 
But  that  'tis  ihevvn  ignobly,  and  in  treafon, 

Tork.  So  let  it  help  me  now  againft  thy  fword, 
AS  I  in  juftice  and  true  right  exprefs  it  ! 

Clif.  My  foul  and  body  on  the  action  both  !  — 
Tork.  9  A  dreadful  lay  !  —  addrefs  thee  inftantly. 

,  and  Clifford  falls, 


rf  dreadful  lay  /]  A  dreadful  wager  j  a  tremendous  foikc. 

JQHNSPN, 

'  Clif, 


KING    HENRY     VI.         423. 

Clif.  La  fin  couronne  les  oeuvres  J.  [D/«  4* 

Tork.  Thus  war  hath  given  thee  peace,  for  thou  art 

Hill. 
Peace  with  his  foul,  heaven,  if  it  be  thy  will !    [Exit. 

Enter  young  Clifford. 

T.  Clif.  Shame  and  confufion  !  all  is  on  the  rout ; 
Fear  frames  diforder,  and  difordcr  wounds 
Where  it  fhould  guard.     O  war,  thou  fon  of  hell, 
Whom  angry  heavens  do  make  their  miniifor, 
Throw  in  the  frozen  bofoms  of  our  part 
Hot  coals  of  vengeance  !— Let  no  foldier  fly  : 
He,  that  is  truly  dedicate  to  war, 
Hath  no  felf-love  ;  nor  he,  that  loves  himfelf, 
Hath  not  eiTentially,  but  by  circumftance, 
The  name  of  valour. — O,  let  the  vile  world  end, 

[Seeing  bis  dead  father. 
'  And  the  premifed  flames  of  the  lait  day 
Knit  earth  and  heaven  together  ! 
Now  let  the  general  trumpet  blow  his  blaft, 
Particularities  and  petty  founds 
To  ceafe6 ! Waft  thou  ordain'd,  dear  father, 

3  Lafiit  couronne  les  ceuvres.]  The  players  read  : 

La  fin  corrone  les  eumcnes.     STHEVENS.  ' 

*  York  kills  Clifford,'}  Our  author  has  here  departed  from   the 
truth  of  hiftory,  a  practice  not  uncommon  to  him  when  he  does 
his  utmoft  to  make  his  characters  conuderable.    This  circum- 
ftance  however  ferves  to  prepare   the  reader  or  fpeaator  tor  t 
vcneeance  afterwards  taken  by  Clifford's  fon  on  York  and  Rutland. 
It  is  remarkable,  that  at  the  beginning  of  the  third  part  of  this 
hiftorical  play,  the  poet  has  forgot  this  occurrence,  and  there  re 
prefents  Clifford's  death  as  it  really  happened  : 
Lord  Clifford  and  lord  Stafford  all  clrcajt 
CLargd  our  mam  battled  front ;  an  d  breaking  in, 
Were  by  the  fiords  of  common  foldier  sjlain.     PERCY.        _ 

5  And  the  pnmifed flames ]   Premifed,  for  fent  before  their 

time.    The  ienle  is,  let  the  flames  referved  for  the  lait  day  be 
fent  now.     WAR  BURTON.  . 

6  To  ceafe  !]  is  tojtop,  a  verb  a&ive.    So,  m  Ttmon  : 

^l  be  not  ceased 

»«  With  flight  denial •    STEEVENS. 

E  e  4  >9 


424      SECOND     PART    OF 

To  lofe  thy  youth  in  peace,  and  7  to  atchieve 

The  filver  livery  of  advifed  age  ; 

And,  in  thy  reverence,  and  thy  ohair-days,  thus 

To  die  in  ruffian  battle  ? — Even  at  this  fight, 

My  heart  is  turn'd  to  ftone  :  and,  while  'tis  mine, 

It  ftiall  be  Jtony.     York  not  our  old  men  fpares ; 

No  more  will  I  their  babes  :  tears  virginal 

Shall  be  to  me  even  as  the  dew  to  fir?; 

And  beauty,  that  the  tyrant  oft  reclaims, 

Shall  to  my  flaming  wrath  be  oil  and  flax 8. 

Henceforth,  I  will  not  have  to' do  with  pity  ; 

Meet  I  an  infant  of  the  houfe  of  York, 

Into  as  many  gobbets  will  I  cut  it, 

As  wild  Medea  young  Abfyrtus  did  : 

In  cruelty  will  I  feek  out  my  fame. 

Come,  thou  new  ruin  of  old  Clifford's  houfe ; 

(Taking  up  the  bod\\ 
.  As  did  ^Encas  old  Anchifes  bear, 
So  bear  I  thee  upon  my  manly  fhoulders 9 : 
But  then  ./Eneas  bare  a  living  load, 
Nothing  fo  heavy  as  thefe  woes  of  mine,         [Ev/Y, 

7  " to  atcb-cve\  Is,  to  obtain.     JOHXSON-. 

—— to, ny  flaming  waib  h  oil  and ftax.-\  So,  in  Hamlet; 
1  o  flaming  youth  let  virtue  be  as  wax, 
And  melt  in  her  own  fire.     STEEVENS. 
»  The  quarto  copy  has  thefe  lines : 

Even  fo  will  I.— But  ftay,  here's  one  of  them, 
^          In  whom  my  foul  hath  fworn  immortal  hate. 
gattr  Richard,  and  then  Clifford  lays  down  bis  father  t  figbts  b>m 

and  Rlcbard  flies  a^ay  again. 

Out,  crook-back'd  villain,  get  thee  from  my  fieht ! 
But  I  will  after  thee,  and  once  again 

When  I  have  borne  my  father  to  his  tent) 
\  1J  try  my  fortune  better  with  thee  yet. 

[Exit  young  Gilford  with  bis  father. 
STEEVENS. 


Enter 


KING    HENRY    VI. 


Enter  Richard  Plantagenet  and  Somerfet  9  tofght. 

R.  Plan.  '  So,  lie  thou  there;—     [Somerfet  is  killed. 
For,  underneath  an  ale-houfe*  paltry  fign, 
The  Caftle  in  faint  Albans,  Somerfet 
Hath  made  the  wizard  *  famous  in  his  death.  — 
Sword,  hold  thy  temper  ;  heart,  be  wrathful  ftill  : 
Priefts  pray  for  enemies,  but  princes  kill.         [Exit. 

Fight.     Excurftons.     Enter  king  Henry  *  and  queen  Mar- 
garet, and  others. 

§>.  Mar.  Away,  tny  lord,  you  are  flow  ;  for  fhame, 
away  ! 

1  So,  lie  thou  there  ;  —  —  -  — 
-  For^  underneath  an  ale  -houfe*  paltry  fgnt 
The  Caftle  in  faint  Allans,  SomerJ'et 
Hath  made  the  wizard  famous  -  ] 

The  particle  for  in  the  fecond  line  feems  to  be  ufed  without  any 
very  apparent  inference.     We  might  read  : 

Fall'n  underneath  an  ale-houfe1  paltry  fgn,  &c. 
Yet  the  alteration  is  not  neceflary  •  for  the  old  reading  is 
though  obfcure.     JOHNSON. 

Thus  the  paflage  {lands  in  the  quarto  : 

Rich.  So  lie  thou  there,  and  tumble  in  thy  blood  ! 
What's  here  ?  the  fign  of  the  Caftle  ? 
Then  the  prophecy  is  come  to  pafs  ; 
For  Somerfet  was  forewarned  of  caflles, 
The  which  he  always  did  obferve  ;  and  now, 
Behold,  under  a  paltry  ale-houfe  fign, 
The  Caftle  in  faint  Albans,  Somerfet 
Hath  made  the  wizard  famous  by  his  death. 

STEEVENS. 

*  -  -  famous  in  his  death.  -  ]  The  death  of  Somerfet 
here  accomplifhes  that  equivocal  prediction  given  by  Jourdain, 
the  witch,  concerning  this  duke  ;  which  we  met  with  at  the 
clofe  of  the  firft  aft  of  this  play  : 
Let  him  Jbun  caftles  : 
Safer  Jball  he  le  upon  the  fandy  plains  ^ 
Than  where  caftles,  mounted,  ftand. 
i.  e  .  the  reprefentation  of  a  cajile  ,  mounted  for  njigri. 

THEOBALD." 

K.  Henry} 


426      S  E  C  O  N  D     P  A  R  T    O  F 

K.  Henry.  Can  we  out-run  the  heavens  ?  good  Mar- 
garet, (lay. 
<$>.  Mar.  What  are  you  made  of?  you'll  nor  fight, 

nor  fly  : 

Noxv  is  it  manhood,  wifdom,  and  defence, 
To  give  the  enemy  way  ;  and  to  fecure  us 
By  what  we  can,  which  can  no  more  but  fly. 

[Atzrum  afar  off. 

If  you  be  ta'en,  we  then  fhould  fee  the  bottom 
Of  all  our  fortunes :  but  if  we  hapiy  fcapc, 
(As  well  we  may,  if  not  through  your  ncgicdt) 
We  ihall  to  London  get ;   where  you  are  lov'd ;  . 
And  where  this  breach,  now  in  our  fortunes  made, 
May  readily  be  ftopp'd. 

Enter  young  Clifford. 

Clif.  But  that  my  heart's  on  future  mifchief  fct, 
I  would  fpeak  blafphemy  ere  bid  you  fly  ; 
But  fly  you  muft  ;  uncnrable  difcomfit 
Reigns  in  the  hearts  of  all  our  prefent  parts '. 
Away,  for  your  relief !  and  we  will  live 
To  fee  their  day,  and  them  our  fortune  give  : 
Away,  my  lord,  away  !  [Exeunt. 

SCENE    III. 

Alarum.     Retreat.     Enter  Tork,    Richard  Plantagenet, 
Warwick,  and  Soldiers,  with  drum  and  colours. 

To^k.  Of  Salifbury,  who  can  report  of  him  ; 
That  winter  lion,  who,  in  rage,  forgets 
Aged  contufions  and  all  4  brulh  of  time ; 

3  — — all  our  prefent  parts.]  Should  we  not  read  ?— party. 

TYRWHITT. 

4  ^—Irujh  of  time:']  Read  Irulfe  of  time.     WARBURTON. 
The  Irujh  of  time,  is  the  gradual  detrition  of  time.     The  oW 

reading  I  fuppofe  to  be  the  true  one.    So,  in  Timon  : 
•  «  • one  winter's  brujb."    SiiiEVEXS. 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.       427 

And,  like  a  5  gallant  in  the  brow  of  youth, 
Repairs  him  with  occafion  ?  this  happy  day 
Is  not-  itfelf,  nor  have  we  won  one  foot, 
If  Salifbury  be  loft. 

R.  Plan.  My  noble  father, 
Three  times  to  day  I  holp  him  to  his  horfe, 
6  Three  times  beftrid  him  ;  thrice  I  led  him  off, 
Perfuaded  him  from  any  further  aft  : 
But  flill,  where  danger  was,  Hill  there  I  met  him ; 
And  like  rich  hangings  in  a  homely  houfe, 
So  was  his  will  in  his  old  feeble  body. 
But,  noble  as  he  is,  look  where  he  comes. 

Enter  Salt/bury. 

Sal  Now,  by  my  fword,  well  haft  thou  fought  to- 
day ; 

By  the  mafs,  fo  did  we  all. — I  thank  you,  Richard: 
God  knows,  how  long  it  is  I  have  to  live  ; 
And  it  hath  pleas'd  him,  that  three  times  to-day 
You  have  defended  me  from  imminent  death. — 
Well,  lords,  we  have  not  got  that  which  we  have  ; 
?Tis  not  enough  our  foes  are  this  time  fled, 
Being  oppofitcs  of  fuch  repairing  nature. 

Tork.  I  know,  our  fafety  is  to  follow  them  ; 
For,  as  I  hear,  the  king  is  fled  to  London, 
To  call  a  prefent  court  of  parliament. 
Let  us  purfue  him,  ere  the  writs  go  forth  :— 

s  -gallant  in  the  Irovj  of youth ,]  The  brotv  of  youth  is  an 
exprellion  not  very  eafily  explained.  I  read  the  blow  of  youth ; 
the  bloflbm,  the  Ipring.  JOHNSON. 

The  brow  of  youth,  is  the  height  of  youth,  as  the  brow  of  a 
liill  is  its  fummit.  So,  in  Othello : 

"  the  head  and/;w;/  of  my  offending." 

Again,  in  K.  John : 

*«  Why  here  walk  I  in  the  black  broiv  of  night." 

STEEVENS. 

6  Three  times  beflrid  him; ]  That  is,  Three  times  I  faw 

him  fallen,  and,  finding  over  him,  defended  him  till  he  reco- 
vered.   JOHNSON. 

What 


428      SECOND    PART    OF 

What  fays  lord  Warwick,  fhall  we  after  them  > 

War.  After  them  !  nay,  before  them,  if  we  can. 
Now  by  my  hand,  lords,  'twas  a  glorious  day  : 
Saint  Alban's  battle,  won  by  famous  York, 
Shall  be  eterniz'd  in  all  age  to  come. — 
Sound,  drums  and  trumpets  ; — and  to  London  all : 
And  more  fuch  days  as  thefe  to  us  befall \     [Exeunt. 


HENRY 


HENRY     VI. 


PART       III. 


Pcrfoni 


Perfons   Reprefented. 

King  Henry  the  Sixth. 
Edward,  Prince  of  Wales,  his  fon. 
Duke  of  Somerfet, 
Earl  of  Northumberland, 

Sft'SSg 

Earl  of  Weftmoreland, 
Lord  Clifford, 
Richard,  Duke  of  York. 
Edward,  earl  of  March,  afterwards  king 
George,  Duke  of  Clarence,  i    ,  .    - 

'Richard,  Duke  of  Glocefter, 
Edmund,  E.  of  Rutland, 
Duke  of  Norfolk, 
Marquis  of  Montague, 
Earl  of  Warwick, 


Earl  of  Salifbury, 
Earl  of  Pembroke, 
Lord  Haftings, 
Lord  Stafford, 


of  the  duke  of  Fork's  party. 


Q-rh\rer'      \    uncles  to  the  duke  of  York. 
Sir  Hugh  Mortimer,   j 

Lord  Rivers,  brother  to  the  lady  Gray. 
Sir  John  Montgomery,  lieutenant  of  the  Tower. 
Mayor  of  York,  Sir  John  Somerville. 
Humphrey,  and  Sinklo,  two  huntfmen. 
Lewis  XL  king  of  France. 

Queen  Margaret.     Bona,  fiftcr  to  the  French  king. 
Lady  Gray,  afterwards  queen  to  Edward  IV. 

Soldiers  and  other  Attendants  on  K.  Henry  and  K.  Edward> 


In  part  of  the  third  aft,  the  Scene  is  laid  in  France  ; 
;    during  all  the  reft  of  the  play,  in  England. 


•THIRD    PART    OF 

KING    HENRY    VI. 

(i  • 

ACT      I.       SCENE     I. 

London.     TJ:e  Parliament  Houfc. 

Alarum.  Enter  duke  of  Tork,  Edward,  Richard,  Nor- 
folk, Montague,  Warwick,  and  others,  with  ivhite 
rojes  in  their  hats. 

War.  *  I  wonder,  how  the  king  efcap'd  our  hands. 
Tork.  While  we  puriii'd  the  horfemen  of  the  north, 

He 

'  7 bird  Part — ]  Firft  printed  under  the  title  of  Tbt  true  Tra- 
?rdy  of  Richard  Duke  of  l~ork,  anil  the  good  King  Henry  tbe  Sixth  ; 
or,  The  Second  Part  of  the  Contention  between  Tork  and  Lancafter, 
iboc.  POPE. 

Third  Part  of  King  Henry  /•*"/.]  The  adion  of  this  play 
(  which  was  at  firft  printed  under  this  title,  The  true  Tragedy  of 
Richard  Ditke  of  Tork,  find  the  good  King  Henry  tbe  Sixth  ;  or, 
The  Second  Part  of  tbe  Contention  of  Tork  and  Lancafter)  opens 
"  juft  after  the  lirit  battle  at  Saint  Albaas,  wherein  the  York  faction 
carried  the  day  ;  and  eloles  with  the  murder  of  king  Henry  VI. 
and  the  birth  of  prince  Edward,  afterwards  king  Edward  V.  So 
that  this  hiitory  takes  in  the  fpace  of  full  fixteen  years. 

THEOBALD. 

The  prefcnt  hiftorical  drama  was  altered  by  Crowne,  and  brought 
on  the  flage  in  the  year  1680,  under  the  title  of  Tbe  Miferies  of 
Ci-'!l  IVar.  Surely  the  works  of  Shakefpeare  could  have  been 
little  read  at  that  period  ;  for  Crowne  in  his  prologue,  declares 
the  play  to  be  entirely  his  own  compoliticn : 

"  For  by  his 'feeble  (kill  'cis  built  alone, 
"  The  divine  Shakeipeare  did  not  lay  oneftonc" 
whereas  the  very  firft  fcene  is  that  of  Jack  Cade  copied  almoft 
verbatim  from  the  fecond  part  of  K.  Hen.  VI.  and  feveral  others 
from  this  third  part,  with  as  little  variation.     STEEVENS. 


432        THIRD     PART    OF 

He  flily  flole  away,  .and  left  his  men  : 
Whereat  the  great  lord  of  Northumberland, 
Whofe  warlike  ears  could  never  brook  retreat, 
Chear'd  up  the  drooping  army  ;  and  himfelf, 
Lord  Clifford,  and  lord  Stafford,  all  a-breaft, 
Charg'd  our  main  battle's  front,  and,  breaking  in, 
Were  by  the  fwords  of  common  foldiers  flain. 

Edw.  Lord  Stafford's  father,  duke  of  Buckingham , 
Is  either  flain,  or  wounded  dangeroufly  : 
I  cleft  his  beaver  with  a  downright  blow  | 
That  this  is  true,  father,  behold  his  blood. 

[Shewing  his  bloody  fzvord. 

Mount.  And,  brother,  here's  the  earl  of  Wiltfhire's 
blood,  [To  Warwick,  foewing  his. 

Whom  I  encounter'd  as  the  battles  join'd. 

Rich.  Speak  thou  for  me,  and  tell  them  what  I 
did. 
[Throwing  dozvn  the  duke  of  Somerfefs  head. 

Tork.  Richard  hath  beft  deferv'd  of  all  my  fons. — 
Is  your  grace  dead,  my  lord  of  Somerfet  ? 

Notf.  Such  hope  have  all  the  line  of  John  of 
Gaunt ! 

Rid\  Thus  do  I  hope  to  iliake  king  Henry's  head. 

War.  And  ib  do  I. — Victorious  prince  of  York, 
Before  I  fee  thee  feated  in  that  throne 
Which  now  the  Jioufe  of  Lancafter  ufurps, 
I  vow  by  heaven,  thefe  eyes  lhall  never  clofe. 
This  is  the  palace  of  the  fearful  king, 
And  this  the  regal  feat  :  poflefs  it,  York ; 
For  this  is  thine,  and  not  king  Henry's  heirs'. 

Tork.  Affift  me  then,  fweet  Warwick,  and  I  will ', 
For  hither  are  we  broken  in  by  force. 

Norf.  We'll  all  affift  you  ;  he,  that  flies,  fhall  die. 

2  I  wonder  bow  the  king — ]  This  play  is  only  divided  from  the 
former  tor  the  convenience  of  exhibition  ;  for  the  feries  of  action 
13  continued  without  interruption,  nor  are  any  two  fcenes  of  any 
p!ay  more  clofely  connected  than  the  firfl  fcene  of  this  play  with 
the  la  ft  of  the  former.  JOHNSON. 

Tork. 


KING    HENRY     VI.         433 

Tork.  Thanks,  gentle  Norfolk.  —  Stay  by  me,  my 

lords  ;  - 
And,  foldiers,  ftay,  and  lodge  by  me  this  night. 

War.  And,   when  the  king  comes,  offer  him  no 

violence, 
Unlefs  he  feek  to  put  us  out  by  force. 

Tork.  The  queen,  this  day,  here  holds  her  parlia- 

ment; 

But  little  thinks,  we  mall  be  of  her  council  : 
By  words,  or  blows,  here  let  us  win  our  right. 

Rich.  Arm'd  as  we  are,  let's  ftay  within  this  honfe. 

War.  The  bloody  parliament  mall  this  be  call'd, 
Unlefs  Plantagenet,  duke  of  York,  be  king  ; 
And  bamful  Henry  depos'd,  whofe  cowardice 
Hath  made  us  by-words  to  our  enemies. 

Tork.  Then  leave  me  not,  my  lords  ;  be  refolute  ; 
I  mean  to  take  poffeffion  of  my  right. 

IVar,  Neither  the  king,  nor  he  that  loves  him  beft, 
The  proudeft  he  that  holds  up  Lancafler, 
Dares  ftir  a  wing,  J  if  Warwick  ihake  his  bells. 
I'll  plant  Plantagenet,  root  him  up  who  dares  :— 
Refolve  thee,  Richard  ;  claim  the  Englifh  crown. 
[JVarwick  leads  Tork  to  the  throne,  who  feats  himfelf. 

Enter  king  Henry,  Clifford,  Northumberland,   Wejlmore- 
land,  Exeter,  and  others,  at  the  further  end  of  the 


K.  Henry.  My  lords,  look  where  the  fturdy  rebel 

"iits, 

Even  in  the  chair  of  ftate  !  belike,  he  means, 
(Back'd  by  the  power  of  Warwick,  that  falfe  peer) 
To  afpire  unto  the  crown,  and  reign  as  king.  — 
Earl  of  Northumberland,  he  flew  thy  father  ;  — 

3  -  if  Ifarwtckjbake  bis  lfUi."\  The  allufion  is  to  falconry. 
The  hawks  had  fometimes  little  bells  hung  upon  them,  perhaps 
to  dare  the  birds  j  that  is,  to  fright  them  from  rifing.  JOHNSON. 

VOL.  VI,  F  f  And 


434        THIRD    PART    OF 

And  thine,  lord  Clifford ;  and  you  both  vow'd  re- 
venge 

On  him,  his  ions,  his  favourites,  and  his  friends. 
North.  If  I  be  not,  heavens,  be  reveng'd  on  me  ! 
Clif.  The  hope  thereof  makes  Clifford  mourn  in 

fteel. 
Weft.  What,  {hall  we  fuffer  this  ?  let's  pluck  him 

down  : 
My  heart  for  anger  burns,  I  cannot  brook  it. 

K.  Henry.  Be  patient,  gentle  earl  of  Weflmoreland. 
Clif.  Patience  is  for  poltroons,  and  fuch  as  he  : 
He  durfl  not  fit  trrere,  had  your  father  liv'd. 
My  gracious  lord,  here  in  the  parliament 
Let  us  aflail  the  family  of  York. 

North.  Well  haft  thou  fpoken,  coufin  ;  be  it  fo. 
K.  Henry.  Ah,  know  you  not,   the  city  favours 

them, 

And  they  have  troops  of  foldiers  at  their  beck  ? 
Exe.  But,  when  the  duke  is  flain,  they'll  quickly  fly. 
K  Henry.  Far  be  it  from  the  thoughts  of  Henry's 

heart, 

To  make  a  mambles  of  the  parliament  houfe  ! 
Coufin  of  Exeter,  frowns,  words,  and  threats, 
Shall  be  die  war  that  Henry  means  to  ufe. — 

[They  advance  to  the  duke* 

Thou  factious  duke  of  York,  defcend  my  throne, 
And  kneel  for  grace  and  mercy  at  my  feet ; 
I  am  thy  fovereign. 

Tork.  Thou  art  deceived,  I  am  thine. 

Exe.  For  lhame,  come  down  ;  he  made  thee  duke 

of  York. 

Tork.  'Twas  my  inheritance,  as  the  kingdom  is  *. 
Exe.  Thy  father  was  a  traitor  to  the  crown. 
War.  Exeter,  thou  art  a  traitor  to  the  crown, 
In  following  this  ufurping  Henry. 

4          as  the  kingdom  is.]  Thus  the  quarto  1600,  and  that  with- 
out date.    The  folio  erroneoufly  reads : 

'    —as  the  earldom  was*    STEEVENS. 

Clif. 


KING    HENRY    VI.        435 

C?if.  Whom  fhould  he  follow,  but  his  natural  king? 

War.  True,  Clifford  ;  and  that's  Richard,  duke  of 
York. 

K.  Henry.  And  {Hall  I  ftand,  and  thou  fit  in  my 
throne  ? 

Tork.  It  muft  and  fhall  be  fo.  — Content  thy fclf. 

War.  Be  duke  of  Lancafter,  let  him  be  king. 

Weft.  He  is  both  king  and  duke  of  Lancafter; 
And  that  the  lord  of  Weftmoreland  fhall  maintain. 

War.  And  Warwick  fhall  difprove  it.    You  forget, 
That  we  are  thofe,  which  chas'd  you  from  the  field, 
And  flew  your  fathers,  and  with  colours  fpread 
Vtarch'd  through  the  city  to  the  palace*gates, 

North.  No,  Warwick,  I  remember  it  to  my  grief; 
And,  by  his  foul,  thou  and  thy  houfe  fhall  rue  it. 

Weft.  Plantagenet,  of  thee,  and  thefe  thy  fons, 
Thy  kinfmen,  and  thy  friends,  I'll  have  more  lives, 
;Than  drops  of  blood  were  in  my  father's  veins. 

Clif.  Urge  it  no  more  ;  left  that,  inftead  of  words, 
I  fend  thee,  Warwick,  fuch  a  mefienger, 
As  fhall  revenge  his  death,  before  I  ftir* 

War*  Poor  Clifford  !    how  I  fcorn  his  worthlefs 
threats  !  .   , 

Tork.  Will  youj  we  fhew  our  title  to  the  crown  ? 
I  If  not,  our  fwords  fhall  plead  it  in  the  field. 

A".  Henry.  What  title  haft  thou,   traitor,   to  the 

crown  ? 

Thy  father  was,  as  thou  art,  duke  of  York ; 
Thy  grandfather,  Roger  Mortimer,  earl  of  March  : 
J I  am  the  fon  of  Henry  the  fifth, 
Who  made  the  Dauphin  and  the  French  to  ftoop, 
And  feiz'd  upon  their  towns  and  provinces. 

War.  Talk  not  pf  France*  fith  thou  haft  loft  it  all. 

K.  Henry.  The  lord  protestor  loft  it,  and  not  I ; 

5  /  am  the  fon  of  Henry  the  Fifth,]  The  military  reputation  of 
Henry  the  Fifth  is  the  fole  fupport  of  his  fon.  The  name  of 
Henry  the  Fifth  difperfed  the  followers  of  Cade.  JOHNSON. 

F  f  2  When 


436        THIRD    PART    OF 

When  I  was  crown'd,  I  was  but  nine  months  old. 
Rid\  You  are  old  enough  now,  and  yet,  methinks3 

you  lofe  : 

Father,  tear  the  crown  from  the  ufurper's  head. 
Edw.  Sweet  father,  do  fo  ;  fet  it  on  your  head.  < 
Mont.  Good  brother,  as  thou  lov'ft  and  honour'ft- 

arms, 

Let's  fight  it  out,  and  not  (land  cavilling  thus. 
Rich.  Sound  drums  and  trumpets,  and  the  king  will 

fly. 

Tork.  Sons,  peace  ! 
K.  Henry.  Peace  thou  !  and  give  king  Henry  leave 

to  fpeak. 
War.  Plantagenet    fhall  fpeak  firft  : — hear  him, 

lords ; 

And  be  you  filent  and  attentive  too, 
For  he,  that  interupts  him,  lhall  not  live. 

K.  Henry.  Think'ft  thou,  that  I  will  leave  my  kingly 

throne, 

Wherein  my  grandfire,  and  my  father,  fat  ? 
No  :  firft  fhall  war  unpeople  this  my  realm ; 
Ay,  and  their  colours — often  borne  in  France ; 
And  now  in  England,  to  our  heart's  great  forrow, — 
Shall  be  my  winding-fheet. — Why  faint  you,  lords  ? 
My  title's  good,  and  better  far  than  his. 

War.  But  prove  it,  Henry,  and  thou  fhalt  be  king.. 
K.  Henry.  Henry  the  fourth  by  conquefl  got  the 

crown. 

Tork.  'Twas  by  rebellion  againft  his  king. 
K.  Henry.  I  know  not  what  to  fay  ;  my  title's  weak.. 
Tell  me,  may  not  a  king  adopt  an  heir  ? 
Tork.  What  then  ? 

K.  Henry.  An  if  he  may,  then  am  I  lawful  king  : 
For  Richard,  in  the  view  of  many  lords, 
Rcfign'd  the  crown  to  Henry  the  fourth  ; 
Whofe  heir  my  father  was,  and  I  am  his. 

Tork.  He  rofe  againft  him,  being  his  fovereign, 
And  made  him  to  refign  the  crown  perforce. 

Work 


KING    HENRY    VI.        437 

War,  Suppofe,  my  lords,  he  did  it  unconflrain'd, 
6  Think  you,  'twere  prejudicial  to  the  crown  ? 

Exe.  No  ;  for  he  could  not  fo  refign  his  crown, 
But  that  the  next  heir  fhould  fucceed  and  reign. 
K.  Henry.  Art  thou  againft  us,  duke  of  Exeter  ? 
Exe.  His  is  the  right,  and  therefore  pardon  me. 
Tork.  Why  whifper  you,  my  lords,   and  anfwer 

not  ? 

Exe.  My  confcience  tells  me,  he  is  lawful  king. 
K.  Henry.  All  will  revolt  from  me,   and  turn  to 

him. 

North.  Plantagenet,  for  all  the  claim  thou  lay  ft, 
Think  not,  that  Henry  fliall  be  fo  depos'd. 
War.  Depos'd  he  ihall  be,  in  defpight  of  all. 
North.  Thou  art  deceiv'd  :  'tis  not  thy  fouthern 

power,' 

Of  Effex,  Norfolk,  Suffolk,  nor  of  Kent,— 
Which  makes  thee  thus  prefumptuous  and  proud, — 
Can  fet  the  duke  up,  in  defpight  of  me. 

Clif.  King  Henry,  be  thy  title  right  or  wrong, 
Lord  Clifford  vows  to  fight  in  thy  defence  : 
May  that  ground  gape,  and  fwallow  me  alive, 
Where  I  Ihall  kneel  to  him  that  flew  my  father  ! 
K.  Henry.  O  Clifford,  how  thy  words^  revive  my 

heart  ! 

York.  Henry  of  Lancafter,  refign  thy  crown  :-~ 
What  mutter  you,  or  what  confpire  you,  lords  ? 

War.  Do  right  unto  this  princely  duke  of  York  ; 
Or  I  will  fill  the  houfe  with  armed  men, 

6  Tbiniyou,  'twere  prejudicial  to  the  crown  t~\  The  phrafe  pre- 
judicial to  the  rrowa,  if  it  be  right,  muft  mean,  detrimental  to 
the  general  rights  of  hereditary  royalty  ;  but  I  rather  think  th 
the  tranfcriber's  eye  caught  crown  from  the  line  below,  and  that 
we  fhould  read  prejudicial  to  bis  fon,  to  his  next  heir.     JOHNSON. 

Dr.  Percy  obierves  on  Dr.  Johnfon's  note,  that  fon  could  not 
have  been  the  right  word,  as  Richard  the  lid.  had  no  iffue ;   ai 
our  author  would  hardly  have  ufed  it  limply  for  heir  general.  Fre 
judicial  to  the  crown,  is  right,— i.e.  to    the  prerogative  of  t 
crown.    STEEVENI, 

F  f  3  And 


438        T  H  I  R  D    PART    OF 

And,  o'er  the  chair  of  ftate,  where  now  he  fits. 
Write  up  his  title  with  ufurping  blood. 

\_HeJlamps,  and  thejoldiersjlxiv  tkemfehiSi 

K.  Henry.  My  lord  of  Warwick,  hear  me  but  one 

word  ;— 
Let  me,  for  this  my  life-time,  reign  as  king. 

Tork.  Confirm  the  crown  to  me,  and  to  mine  heirs, 
And  thou  lhalt  reign  in  quiet  while  thou  liv'ft. 

K.  Henry,  I  am  content :  Richard  Plantagenet, 
Enjoy  the  kingdom  after  my  deceafe. 

Clif.  What  wrong  is  this  unto  the  prince  your  fon  ? 

War.  What  good  is  this  to  England,  and  himfelf  ? 

W$.  Bafe,  fearful,  and  defpairing  Henry ! 

Clif.  How  haft  thou  injur'd  both  thyfelf  and  us  ? 

H'eft.  I  cannot  flay  to  hear  thefe  articles. 

North.  Nor  I. 

Clif.  Come, coufm,  let's  go  tell  the  queen  thefe  news. 

W$*  Farewel,  faint-hearted  and  degenerate  king, 
In  whofe  cold  blood  no  fpark  of  honour  bides. 

North.  Be  thou  a  prey  unto  the  houfe  of  York^ 
And  die  in  bands  for  this  unmanly  deed  ! 

Clif*.  In  dreadful  war  may'ft  thou  be  overcome  I 
Or  live  in  peace,  abandon'd,  and  defpis'd  ! 

Exeunt  Northumberland,  Clifford,  and  Wejlmorcla;:3, 

JVar.  Turn  this  way,  Henry,  and  regard  them  not. 

Exe.  7  They  feck  revenge,  and  therefore  will  not 
yield. 

K.  Henry.  Ah,  Exeter! 

War.  Why  fhould  you  figh,  my  lord  ? 

A'.  Henry.  Not  for  myfdf,  lord  Warwick,  but  my 

(on, 

Whom  I  unnaturally  {hall  difmherir. 
But,  be  it  as  it  may  : — I  here  entail 
The  crown  to  thee,  and  to  thine  heirs  for  ever; 

7  Tljeyfcck  revenge t — ]  They  go  r,vviy,  not  becaufe  they  doubt 
the  juiiice  of  this  determination,  but  becaufe  they  have  been 
conquered,  and  leek  to  be  revenged.  They  are  not  influenced 
By  principle,  but  pafikm.  JOHNSON. 

Condi* 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         437 

Conditionally,  that  here  thou  take  an  oath 
To  ceaic  this  civil  war,  and,  whilft  I  live, 
To  honour  me  as  thy  king  and  fovereign  ;  and 
Neither  by  treafon,  nor  hoftility, 
To  feck  to  put  me  down,  and  reign  thyfelf. 

Tork.  This  oath  I  willingly  take,  and  will  perform. 
War.  Long  live  king  Henry  ! — Plantagenet,  em- 
brace him. 

K.  Henry.  And  long  live  thou,  and  thefe  thy  for- 
ward fons  ! 

Tork.  Now  York  and  Lancafter  are  reconcil'd. 
Exe.  Accurs'd  be  he,  that  feeks  to  make  them  foes ! 
[Here  the  lords  come  forward. 

Tork.  Farewell,  my  gracious  lord ;  I'll  to  my  caftle. 
War.  And  I'll  keep  London  with  my  foldicrs. 
Norf.  And  I  to  Norfolk,  with  my  followers. 
Mont.  And  I  unto  the  fea,  from  whence  I  came. 
[Exeunt  Tork,  and  his  fons,  Warwick,  Norfolk, 

and  Montague. 

K.  Henry.  And  I,  with  grief  and  forrow,  to   the 
court. 

Enter  the  Queen,  and  Prince. 

Exe.  Here  comes  the  queen,  whofe  looks  bewray 

her  anger : 
I'll  fteal  away. 

K.  Henry.  Exeter,  fo  will  I.  [Going. 

fieen.  Nay,  go  not  from  me ;  I  will  follow  thee. 
Henry.  Be  patient,  gentle  queen,  and  I  willftay. 
Queen.  Who  can  be  patient  in  fuch  extremes  ? 
Ah,  wretched  man  !  'would  I  had  died  a  maid, 
And  never  feen  thee,  never  borne  thee  fon, 
Seeing  thou  haft  prov'd  fo  unnatural  a  father  ! 
Hath  he  deferv'd  to  lole  his  birth-right  thus  ? 
Had  ft  thou  but  lov'd  him  half  fo  well  as  I ; 
Or  felt  that  pain  which  I  did  for  him  once  ; 
Or  nourilh'd  him,  as  I  did  with  my  blood ; 

F  f  4  Thou 


440        THIRD     PART     OF 

Thou  wouldft  have  left  thy  dearefl  heart-blood  there, 
Rather  than  made  that  favage  duke  thine  heir, 
And  difmherited  thine  only  Ion. 

Prince.  Father,  you  cannot  difmherit  me  : 
If  you  be  king,  why  Ihould  not  I  fucceed  ? 

K,  Henry.  Pardon  me,    Margaret  ; — pardon  me, 

fweet  fon ; — 
The  earl  of  Warwick,  and  the  duke,  enforc'd  me. 

Queen.  Enforc'd  thee  !    art  thou  king,    and  wilt 

be  forc'd  ? 

I  ihame  to  hear  thee  fpeak.     Ah,  timorous  wretch  ! 
Thou  haft  undone  thyfelf,  thy  fon,  and  me  ; 
And  given  unto  the  hcufe  of  York  fuch  head,, 
As  thou  fhalt  reign  but  by  their  fufferance, 
To  entail  him  and  his  heirs  unto  the  crown; 
8  What  is  it,  but  to  make  thy  fepulchre, 
And  creep  into  it  far  before  thy  time  ? 
Warwick  is  chancellor,  and  the  lord  of  Calais; 
Stern  Faulconbridge  commands  the  narrow  feas  \ 
The  duke  is  made  prqteftor  of  the  realm  ; 
And  yet  lhalt  thou  be  fafe  ?  fuch  fafety  finds 
The  trembling  lamb,  environed  with  wolves. 
.  Had  I  been  there,  which  am  a  filly  woman, 
The  foldiers  fhould  have  tofs'd  me  on  their  pikes, 
Before  I  would  have  granted  to  that  aft, 
But  thou  preferr'fl  thy  life  before  thine  honour  ; 
And,  feeing  thou  doft,  I  here  divorce  myfelf, 
Both  from  thy  table,  Henry,  and  thy  bed, 
Until  that  ad;  of  parliament  be  repeal'd, 
Whereby  my  fon  is  disinherited. 
The  northern  lords,  that  have  forfworn  thy  colours,, 
Will  follow  mine,  if  once  they  fee  them  fpread  : 
And  fpread  they  fhall  be ;  to  thy  foul  difgrace, 
And  utter  ruin  of  the  houfe  of  York. 

8  What  is  it,  Ijut  to  moke  t):y  fcpulchre ,~\  The  queen's  reproach 
is  founded  on  a  pofition  long  received  among  politicians,  that 
the  lofs  of  a  king's  power  is  loon  followed  by  lois  of  lite. 

JOHNSON. 

Thus 


KING     HENRY    VI.        44, 

Thus  do  I  leave  thee  :— Come,  fon,  let's  away ; 
Our  army's  ready ;  come,  we'll  after  them. 

K.  Henry.  Stay,  gentle  Margaret,  and  hear  me  fpeak. 
Queen.  Thou  haft  fpoke  too  much  already ;  get 

thee  gone. 
K.  Henry.  Gentle  fon  Edward,  thou  wilt  ftay  with 

me? 

Queen.  Ay,  to  be  murder'd  by  his  enemies. 
Prince.  When  I  return  with  victory  from  the  field, 
I'll  fee  your  grace  :  'till  then,  I'll  follow  her. 
Queen.  Come,  fon,  away ;  we  may  not  linger  thus. 
[Exeunt  ^ueea,  and  Prince. 
K.  Henry.  Poor  queen  !  how  love  to  me,  and  to 

her  fon, 

Hath  made  her  break  out  into  terms  of  rage  ! 
Reveng'd  may  ihe  be  on  that  hateful  duke  ; 
*  Whole  haughty  fpirit,  winged  with  defire, 

Will 


»   Whofe  bauglty  fpirit,  winged  with  defire, 
Will  coft  my  crown,  and,  like  an  empty  eagle, 
Tire  on  tbeflcjb  ]  Read  coaft,  i.e.  hover  over  It. 

WAR  BURTON. 

The  word  which  Dr.  Warburton  would  introduce,  appears  to 
violate  the  metaphor,  nor  is  to  coajl  ufed  as  a  term  of  falconry  in 
any  of  the  books  profefledly  written  on  that  fubjeft.  To  coajl 
is  a  fea-faring  exprellion,  and  means  to  keep  along  fhore.  We 
may,  however,  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  figure,  by  infert- 
jng  the  word  cote,  which  is  ufed  in  Hamlet,  and  in  a  fenfe  con- 
venient enough  on  this  occafion  : 

"  We  cflta/them  on  the  way." 
To  cote  is  to  come  up  with,  to  overtake. 

So,  in  The  Return  from  ParnaJJus,  a  comedy,   1 606  : 

"  marry,  we  prefently  cotedand  outftript  them." 

Yet  I  am  not  certain,  that  to  coajl  is  a  fea-faring  exprelTion 
pnly.     It  is  ufed  in  the  following  inflance  to  denote  fpeed  : 
"  And  all  in  hafte  (he  coajletb  to  the  cry." 

Shakefpeare's  Venus  and  Adonis. 
Again,  in  the  Loyal  Subject,  by  B.  and  Fletcher  : 
*'  Take  you  thole  horfe,  and  coajl  them." 
Again,  in  Tie  Maid  of  the  Mill,  by  the  fame  authors,  two  gen- 
tjemen  are  entering,  and  a  lady  alks : 

f  i  ...    -who  are  thofe  that  coajl  us  ?" 

Mr. 


44^        THIRD    TART    OF 
Will  coaft  my  crown,  and,  like  an  empty  eagle, 
Tire  on  the  flefh  of  me,  and  of  my  Ton  ! 
The  lofs  of  '  thofe  three  lords  torments  my  heart  : 
I'll  write  unto  them,  and  entreat  them  fair  ;— 
Come,  coufm,  you  mall  be  the  mcffcnger. 
Exe.  And  I,  I  hope,  Ihall  reconcile  them  all. 

Exeunt. 

SCENE     II. 

Sandal  Cajlk,  mar  JVakcfield,  in  Torkfoire* 
Enter  Edward,  Richard,  and  Montague. 

'Rich.  Brother,  though  I  be  youngcft,   give  me 

leave. 

Efav.  No,  I  can  better  play  the  orator. 
Mont.  But  I  have  reafons  flrong  and  forcible. 

Enter  tie  duke  of  York. 

York.  Why,  how  now,  l  fons,  and  brother,  at  aftrife  ? 
What  is  your  quarrel  ?  how  began  it  firlt  ? 


Mr.  Toilet  obferves,  that  Dr.  Warburton's  interpretation  may  be 
right,  as  Holinfhed  often  ufes  the  verb  to  coaj?y  i.  e.  to  hover, 
or  range  about  any  th;ng.  See  "Vol.  III.  p.  352:  "William 
Douglas  ftill  coafied  the  Englishmen,  doing  them  what  damage 
he  might."  So,  again,  p.  58;,  and  404,  and  in  other  writers. 

STEIiVENS. 

To  tire  is  to  fallen,  to  fix  the  talons,  from  the  French  titcr. 

JOHNSON. 

To  tin  is  to  peck.    So,  in  Decker's  Match  me  in  London,  163  1  : 
**  —  —  :  —  the  vulture  tires 
**  Upon  the  eagle's  heart."    STEEVEXS. 

1  -  thnfe  ihrce  lords  -  ]  That  is,  or"  Northumberland, 
tVeftmorlaud,  'and  Clifford,  who  had  left  him  in  dilgufl. 

JOHNSON. 

a  ---  fons  ana  brother  •   ]  I  believe  we  fliould  read 

coujin  inftead  of  brother^  unlefs  brother  be  ufed  by  Shakefpeare  as 

a  term  expreflive  of  endearment,  or  becaufe  they  embarked,  like 

brothers,  in  one  cauic.     Montague  \vas  only  cotiiin  to  York, 

-  '  and 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         443 

Edzv.  3  No  quarrel,  but  a  fweet  contention. 

York.  About  what  ? 

Rich.  About  that  which  concerns  your  grace,  and 

us; 
The  crown  of  England,  father,  which  is  yours. 

York.  Mine,  boy  ?  not  'till  king  Henry  be  dead. 

Rich.  Your  right  depends  not  on  his  life,  or  death. 

Edw.  Now  you  are  heir,  therefore  enjoy  it  now  : 
By  giving  the  houfe  of  Lancafter  leave  to  breathe, 
It  will  out-run  you,  father,  in  the  end. 

York.  I  took  an  oath,  that  he  Ihould  quietly  reign. 

Edzi~.    But,    for  a  kingdom,    any   oath  may   be 

broken  : 
I'd  break  a  thoufand  oaths,  to  reign  one  year. 

Rick.  No  ;  God  forbid,  your  grace  ftiould  be  for- 
fworn. 

York.  I  fhall  be,  if  I  claim  by  open  war. 

Rich.  I'll  prove  the  contrary,  if  you'll  hear  me 
fpeak. 

York.  Thou  canft  not,  fon ;  it  is  impoffible. 

and  in  the  quarto  he  is  fo  called.    Shakefpeare  ufes  the  expref- 
fion,  brother  of  the  ivar,  in  King  Lear.     STEEVENS. 

It  fhould  be  fans  and  brothers ;  my  fons,  and  brothers  to  each 
other.  JOHNSON. 

fons  and  brother.  This  is  right.  In  the  two  fucceed- 
ing  pages  York  calls  Montague  brother.  This  may  be  in  refpeft 
to  their  being  brothers  of  the  war,  as  Mr.  Steevens  obferves,  or 
of  the  fame  council  as  in  1C.  Henry  VIII.  who  fays  to  Cran- 
mer,  "  You  are  a  brother  of  us."  Mountague  was  brother  to 
Warwick  ;  Warwick's  daughter  was  married  to  a  fon  of  York  : 
therefore  York  and  Montague  were  brothers.  But  as  this  alli- 
ance did  not  take  place  during  the  life  of  York,  I  embrace  Mr. 
Steevens's  interpretation  rather  than  fuppofe  that  Shakefpeare 
made  a  miftake  about  the  time  of  the  marriage.  TOLLET. 

3  No  quarrel,  but  a  flight  contention.]  Thus  the  players,  firfr, 
in  their  edition  ;  who  did  not  underftand,  I  prelume,  the  force 
of  the  epithet  in  the  old  quarto,  which  I  have  reftored— -facet 
contention,  i.  e.  the  argument  of  their  difpute  was  upon  a  grate- 
ful topic ;  the  queftion  of  their  father's  immediate  right  to  the 
crown,  THEOBALD. 

RicL 


T1IRD    PART    OF 

Rich.  4  An  oath  is  of  no  moment,  being  not  took 
Before  a  true  and  lawful  magiflrate, 
That  hath  authority  over  him  that  fwears  : 
Henry  had  none,  but  did  ufurp  the  place  ; 
Then,  feeing  'twas  he  that  made  you  to  dcpofe, 
Your  oath,  my  lord,  is  vain  and  frivolous. 
Therefore,  to  arms  :  And,  father,  do  but  think, 
How  fweet  a  thing  it  is  to  wear  a  crown ; 
Within  whofe  circuit  is  Elyfinm, 
And  all  that  poets  feign  of  blifs  and  joy. 
Why  do  we  linger  thus  ?  I  cannot  reft, 
Until  the  white  rofe,  that  I  wear,  be  dy'd 
Even  in  the  lukewarm  blood  of  Henry's  heart. 

Tork.  Richard,  enough  ;  I  will  be  king,  or  die.— 
Brother,  thou  ihalt  to  London  prefently, 
And  whet  on  Warwick  to  this  enterprize. — 
Thou,  Richard,  Ihalt  to  the  duke  of  Norfolk, 
And  tell  him  privily  of  our  intent. — 
You,  Edward,  {hall  unto  my  lord  Cobham, 
With  whom  the  Kentiihmen  will  willingly  rife  : 
In  them  I  truft ;  for  they  are  foldiers, 
5  Witty,  and  courteous,  liberal,  full  of  fpirit. — 

While 

4  An  oatb  is  of  no  moment, — ]  The  obligation  of  an  oath  is 
here  eluded  by  very  delpicable  fophiftry.     A  lawful  magiftrate 
alone  has   the  power  to  exaft  an  oath,  but  the  oath  derives  no 
part  of  its  force  from  the  magiitrate.     The  plea  againll  the  obli- 
gation of  an  oath  obliging  to  maintain   an  ufurper,  taken  from 
the  unlawfulnefs  of  the  oath  itielf  in  the  foregoing  play,  was 
rational  and  juft.     JOHNSON. 

5  In  former  editions  : 

Witty,  courteous,  liberal,  full  of  fpirit.} 

"~  What  a  blefled  harmonious  line  have  the  editors  given  us  !  and 
what  a  promifing  epithet,  in  York's  behalf,  from  the  Kcntifhrnen 
being  fo  witty !  I  cannot  be  Ib  partial,  however,  to  my  own 
county,  as  to  let  this  compliment  pals.  I  make  no  doubt  to  read: 
for  they  arefoldiers^ 

Wealthy  and  courteous,  liberal,  full  of  fpirit. 
Now  thefe  five  charafteriitics  anfwer  to  lord  Say's  defcription  of 
them  in  the  preceding  play : 

"  Kent, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         445 

While  you  are  thus  employ'd,  what  refteth  more, 
But  that  I  leek  occafion  how  to  rife  ; 
And  yet  the  king  not  privy  to  my  drift, 
Nor  any  of  the  houfe  of  Lancafter  ? 

6  Enter  a  Meflenger. 

But, (lay ;  What  news?  Why  com'fl  thou  in  fuch  poft  ? 

Gab. 7  The  queen,  with  all  the  northern  earls  and 

lords, 

Intend  here  to  befiege  you  in  your  caftle  : 
She  is  hard  by  with  twenty  thoufand  men  ; 
And  therefore  fortify  your  hold,  my  lord. 

York.  Ay,  with  my  fword.   What !  think'!!  thou, 

that  we  fear  them  ? — 

Edward  and  Richard,  you  mail  flay  with  me; — 
My  brother  Montague  mall  poft  to  London  : 
Let  noble  Warwick,  Cobham,  and  the  reft, 
Whom  we  have  left  protestors  of  the  king, 
WTith  powerful  policy  flrengthen  themfclves, 
And  truft  not  fimple  Henry,  nor  his  oaths. 

Mont.  Brother,  I  go ;  I'll  win  them,  fear  it  not : 
And  thus  moft  humbly  I  do  take  my  leave. 

[Exit  Montagu?. 

*'  Kent,  in  the  commentaries  Caefar  writ, 

"  Is  term'd  the  civil'il  place  in  all  this  ifle  ; 

"  The  people  liberal,  valiant,  adtive,  wealthy." 

THEOBALD. 

This  is  a  conjecture  of  very  little  import.     JOHNSON. 
I  fee  no  reafon  for  adopting  Theobald's  emendation.     Jf?//y, 
anciently  fignified,  of  found  judgment.     The  poet  calls  Bucking- 
ham, "  the  deep-revolving,  witty  Buckingham."    STEEVENS. 

6  Enter  a  Me]finger.~\  Thus  the  quartos ;  the  folio  reads,  Enter 
Gabriel.     STEEVENS. 

7  The  quten^  ivith  all  &c.]    I  know  not  whether  the  author 
intended  any  moral  inftruclion,  but  he  that  reads  this  has  a  Unk- 
ing admonition  againil  that  precipitancy  by  which  men  often  ufe 
unlawful  means  to  do  that  which  a  little  delay  would  put  honeflly 
in  their  power.   Had  York  ftaid  but  a  few  moments,  he  had  faved 
his  caufe  from  the  ftain  of  perjury.    JOHNSON. 

Enter 


446        THIRD    PART    OF 

Enter  Sir  Jobn  and  Sir  Hugh  Mortimer. 

Tork.  Sir  John,  and  Sir  Hugh  Mortimer,   mine 

uncles ! 

You  are  come  to  Sandal  in  a  happy  hour  ; 
The  army  of  the  queen  means  to  befiege  us. 

Sir  John.  She  fhall  not  need,  we'll  meet  her  in  the 

field. 

Tork.  What,  with  five  thoufand  men  ? 
Rich.  Ay,  with  five  hundred,  father,  for  a  need. 
A  woman's  general ;  What  Ihould  we  fear  ? 

[_A  march  afar  off'. 
Edw.  I  hear  their  drums;  Let's  fet  our  men  in 

order ; 
And  iflue  forth,  and  bid  them  battle  fl^aight. 

Tork.  Five  men  to  twenty  ! — though  the  odds  be 

great, 

I  doubt  not,  uncle,  of  our  victory. 
Many  a  battle  have  I  won  in  France, 
When  as  the  enemy  hath  been  ten  to  one  ; 
Why  fhould  I  not  now  have  the  like  fuccefs  ? 

[Alarum.     Exeunt. 

SCENE        III. 

Afeld  of  bank,  betwixt  Sandal  Cajlle  and  Wakefield. 
Enter  Rutland,  and  his  'Tutor. 

Rut.  Ah,  whither  ihall  I  fly,  to  Tcape  their  hands ! 
Ah,  tutor  !  look,  where  bloody  Clifford  comes ! 

Enter  Clifford,  and  Soldiers. 

Clif.  Chaplain,  away  !  thy  priefthood  faves  thy  life. 
As  for  the  brat  of  this  accurfed  duke, — 
Whofe  father  flew  my  father,  he  Ihall  die. 

Tutor.  And  I,  my  lord,  will  bear  him  company. 

Clif. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         447 

Qif.  Soldiers,  away,  and  drag  him  hence  perforce. 

'Tutor.  Ah,  Clifford!  murder  not  this  innocent  child, 
Left  thou  be  haced  both  of  God  and  man. 

[Exit,  dragged  off. 

Cliff.  How  now  !  is  he  dead  already  ?  Or,  is  it  fear, 
That  makes  him  clofe  his  eyes  ? — I'll  open  them. 

Rut.  8  So  looks  the  pent-up  lion  o'er  the  wretch 
That  trembles  under  his  devouring  paws  : 
And  fo  he  walks,  infukingo'er  his  prey; 
And  fo  he  comes,  to  rend  his  limbs  afunder. — 
Ah,  gentle  Clifford,  kill  me  with  thy  fword, 
And  not  with  fuch  a  cruel  ;hrcat'ning  look. 
Sweet  Clifford,  hear  me  fpeak  before  I  die  ;— 
I  am  too  mean  a  fubjedt  for  thy  wrath, 
Be  thou  reveng'd  on  men,  and  let  me  live. 

Clif.  In  vain  thou  fpeak'ft,  poor  boy ;  my  father's 

blood 

Math  ftopp'd  the  paflage  where  thy  words  fliould 
enter. 

Rv.t.  Then  let  my  father's  blood  open  it  again  ; 
He  is  a  man,  and,  Clifford,  cope  with  him. 

Clif.  Had  I  thy  brethren  here,  tneir  lives,  and  thine, 
Were  not  revenge  fufficient  for  me  : 
No,  if  I  digg'd  up  thy  forefathers'  graves, 
And  hung  their  rotten  coffins  up  in  chains, 
It  could  not  flake  mine  ire,  nor  eafe  my  heart. 
The  fight  of  any  of  the  houfe  of  York 
Is  as  a  fury  to  torment  my  foul  ; 
And  'till  I  root  out  their  accurfed  line, 
And  leave  not  one  alive,  I  live  in  hell. 
Therefore [Lifting  bis  band. 

Rut.  O,  let  me  pray  before  I  take  my  death  : — 
To  thee  I  pray  ;  Sweet  Clifford,  pity  me  ! 

Clif.  Such  pity  as  rny  rapier's  point  affords. 

8  So  looks  the  put-up  lion—}  That  is,  The  lion  that  hath  been 
Jong  confined  without  food,  and  is  let  out  to  devour  a  man  con- 
demned. JOHNSON. 


448         THIRD    PART     OF 

Rut.  I  never  did  thee  harm  ;  Why  wilt  thon  flay 
me  ? 

Clif.  Thy  father  hath. 

Rut.  But  'twas  ere  I  was  born. 
Thou  haft  one  fon,  for  his  fake  pity  me  ; 
Left,  in  revenge  thereof, — fith  God  is  juft,— 
He  be  as  miferably  flam  as  I. 
Ah,  let  me  live  in  prifon  all  my  days ; 
And  when  I  give  occafion  of  offence, 
Then  let  me  die,  for  now  thou  haft  no  caufe. 

Clif.  No  caufe? 
Thy  father  flew  my  father ;  therefore,  die. 

{Clifford Jlah  kirn. 

Rut.  9Diifada*tt  laudisfummajitijlatu*!    [Dies. 

Clif.  Plantagenet !   I  come,  Plantagenet ! 
And  this  thy  fon's  blood,  cleaving  to  my  blade, 
Shall  ruft  upon  my  weapon,  'till  thy  blood, 
Congeal'dwith  this,  do  make  me  wipe  off  both.  [Exif. 

SCENE    IV. 

Alarum.     Enter  Richard  duke  of  Tork. 

York.  The  army  of  the  queen  hath  got  the  field  : 
My  uncles  both  are  flam  in  refcuing  me  '; 
And  all  my  followers  to  the  eager  foe 
Turn  back,  and  fly,  like  fliips  before  the  wind, 
Or  lambs  purfu'd  by  hunger-ftarved  wolves. 
My  fons — God  knows,  what  hath  bechanced  them  : 
But  this  I  know, — they  have  demean'd  themfelves 
Like  men  born  to  renown,  by  life,  or  death. 
Three  times  did  Richard  make  a  lane  to  me ; 

»  This  line  is  in  Ovid's  Epiftle  from  Pblltis  to  Dtmopboo*.  I 
lave  met  with  the  fame  quotation  in  more  than  one  of  the  old 
plays.  STT.EVENS. 

1  My  uncles  loth  arejlain  in  refcuing  me ;  ]  Thefe  were  two  baftard 
uncles  by  the  mother's  fide,  fir  John  and  fir  Hugh  Mortimer, 
See  Oration's  Chronicle.  PERCY. 

And 


KING    HENRY    VI.         449 

And  thrice  cry'd,  —  Courage,  father  !  fight  it  out  ! 
And  full  as  oft  came  Edward  to  my  fide, 
With  purple  faulchion,  painted  to  the  hilt 
In  blood  of  thofe  that  had  encounter'd  him  : 
And  when  the  hardiefl  warriors  did  retire, 
Richard  cry'd,  —  Charge  !  and  give  no  foot  of  ground  f 
And  cry'd  —  A  crown,  or  elfe  a  glorious  tomb  ! 
Afcepter,  or  an  earthly  fepulchre  ! 
With  this,  we  charg'd  again  :  but,  out,  alas  ! 
*  We  bodg'd  again  ;  as  I  have  feen  a  fwan 
With  bootlefs  labour  fwim  againft  the  tide, 
And  fpend  her  ftrength  with  over-matching  waves. 

[AJhort  alarum  within. 
Ah,  hark  !  the  fatal  followers  do  purfue  ; 
And  I  am  faint,  and  cannot  fly  their  fury  : 
And,  were  I  ftrong,  I  would  not  fhun  their  fury  : 
The  fands  are  numbered,  that  make-up  my  life  ; 
Here  muft  I  flay,  and  here  my  life  muft  end. 

Enter  the  Queen,    Clifford,  Northumberland,    and  Sol" 


Come,  bloody  Clifford,  —  rough  Northumberland,—* 

I  dare  your  quenchlefs  fury  to  more  rage  ; 

I  am  your  butt,  and  I  abide  your  Ihot. 

North.  Yield  to  our  mercy,  proud  Plantagenet, 
Cliff.  Ay,  to  fuch  mercy,  as  his  ruthlefs  arm, 

With  downright  payment,  Ihew'd  unro  my  father. 

Now  Phaeton  hath  tumbled  from  his  car, 

1  We  bodgd  again  ;  —  ]  Of  this  word  tne  meaning  is  plain,  but 
I  never  faw  it  in  any  other  place.  I  fuppofe  it  is  only  the  word 
budged,  perhaps  mifprinted.  JOHNSON. 

I  find  bodgery  ufed  by  Naflie  in  his  Apologie  of  Pierce  Pennilefs^ 
*593»  f°r  botchery. 

"  Do  you  know  your  own  milbegotten  bodgery  ?" 
To  bodge  might  therefore  mean  (as  to  botch  does  now)  to  do  a 
thing  imperre&ly  and  aukwardly  ;  and  thence  to  fail  or  mi/carry 
in  an  attempt.    MALONE, 

VOL.  VI.  G  g 


450        THIRD    PART    OP 

And  made  an  evening  at  the  '  noon-tide  prick. 

Tork.  My  afhes,  as  the  phoenix,  may  bring  forth 
A  bird  that  will  revenge  upon  you  all : 
And,  in  that  hope,  I  throw  mine  eyes  to  heaven, 
Scorning  whate'er  you  can  afflict  me  with. 
Why  come  you  not  ?  what  \  multitudes,  and  fear  > 

Clif.  So  cowards  fight,  when  they  can  fly  no  fur- 
ther ; 

So  doves  do  peck  the  faulcon's  piercing  talons  ; 
So  dciperate  thieves,  all  hopelefs  of  their  lives, 
Breathe  out  invedtives  'gainft  the  officers. 

Tork.  O,   Clifford,  but  bethink  thee  once  again, 
And  in  thy  thought  o'er-run  my  former  time  : 
And,  if  thou  canft  for  blulhing,  view  this  face  ; 
And  bite  thy  tongue,  that  flanders  him  with  cowar- 
dice, 
Whofe  frown  hath  made  thee  faint  and  fly  ere  this. 

Clif.  I  will  not  bandy  with  thee  word  for  word ; 
But  buckle  with  thee  blows,  twice  two  for  one. 

[Draws* 

Queen.  Hold,  valiant  Clifford !  for  a  thoufand  caufes, 
I  would  prolong  a  while  the  traitor's  life  : — 
Wrath  makes  him  deaf :  fpeak  thou,  Northumber* 
land. 

North.  Hold,  Clifford  ;    do  not  honour  him   fo 

much, 

To  prick  thy  finger,  though  to  wound  his  heart : 
What  valour  were  it,  when  a  cur  doth  grin, 
For  one  to  thruft  his  hand  between  his  teeth, 
When  he  might  fpurn  him  with  his  foot  away  ? 
*  It  is  war's  prize  to  take  all  vantages ; 

3  noon-tide  prick.']  Or,  noon-tide  point  on  the  dial. 

JOHNSON. 

*  //  is  war's  prize— ]  Read^ra/y^.     WARBURTON. 
I  think  the  old  reading  right,  which  means,  that  all  Vantage* 
are  in  war  lawful  prize ;  that  is,  may  be  lawfully  taken  and  ufed. 

JOHNSON. 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         45r 

And  ten  to  one  is  no  impeach  of  valour. 

[They  lay  bands  on  Tork,  who  Jiruggks. 

Cllf.  Ay,  ay,  fo  ftrives  the  woodcock  with  the  gin. 

North.  So  doth  the  coney  ftruggle  in  the  net. 

[Tork  is  taken  prifoner. 

Tork.  So  triumph  thieves  upon  their  conquer'd 

booty  ; 
So  true  men  yield,  with  robbers  fo  o'er-match'd. 

North.  What  would  your  grace  have  done  unto 
him  now  ? 

Queen.  Brave  warriors,  Clifford,  and  Northumber- 
land, 

Come  make  him  ftand  upon  this  mole-hill  here  ; 
5  That  raught  at  mountains  with  out-ftretched  arms, 
Yet  parted  but  the  lhadow  with  his  hand — 
What !  was  it  you,  that  would  be  England's  king ) 
Was't  you,  that  revell'd  in  our  parliament, 
And  made  a  preachment  of  your  high  defcent  ? 
Where  are  your  mefs  of  fons,  to  back  you  now  ? 
The  wanton  Edward,  and  the  lufty  George  ? 
And  where's  that  valiant  crook-back  prodigy, 
Dicky  your  boy,  that,  with  his  grumbling  voice, 
Was  wont  to  cheer  his  dad  in  mutinies  ? 
Or,  with  the  reft,  where  is  your  darling  Rutland  ? 
Look,  York ;  I  ftain'd  6  this  napkin  with  the  blood 
•That  valiant  Clifford,  with  his  rapier's  point, 
Made  iffue  from  the  bofom  of  the  boy  : 
And,  if  thine  eyes  can  water  for  his  death, 

5  Tbatrattgbt—]  i.e.  That  reach1  d.  The  ancient  preterite 
and  participle  paifive  of  reach.  So,  Shakefpeare  in  another 
place :  \ 

*  The  hand  of  death  has  raught  him." 
So,  in  Tancred  and  Gulfmund^   \  592  : 

««  'fhe  raught  the  cane, 

**  And  with  her  own  fweet  hand  did  give  it  me.'* 
Again,  Hid: 

"  Therewith  fhe  raught  from  her  alluring  lock* 
"  This  golden  trefs."    STEEVENS. 
*  —ibis  napkin ]  A  napkin  is  a  handkerchief.    JOHNSON, 

G  g  4  I  giv? 


452        THIRD    PART    OF 

I  give  thee  this  to  dry  thy  cheeks  withal. 

Alas,  poor  York  !  but  that  I  hate  thee  deadly, 

I  fhould  lament  thy  miferable  flate. 

I  pr'ythee,  grieve,  to  make  me  merry,-  York. 

What,  hath  thy  fiery  heart  fo  parch'd  thine  entrails,  * 

That  not  a  tear  can  fall  for  Rutland's  death  ? 

Why  art  thou  patient,  man  ?  thou  fliouldft  be  mad  ; 

And  I,  to  make  thee  mad,  do  mock  thee  thus. 

Stamp,  rave,  and  fret,  that  I  may  fing  and  dance. 

Thou  wouldft  be  fee'd,  I  fee,  to  make  me  fport; 

York  cannot  fpeak,  unlcfs  he  wear  a  crown.— 

A  crown  for  York  ; — and,  lords,  bow  low  to  him. — 

Hold  you  his  hands,  whilit  I  do  fet  it  on. — 

[Putting  a  paper  crown  on  bis  lead 7. 
Ay,  marry,  fir,  now  looks  he  like  a  king  ! 
Ay,  this  is  he  that  took  king  Henry's  chair  ; 
And  this  is  he  was  his  adopted  heir. — 
But  how  is  it,  that  great  Plantagenet 
Is  crown'd  fo  foon,  and  broke  his  folemn  oath  ? 
As  I  bethink  me,  you  fhould  not  be  king, 
'Till  our  king  Henry  had  ihook  hands  with  death. 
And  will  you  pale  your  head  in  Henry's  glory, 
And  rob  his  temples  of  the  diadem, 
Now  in  his  life,  againft  your  holy  oath  ? 
O,  'tis  a  fault  too  too  unpardonable  ! — 
Off  with  the  crown  ;  and,  with  the  crown,  his  head ; 
And,  whilfl  we  breathe,  take  time  to  do  him  dead. 

Cliff.  That  is  my  office,  for  my  father's  death. 

Queen.  Nay,  ftay ;  let's  hear  the  orifons  he  makes. 

York.  She-wolf  of  France,  but  worfe  than  wolves 

of  France, 

Whofe  tongue  more  poifons  than  the  adder's  tooth  ! 
How  ill-befeeming  is  it  in  thy  fex, 

7  Putting  a  paper  croivn  on  his  bead.~\  Shakefpeare  has  on  this 
occafion  deviated  from  hiftoiy.  The  paper  crown  was  not  placed 
on  the  duke  of  York's  head  'till  after  it  had  been  cut  off.  Rut- 
land likewife  was  not  killed  by  Clifford  'till  after  his  father's 
death.  STEEYENS. 

To 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         4<3 

To  triumph,  like  an  Amazonian  trull, 

8  Upon  their  woes,  whom  fortune  captivates  ? 

But  that  thy  face  is,  vizor-like,  unchanging, 

Made  impudent  with  life  of  evil  deeds, 

I  would  afiay,  proud  queen,  to  make  thce  blufli : 

To  tell  thec  whence  thou  cam'it,  of  whom  deriv'd, 

Were  lhame  enough  to  fname  thec,  wert  thou  not 

fhamelefs. 

Thy  father  bears  the  type  of  king. of  Naples, 
Of  both  the  Sicils,  and  Jerufalem  ; 
Yet  not  fo  wealthy  as  an  Englifh  yeoman. 
Hath  that  poor  monarch  taught  thee  to  infult  ? 
It  needs  not,  nor  it  boots  thee  not,  proud  queen  ; 
Unlefs  the  adage  muft  be  vcrify'd, — 
That  beggars,  mounted,  run  their  horfe  to  death. 
JTis  beauty,  that  doth  oft  make  women  proud  ; 
But,  God  he  knows,  thy  fhare  thereof  is  fmall : 
'Tis  virtue,  that  doth  make  them  mod  admir'd ; 
The  contrary  doth  make  thee  wonder'd  at : 
9  'Tis  government,  that  makes  them  feem  divine ; 
The  want  thereof  makes  thee  abominable  : 
Thou  art  as  oppofite  to  every  good, 
As  the  Antipodes  are  unto  us, 
Or  as  the  fouth  to  the  feptentrion. 
Oh,  tygres  heart,  wrapp'd  in  a  woman's  hide  ! 
How  could'ft  thou  drain  the  life-blood  of  the  child, 
To  bid  the  father  wipe  his  eyes  withal, 
And  yet  be  feen  to  bear  a  woman's  face  ? 
Women  are  foft,  mild,  pitiful,  and  flexible  ; 
Thou  ftern,  obdurate, .flinty,  rough,  remorfelefs. 
Bidft  thou  me  rage  ?  why,  now  thou  haft '  thy  wifh  : 

8  Upon  their  ivoes ]  So,  the  folio.    The  quarto  reads  Upon 

bis  ivoes.    STEEVEXS. 

9  'Tis  government  that  makes  them  feem  divine  \\  Government  y  in 
the  language  of  that  time,  fignified  evennefs  of  temper,  and  de- 
cency or  manners.     JOHNSON. 

1          •  tl.y  ivj/b :]  So,  the  folio.     The  quarto  reads  thy  will. 

STEEVENS. 

G  g  3  Wouldft 


454        T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Wouldft  have  me  weep  ?  why,  now  thou  haft  thy 

will : 

*  F6r  raging  wind  blows  up  inceffant  fhowers, 
And,  when  the  rage  allays,  the  rain  begins. 
Thefe  tears  are  my  fvvect  Rutland's  obfequies  ; 
'  And  every  drop  cries  vengeance  for  his  death, — 
'Gainft  thee,  fell  Clifford,— and  thee,  falfe  French- 
woman. 

North.  Befhrew  me,  but  his  paffions  move  me  fo, 
That  hardly  can  I  check  mine  eyes  from  tears. 

York.  That  face  of  his  the  hungry  cannibals 
Would  not  have  touch'd,  4  would  not  have  ilain'd 
with  blood : 

But 

*  For  raging  wind  blows  up  inceffant  flowers, ~\    Thus  the  folio. 
The  quartos  read : 

For  raging  winds  blow  up  a  ftorm  of  tears.     STEEVENS. 
3  And  every  drop  cries  vengeance  for  his  death,]  So:  the  folio. 
The  quarto  thus : 

And  every  drop  begs  -vengeance  as  it  falls, 
On  theey  &c.     STEEVENS. 

*  — — - -would  not  havejiain'd  the  rofes  juft  with  blood:']  So, 
the  fecond  folio  nonfenfically  reads  the  paflage  ;  but  the  old  quarto, 
and  firft  folio  editions,  of  better  authority,  have  it  thus  : 

That  face  of  his  the  hungry  cannibals 

IVould  not  have  touch'd,  would  not  havejlaitfd  ivitb  blood. 
And  this  is  fenfe.  Cpuld  any  one  now  have  believed  that  an 
editor  of  common  underftanding  fliould  reject  this,  and  fatten 
upon  the  nonfenfe  of  a  later  edition,  only  becaufe  it  afforded 
matter  of  conjetlure  ?  and  yet  Mr.  Theobald  will  needs  correct, 
rofes  juft  with  blood,  to  rofes  juic'd  "with  blood,  that  is,  change 
one  blundering  editor's  nonfenfe  for  another's.  But  if  there  ever 
was  any  meaning  in  the  line,  it  was  thus  exprefied  : 

Wauld  not  havcjlain'd  the  rofes  juft  in  bud. 
And  this  the  Oxford  editor  hath  efpoufed.     WAR  BURTON. 

• the  rofes  juft  *ivitb:  blood.]    The  words   [the  rofes  jufl~\   are 

only  found  in  the  fecond  folio.  But  as  without  correction  they 
•  do  not  make  good  fenfe,  there  is  very  little  reafon  to  fufpeft  their 
being  interpolated,  and  therefore  it  is  moil  probable  they  were 
preferved  among  the  players  by  memory.  The  correction  i* 
this  : 

That  face  of  his,  the  hungry  cannibals 

Would  not  have  touch'd  : 

Would  not  have  itaia'd  the  rof«s  juft  /'  tV  bloom. 

The 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         455 

But  you  are  more  inhuman,  more  inexorable,*- 
O,  ten  times  more, — than  tygers  s  of  Hyrcania. 
See,  ruthlefs  queen,  a  haplefs  father's  tears  : 
This  cloth  thou  dipp'dfl  in  blood  of  my  fvveet  boy, 
And  lo  !   with  tears  I  vvafh  the  blood  away. 
Keep  thou  the  napkin,  and  go  boaft  of  this  : 

\He  gives  back  the  handkerchief* 
And,  if  thou  tell'ft  the  heavy  (lory  right, 
Upon  my  foul,  the  hearers  will  fhed  tears ; 
Yea,  even  my  foe  will  flied  fail-falling  tears, 
And  fay, — Alas,  it  was  a  piteous  deed  ! — 
There,  take  the  crown,  and,  with  the  crown,  my 

curfe  ; 

And,  in  thy  need,  fuch  comfort  come  to  thee, 
As  now  I  reap  at  thy  too  cruel  hand  ! — 
Hard-hearted  Clifford,  take  me  'from  the  world  ; 
My  foul  to  heaven,  my  blood  upon  your  heads ! 

North.  Had  he  been  flaughter-man  to  all  my  kin, 
6  I  fhould  not  for  my  life  but  weep  with  him, 
To  fee  how  inly  forrow  gripes  his  foul. 

Queen.  What,  weeping  ripe,  my  lord  Northumber- 
land ? 

Think  but  upon  the  wrong  he  did  us  all, 
And  that  will  quickly  dry  thy  melting  tears. 

Clif.  Here's  for  my  oath,  here's  for  my  father's 
death.  [Stabbing  him. 


The  words  [the  rofis  jufi}  were,  I  fuppofe,  left  out  by  the  firft 
editors  in  order  to  get  rid  of  the  fuperfluous  hemiftich. 

MUSGRAVE. 

5  of  Hyrcania.~\  So,  the  folio.     The  quartos  read  of 

Arcadia.     STEEVENS. 

6  Ijbould  notfcr  my  life  but  ivecp  with  bim^ 

To  fee  botv  inly  forrow  gripes  his  foul.] 
So,  the  folio.     The  quartos  as  follows  : 

/  could  not  choofe  but  iveep  with  bimt  to  fee 
How  inward  anger  gripes  bis  heart,     SxEEYENSt 

G  g  4 


456        THIRD    PART    OF 

Queen. 7  And  here's  to  right  our  gentle-hearted  king. 

[Stabs  him* 

York.  Open  thy  gate  of  mercy,  gracious  God  ! 
My  foul  flies  through  thefe  wounds  to  feek  out  thee. 

[Dies. 

®ueen.  Off  with  his  head,  and  fet  it  on  York  gates ; 
So  York  may  overlook  the  town  of  York.    [Exeunt. 


A  C  T     II.       SCENE      I, 

Near  Mortimer's,  crofs  in  Wales* 
A  march.     Eater  Edward,  Richard)  and  their  power  * 

Etkv.  I  wonder,  how  our  princely  father  'fcap'd  ; 
Or  whether  he  be  'fcap'd  away,  or  no, 
From  Clifford's  and  Northumberland's  purfuit : 
Had  he  been  ta'en,  we  fhould  have  heard  the  news  ; 
Had  he  been  flain,  we  fliould  have  heard  the  news  ; 
Or,  had  he  'fcap'd,  mcthinks,  we  fhould  have  heard 
The  happy  tidings  of  his  good  efcape. — 
f  How  fares  our  brother  ?  wjiy  is  he  fo  fad  ? 

7  And  kerfs  to  right  our  gentle-hearted  king.'}    Thus  the  folio; 
The  quarto  thus : 

And  there's  to  right  our  gentle-bar  led  kind. 

Of  thefe  kind  of  variations  there  are  many,  but  it  is  ufelefs  la- 
bour to  enumerate  them  all.     STEEVENS. 

8  How  fares  our  brother? ]  This  fcene,  in  the  old  quartos, 

begins  thus  : 

*'  After  this  dangerous  fight  and  haplefs  war, 
"  How  doth  my  noble  brother  Richard  fare  r" 
Had  the  author  taken  the  trouble  to  revife  his  plav,  he  hardly 
would  have  begun  the  firft  act  and  the  fecond  with  'almoft  the 
fame  exclamation,  exprefs'd  in  almoft  the  fame  words.    Warwick 
opens  the  fcene  with  — 

bow  the  king  tfcapd  our  hands,    STEEVENS. 

Rich, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         457 

Rich.  I  cannot  joy,  until  I  be  refolv'd 
Where  our  right  valiant  father  is  become. 
I  faw  him  in  the  battle  range  about ; 
And  watch'd  him,  how  he  fingled  Clifford  forth. 
Methought,  he  bore  him  in  the  thickeft  troop, 
As  doth  a  lion  in  a  herd  of  neat : 
Or  as  a  bear,  encompafs'd  round  with  dogs ; 
Who  having  pinch'd  a  few,  and  made  them'cry, 
The  reft  ftand  all  aloof,  and  bark  at  him. 
So  far'd  our  father  with  his  enemies  ; 
So  fled  his  enemies  my  warlike  father  ; 
9  Methinks,  'tis  prize  enough  to  be  his  fon. 
See,  how  the  morning  opes  her  golden  gates, 
1  And  takes  her  farewel  of  the  glorious  fun  1 
How  well  refembles  it  the  prime  of  youth, 
Trimm'd  like  a  yonker,  prancing  to  his  love  ? 

Edw.  Dazzle  mine  eyes,  or  do  I  fee  three  funs  ? 

Rich.  Three  glorious  funs,  each  one  a  perfect  fun ; 
Not  feparated  by  the  racking  clouds  *, 
But  fever'd  in  a  pale  clear-lhining  fky. 
See,  fee !  they  join,  embrace,  and  feem  to  kifs, 
As  if  they  vow'd  fome  league  inviolable  : 
Now  are  they  but  one  lamp,  one  light,  one  fun. 
Jn  this  the  heaven  figures  fome  event. 

Edw.  'Tis  wondrous  ftrange,  the  like  yet  never 
heard  of. 

9  Methinks,  'tis  prize  enough  to  Z>e  his  fan. ~\  The  old  quarto 
reads  pride,  which  is  right,  for  ambition,  i.  e.  We  need  not  aim 
at  any  higher  glory  than  this.  WAR  BUR  TON. 

I  believe  prize  is  the  right  word.  Richard's  fenfe  is,  though 
we  have  miffed  the  prize  for  which  we  fought,  we  have  yet  an 
honour  left  that  may  content  us.  JOHNSON. 

*  And  takes  her  farevjel  of  the  glorious  fun  !~\  Aurora  takes  for 
a  time  her  farewel  of  the  fun,  when  flie  difmifles  him   to  his 
diurnal  courfe.    JOHNSON. 

*  the  racking  clouds,]   So,  in  The  Raigne  of  King  EJ- 
II.  1596  : 

"  like  inconftant  clouds 

'*  That,  rarefy  upon  the  carriage  of  the  winds, 

(''  Encreafe  and  die,"    STEEVENS. 

J  think 


458        THIRD    PART    OF 

I  think,  it  cites  us,  brother,  to  the  field ; 
That  we,  the  fons  of  brave  Plantagenet, 
Each  one  already  $  blazing  by  our  meeds, 
Should,  notwithffonding,  join  our  lights  together, 
And  cver-ftiine  the  earth,  as  this  the  world. 
Whate'er  it  bodes,  henceforward  will  I  bear 
Upon  my  target  three  fair  Ihining  funs. 
.  Rick*  Nay,  bear  three  daughters ;—  by  your  leav 

I  fpeak  it, 
You  love  the  breeder  better  than  the  male. 

Enter  a  MeJJenger. 

But  what  art  thou,  whofe  heavy  looks  foretcl 
Some  dreadful  flory  hanging  on  thy  tongue  ? 
Mef.  Ah,  one  that  was  a  woeful  looker  on, 
When  as  the  noble  duke  of  York  was  ilain, 
Your  princely  father,  and  my  loving  lord. 
Etkv.  4  Oh,  fpeak  no  more !  5  for  I  have  heard  toe 

much. 

Rich.  Say  how  he  dy'd,  for  I  will  hear  it  all. 
tykf.  Environed  he  was  with  many  foes  ; 
And  flood  againft  them,  as  the  hope  of  Troy 
Againft  the  Greeks,  that  would  have  enter'd  Troy. 
But  Hercules  himfelf  muft  yield  to  odds  ; 
And  many  ftrokes,  though  with  a  little  axe, 
Hew  down  and  fell  the  hardeft-timber'd  oak. 
By  many  hands  your  father  was  fubdu'd  ; 
But  only  flaughter'd  by  the  ireful  arm 

3  Hazing  ly  our  meeds,]  Illuftrious  and  fliining  by  the 

armorial  enfigns  granted  us  as  meeds  of  our  great  exploits.    Meet 
likewife  is  merit.     It  might  be  plaufibly  read  : 

Hazing  ly  our  deeds.     JOHXSON. 

*  Ok,  fpeak  no  more  f]  The  generous  tendernefs  of  Edward, 
and  favage  fortitude  of  Richard,  are  well  diflinguiflied  by  their 
different  reception  of  their  father's  death.  JOHNSON. 

5  for  I  have  beard  too  much.]    So,  the  folio.     The 

quartos  thus : 

for  I  can  hear  no  more. 

Rich.  Tell  on  thy  talc,  2<c.     STEEVENS. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.       459 

Of  unrelenting  Clifford,  and  the  queen  : 

Who  crown'd  the  gracious  duke,  in  high  defpight ; 

Laugh'd  in  his  face ;  and,  when  with  grief  he  wept, 

The  ruthlefs  queen  gave  him,  to  dry  his  cheeks, 

A  napkin  fleeped  in  the  harmlefs  blood 

Of  fweet  young  Rutland,  by  rough  Clifford  flam  : 

And,  after  many  fcorns,  many  foul  taunts, 

They  took  his  head,  and  on  the  gates  of  York 

They  fet  the  fame  ;  and  there  it  doth  remain, 

The  faddcft  fpectacle  that  e'er  I  view'd. 

Edw.  Sweet  duke  of  York,  our  prop  to  lean  upon; 
Now  thou  art  gone,  we  have  no  fluff,  no  flay .!— . 
Oh  Clifford,  boifbous  Clifford,  thou  hafl  flain 
The  flower  of  Lurope  for  his  chivalry ; 
And  treachemufly  haft  thou  vanquifh'd  him, 
For,  hand  to  hand,  he  would  have  vanquifh'd  thee! — 
•Now  my  foul's  palace  is  become  a  prifon  : 
Ah,  would  fhe  break  from  hence !  that  this  my  body 
Might  in  the  ground  be  clofed  up  in  refl : 
For  never  henceforth  lhall  I  joy  again, 
Never,  O,  never,  lhall  I  fee  more  fiy. 

Rich.  I  cannot  weep  ;  for  all  my  body's  moifhire 
Scarce  ferves  to  quench  my  furnace-burning  heart: 
Nor  can  my  tongue  unload  my  heart's  great  burden; 
For  felf-fame  wind,  that  I  fhould  fpeak  withal, 
Is  kindling  coals,  that  fire  all  my  breafl, 
And  burn  me  up  with  flames,  that  tears  would  quench. 
To  weep,  is  to  make  lefs  the  depth  of  grief  : 
Tears,  then,  for  babes ;    blows,  and  revenge,  for 

me  ! — 

Richnrd,  I  bear  thy  name,  I'll  venge  thy  death, 
Or  die  renowned  by  attempting  it. 

Edw.  His  name  that  valiant  duke  hath  left  with 

thee  ; 
*  His  dukedom  and  his  chair  with  me  is  left. 

6  His  dukedom  and  bis  chair  with  me  is  left.]    So,  the  folio. 
The  quartos  thus : 

His  chair,  and  dahdom^  that  rsmains  for  mt,    STEEVENS. 

Rich. 


460        T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

RL  •:.  Nay,  if  thou  be  that  princely  eagle's  bird, 
Shew  thy  defcent  by  gazing  'gainft  the  fun  5  : 
For  chair  and  dukedom,  throne  and  kingdom  fay  ; 
Either  that  is  thine,  or  elfe  thou  wert  not  his. 

'Marcb.     "Enter  Warwick,    marquis  of  Montague, 
their  army. 

War.  How  now,    fair  lords  ?  What  fare  ?   what 
news  abroad  ? 

Rich.  Great  lord  of  Warwick,  if  we  fiiould  recount 
Our  baleful  news,  and,  at  each  word's  deliverance, 
Stab  poniards  in  onr  flelh,  'till  all  were  told, 
The  words  would  add  more  anguifh  than  the  wounds. 
O  valiant  lord,  the  duke  of  York  is  ibin. 

Edw.  O  Warwick  ?  Warwick  !  that  Plantagenet, 
Which  held  thee  dearly,  as  his  foul's  redemption, 
J  Is  by  the  ftern  lord  Clifford  done  to  death. 

War.  Ten  days  ago  I  drown'd  thefe  news  in  tears  : 

7  Shew  thy  defcfnt  by  gazing 'gainjl  the  fun.}   So,  in  Spcnfcr's 

Hymn  of  Heavenly  Beauty  : 

**  like  the  native  brood  of  eagle's  kind, 

"  On  that  bright  fun  of  glory  fix  thine  eyes." 
'  Again,  in  Solyman  and  Perfeda,  i  £99  : 

"  As  air-bred  eagles,  if  they  once  perceive 

"  That  any  of  their  brood  but  clofe  their  fight, 

"  When  they  fliould  gaze  againil  the  glorious  fun, 

'*  They  ftraitway  feize  upon  him  with  their  talons, 

"  That  on  the  earth  it  may  untimely  die, 

*'  For  looking  but  alkew  at  heaven's  bright  eye." 

STEEVE.VS. 
'  Is  Jy  the  Jiern  lord  Clifford  done  to  death.}  Done  to  death  for 

lilled)  was  a  common  expreffion  long  before  Shakefpeare's  time. 

Thus  Chaucer : 

"  And  feide,  that  if  ye  done  us  both  to  /&•«."    GRAY. 

Spenfer  mentions  a  plague  "  which  many  did  to  djc."    JOHNSON, 

So,  in  the  Battle  of  Alcazar ^   1594  : 

*'  We  underftand  that  he  was  done  to  death," 

Again,  ibid: 

"  done  to  death  with  many  a  mortal  wound." 

Again,  \nOrlandoFuriofo,    1599: 

•*  I  am  the  man  that  did  the  Have  to  death  "    STEEVENS. 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         461 

And  now,  to  add  more  mcafure  to  your  woes, 
I  come  to  tell  you  things  fince  then  befall'n. 
After  the  bloody  fray  at  Wakefield  fought, 
Where  your  brave  father  breath'd  his  lateft  gafp, 
Tidings,  as  fwiftly  as  the  pofts  could  run, 
Were  brought  me  of  your  lofs,  and  his  depart. 
I  then  in  London,  keeper  of  the  king, 
Mufter'd  my  foldiers,  gathered  flocks  of  friends, 
9  And  very  well  appointed,  as  I  thought, 
March'd    towards    faint    Alban's   to   intercept   the 

queen, 

Bearing  the  king  in  my  behalf  along  : 
For  by  my  fcouts  I  was  advertifed, 
That  Ihe  was  coming  with  a  full  intent 
To  dam  our  late  decree  in  parliament, 
Touching  king  Henry's  oath,  and  your  fucceffion. 
Short  tale  to  make, — we  at  faint  Alban's  met, 
Our  battles  join'd,  and  both  fides  fiercely  fought ; 
But,  whether  'twas  the  coldnefs  of  the  king, 
Who  look'd  full  gently  on  his  warlike  queen, 
That  robb'd  my  foldiers  of  their  heated  fpleen  ; 
Or  whether  'twas  report  of  her  fuccefs  ; 
Or  more  than  common  fear  of  Clifford's  rigour, 
Who  thunders  to  his  captives — blood  and  death, 
I  cannot  judge  :  but,  to  conclude  with  truth, 
Their  weapons  like  to  lightning  came  and  went ;  • 
Our  foldiers' —  '  like  the  night-owl's  lazy  flight, 
Or  like  an  idle  threlher  with  a  flail, — 
Fell  gently  down,  as  if  they  ftruck  their  friends, 
I  cheer'd  them  up  with  juftice  of  the  caufe, 
With  promife  of  high  pay,  and  great  rewards : 
But  all  in  vain ;  they  had  no  heart  to  fight, 

9  And  very  well  &c.j  This  line  I  have  reftored  from  the  old 
quartos.    STEEVEKS. 

V like  the  night-owl's  lazy  flight,]     This  image  is  not 

very  congruous  to  the  fubjeft,  nor  was  it  neceflary  to '  the  compa- 
rifon,  which  is  happily  enough  completed  by  the  threflier. 

JOHNSON. 

And 


462        THIRD    PART    OF 

And  we,  in  them,  no  hope  to  win  the  day, 
So  that  we  fled ;  the  king,  unto  the  queen ; 
Lord  George  your  brother,  Norfolk,  and  myfelf, 
In  hafle,  poft-hafte,  are  come  to  join  with  you ; 
For  in  the  marches  here,  we  heard,  you  were, 
Making  another  head  to  fight  again. 

Edzv.  Where  is  the  duke  of  Norfolk,  gentle  War- 
wick ? 
And  when  came  George  from  Burgundy  to  England  ? 

War.  Some  fix  miles  off  the  duke  is  with  his  power: 
And  for  your  brother, — he  was  lately  fent 
From  your  kind  aunt,  dutchefs  of  Burgundy, 
With  aid  of  foldiers  to  this  needful  war. 

Rich.  'Twas  odds,  belike,  when  valiant  Warwick 

fled: 

Oft  have  I  heard  his  praifes  in  purfuit, 
But  ne'er,  'till  now,  his  fcandal  of  retire. 

War.  Nor  now  my  fcandal,  Richard,  doft  thou 

hear  : 

For  thou  flialt  know,  this  flrong  right  hand  of  mine 
Can  pluck  the  diadem  from  faint  Henry's  head, 
And  wring  the  awful  fcepter  from  his  fift ; 
Were  he  as  famous  and  as  bold  in  war, 
As  he  is  fam'd  for  mildnefs,  peace,  and  prayer. 

Rich.  I  know  it  well,  lord  Warwick  :  blame  me 

not; 

'Tis  love,  I  bear  thy  glories,  makes  me  fpeak. 
But,  in  this  troublous  time,  what's  to  be  done  ? 
Shall  we  go  throw  away  our  coats  of  fteel, 
And  wrap  our  bodies  in  black  mourning  gowns, 
Numbering  our  Ave-Maries  with  our  beads  ? 
Or  fhall  we  on  the  helmets  of  our  foes 
Tell  our  devotion  with  revengeful  arms  ? 
If  for  the  laft,  fay — Ay,  and  to  it,  lords. 

War.  Why,  therefore  Warwick  came  to  feek  you 

out; 

And  therefore  comes  my  brother  Montague. 
Attend  me,  lords.     The  proud  infulting  queen, 

•    With 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         463 

With  Clifford,  and  the  haught  Northumberland ', 
And,  of  their  feather,  many  more  proud  birds, 
Have  wrought J  the  eafy-melting  king  like  wax. 
He  fwore  confent  to  your  fucceflion, 
His  oath  enrolled  in  the  parliament ; 
And  now  to  London  all  the  crew  are  gone, 
To  fruftrate  both  his  oath,  and  what  befide 
May  make  againft  the  houfe  of  Lancafter. 
Their  power,  I  think,  is  thirty  thoufand  flrong  : 
Now,  if  the  help  of  Norfolk,  and  myfelf, 
With  all  the  friends  that  thou,  brave  earl  of  March, 
Amongft  the  loving  Welfhmen  canft  procure, 
Will  but  amount  to  five  and  twenty  thoufand, 
Why,  Via  I  to  London  will  we  march  amain ; 
And  once  again  beftride  our  foaming  fteeds, 
And  once  again  cry — Charge  upon  the  foe  ! 
But  never  once  again  turn  back,  and  fly. 

Ricb.  Ay,  now,  methinks,  I  hear  great  Warwick 

fpeak  : 

Ne'er  may  he  live  to  fee  a  fun-lhinc  day, 
That  cries — Retire,  when  Warwick  bids  him  (lay. 

Ethv.  Lord  Warwick,  on  thy  fhoulder  will  I  lean ; 
And  when  thou  fail'ft,  (as  God  forbid  the  hour  !) 
Muft  Edward  fall,  which  peril  heaven  forefend  ! 

*  haught  "Northumberland,}  So,   Grafton  in  his  Chronicle 

fays,  p.  417:  " the  lord  Henry  Percy,  whom  the  Scottes 

for  his  haut  and  valiant  courage  called  fir  Henry  Hotfpurre." 

PERCY. 

The  word  is  common  to  many  writers.     So,  in  Merlow's  K,  JSJ- 
vjard  II.   1622  : 

**  This  bought  refolve  becomes  your  majefty." 
Again,  in  Kyd's  Cornelia,   1 59*; : 

*'  Pompey,  that  fecond  Mars,  whofe  haught  renown,  &c." 
Again,  in  Lylly's  Woman  in  the  Moon,   \  597  : 

"  Thy  mind  as  haught  as  Jupiter's  high  thoughts.*' 

STEEVENS. 

3  ——the  eafy-melting  king,  like  wax.]   So,  again  in  this  play, 
of  the  Lady  Gray  : 

"  As  red  as  fire ;  nay,  then  her  wax  raufl  melt." 

JOHNSON. 

War, 


464        THIRD    PART    OF 

War.  No  longer  earl  of  March,  but  duke  of  York  j 
The  next  degree  is,  England's  royal  king  : 
For  king  of  England  fhalt  thou  be  proclaimed 
In  every  borough  as  we  pals  along  ; 
And  he,  that  cafts  not  up  his  cap  for  joy, 
Shall  for  the  offence  make  forfeit  of  his  head. 
King  Edward, — valiant  Richard, — Montague,— 
Stay  we  no  longer  dreaming  of  renown, 
But  found  the  trumpets,  and  about  our  tafk. 

Rich.  Then,  Clifford,  were  thy  heart  as  hard  as 

fleel, 

(As  thou  haft  fhewn  it  flinty  by  thy  deeds) 
I  come  to  pierce  it, — or  to  give  thee  mine. 

Ediu.  Then  ftrike  up,   drums ; — God,  and  faint 
George,  for  us ! 

Enter  a  Mejfenger. 

War.  How  now  ?  what  news  ? 

Mef.  The  duke  of  Norfolk  fends  you  word  by  me, 
The  queen  is  coming  with  a  puiflant  hoft ; 
And  craves  your  company  for  fpeedy  counfel. 

War.  *  Why  then  it  forts,  brave  warriors  :  Let's 
away.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE      II. 

*  Tork. 

Enter  king  Henry ,  the  Queen,  the  prince  of  Wales,  Clif- 
ford, and  Northumberland,  with  forces. 

Queen.  Welcome,  my  lord,  to  this  brave  town  of 
York. 

*  Wly  then  it  forts ;         ]  Why  then  things  are  as  they  ftiould 
be.    JOHNSON. 

So,  in  Greene's  Card  of  Fancy,  1608  :  "  thy  love  (hall 

fort  to  fuch  happy  fuccefs  as  thou  thyfelf  dofl  feek  for." 

STEEVENS. 

Yonder's 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         465 

Vender's  the  head  of  that  arch-enemy, 
That  fought  to  be  encompafs'd  with  your  crown  : 
Doth  not  the  object  cheer  your  heart,  my  lord  ? 
K.  Henry.  Ay,  as  the  rocks  cheer  them  that  fear 

their  wreck ; — 
To  fee  this  fight,  it  irks  my  very  foul. — 
Withhold  revenge,  dear  God  !  'tis  not  my  fault, 
Nor  wittingly  have  I  infring'd  my  vow. 

Cllf.  My  gracious  liege,  this  too  much  lenity 
And  harmful  pity,  muft  be  laid  afide. 
To  whom  do  lions  caft  their  gentle  looks  ? 
Not  to  the  beaft  that  would  ufurp  their  den. 
jWhofe  hand  is  that,  the  forefl  bear  doth  lick  ? 
!Not  his,  that  fpoils  her  young  before  her  face.    • 
iWho  Ycapes  the  lurking  ferpent's  mortal  fting  ? 
iNot  he,  that  fets  his  foot  upon  her  back. 
'The  fmalleft  worm  will  turn,  being  trodden  on ; 
And  doves  will  peck,  5  in  fafeguard  of  their  brood. 
,  Ambitious  York  did  level  at  thy  crown, 
Thou  fmiling,  while  he  knit  his  angry  brows  : 
iHe,  but  a  duke,  would  have  his  fon  a  king, 
And  raife  his  ifluc,  like  a  loving  fire  ; 
Thou,  being  a  king,  blcft  with  a  goodly  fon, 
Didft  yield  confent  to  difinherit  him, 
Which  argued  thee  a  moft  6  unloving  father. 
Unreafonable  creatures  feed  their  young  : 
And  though  man's  face  be  fearful  to  their  eyes, 
Yet,  in  protection  of  their  tender  ones, 
Who  hath  not  feen  them  (even  with  thofe  wings 
Which  fomctime  they  have  us'd  in  fearful  flight) 
Make  war  with  him  that  climb'd  unto  their  neft, 
Offering  their  own  lives  in  their  young's  defence  ? 
For  ihame,  my  liege,  make  them  your  precedent ! 
Were  it  not  pity,  that  this  goodly  boy 

5  •".         in  fafeguard ]  Thus  the  folio.     The  quartos  read 

in  re/cue.     STEEVENS. 

6  unloving  father.  ]  The  quartos  read  unnatural  father. 

STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  H  h  Should 


466        THIRD     PART    OF 

Should  lofe  his  birth-right  by  his  father's  fault; 

And  long  hereafter  fay  unto  his  child, — 

What  my  great-grandfather  and  grand/ire  got. 

My  carelefs  father  fondly  gave  away  ? 

Ah,  what  a  fhame  were  this  !  Look  on  the  boy  ;  J 

And  let  his  manly  face,  which  promifeth 

Succefsful  fortune,  fteel  thy  melting  heart, 

To  hold  thine  own,  and  leave  thine  own  with  him. 

K.  Henry.  Full  well  hath  Clifford  play'd  the  orator, 
Inferring  arguments  of  mighty  force. 
But,  Clifford,  tell  me,  didft  thou  never  hear,— 
That  things  ill  got  had  ever  bad  fuccefs  ? 
And  happy  always  was  it  for  that  fon, 

7  Whofe  father  for  his  hoarding  went  to  hell  ? 
I'll  leave  my  fon  my  virtuous  deeds  behind  ; 
And  'would,  my  father  had  left  me  no  more  ! 
For  all  the  reft  is  held  at  fuch  a  rate, 

As  brings  a  thoufand  fold  more  care  to  keep, 

8  Than  in  poffeffion  any  jot  of  pleafure. — 

Ah,  coufin  York  !  'would  thy  bcft  friends  did  know, 
How  it  doth  grieve  me  that  thy  head  is  here ! 

Queen.  My  lord,  cheer  up  your  fpirits  ;  our  foes 

are  nigh, 

And  this  foft  courage  makes  your  followers  faint. 
You  promis'd  knighthood  to  our  forward  fon  ; 
Unfheath  your  fword,  and  dub  him  prefently. — 
Edward,  kneel  down. 

K.  Henry.  Edward  Plantagenet,  arifc  a  knight; 
And  learn  this  leffon, — Draw  thy  fword  in  right. 

Prince.  My  gracious  father,  by  your  kingly  leave, 
I'll  draw  it  as  apparent  to  the  crown, 
And  in  that  quarrel  ufe  it  to  the  death. 

Clif.  Why,  that  is  fpoken  like  a  toward  prince. 

7  Whofc  father,  &c.]  Alluding  to  a  common  proverb  : 

Happy  the  child  ivbofe  father  ivent  to  the  devil.     JOHNSON. 

*  Than  in  pojjejjion  any  jot  of  pleafure.'—  ]   Thus  the  folio.    The 
quartos  thus : 

Than  may  the  prcfcnt  profit  countervails.     STEEVENS. 

•  -  Entsr 


KING    HENRY    VI.         467 

Enter  a  MeJJenger. 

Mef.  Royal  commanders,  be  in  readinefs  : 
For,  with  a  band  of  9  thirty  thoufand  men, 
Comes  Warwick,  backing  of  the  duke  of  York  ; 
And,  in  the  towns  as  they  do  march  along, 
Proclaims  him  king,  and  many  fly  to  him  : 
1  Darraign  your  battle,  for  they  are  at  hand. 

Clif.  I   would,    your  highnefs  Would  depart  the 

field4; 
The  queen  hath  beft  fuccefs  when  you  are  abfent. 

Queen.  Ay,   good  my  lord,  and  leave  us  to  our 
fortune. 

K.Henry.  Why,  that's  my  fortune  too ;  therefore 
I'll  flay. 

North.  Be  it  with  refolution  then  to  fight. 

Prince.  My  royal  father,  cheer  thefe  noble  lords, 
And  hearten  thofe  that  fight  in  your  defence  : 
Unlheath  your  fword,  good  father ;  cry,  Saint  George  ! 

9  _ -thirty  thoufand — ]  The  quarto  reads  fifty  thoufand. 

STEEYENS. 

1  Darraign ]  That  is,  Range  your  hoft,  put  your  holt  in 

order.    JOHNSON. 

Chaucer,  Skelton,  and  Spenfer,  ufe  this  word. 
So,  in  Guy  Earl  of  Warwick,  a  Tragical  Hifiory,    166 1  : 

*'  Darraign  our  battles,  and  begin  the  fight. 
The  quartos  read — Prepare  your  battles.  Sec.     STEEVENS. 
a  I  would  your  highnefs  would  depart  the  field; 

The  queen  &c.] 

This  fuperftmous  belief  relative  to  the  fortunes  of  our  unhappy 
prince,  is  yet  more  circumftantially  introduced  by  Drayton  in 
The  Miferies  of  %ueen  Margaret  : 

"  Some  think  that  ffanvict  had  not  loft  the  day, 
<<  But  that  the  king  into  the  field  he  brought  ; 
*«  For  with  the  wofle  that  fide  went  ilill  away 
. "  Which  had  king  Henry  with  them  \vhen  they  fought  j 
"  Upon  his  birth  fo  fad  a  curie  they  lay, 
"  As  that  he  never  profpered  in  aught. 

"  The  queen  wan  two,  among  the  lofs  of  many, 
«*  Her  hylband  abfent ;  preient,  never  any." 

STEEVENS. 

H  h  2  March. 


468        THIRD     PART    OF 

March.     Enter  EiSward,  Clarence,  Richard,  Warwick, 
Norfolk,  Montague,  and  Soldiers. 

Eaw.  Now,  perjur'd  Henry  !  wilt  thou  kneel  for 

grace, 

And  fet  thy  diadem  upon  my  head  ; 
Or  bide  the  mortal  fortune  of  the  field  ? 

Queen.  Go  rate  thy  minions,  proud  infultingboy  I 
Becomes  it  thee  to  be  thus  bold  in  terms, 
Before  thy  fovereign,  and  thy  lawful  king  ? 

Edw.  I  am  his  king,  and  hefhould  bow  his  knee; 
I  was  adopted  heir  by  his  confent : 
3  Since  when,  his  oath  is  broke  ;  for,  as  I  hear, 
You — that  are  king,  though  he  do  wear  the  crown,— 
Have  caus'd  him,  by  new  adt  of  parliament, 
To  blot  out  me,  and  put  his  own  fen  in. 

Clif.  And  reafon  too  ; 
Who  ihould  fucceed  the  father,  but  the  fon  ? 

Rich.  Art  thou  there,   butcher  ?  —  O,    I  cannot 
fpeak ! 

Clif.  Ay,  crook-back ;  here  I  ftand,  to  anfwer  thee, 
Or  any  he  the  proudeft  of  thy  fort. 

Rich.  'Twas  you  that  kill'd  young  Rutland,  was 
it  not'? 

Gif.-  Ay,  and  old  York,  and  yet  not  fatisfy'd. 

Rich.  For  God's  fake,  lords,  give  fignal  to  the  fight. 

War.  What  fay'ft  thou,  Henry,  wilt  thou  yield  the 
crown  ? 

£}ueen.  Why,  how  now,  long-tongu'd  Warwick  ? 

dare  you  fpeak  ? 

When  you  and  I  met  at  faint  Alban's  laft, 
Your  legs  did  better  fervice  than  your  hands  4. 

3  Since  when,  &c.]  The  quartos  give  the  remainder  of  this 
fpeech  to  Clarence,  and  read  : 

To  blot  our  brother  out,  &c.     STEEVENS. 

*  Your  legs  did  letter  fervice  than  yvur  bands.]  An  allufion  to 
the  proverb,  "  One  pair  of  heels  is  worth  two  pair  of  hands." 

STEEVENS. 
War. 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         469 

War.  Then  'twas  my  turn  to  fly,  and  now  'tis  thine. 

Clif.  You  faid  fo  much  before,  and  yet  you  fled. 

War*  'Twas  not  your  valour,  Clifford,  drove  me 
thence. 

North.  No,  nor  your  manhood,  that  durft  make 
you  ftay. 

Rich.  Northumberland,  I  hold  thee  reverently  ; — 
Break  off  the  parley  ;  for  fcarce  I  can  refrain 
The  execution  of  my  big-fwoln  heart 
Upon  that  Clifford  there,  that  cruel  child-killer. 

Clif.  I  flew  thy  father  ;  Call'ft  thou  him  a  child  ? 

Rich.  Ay,  like  a  daftard,  and  a  treacherous  coward, 
As  thou  didft  kill  our  tender  brother  Rutland  ; 
But,  ere  fun-fet,  I'll  make  thee  curfe  the  deed. 

K.  Henry.  Have  done  with  words,  my  lords,  and 
hear  me  fpeak. 

Queen.  Defy  them  then,  or  elfe  hold  clofe  thy  lips. 

K.  Henry.  I  pr'ythee,  give  no  limits  to  my  tongue ; 
I  am  a  king,  and  privileg'd  to  fpeak. 

Clif.  My  liege,  the  wound,  that  bred  this  meeting 

here, 
Cannot  be  cur'd  by  words  ;  therefore  be  flill. 

Rick.  Then,  executioner,  unfheath  thy  fword : 
By  him  that  made  us  all,  5 1  am  refolv'd, 
That  Clifford's  manhood  lies  upon  his  tongue. 

Edw.  Say,  Henry,  fliall  I  have  my  right,  or  no  ? 
A  thoufand  men  have  broke  their  fails  to-day, 
That  ne'er  fhall  dine,  unlefs  thou  yield  the  crown. 

War.  If  thou  deny,  their  blood  upon  thy  head  ; 
For  York  in  juftice  puts  his  armour  on, 

Prince.  If  that  be  right,  which  Warwick  fays  is 

right, 
There  is  no  wrong,  but  every  thing  is  right. 

Rich.  Whoever  got  thee,  there  thy  mother  flands ; 
For,  well  I  wot,  thou  haft  thy  mother's  tongue. 

5  1  am  rcfoh?aj\  It  is  my  firm  perfuafion ;  I  am  no 

longer  in  doubt.    JOHNSON. 

H  h  3  jfuecn. 


470        THIRD    PART    OF 

Queen.  But  thou  art  neither  like  thy  fire,  nor  dam  ; 
But  like  a  foul 6  mif-fhapen  ftigmatic, 
Mark'd  by  the  deflinies  to  be  avoided, 
As  venom'd  toads,  or7  lizards'  dreadful  flings. 

Rich.  Iron  of  Naples,  hid  with  Englifli  gilt  % 
Whofe  father  bears  the  title  of  a  king, 
(As  if  a  channel  Ihould  be  call'd  the  tea) 
Sham'ftthou  not,  knowing  whence  thou  art  extraught, 
9  To  let  thy  tongue  detect  thy  bafe-born  heart  ? 

Eckv.  '  A  vvifp  of  flraw  were  worth  a  thoufand 
crowns,  ~ 

6  — —  mlf-Jbapen  Jligmatic,~\  "  A  Jligmatic"  fays  J.  Bullo- 
kar  in  his  Englljb  Expajitor,  1616  :  "  is  a  notorious  lewd  fellow, 
which  hath  been  burnt  with  a  hot  iron,  or  beareth  other  marks 
about  him  as  a  token  of  his  punifhment." 

The  word  is  likewiie  ufed  in  The  Second  Part  of  tie  Downfall 
of  Robert  Earl  of  Huntington,  1 60 1  : 

"  that  prodigious,  bloody  Jligmatic." 

Again,  in  Drayton's  Epiflle  from  .®.  Margaret  to  W.  de  is  Pool: ; 

"  That  foul,  ill-favour'd,  crook-back'd_/?/£Wrt//<r." 
Again,  in  Two  Tragedies  in  One,   1601  : 

"  A  one-ey  d  Cyclop,  zjligmattc  brat." 
Again,  in  Drayton's  epillle  Irom  K.  John  to  Matilda: 

"  Thefe  for  the  crook'd,  the  halt,  \\\z  Jiigmatic" 

STEEVENS. 

T  lizards' dreadful  J?  ings. ~\  Thus  the  folio.     The  quartos 

have  this  variation : 

or  lizards'  fainting  looks. 

This  is  the  fecond  time  that  Shakefpeare  has  armed  the  lizard 
(which  in  reality  has  no  fuch  defence)  with  a  fling ;  but  great 
powers  feem  to  have  been  imputed  to  its  looks.  So,  in  Naab's 
Flood,  by  Drayton : 

**  The  lizard  ihuts  up  \i\sjharf>-jigbted  eyes, 
"  Amongft  the  ferpents,  and  there  fadJy  lies." 

STEEVENS. 

8  gilt,]  Gilt  is  a  fuperficial  covering  of  gold.    STEEVENS. 

9  To  let  thy  tongue  detefi — ]  To  fhew  thy  meannefs  of  birth  by 
the  indecency  of  language  with  which  thou  raileft  at  any  defor- 
mity.    JOHNSON. 

To  let  thj  tongue  detefi  thy  bafc-lorn  heart  ?]  So  the  folio.  The 
quartos : 

To  parley  thui  with  England's  lawful  heirs.     STEEVENS. 
1  A  ivifp  of  ftra'M ]  I  fuppoie  for  an  inflrument  of  cor- 
rection that  might  difgrace  but  not  liuit  her.    JOHNSON, 

I  be. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.        4?I 

To  make  this  ihamelefs  callat  know  herfelf. — 
Helen  of  Greece  was  fairer  far  than  thou, 

Al- 

I  believe  that  a  wify  fignified  fome  inftrument  of  correction 
ufed  in  the  time  of  Shakefpeave.  The  following  inftance  feems 
to  favour  the  fuppofition.  See  A  Woman  never  faxed,  a  comedy, 
by  Rowley,  1632: 

**  Nay,  worfc; — I'll  ftain  thy  ruff;  nay,  worfe  than  that, 
"  I'll  do  thus—  [Holds  up  a  <wifp" 

c<    daft  wifp  me,  tboti  tatterdemallion  ?*' 

Again,  in  Marfton's  Dutch  Courtezan,   1604: 

"  Thou  little  more  than  a  dwarf,  and  fomething  lefs  than  a 
woman  ! 

"  Crif.  Aiulfye!  awifpe!  awtfjbe!" 

Barrett  in  his  Alvcarie,  or  Quadruple  Dictionary,  1580,  inter- 
prets the  word  ivifpe  by  peniculus  or  c-swyaj,  which  fignify  any 
thing  to  wipe  or  cleanfe  with  ;  a  cook's  linen  apron,  &c.  Pewter 
is  ftill  fcoured  by  a  <vjifpe  of  Jlraiv,  or  hay.  Perhaps,  Edward 
means  one  of  thefe  wifps,  as  the  denotement  of  a  menial  fervant. 
Barrett  adds,  that,  like  a  =ivafe,  it  Signifies  "  a  wreath  to  be  laied 
under  the  veflel  that  is  borne  upon  the  head,  as  women  ufe."  If 
this  be  its  true  fenfe,  the  prince  may  think  that  fuch  a  vjifp 
would  better  become  the  head  of  Margaret,  than  a  crown. 

It  appears,  however,  from  the  following  pailage  in  Thomas 
Drant's  tranllatlon  of  the  feventh  fatire  of  Horace,  1567,  that  a 
wiCpe  was  the  punifhment  of  a  fcold  : 

*'  So  perryte  and  exa£le  a  fcoulde  that  women  mighte  geve 

place 
*'  Whole  tatling  tongues  had  won  a  ivifpe,  &c." 

STEEVENS. 

*  To  make  this  foetmelefs  callat  know  berftlf. — ]  Shakefpeare  ufes 
the  word  callat  likewiie  in  The  Winter's  Tale,  acl  II.  fc.  iii : 

Leonatus  of  Paulina.     "  A  callat 

"  Of  boundlefs  tongue,  who  late  hath  beat 
*'  Her  hu&and,  and  now  beats  me," 

Callat,  a  le\vd  woman,  a  drab,  perhaps  fo  called  from  the 
French  calotc,  which  was  a  fort  of  head-drefs  worn  by  country 
girls.  See,  Glcjjliry  to  Urry's  Chaucer. 

"  A  cold  old  knave  cuckolde  himfelf  winyng, 
"  And  of  calot  of  lewd  demenyng." 

Chaucer's  Remedy  of  Love,  ver.  307. 
So,  Skelton,  in  his  Elinour  Rumming,  Works,  p.  133  : 
*'  Then  Elinour  faid,  ye  callette^ 
"  I  fliall  break  your  palettes." 
And  again,  p.  1 36  : 

"  She  was  a  cumlye  callet" 

H  h  4  Gam- 


472        THIRD    PART    OF 

Although  thy  hufband  may  be  Menelaus  ; 

And  ne'er  was  Agamemnon's  brother  wrong'd 

By  that  falfe  woman,  as  this  king  by  thee. 

His  father  revell'd  in  the  heart  of  France, 

And  tam'd  the  king,  and  made  the  Dauphin  floop ; 

And,  had  he  match'd  according  to  his  ftate, 

He  might  have  kept  that  glory  to  this  day  : 

But,  when  he  took  a  beggar  to  his  bed, 

And  grac'd  thy  poor  fire  with  his  bridal  day ; 

Even  then  that  fun-lhine  brew'd  a  mower  for  him, 

That\vafh'd  his  father's  fortunes  forth  of  France, 

And  heap'd  fedition  on  his  crown  at  home. 

For  what 3  hath  broach'd  this  tumult,  but  thy  pride  ? 

Hadfl  thou  been  meek,  our  title  ftill  had  flept ; 

And  we,  in  pity  of  the  gentle  king, 

Had  flipp'd  our  claim  until  another  age. 

da.  But,  whcn^we  faw  our  fun-mine  made  thjf 

fpring, 

And  that  thy  fummer  bred  us  no  encreafe, 
We  fet  the  axe  to  thy  ufurping  root : 
And  though  the  edge  hath  fomething  hit  ourfelves, 

Gammar.  "  Vengeance  on  thpfe  calkts,  whofe  conference  is 
fo  large."  Gammar  Gurton's  Needle,  aft  III.  fc.  iii.  Old  Plays^ 
publifned  1744,  Vol.  I.  p.  154  : 

"  A  cart  for  a  calkt"     Id.  ib. 

"  Why  the  calkt  you  told  me  of  here, 

"  I  have  tane  difguis'd." 

Sen  Joiifon's  Volpovc,  ad\  IV.   fc.  iii. 
GRAY. 

3  bath  IroacUd  tils  tumult, ]    The  quarto  read^, 

*f  hath  mov'd  this,"  &c.     STEEVENS. 

*          '  •  tveja'iv  our  Jttn-Jbire  made  tby  ft>ringt 

Anil  that  thy  fumnier  bred  us  HO  cncfcafe,  ~\ 

When  we  faw  that  by  favouring  thee  we  made  thee  grow  in  for- 
tune, but  that  we  received  no  advantage  from  thy  fortune  flou- 
nfhing  by  our  favour,  we  then  refolved  to  deftroy  thee,  and  de- 
termine to  try  fome  other  mesas,  though  our  firit  efforts  have 
failed.  JOHNSQN. 
The  quartos  read  : 

But  when  we  faw  our  fummer  brought  thee  gain, 

at  the  harveft  brought  us  no  increafe.    STEEVENS. 

Yet, 


KING     HENRY    VI.        473 

Yet,  know  thou,  fiftce  we  have  begun  to  ftrike, 
We'll  never  leave,  'till  we  have  hewn  thee  down, 
Or  bath'd  thy  growing  with  our  heated  bloods. 

Edw.  And,  in  this  refolution,  I  defy  thee  ; 
Not  willing  any  further  conference, 
Since  thou  deny 'ft  the  gentle,  king  to  fpeak. — 
Sound  trumpets !— -  let  our  bloody  colours  wave  !— • 
And  either  victory,  or  elfe  a  grave. 

Queen.  Stay,  Edward. 

Edvu.  No,  wrangling  woman,  I'll  no  longer  flay  : 
Thy  words  will  coft  ten  thoufand  lives  to  day. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE     III. 

A  peld  of  baffle,  at  Ferrybridge  in  TorkJJjire. 
Alarum.     Excurfiom.     Enter  Warwick. 

War.  5  Forfpent  with  toil,  as  runners  with  a  race, 
I  lay  me  down  a  little  while  to  breathe  : 
For  ftrokes  receiv'd,  and  many  blows  repaid, 
Have  robb'd  my  ftrong-knit  finews  of  their  ftrength, 
And,  fpight  of  fpight,  needs  muft  I  reft  a  while. 

Enter  Edward,  running. 

Edw.  6  Smile,  gentle  heaven  !  or  ftrike,  ungentle 

death  ! 
For  this  world  frowns,  and  Edward's  fun  is  clouded. 

5  Forfpent  iv'itb  toil, ]  Thus  the  folio.     The  quartos  read 

"  Sore  Ipent,"  feV.    STEEVENS. 

6  Smile,  gentle  heaven  !  &c.]  Thus  the  folio.    Inftead  of  thefe 
Jines,  the  quartos  give  the  following : 

Smile,  gentle  heavens,  or  itrike,  ungentle  death, 
That  we  may  die  unlefs  we  gain  the  day  ! 
What  fatal  ftar  malignant  frowns  from  hearen 
Upon  the  harmlcfs  line  of  York's  true  houfe  ? 

STEEVENS. 

War. 


474        THIRD    PART    OF 

War*  How  now,  my  lord  ?  what  hap  ?  what  hope 
of  good  ? 

Enter  Clarence. 

Cla.  7  Our  hap  is  lofs,  our  hope  but  fad  defpair ; 
Our  ranks  arc  broke,  and  ruin  follows  us  : 
What  counfel  give  you  ?  whither  fhall  we  fly  ? 

Ediv.  Bootlefs  is  flight,  they  follow  us  with  wings  ; 
And  weak  we  are,  and  cannot  fhun  purfuit. 

Enter  Richard. 

Rich.  Ah,  Warwick,    why  haft  thou  withdrawn 

thyfelf? 

*  Thy  brother's  blood  the  thirfty  earth  hath  drunk, 

Broach'd 

7  Our  hap  is  lofs,  &c]     Thus  the  folio.     The  quartos  thus : 
Come,  brother,  come,  let's  to  the  field  again, 
For  yet  there's  hope  enough  to  win  the  day  : 
Then  let  us  back  to  cheer  our  tainting  troops, 
Left  they  retire  now  we  have  left  the  field. 

War.  How  now,  my  lords  ?    what  hap  ?    what  hope 

of  good  ?"    STEEVENS. 

*  Thy  brother's  Hood  the  thirfty  earth  hath  drunk,]  This  paflage, 
from  the  variation  of  the  copies,  gave  me  no  little  perplexity. 
The  old  quarto  applies  this  defcription  to  the  death  of  Salifbury, 
Warwick's  father.  But  this  was  a  notorious  deviation  from  the 
truth  of  hiftory.  For  the  earl  of  Salifbury  in  the  battle  at  Wake- 
field,  wherein  Richard  duke  of  York  loft  his  life,  was  taken  pri- 
foner,  beheaded  at  Pomfret,  and  his  head,  together  with  the 
duke  of  York's,  fixed  over  York  gates.  Then  the  only  brother 
of  Warwick,  introduced  in  this  play,  is  the  marquefs  of  Mon- 
tacute  (or  Montague,  as  he  is  called  by  our  author)  :  but  he 
does  not  die  till  ten  years  after,  in  the  battle  at  Barnet ;  where 
Warwick  likewife  was  killed.  The  truth  is,  the  brother  here 
mentioned  is  no  perfon  in  the  drama,  and  his  death  is  only  au 
incidental  piece  of  hiftory.  Confulting  the  chronicles,  upon  this 
aftion  at  Ferrybridge,  I  find  him  to  have  been  a  natural  fon  of 
Saliftniry  (in  that  refpect  a  brother  to  Warwick)  and  efteemed  a 
valiant  young  gentleman.  THEOBALD. 

Tfjy  brother's  Hood,  &c.]  Inllead  of  this  fpeech,  which  is 
printed,  like  almoft  all  the  reft  of  the  play,  from  the  folio,  the 
quartos  give  the  following : 

Thy 


KING-HE  N-RY     VI.         475 

Broach'd  with  the  fleely  point  of  Clifford's  lance  : 

And,  in  the  very  pangs  of  death,  he  cry'd, — 

Like  to  a  difmal  clangor  heard  from  far, — 

Warwick^  revenge  !  brother,  revenge  my  death  ! 

So  underneath  the  belly  of  their  Heeds,. 

That  ftain'd  their  fetlocks  in  his  fmoking  blood, 

The  noble  gentleman  gave  up  the  ghoft. 

.   War.  Then  let  the  earth  be  drunken  with  our 

blood  : 

I'll  kill  my  horfe,  becaufe  I  will  not  fly  9. 
Why  Hand  we  like  foft-hcarted  women  here, 
Wailing  our  lofles,  whiles  the  foe  doth  rage  ; 
And  look  upon,  as  if  the  tragedy 
Were  play'd  in  jeft  by  counterfeiting  adtors  ? 
Here  on  my  knee  I  vow  to  God  above, 
I'll  never  paufe  again,  never  ftand  ftill, 
'Till  either  death  hath  clos'd  thcfe  eyes  of  mine, 
Or  fortune  given  me  meafure  of  revenge. 

Edw.  O  Warwick,  I  do  bend  my  knee  with  thine  ; 
1  And,  in  this  vow,  do  chain  my  foul  to  thine. — 
And,  ere  my  knee  rife  from  the  earth's  cold  face, 
I  throw  my  hands,  mine  eyes,  my  heart  to  Thee, 

Thy  noble  father  in  the  thickeft  throngs 
Cry'd  ftill  for  Warwick,  his  thrice  valiant  fon  ; 
Until  with  thoufand  fwords  he  was  befet, 
And  many  wounds  made  in  his  aged  breaft. 
And,  as  he  tottering  fat  upon  his  fteed, 
He  waft  his  hand  to  me,   and  cried  aloud, 
Richard,  commend  me  to  my  valiant  fon  : 
And  ftill  he  cried,  Warwick,  revenge  my  death  J 
And  with  thele  words  he  tumbled  oft"  his  horfe ; 
And  fo  the  noble  Salifbury  gave  up  the  ghoft. 

STEEVENS. 

»  P II  kill  my  horfe i  &c.]  So,  in  the  Miferies  of  S>ucc!i  Marga- 
ret by  Dray  ton  : 

**  Refolv'd  to  win,  or  bid  the  world  adieu  : 
"  Which  fpoke,  the  earl  his  fprightly  courfer  flew." 
Again,  in  Daniel's  Civil  I'l^ars,  B.  VIII.  St.  xiii.     STEEVENS. 

1  And  in  this  t'o-.v  do  chain  my  foul  to  thine. — J   Thus  the  folio. 
The  quarto  as  tollows : 

**  And  in  that  vow  now  join  my  foul  to  (fee.     STEEVENS. 

Thou 


476         THIRD    PART    OF 

Thou  fetter  up  and  plucker  down  of  kings  1 
Befeeching  thec, — if  with  thy  will  it  ftands, 
That  to  my  foes  this  body  mult  be  prey, — 
Yet  that  thy  brazen  gates  of  heaven  may  ope, 
And  give  fweet  paflage  to  my  finful  foul  ! — 
Now,  lords,  take  leave  until  we  meet  again, 
Where-e'er  it  be,  in  heaven,  or  on  earth. 

Rich.  Brother,   give   me  thy  hand  ; — and,  gentle 
Warwick, 

Let  me  embrace  thee  in  my  weary  arms : 

I,  that  did  never  weep,  now  melt  with  woe, 
That  winter  Ihould  cut  off  our  fpring-time  ib. 

War.  Away,  away  !  Once  more,  fweet  lords,  fare- 
wel. 

Cla.  Yet  let  us  all  together  to  our  troops  : 
And  give  them  leave  to  fly  that  will  not  ftay  ; 
And  call  them  pillars,  that  will  {land  to  us  ; 
And,  if  we  thrive,  promife  them  fuch  rewards 
As  vidtors  wear  at  the  Olympian  games : 
This  may  plant  courage  in  their  quailing  breads  ; 
For  yet  is  hope  of  life,  and  victory. — 
Fore -flow  no  longer  %  make  we  hence  amain. 

[Exeunt. 

*  Fore-flow  no  longer , ]  To  fore-JUrjj  is  to  be  dilatory,  to 

loiter.     So,  in  the  Battle  of  Alcazar ,    1594  : 

"  Why,  king  Scbaftian,  wilt  thou  now  fort/low  ?" 
Again,  in  Marlow's  Rihxard  II.   1612  : 

*'  Fore/low  no  time  ;  fweet  Lancafter,  let's  march." 
Again,  in  Promos  and  CaJJandra,    1578  : 

"  Good  knight,  for  time  do  not  my  fuit/ or(/faiv." 
Again,  in  Drayton's  Mtferies  of  £>uecn  Margaret  : 

"  No  time  therein  flie  meaneth  to  fore/low." 
Again,  in  The  weakeft  goes  to  the  Wall,    1618  : 

"  And  youforefloiu  the  prefcnt  time's  occafion," 
Again  in  Turbervile's  Book  on  Hawking,   *  ?75  : 

**  Water  dothforf/Jo<iv  her  mewing." 

I  have  been  the  more  liberal  of  inftances,  becaufe  I  fuppofe%/W- 
Jlvw  is  one  of  the  words  in  this  play  which  Mr.  Theobald  has 
diflinguifhed  as  obfolete  in  the  time  of  Shakefpeare.  STEL.VENS. 

SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         477 

SCENE    IV. 

Another  part  of  the  field. 
Excurftons.     Enter  Richard,  and  Clifford. 

Rich.  3  Now,  Clifford,  I  have  fingled  thee  alone  : 
Suppofe,  this  arm  is  for  the  duke  of  York, 
And  this  for  Rutland  ;  both  bound  to  revenge, 
Wert  thou  environ'd  with  a  brazen  wall. 

Clif.  Now,  Richard,  I  am  with  thee  here  alone : 
This  is  the  hand,  that  ftabb'd  thy  father  York  ; 
And  this  the  hand,  that  flew  thy  brother  Rutland ; 
And  here's  the  heart,  that  triumphs  in  their  death, 
And  cheers  thefe  hands,  that  Hew  thy  fire  and  bro- 
ther, 

To  execute  the  like  upon  thyfelf ; 
And  fo,  have  at  thee. 

\*Tbey  fight.     Warwick  enters,  Clifford  flies. 

Rich.  Nay,  Warwick,  fingle  out  fome  other  chace; 
For  I  myfelf  wilt  hunt  this  wolf  to  death.    [Exeunt. 

SCENE      V. 

Another  part  of  the  field. 

Alarum.     Enterking      Hnry. 

K.  Hcnfy.  4  This  battle  fares  like  to  the  morning's 
war, 

When 

3  Now,  Clifford,  I  have  Jingled  tbee  alone:    &c.]    Thu«  the 
folio.     The  quartos  thus  : 

Now,  Clifford,  for  York  and  young  Rutland's  death, 
This  thirfty  fword,  that  longs  to  drink  thy  blood, 
Shall  lop  thy  limbs,  and  flice  thy  curfed  heart, 
For  to  revenge  the  murders  thou  haft  made.    STEEVENS. 

4  This  battle  fares  like  to  the  morning's  war,  &c.]  Inftead  of  this 
interesting  fpeech,  the  quartos  exhibit  only  the  following : 

Oh 


478         T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

When  dying  clouds  contend  with  growing  light; 
What  time  the  Ihepherd,  blowing  of  his  nails, 
Can  neither  call  it  perfect  day,  nor  night. 
Now  fways  it  this  way,  like  a  mighty  lea, 
Forc'd  by  the  tide  to  combat  with  the  wind  : 
Now  fways  it  that  way,  like  the  felf-fame  fea 
Forc'd  to  retire  by  fury  of  the  wind  : 
Sometime,  the  flood  prevails ;  and  then,  the  wind  ; 
Now,  one  the  better  ;  then,  another  beft ; 
Both  tugging  to  be  victors,  breaft  to  breaft, 
Yet  neither  conqueror,  nor  conquered  : 
So  is  the  equal  poife  of  this  fell  war. 
Here  on  this  mole-hill  will  I  fit  me  down. 
To  whom  God  will,  there  be  the  victory  ! 
For  Margaret  my  queen,  and  Clifford  too, 
Have  chid  me  from  the  battle  ;  fwearing  both, 
They  profper  beft  of  all  when  I  am  thence. 
'Would  I  were  dead  !  if  God's  good  will  were  fo  : 
For  what  is  in  this  world,  but  grief  and  woe  ? 
O  God  !  5  methinks,  it  were  a  happy  life, 

To 

Oh  gracious  God  of  heaven,  look  down  on  us, 

And  fet  fowe  ends  to  thefe  mediant  griefs  ! 

How  like  a  maftlefs  (hip  upon  the  feas, 

This  woeful  battle  doth  continue  ftill, 

Now  leaning  this  way,  now  to  that  fide  driven, 

And  none  doth  know  to  whom  the  day  will  fall. 

Oh,  would  my  death  might  ftay  thefe  civil*  jars  ! 

Would  1  had  never  reign'd,  nor  ne'er  been  king ! 

Margaret  and  Clifford  chide  me  from  the  field, 

Swearing  they  had  beft  fuccefs  when  I  was  thence. 

Would  God  that  I  were  dead,  fo  all  were  well  ; 

Or,  would  my  crown  fuffice,  I  were  content 

To  yield  it  them,  and  live  a  private  life  ! 
The  leading  thought  in  both  thefe  folilpquies  is  borrowed  from 
Holinlhed,  p.  665  : — "  This  deadly  conflict  continued  ten  hours 
in  doubtfull  ftate  of  vit%rie,  uncertainlie  heaving  and  letting  on 
both  fides,  &c."    STEEVENS. 

5   me  thinks  it  were  a  happy  life^}    This  fpeech  is  mourn- 
ful and  foft,  exquifitely  fuited  to  the  character  of  the  king,  and 

*  The  quarto  1600  reads-'-rrw/ jars. 

makes 


KING    HENRY     VI.         479 

To  be  no  better  than  a  homely  fwain  ; 

To  fit  upon  a  hill,  as  I  do  now, 

To  carve  out  dials  quaintly,  point  by  point, 

Thereby  to  fee  the  minutes  how  they  run  : 

How  many  make  the  hour  full  complete, 

How  many  hours  bring  about  the  day, 

How  many  days  will  finilh  up  the  year, 

How  many  years  a  mortal  man  may  live. 

When  this  is  known,  then  to  divide  the  time  : 

So  many  hours  muft  I  tend  my  flock  ; 

So  many  hours  muft  I  take  my  reft  ; 

So  many  hours  muft  I  contemplate ; 

So  many  hours  muft  I  fport  myfelf ; 

So  many  days  my  ewes  have  been  with  young ; 

So  many  weeks  ere  the  poor  fools  will  yean  ; 

6  So  many  months  ere  I  fhall  fheerthe  fleece  : 

So  minutes,  hours,  days,  weeks,  months,  and  years, 

Paft  over  to  the  end  they  were  created, 

Would  bring  white  hairs  unto  a  quiet  grave. 

Ah,  what  a  life  were  this !  how  fweet !  how  lovely  \ 

Gives  not  the  hawthorn  bufli  a  fweeter  lhade 

To  ihepherds,  looking  on  their  filly  fheep, 

Than  doth  a  rich  embroider'd  canopy 

To  kings,  that  fear  their  fubjects'  treachery  ? 

O,  yes,  it  doth  ;  a  thoufand  fold  it  doth. 

And  to  conclude,— the  fhepherd's  homely  curds, 

His  cold  thin  drink  out  of  his  leather  bottle, 

His  wonted  fleep  under  a  frefh  tree's  fhade, 

All  which  fecure  and  fweetly  he  enjoys, 

Is  far  beyond  a  prince's  delicates, 

His  viands  fparkling  in  a  golden  cup,  * 

His  body  couched  in  a  curious  bed, 

When  care,  miftruft,  and  treafou  waits  on  him. 

makes  a  pleafing  interchange,  by  affording,  amidft  the  tumult  and 
horrer  of  the  battle,  an  unexpected  glimpie  of  rural  innocence  aud 
paftoral  tranquillity.  JOHNSON. 

6  So  many  months—]  The  old  copy  reads fo  many  years;   and  ia 
the  next  line,  iveeki  was  fupplied  by  Mr.  Rowe.    STEKVENS. 

Alarum. 


480        THIRD    PART     OF 

Alarum.     Enter  a  Son  that  load  killed "hh  Father r. 

Son.  Ill  blows  the  wind,  that  profits  no-body.-— 
This  man,  whom  hand  to  hand  I  flew  in  fight, 
May  be  poffefled  of  fome  (lore  of  crowns  : 
And  I,  that  haply  take  them  from  him  now, 
May  yet  ere  night  yield  both  my  life  and  them 
To  fome  man  elfe,  as  this  dead  man  doth  me.— 
Who's  this  ? — Oh  God  !  it  is  my  father's  face, 
Whom  in  this  conflict  I  unwares  have  kill'd. 
Oh  heavy  times,  begetting  fuch  events  ! 
From  London  by  the  king  was  I  prefs'd  forth  ; 
My  father,  being  the  earl  of  Warwick's  man, 
Came  on  the  part  of  York,  prefs'd  by  his  matter  ; 
And  I,  who  at  his  hands  receiv'd  my  life, 
Have  by  my  hands  of  life  bereaved  him.— - 
Pardon  me,  God,  I  knew  not  what  I  did  ! — 
And  pardon,  father,  for  I  knew  not  thee  !  — 
My  tears  lhall  wipe  away  thefe  bloody  marks  ;  . 
And  no  more  words,  'till  they  have  flow'd  their  fill. 

K.  Henry.  O  piteous  fpectacle  !  O  bloody  times ! 
Whilft  lions  war,  and  battle  for  their  dens, 
Poor  harmlefs  lambs  abide  their  enmity. — 
Weep,  wretched  man,  I'll  aid  thee  tear  for  tear ; 
8  And  let  our  hearts,  and  eyes,  like  civil  war, 
Be  blind  with  tears,  and  break  o'ercharg'd  with  grief. 

7  Thefe  two  horrible  incidents  are  felefted  to  fhew  the  innu- 
merable calamities  of  civil  war.     JOHNSON. 

In  the  battle  of  Conflantine  and  Maxentius,  by  Raphael,  the 
fecond  of  thefe  incidents  is  introduced  on  a  limilar  occafion. 

STEEVENS. 
*  And  let  our  hearts  and  eyes,  like  civil  <war, 

£e  blind  with  tears,  and  break  overcharged  with  grief. 
The  meaning  is  here  inaccurately  exprefled.     The  king  intends 
to  fay  that  the  itate  of  their  hearts  and  eyes  fhall  be  like  that  of 
the  kingdom  in  a  civil  war,    all   (hall  be  deftroyed  by  power 
formed  within  themfelves.    JOHNSON. 

Enter 


KING    HENRY    VI. 

Enter  a  Fbther,  bearing  his  Son. 

Path.  Thou  that  fo  ftoutly  hail  refilled  me, 
Give  me  thy  gold,  if  thou  haft  any  gold ; 
For  I  have  bought  it  with  an  hundred  blows.—* 
But  let  me  fee  :— Is  this  our  foeman's  face,5 
Ah,  no,  no>  no,  it  is  mine  only  fon  !— 
Ah>  boy,  if  any  life  be  left  in  thee, 
Throw  up  thine  eye ;  fee,  fee,  what  fliowers  arife  9> 
Blown  with  the  windy  tempeft  of  my  heart, 
Upon  thy  wounds,  that  kill  mine  eye  and  heart !— * 
O,  pity,  God,  this  miferable  age  !-- 
1  What  ftratagems,  how  fell,  how  butcherly, 
Erroneous,  mutinous,  and  unnatural* 
This  deadly  quarrel  daily  doth  beget  !— 
a  O  boy,  thy  father  gave  thee  life  too  foon, 

AricJ 

9  '  what  Jbowers  arife, 

Blown  'with  the  windy  tempeft  of  my  heart\ 
This  image  had  occurred  in  the  preceding  a£t : 

For  raging  wind  blows  up  incej/ant  Jbow1 'rs.     SrEEVENS. 

*  JPhatJtratagems,-—']  Stratagem  feems  to  ftand  here  only  fof 
an  event  of  war,  or  may  intend  fnares  and  furprizes.     JOHNSON* 

*  O  boy  /  thy  father  gave  thee  life  too  foon ,]  Becaufe  had  he 
been  born  later  he  would  not  now  hive  been  of  years  to  engage 
in  this  quarrel.    JOHNSON. 

And  hath  bereft  thee  of  thy  life  too  late  /]  i.  e.  He  fliould  have 
done  it  by  not  bringing  thee  into  being,  to  make  both  father  and 
fon  thus  miferablei    This  is  the  fenfe,  fuch  as  it  is,  of  the  two 
lines ;  however,  an  indifferent  fenfe  was  better  than  none,  as  ic 
is  brought  to  by  the  Oxford  editor,  by  reading  the  lines  thus : 
O  boy  !  thy  father  gave  thee  life  too  late, 
And  hath  bereft  thee  of  thy  life  too  foon.     WAR  EUR  TON. 

I  rather  think  the  meaning  of  the  line,  And  hath  bereft  thee  of 
thy  life  too  foon,  to  be  this  :  Thy  father  expofed  thee  to  danger 
by  giving  thee  life  too  foon,  and  hath  bereft  thee  of  life  by  Hviffg 
himfelf  too  long.  JOHNSON. 

The  Oxford  editor  might  have  juflified  the  change  he  made, 
from  the  authority  of  the  quarto,  according  to  which  I  would 
read  ;  explaining  the  firft  line  thus.  Thy  father  begot  thee  at  too  late 
a  period  of  his  life,  and  therefore  thou  ivert  not  did  artdftrong  enough 
to  cope  v)ith  him.  The  next  line  can  want  no  explanation.  Mr. 

VOL.  VI.  I  i  Tollci 


482        THIRD    PART    OF 

And  hath  bereft  thee  of  thy  life  too  late  ! 

K.  Henry.  Woe  above  woe  !  grief  more  than  com- 
mon grief  ! 
O,  that  my  death  would  flay  thefe  ruthful  deeds  !— 

O  pity,  pity,  gentle  heaven,  pity  ! 

The  red  rofe  and  the  white  arc  on  his  face, 
The  fatal  colours  of  our  ft  riving  houfes : 
The  one,  his  purple  blood  right  well  refembles  ; 
The  other,  his  pale  cheek,  methinks,  prefenteth  : 
5  Wither  one  role,  and  let  the  other  flouriih  ! 
If  you  contend,  a  thoufand  lives  mufl  wither. 

Son.  How  will  my  mother,  for  a  father's  death, 
Take  on  with  -me,  and  ne'er  be  fatisfy'd  ? 

Path.-  How  will  my  wife,  for  (laughter  of  my  fon, 
Shed  feas  of  tears,  and.  ne'er  be  fatisfy'd  ? 

K.  Henry.  4  How  will  -the  country,  for  thefe  woeful 

chances, 
Mif-think  the  king,  and  not  be  fatisfy'd  ? 

Son.  Was  ever  fon,  fo  ru'd  a  father's  death  ? 

Path.  Was  ever  father,  fo  bemoan'd  his  fon  ? 

K.  Henry.  Was  ever  king,  fo  griev'd  for  fubj efts' 

woe  ? 
Much  is  your  forrow  ;  mine,  ten  times  fo  much. 

Sun.  I'n  bear  thee  hence,  where  I  may  weep  my  fill. 

[Exit9  with  the  body. 

Toilet  thinks,   that    by  too    late,    is  meant    too  latch,    as    itt 
K.  Rich.  III.  aft  III: 

**  Too  laic  he  died  that  might  have  kept  that  title." 

STEEVEKS. 

3   Wither  one  roff,  and  let  tht  other  fiourijb !  &c,]   TJius  the: 
folio.     The  quartos  thus  : 

**  For  if  you  ilrive,  a  thoufand  lives  muft  perifli." 

STEEVEKS. 

*  How  will  the  country,  &c.]  So,  the  folio.     The  quartos  thus  : 
How  will  the  country  now  mifdeem  their  king  ! 
Oh,  would  my  death  their  minds  could  fatisfy  ! 
To  mtf-thlnk  is  to  think  ill,  unfavourably.     So,  in  the  Northern 
Lafsy  1613  : 

•'  and  heaven  pardon  me  what  I  mif-tbtugbt  every  hour 

of  the  night !"    STEEVENS. 

Path. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         483 

Path.  Thcfe  arms  of  mine  fliall  be  thy  winding- 

flieet  ; 

My  heart,  fweet  boy,  lhall  be  thy  fepulchre  ; 
For  from  my  heart  thine  image  ne'er  fhall  go. 
My  fighing  breaft  lhall  be  thy  funeral  bell  j 
5  And  fo  obfequious  will  thy  father  be, 
Sad  for  the  lofs  of  thee  6,  having  no  more, 
7  As  Priam  was  for  all  his  valiant  fons. 
Ill  bear  thee  hence  ;  and  let  them  fight  that  will, 
For  I  have  murder'd  where  I  ftiould  not  kill. 

[Exit,  With  the  body. 
K.  Henry.  Sad-hearted  men,  much  overgone  with 

care, 
Here  fits  a  king  more  woeful  than  you  are* 

Alarums.     Excurjtons.     Enter  the  Queen,  prince  of 
Wales,  and  Exeter. 

Prince.  Fly,  father,  fly !  for  all  your  friends  are  fled, 
And  Warwick  rages  like  a  chafed  bull : . 
Away  !  for  death  doth  hold  us  in  purfuit. 

£>ueen.  Mount  you,  my  lord,  towards  Berwick  poft 

amain  : 

Edward  and  Richard,  like  a  brace  of  greyhounds 
Having  the  fearful  flying  hare  in  fight, 
.With  fiery  eyes,  fparkling  for  very  wrath, 
And  bloody  fteel  grafp'd  in  their  ireful  hands, 
Are  at  our  backs ;  and  therefore  hence  amain. 

Exe.  Away !  for  vengeance  comes  along  with  them ; 

5  Andfo  obfequious  'will  thy  father  &,]  Obfequious  is  here  care- 
ful of  obfequ.e?,  or  of  funeral  rites.    JOHNSON. 

'  In  the  fame  fenie  it  is  ufed  in  Hamlet: 

" to  do  obfequious  forrow."    STEEVENS. 

6  Sad  for  the  lofs  of  tbee,]  The  old  copy  reads — men  for  the 
lofs,  &c.    Mr.  Rowe  made  the  alteration,  but  I  think  we  might 
read  man,     STEEVENS. 

7  As  Priam  was  for  all — ]  I  having  but  one  fen,  will  grieve 
as  much  for  that  one,  as  Priam,  who  had  many,  could  grieve 
for  many.    JOHNSON. 

I  i  i  Nay; 


484  THIRD  PART  OF 
Nay,  (lay  not  to  expoftulate,  make  fpeed ; 
Or  elfe  come  after,  I'll  away  before. 

K.  Henry.  Nay,  take  me  with  thee,   good  fvvectf 

Exeter  ; 

Not  that  I  fear  to  flay,  but  love  to  go 
Whither  the  queen  intends.     Forward  ;  away  ! 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE    VI. 

A  kiid  alarum^    Enter  Clifford,  wounded 8. 

Cl/f.  Here  bums  my  candle  out,  ay,  here  it  dies, 
Which,  while  it  lafted,  gave  king  Henry  light- 
Ah,  Lancafter  !  I  fear  thine  overthrow, 
More  than  my  body's  parting  with  my  foul. 
My  love,  and  fear,  glew'd  many  friends  to  thee ; 
And,  now  I  fall,  9  thy  tough  commixture  melts, 
Impairing  Henry,  flrength'ning  mif-proud  York. 
The  common  people  fwarrh  like  fummer  flies  : 
And  whither  fly  the  gnats,  but  to  the  fun  ? 
And  who  Ihines  now,  but  Henry's  qnemy  ? 
O  Phoebus  !  hadft  thou  never  given  confent 
That  Phaeton  fhould  check  thy  fiery  fteeds, 
Thy  burning  car  had  never  fcorch'd  the  earth  : 
And,  Henry j  hadft  thou  fway'd  as  kings  fhould  do 
And  as  thy  father,  and  his  father,  did, 
Giving  no  ground  unto  the  houfe  of  York, 

8  Enter  Clifford,  woundcJ.']  The  quarto  adds,  *w/-6  <*a  <rmnv  A 
his  neck.     In  ridicule  of  this  B.  and  Fletcher  have  introduce 
Ralph,  the  grocer's  prentice,  in  the  Knight  of  the  Burning  Peflle 
with  n  forked  arrow  through  his  bead.     It  appears,  however,  fron 
Holinfhed,  p.  664,  that  this  circumftance  has  fome  relation  t 
the  truth:  "  The  lord  Clifford,  either  for  heat  or  paine,  put 
ting  off  his  gorget  luddenlie,  with  an  arrow  (as  fome  faie)  with 
out  a  head,  was  ftriken  into  the  throte^  and  immediately  rendere 
his  fpirit."    STEEVENS. 

9  •    ••     -  thy  tough  commixture  "••         ]  Perhaps  better,  t). 
tough  commixture >    JOHNSON. 

Th.e  quartos  read  "  that  tough  commixture  melts."  STEEVEN: 

The; 


KING    HENRY    VI.         485 

They  never  then  had  fprung  like  fummer  flics— 
[,  and  ten  thoufand  in  this  luckleft  realm, 
Had  left  no  mourning  widows  for  our  deaths, 
And  thou  this  day  hadft  kept  thy  throne  in  peace. 
For  what  doth  cherifh  weeds,  but  gentle  air? 
And  what  makes  robbers  bold,  but  too  much  lenity  > 
Bootlefs  are  plaints,  and  curelefs  are  my  wounds  ; 
1  No  way  to  fly,  nor  ftrength  to  hold  out  flight: 
The  foe  is  mercilefs,  and  will  not  pity  ; 
And,  at  their  hands,  I  have  deferv'd  no  pity. 
The  air  hath  got  into  my  deadly  wounds, 
And  much  efTufe  of  blood  doth  make  me  faint  :— 
Come,  York,  and  Richard,  Warwick,  and  the  reft; 
?  I  ftabb?d  your  fathers'  bofoms,  fplit  my  breaft. 

[He  faints. 

Alarum  and  retreat.     Enter  Edward,  Clarence,  Richard,  - 
Montague,  Warwick,  and  Soldiers. 

Edw.  J  Now  breathe  we,  lords;  good  fortune  bids 

us  paufe, 
An4  fmooth  the  frowns  of  war  with  peaceful  1< 

*  No  way  to  fly,  nor  firtngtl  to  $ald  our  flight.}  This  line  is 
clear  and  proper  as  it  is  now  read  ;  yet  perhaps  an  oppofition  of 
images  was  meant,  and  Clifford  faid  : 

g     No  way  to  fly,  norflrengtb  to  hold  out  fight      JOHN-SON 

The  quartoi  read  «  no  ftrength  to  hold  (out  flight."  i.  c.  No 
way  to  fly,  nor  with  ftrength  fufficient  left  to  fuilam  myfelf  ir, 

'  WO    So  the  folio. 


ar  os  rcz  .   .  facer's,  now  come  fplit  my  breaft." 

STEEVENS. 

?  Now  breathe  w,  lords  ;  &c.]  Inftead  of  this  fpeech,    th<? 
nuartM  have  the  following  : 

Thus  far  our  fortunes  keep  an  upward  coiirte, 
And  we  are  grac'd  with  wreaths  ot  vidtory. 
Some  troops  purfue  the  bloody-minded  queen, 
That  now  towards  Berwick  doth  poft  amain  :  - 
But  think  you  that  Clifford  is  fled  away  with  them  ? 

STEEVENS. 

I  i  3*  Some 


486        THIRD    PART    OF 

Some  troops  purfue  the  bloody-minded  queen  ;— 
That  led  calm  Henry,  though  he  were  a  king, 
As  doth  a  fail,  fill'd  with  a  fretting  guft, 
Command' an  argofyto  ftem  the  waves. 
But  think  you,  lords,  that  Clifford  flew  with  them  * 
.  War.  No,  'tis  impoflible  he  fhould  efcape  : 
For,  though  before  his  face  I  fpeak  the  word, 
Your  brother  Richard  mark'd  him  for  the  grave ; 
And,  wherefoe'er  he  is,  he's  furely  dead. 

[Clifford  groans,  and  dies* 
*Edw.  Whofe  foul  is  that  which  takes  her  heavy 

leave  ? 

Rich.  A  deadly  groan,  s  like  life  and  death's  de- 
parting. 

Eeku.  See  who  it  is :  and,  noxv  the  battle's  ended, 
If  friend,  or  foe,  let  him  be  gently  us'd. 

Rich.  Revoke  that  doom  of  mercy,  for  'tis  Clifford ; 
Who  not  contented  that  he  lopp'd  the  branch 
In  hewing  Rutland  when  his  leaves  put  forth, 
But  fet  his  murdering  knife  unto  the  root 
From  whence  that  tender  fpray  did  fweetly  fpring, 
I  mean,  our  princely  father,  duke  of  York. 

War.  From  off  the  gates  of  York  fetch  down  the 

head, 

Your  father's  head,  which  Clifford  placed  there  ; 
Inilead  whereof,  let  his  fupply  the  room ; 
Meafure  for  meafure  muft  be  anfwered. 
Edw.  Bring  forth   that  fatal  fcritch-owl    to  our 
houfe, 

*  Edw.  Whofe  foul  &c.]  I  have  diflinguifhed  thefe  fpceches 
according  to  the  authority  of  the  quarto.  The  folio  gave  all  to 
Richard,  except  the  laft  line  and  half.  STEEVENS. 

5  like  life  and  death's  departing.}  Sir  Thomas  Hanmer 

reads,  like  life  in  death  departing  ;  which  Dr.  Warburton  has  re- 
ceived.    JOHNSON. 

The  quartos  read,  like  life  and  death's  departure. 

STEEVENS. 

There  is  no  occafion  for  correction.  "  'Till  death  us  depart" 
Was  the  expreffiou  in  the  old  Marriage  Service.  FARMER. 

That 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         487 

That  nothing  fung  but  death  to  us  and  ours  : 
Now  death  fliall  flop  his  difmal  threatening  found, 
And  his  ill-boding  tongue  no  more  {hail  fpcak. 

[Attendants  bring  the  body  forward. 

War.  I  think  his  underftanding  is  bereft  : — 
Say,  Clifford,  deft  thou  know  who  fpeaks  to  thee  ?— » 
Dark  cloudy  death  o'erfliades  his  beams  of  life, 
And  he  nor  fees,  nor  hears  us  what  we  fay. 

Rich.  O,  'would  he  did !  and  fo,  perhaps,  he  doth ; 
'Tis  but  his  policy  to  counterfeit, 
Becaufe  he  would  avoid  fuch  bitter  taunts 
As  in  the  time  of  death  he  gave  our  father. 

Cla.  If  fo  thou  think'fl,  vex  him  with 6  eager  words, 

Rich.  Clifford,  afk  mercy,  and  obtain  no  grace. 

Edw.  Clifford,  repent  in  bootlefs  penitence. 

War.  Clifford,  devife  excufes  for  thy  faults. 

Cla.  While  we  devife  fell  tortures  for  thy  faults. 

Rich.  Thou  didft  love  York,  and  I  am  Ion  to  York. 

Edw.  Thou  pitied'ft  Rutland,  I  will  pity  thee. 

Cla.  Where's  captain  Margaret,  to  fence  you  now  ? 

War.  They  mock  thee,  Clifford ;  fwear  as  thou  waft 
wont. 

Rich,  What,    not  an  oa«h  ?  nay,  then  the  world 

goes  hard, 

When  Clifford  cannot  fpare  his  friends  an  oath  :— 
I  know  by  that,  he's  dead  ;  And,  by  my  foul, 
Would  this  right  hand  buy  but  an  hour's  life, 
That  I  in  all  defpight  might  rail  at  him, 
I'd  chop  it  off;  and  with  the  ifluing  blood 
Stifle  the  villain,  whofe  unftanched  thirft 
York  and  young  Rutland  could  not  fatisfy. 

War.  Ay,  but  he's  dead*  Off  with  the  traitor's  head, 
And  rear  it  in  the  place  your  father's  Hands.— 

6  eager  words.]  Sour  words  j  words  of  afperity. 

JOHXSON. 

So.  in  Hamlet : 

"  It  is  a  nipping  and  an  eager  air,"    STEEYENS. 

T  ;    A  And 


4*8        THIRD    PART    OF 

And  now  to  London  with  triumphant  march, 

There  to  be  crowned  England's  roya;   king. 

From  thence  fhall  Warwick  cut  the  fea  to  France, 

And  afk  fhe  lady  Eona  for  thy  queen  ; 

So  fhalt  thou  finew  both  thefe  lands  together  ; 

And,  having  France  thy  friend,  thou  flult  not  dread 

The  fcattcr'd  foe,  that  hopes  to  rife  again  ; 

For  though  they  cannot  greatly  fting  to  hurt, 

Yet  look  to  have  them  buz,  to  offend  thine  ears. 

Firft,  will  I  fee  the  coronation  ; 

7  And  then  to  Britany  I'll  crofs  the  fea, 

To  effecl:  this  marriage,  fo  it  pleafe  my  lord. 

Edw.  Even  as  thou  wilt,  fweet  Warwick,  let  it  be ; 
For  on  thy  fhoulder  do  I  build  my  feat ; 
And  never  will  I  undertake  the  thing, 
Wherein  thy  counfel  and  confent  is  wanting. — 
Richard,  I  will  create  thee  duke  of  Glofter; — 
And  George,  of  Clarence  ; — Warwick,  as  ourfelf, 
Shall  do,  and  undo,  as  him  pleafech  beft. 

Rick.  Let  me  be  duke  of  Clarence ;  George,  of 

Glofter; 
For  Glofter's  dukedom  is  too  ominous  8. 

War.  Tut,  that's  a  foolifh  obferyation  ; 
Richard,  be  duke  of  Glofter  :  Now  to  London, 
To  fee  thefe  honours  in  pofleffion.  [Exeunt* 

T  And  then  to  Britany  Pttcrofi  the  fea,]    Thus  the  folio.     The 
quartos  thus : 

And  afterwards  I'll  crofs  the  feas  to  France. 

STEEVENS. 

*  -•  -"    too  ominous}  Alluding,  perhaps,  to  the  deaths  of  T ho- 
tnasofWoodftock,  and  Humphrey,  dukes  of  Glofter.  STEEVENS, 


ACT 


SING    HENRY    yi.        483 
A  C  T    III.        S  C  E  N  E     I. 

A  wood  in  Lancajbire. 

Enter  Sinklo,  9  and  Humphrey,  with  crofs-bows  in  tfair 
hands. 

Siak.  Under  this  thick-grown  brake  we'll  Ihroud 

ourfelves ; 

For  through  '  this  laund  anon  the  deer  will  come  ; 
And  in  this  covei  t  will  we  make  our  ftand. 
Culling  the  principal  of  all  the  deer. 

Hum.  I'll  ftay  above  the  hill,  fo  both  may  Ihoot. 

Sink.  That  cannot  be ;  *  the  noife  of  thy  crofs-bow 
Will  fcare  the  herd,  and  fo  my  ihoot  is  loft. 
Here  ftand  we  both,  and  aim  we  at  the  beft  : 
And,  for  the  time  ftiall  not  feem  tedious, 
I'll  tell  thee  what  befell  me  on  a  day, 
In  this  felf  place  where  now  we  mean  to  ftand. 

Hum.  Here  comes  a  man, '  let's  ftay  'till  he  be  paft. 

9  Enter  Sinklo]  Dr.  Gray  obferves  from  Hall  and  Holinflied, 
that  the  name  of  the  perfon  who  took  K.  Henry,  was  Cantlowe. 
See  Mr.  Tyrwhitt's  note  on  the  firfl  fcene  in  the  Taming  of  a 
Shrew.  STEEVENS. 

1  this  laund ]  Laund  means  the  fame  as  lawn  ;  a 

plain  extended  between  woods. 

$o,  in  the  play  of  Orlando  Furiofo,   1594. : 

*'  And  that  they  trace  the  fhady  la-vinds,  &c." 
Again  : 

"  Tread  {he  thefe  lawnds,  kind  Flora  boafts  her  pride." 

STEEVENS. 

*  the  noife  of  thy  crofe-low]  The  poet  appears  not  to 

have  forgof  the  ferrets  of  his  former  profeffion. 
So,  in  the  Merry  Devil  of  Edmonton,   \  626  : 

"  —  Did  I  not  hear  a  bow  go  off,  and  the  buck  bray  ?" 

STEEVENS. 
3  tefsjlay  'till  he  be  f aft.}  So  the  folio.     The  quartos 

read: 

*      "        let's  Uftcn  him  a  while.    STEEVENS. 

Enter 


490        THIRD    PART    OF 

Enter  king  Henry,  with  a  prayer-book. 
K.  Henry.  From  Scotland  am  I  ftol'n,  even  of  pure 
love, 

4  To  greet  mine  own  land  with  my  wifhful  fight. 
No,  Harry,  Harry,  'tis  no  land  of  thine ; 
Thy  place  is  fill'd,  thy  fcepter  wrung  from  thee, 

5  Thy  balm  wafh'd  off,  wherewith  thou  waft  anointed  : 
No  bending  knee  will  call  thee  Csefar  now, 

No  humble  fuitors  prefs  to  fpeak  for  right, 
No,  not  a  man  comes  for  redrefs  to  thee ; 
For  how  can  I  help  them,  and  not  myfelf  ? 

Sink.  Ay,  here's  a  deer  whofe  fkin's  a  keeper's  fee  : 
'  This  is  the  quondam  king ;  let's  feize  upon  him. 

K.  Henry.  Let  me  embrace  thefe  four  adverfities  * ; 
For  wife  men  fay,  it  is  the  wifeft  courfe. 

Hum.  Why  linger  we  ?  let  us  lay  hands  upon  him. 

Sink.  Forbear  a  while ;  we'll  hear  a  little  more. 

K.  Henry.  My  queen,  and  fon,  are  gone  to  France 

for  aid  ; 

And,  as  I  hear,  the  great  commanding  Warwick 
Is  thither  gone,  to  crave  the  French  king's  lifter 
To  wife  for  Edward  :  If  this  news  be  true, 
Poor  queen,  and  fon,  your  labour  is  but  loft  ; 
For  Warwick  is  a  fubtle  oratdr, 

4  To  greet  mine  own  land  with  my  wffifuljjght.]   So,  the  folio" 
The  quartos  perhaps  better  thus  : 

And  thus  difguis'd  to  greet  my  native  land. 

STEEVENS. 

s  Tljylalm'waJWdoff,— ]  This  is  an  image  very  frequent  in 
the  works  of  Shakefpeare.    So,  again,  in  this  fcene : 

/  was  anointed  king. 

It  is  common  in  thefe  plays  to  find  the  fame  images,  whether 
jocular  or  ferious,  frequently  recurring.     JOHNSON. 

6  This  is   the  quondam  king\    &c.]    Thus   the  folio.     Th$ 
auartos  thus : 

Ay,  marry,  fir,  here's  a  deer,  his  fkin  is  a 
Keeper's  fee.     Sirrah  ftand  clofe,  for  as  I  think, 
This  is  the  king,  king  Edward  hath  depos'd. 

STEEVENS. 

t  four  adverfitiei ;  ]  The  old  copy  reads— tfo  fowrt 
TEEVENS. 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.       49r 

And  Lewis  a  prince  foon  won  with  moving  words. 
By  this  account,  then,  Margaret  may  win  him; 
For  fhe's  a  woman  to  be  pity'd  much  : 
Her  fighs  will  make  a  battery  in  his  breaft; 
Her  tears  will  pierce  into  a  m?rble  heart ; 
The  tyger  will  be  mild,  while  fhe  doth  mourn; 

7  And  Nero  will  be  tainted  with  remorfe, 

To  hear,  and  fee,  her  plaints,  her  brinilli  tears. 
Ay,  but  fhe's  come  to  beg;  Warwick,  to  give  ; 
She,  on  his  left  fide,  craving  aid  for  Henry; 
He,  on  his  right,  afking  a  wife  for  Edward. 
She  weeps,  and  fays— her  Henry  is  depos'd  ; 
He  fmiles,  and  fays— his  Edward  is  inftall'd  ; 
That  fhe,  poor  wretch,  for  grief  can  fpeak  no  more  : 
Whiles  Warwick  tells  his  title,  fmooths  the  wrong, 

8  Inferreth  arguments  of  mighty  ftrcngth ; 
And,  in  conclufion,  wins  the  king  from  her, 
With  promife  of  his  fitter,  and  what  elfe, 

To  ftrengthen  and  fupport  king  Edward's  place. 

9  O  Margaret,  thus  'twill  be ;  and  thou,  poor  foul, 
Art  then  forfakcn,  as  thou  went'fl  forlorn. 

Hum.  Say,  what  art  thou,  that  talk'ft  of  kings 

and  queens  ? 
K>  Henry.  More  than  I  feem,  and  l  lefs  than  I  wa$ 

born  to  : 

A  man  at  leaft,  *  for  lefs  I  fhould  not  be  ; 
And  men  may  talk  of  kings,  and  why  not  I  ? 

7  And  Nero  <uw'// ]  Perhaps  We  might  better  read,  A  Ner» 

will .    STEEVENS. 

8  Inferreth  arguments  of  mighty  Jtrength  j  ]   In  the  former  a6t 
was  the  fame  line  : 

Inferring  arguments  of  mighty  force.     JOHNSON. 

9  O  Margaret,  &c.]  The  piety  of  Henry  fcarce  interefts  us 
more  for  his  misfortunes,  than  this  his  conflant  folicitude  for  tho 
welfare  of  his  deceitful  queen.     STEEVENS. 

1  — —lefs  than  I  was  born  to:]  Thus  the  folio.  The  quartos 
thus :  for  lefs  I  fhould  not  be.  STEEVENS. 

*  for  lefs  IJhould  not  be  ;]  Such  is  the  reading  of  the  folio. 
The  quartos  thus,  — — and  more  I  cannot  be.  STEEVENS. 

Hum. 


492        THIRD    PART    OF 

Hum.  Ay,  but  thou  talk'ft  as  if  thou  wert  a  king, 
K.  Henry.  Why,  fo  I  am,    in  mind ;  '  and  that's 

enough. 

Hum.  But,  if  thou  be  a  king,  where  is  thy  crown  ? 
K.  Henry.  My  crown  is  in  my  heart,  not  on  my 

head; 

Not  deck'd  with  diamonds,  and  Indian  flones, 
Nor  to  be  feen  :  my  crown  is  call'd,  content ; 
A  crown  it  is,  that  feldom  kings  enjoy. 

Hum.  Well,  if  you  be  a  king  crown'd  with  con- 
tent, 

Your  crown  content,  and  you,  muft  be  contented 
To  go  along  with  us  :  for,  as  we  think, 
You  are  the  king,  king  Edward  hath  depos'd  ; 
*  And  we  his  fubjedts,  fworn  in  all  allegiance, 
Will  apprehend  you  as  his  enemy. 

K.  Henry.  But  did  you  never  fwear,  and  break  an 

oath  ? 

Hum.  No,  never  fuch  an  oath  ;  nor  will  we  now. 
K.  Henry.  Where  did  you  dwell,  when  I  was  king 

of  England  ? 

HUM.  Here  in  this  country,  where  we  now  remain. 
K.  Henry.  I  was  anointed  king  at  nine  months  old ; 
My  father,  and  my  grandfather,  were  kings ; 
And  you  were  fworn  true  fubjedts  unto  me  : 
And,  tell  me  then,  have  you  not  broke  your  oaths  ? 
Sink.  No  ;  for  we  were  fubjedts  but  while  you  were 

king. 
K.  Henry.  Why,  am  I  dead  ?  do  I  not  breathe  a 

man  ? 

Ah,  fimple  men,  you  know  not  what  you  fwear. 
Look,  as  I  blow  this  feather  from  my  face, 

3  ——and  that's  enough.'}  So,  the  folio.     The  quartos  thus: 

though  not  in  fhew.    STEEVENS. 

*  Andivebisfubjefif,  &c.]  So,  the  folio.     The  quartos  thus : 
And  therefore  we  charge  you  in  God's  name,  and  the 

king's; 
To  go  along  with  us  unto  the  officers.    STEEVEXS, 

And 


KING    HENRY    VI.        49  j 

And  as  the  air  blows  it  to  me  again, 

Obeying  with  my  wind  when  I  do  blow, 

And  yielding  to  another  when   it  blows, 

Commanded  always  by  the  greater  guft  ; 

Such  is  the  lightnefs  of  you  common  men. 

But  do  not  break  your  oaths ;  for,  of  that  fin 

My  mild  entreaty  lhall  not  make  you  guilty. 

Go  where  you  will,  the  king  lhall  be  commanded ; 

And  be  you  kings  ;  command,  and  I'll  obey. 

Sink.  We  are  true  fubjects  to  the  king,  king  Ed- 
ward. 

K.  Henry.  So  would  you  be  again  to  Henry, 
If  he  were  feated  as  king  Edward  is. 

Sink.  We  charge  you,  in  God's  name,  and  in  the 

.  king's, 
To  go  with  us  unto  the  officers. 

K.  Henry.  s  In  God's  name,  lead ;  your  king's  name 

be  obey'd  : 

And  what  God  will,  that  let  your  king  perform ; 
And  what  he  will,  I  humbly  yield  unto.        [Exeunt, 

SCENE     II. 

London.    'The  palace. 
Enter  king  Edward,  Glofter,  Clarence,  and  lady  Grey. 

K.  Edw.  Brother  of  Glofter,  at  faint  Alban's  field 
This  lady's  hufband,  6  fir  John  Grey,  was  flain, 
His  land  then  feiz'd  on  by  the  conqueror  : 
Her  fuit  is  now,  to  repoflefs  thofe  lands ; 

5  In  God's  name,  lead',  &c.]    So,  the  folio.     Inftead  of  thja 
fpeech,  the  quartos  have  the  following  : 

God's  name  be  fulfilPd,  your  king's  name  be 
Obey'd ;  and  be  you  kings ;  command,  and  111  obey. 

STEEVENS. 

•  Sir  John  Grty,—}    Vid.  Hall,  $d  Tear  of  Ed™.  It". 

folio  c.    It  was  hitherto  falfly  printed  Richard.    POPE. 

Which 


294        T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Which  we  in  juftice  cannot  well  deny, 
Becaufe  in  quarrel  of  the  houie  of  York 
The  noble  gentleman  did  lofe  his  life. 

Glo.  Your  highnefs  mall  do  well,  to  grant  her  fuit  J 
It  were  dishonour,  to  deny  it  her. 

K.  Ediv.  It  were  no  lefs ;  but  yet  I'll  make  a  paufe. 
7  Glo.  Yea  !  is  it  fo  ?  [dfide. 

I  fee  the  lady  hath  a  thing  to  grant, 
Before  the  king  will  grant  her  humble  fuit. 

Cla.  He  knows  the  game  ;  How  true  he  keeps  the 
wind  ?  [Afide. 

Glo.  Silence  ! 

K.  Edw.  8  Widow,  we  will  confider  of  your  fuit ; 
And  come  fome  other  time,  to  know  our  mind. 

Grey.  Right  gracious  lord,  I  cannot  brook  delay  : 
May  it  pleafe  your  highnefs  to  refolve  me  now ; 
And  what  ,your  pleafure  is,  mail  fatisfy  me. 

Glo.  \_Afide.']  Ay,  widow  ?  then  I'll  warrant  you  all 

your  lands, 

An  if  what  pleafes  him,  mall  pleafure  you. 
Fight  clofer,  or,  good  faith,  you'll  catch  a  blow. 
Gar.  [_Ajide.~\  I  fear  her  not,  unlefs  me  chance  to 

fall. 

Glo.  [Afide.~]  God  forbid  that !  for  he'll  take  van- 
tages. 
K.  Edw.  How  many  children  haft  thou,  widow  ? 

tell  me. 
.Clar.  [Afide.~]  I  think,  he  means  to  beg  a  child  of 

her; 

Glo.  [Afide.~]  Nay,  whip  me  then ;  he'll  rather  give 
her  two. 

*  Glo.  Tea,  is  it /of  &c.]   So  the  folio.    The  quartos  read 
with  the  following  variations : 

Glo.  I,  Is  the  wind  in  that  door? 
Clar.  I  fee  the  lady,  feV.     STEEVENS. 

*  WlJiKv,  we-  iv'tH  cm-filler— ]  This  is  a  very  lively  and  fpritely 
dialogue  ;  the  reciprocation  is  quicker  than  is  common  in  Shake- 
fpeare.    JOHNSON. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.        495 

Grey.  Three,  my  moft  gracious  lord. 

GIo.  [Ajide.~\  You  fliall  have  four,  if  you'll  be  rul'd 

by  Tiim. 
K.  Edw.  'Twere  pity,  they  Ihould  lofe  their  father's 

land. 

Grey.  Be  pitiful,  dread  lord,  and  grant  it  then. 
K.  Edw.  Lords,  give  us  leave  ;  I'll  try  this  widow's 

wit. 
GIo.  Ay,  good  leave  have  you  ;  for  you  will  have 

leave, 

"Till  youth  take  leave,  and  leave  you  to  your  crutch. 

[Glojler  and  Clarence  retire  to  the  other  fide. 

K.  Raw.  Now  tell  me,  madam,  do  you  love  your 

children  ? 

Grey.  Ay,  full  as  dearly  as  I  love  myfelf. 
K.  Edw.  And  would  you  not  do  much  to  do  them 

good  ? 
Grey.  To  do  them  good,  I  would  fuftain  fome 

harm. 
K.  Edw.  Then  get  your  hufband's  lands,  to  do  them 

good. 

Grey.  Therefore  I  came  unto  your  majefty. 
K.  Edw.  Pll  tell  you  how  thefe  lands  are  to  be  got. 
Grey.  So  fhall  you  bind  me  to  yourhighnefs'fervice. 
K.  Edw.  What  fervice  wilt  thou  do  me,  if  I  give 

them  ? 

Grey.  What  you  command,  that  refts  in  me  to  do. 
K.  Edw.  But  you  will  take  exceptions  to  my  boon. 
Grey.  No,  gracious  lord,  except  I  cannot  do  it. 
K.  Edw.  Ay,  but  thou  canft  do  what  I  mean  to  afk. 
Grey.  Why,  then  I  will  do  what  your  grace  com- 

mands. 
GIo.  He  plies  her  hard;  and  much  rain  wears  the 

marble.  \_Afide. 

Clar.  As  red  as  fire  !  nay,  then  her  wax  muft  melt. 


Cry.  Why  Hops  my  lord  ?  fhall  I  not  hear  my 
taik? 


4^        T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  f    O  F 

K.  Edw.  An  eafy  tafk  ;  'tis  but  to  love  a  king. 
Grey.  That's  foon  perform'd,  becaufe  I  am  a  fub- 

jedt. 
K.  Edw.  Why  then,  thy  huiband's  lands  I  freely 

give  thee. 

Grey.  I  take  my  leave,  with  many  thoufand  thanks.' 
Gk.  The  match  is  made ;  ftie  feals  it  with  a  cuft'fy* 
K.  Edw.  But  flay  thee,  'tis  the  fruits  of  love  I 

mean. 

Grey.  The  fruits  of  love  I  mean,  my  loving  liege. 
K.  Edw.  Ay,  but,  I  fear  me,  in  another  fenfe. 
What  love,  think'ft  thou,  I  fue  fo  much  to  get  ? 
Grey.  My  love  'till  death,  my  humble  thanks,  my 

prayers ; 

That  love,  which  virtue  begs,  and  virtue  grants. 
K.  Edw.  No,  by  my  troth,  I  did  not  mean  fuch 

love* 
Grey.  Why,  then  you  mean  not  as  I  though*  you 

did. 
K.  Edw.  But  now  you  partly  may  perceive  my 

mind. 

Grey.  My  mind  will  never  grant  what  I  perceive 
Your  highnefs  aims  at,  if  I  aim  aright. 

K.  Edw.  To  tell  thee  plain,  I  aim  to  He  with  thee. 
Grey.  To  tell  you  plain,  I  had  rather  lie  in  prifon. 
K.  Edw.  Why,  then  thou  fhalt  not  have  thy  huf- 

band's  lands. 

Grey.  Why,  then  mine  honefty  mall  be  my  dower; 
For  by  that  lofs  I  will  not  purchafe  them. 

K.  Edw.  Herein  thou  wrong'ft  thy  children  migh- 
tily. 
Grey.  Herein  your  highnefs  wrongs  both  them  and 

me. 

But,  mighty  lord,  this  merry  inclination 
Accords  not  with  the  fadnefs  of  my  fuit ; 
Pleafe  you  difmifs  me,  either  with  ay,  or  no. 

K.  Edw.  Ay ;  if  thou  wilt  fay  ay,  to  my  requeft  ; 
No  ;  if  thou  doft  fay  no,  to  my  demand. 

Grey. 


"KING    HENRY    VL        497 

Grey.  Then,  no,  my  lord.     My  fuit  is  at  an  end. 
Glo.  The  widow  likes  him  not,  fhe  knits  her  brows. 


Clar.  He  is  the  blunted  wooer  in  Chriftendom. 

\_Afide. 
K.  Edzv.  \_Ajide.~\  9  Her  looks  do  argue  her  replete 

with  modefty  ; 

Her  words  do  Ihew  her  wit  incomparable  ; 
All  her  perfections  challenge  fovereignty  : 
One  way,  or  other,  flie  is  for  a  king  ; 
And  fhe  ihall  be  my  love,  or  elfe  my  queen.-— 
Say,  that  king  Edward  take  thee  for  his  queen  ? 
Grey.  'Tis   better  faid  than   done,    my  gracious 

lord  : 

I  am  a  fubject  fit  to  jeft  withal, 
But  far  unfit- to  be  a  fovereign. 

K.  Edw.  Sweet  widow,  by  my  flate  I  fwear  to  thee, 
I  fpeak  no  more  than  what  my  foul  intends  ; 
And  that  is,  to  enjoy  thee  for  my  love. 

Grey.  And  that  is  more  than  I  will  yield  unto : 
I  know,  I  am  too  mean  to  be  your  queen  ; 
And  yet  too  good  to  be  your  concubine  '. 
K.  Edw.  You  cavil,   widow ;    I  did  mean,    my 

queen. 
Grey.  'Twill  grieve  your  grace,  my  fons  fhould  call 

you — father. 

K.  Ediv.  No  more,  than  when  my  daughters  call 
thee  mother. 


'  Her  looks  Jo  argue  her  replete  luitb  modcfty  .•]  So,  the  folio. 
The  quartos  read  : 

Her  looks  are  all  replete  with  majefty.     STEEVENS. 
'   And  yet  too  good  to  be  your  concubine.]     So,  in  Warner's  Al-> 
lion's  England,   1602,  B.  VII.  chap,  xxxiv  : 

"  His  plea  was  love,  my  fuit  was  land :  I  plie  him,  he 

plies  me : 

"  Too  bace  to  be  his  queene,  too  good  his  concubine  to  be." 
Shakefpeare,  however,  adopted  the  words  from  Stowe's  Chronicle* 

STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  K  k  Thou 


498        THIRD     PART    OF 

Thou  art  a  widow  %  and  thou  haft  fome  children  ; 

And,  by  God's  mother,  I,  being  but  a  batchelor, 

Have  other  fome  :  why,  'tis  a  happy  thing 

To  be  the  father  unto  many  fons. 

Anfwer  no  more,  for  thou  lhalt  be  my  queen. 

Glo.  The  ghoftly  father  now  hath  done  his  fhrifu 


Clar.  When  he  was  made  a  Ihriver,  'twas  for  Ihift. 


K.  Edw.  Brothers,  you  mufe  what  chat  we  two 

have  had. 

Glo.  The  widow  likes  it  not,  for  flie  looks  fad. 
A".  Etkv.  You'd  think  it  ftrange,  if  I  ftiould  marry 

her. 

Clar.  To  whom,  my  lord  ? 
K.  Edw.  Why,  Clarence,  to  myfelf. 
Glo.  That  would  be  ten  days'  wonder,  at  the  lead. 
Clar.  That's  a  day  longer  than  a  wonder  lafts. 
Glo.  By  fo.  much  is  the  wonder  in  extremes. 
K.  Edw.  Well,  jeft  on,  brothers  :  I  can  tell  you 

both, 
Her  fuit  is  granted  for  her  hufband's  lands. 

Enter  a  Nobleman. 

Nob.  My  gracious  lord,  Henry  your  foe  is  taken, 
And  brought  as  prifoner  to  your  palace  gate. 

K.  Edw.  See,   that    he    be    convey'd    unto  the 

Tower  :  — 

And  go  we,  brothers,  to  the  man  that  took  him, 
To  queftion  of  his  apprehenfion.  — 
Widow,  go  you  along;  -  Lords,  ufe  her  honour- 
ably. 

[Exeunt  King>  Lady,  Clarence,  and  Lords. 

*  Tbnn  art  a  w/V&w,  &c.]  This  is  part  of  the  king's  reply  to- 
h's  mother  in  Stovve's  Chronicle  ;  *'  That  (he  is  a  widow-,  and  hath 
already  children;  by  God's  blefled  lady  lam  a  batchelor,  and 
Lave  fome  too,  and  fo  each  of  us  hnth  a  proofe  that  neither  of 
us  is  like  to  be  barroin;  &c."  STEEVENS..  ' 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.        499 

Glo.  Ay,  Edward  will  ufe  women  honourably. 
'Would  he  were  wafted,  marrow,  bones,  and  all, 
That  from  his  loins  no  hopeful  branch  may  fpring, 
To  crofs  me  from  the  golden  time  I  look  for  ! 
And  yet,  between  my  foul's  defire,  and  me, 
(The  luftful  Edward's  title  buried) 
Is  Clarence,  Henry,  and  his  fon  young  Edward, 
And  all  the  unlook'd-for  iflue  of  their  bodies, 
To  take  their  rooms,  ere  I  can  place  myfelf : 
A  cold  premeditation  for  my  purpofe  ! 
Why,  then  I  do  but  dream  on  fovereignty ; 
Like  one  that  ftands  upon  a  promontory, 
And  fpies  a  far-off  fhore  where  he  would  tread, 
Wiihing  his  foot  were  equal  with  his  eye  ; 
And  chides  the  fca  that  funders  him  from  thence, 
Saying — he'll  lade  it  dry  to  have  his  way  : 
So  do  I  wifh  the  crown,  being  fo  far  off ; 
And  fo  I  chide  the  means  that  keep  me  from  it ; 
And  fo  I  fay — I'll  cut  the  caufcs  off, 
Flattering  me  with  impoffibilities. — 
My  eye's  too  quick,  my  heart  o'erweens  too  much, 
Unlefs  my  hand  and  ftrength  could  equal  them. 
Well,  fay  there  is  no  kingdom  then  for  Richard  ; 
What  other  pleafure  can  the  world  afford  ? 
'I'll  make  my  heaven  in  a  lady's  lap, 
And  deck  my  body  in  gay  ornaments, 
And  witch  fweet  ladies  with  my  words  and  looks; 
O  miferable  thought  !  and  more  unlikely, 
Than  to  accomplish  twenty  golden  crowns  ! 
Why,  love  forfWore  me  in  my  mother's  womb  : 
And,  for  I  fhould  not  deal  in  her  foft  laws, 
She  did  corrupt  frail  nature  with  fome  bribe 

3  /'//  make  my  heaven  &«.]     Thus  the   folio.     The  quartoi 
alter  and  tranfpofe  the  two  lines,  as  follows  : 

I  will  go  clad  my  body  with  gay  ornaments, 
And  lull  myftlf  within  a  lady'*  lap.     STEEVENS. 

K  k  2  To 


500        THIRD    PART    OF 

To  fhrink  mine  arm  up  4  like  a  withered  Ihrub  ; 

To  make  an  envious  mountain  on  my  back, 

Where  fits  deformity  to  mock  my  body  ; 

To  fhape  my  legs  of  an  unequal  lize ; 

To  difproportion  me  in  every  part, 

Like  to  a  chaos,  or  an  s  unlick'd  bear-whelp, 

That  carries  no  impreffion  like  the  dam. 

And  am  I  then  a  man  to  be  belov'd  ? 

O,  monftrous  fault,  to  harbour  fuch  a  thought ! 

Then,  fince  this  earth  affords  no  joy  to  me, 

But  to  command,  to  check,  6  to  o'erbear  fuch 

As  are  of  better  perfon  than  myfelf, 

I'll  make  my  heaven — to  dream  upon  the  crown  ; 

And,  while  I  live,  to  account  this  world  but  hell, 

7  Until  my  mif-ftiap'd  trunk  that  bears  this  head, 

*  like  a  ivit/jfr'tl  Jbrnl)  •  ]    So  the   folio.     The   quartos 

like  a  vrither'djbrimp.     STEEVENS. 

s  „,  .  unlick'd  bear-whelp,]  It  was  an  opinion  which,  in 
fpite  of  its  abfurdity,  prevailed  long,  that  the  bear  brings  forth 
only  fhapelefs  lumps  ot  animated  flefti,  which  fhe  licks  into  the 
form  of  bears.  It  is  now  well  known  that  the  whelps  of  the 
bear  are  produced  in  the  lame  flate  with  thofe  of  other  creatures 

JOHNSON.     • 

6  to  overbear  fuch 

As  are  of  better  perfon  than  my f elf,  ] 

Richard  fpeaks  here  the  language  of  nature.  Whoever  is  ftig- 
matized  with  deformity  has  a  conftant  fource  of  envy  in  his  mind, 
and  would  counter-balance  by  fome  other  fuperiority  thefe  advan- 
tages which  he  feels  himfclt  to  want.  Bacon  remarks  that  the 
deformed  are  commonly  daring  ;  and  it  is  almoft  proverbially  ob- 
ferved  that  they  are  ill-nattired.  The  truth  is,  that  the  deform- 
ed, like  all  other  men,  are  dilpleaied  with  inferiority,  and  en- 
deavour to  gain  ground  by  good  or  bad  means,  as  they  are  vjr« 
tuous  or  corrupt.  JOHNSON. 

i*l  45678 

7   Until  my  mif-fiap\I  trunk  that  bean  this  beady 

jBe  round  impaled  &C.J 
A  tranlpolition  ieems  to  be  necefTary  : 

128(73  4        6 

"  Until  my  head,  that  this  mif-fnap'd  trunk  bears." 
Otherwife  the  trunk  that  bean  the  bead  is  to  be  encircled  with  the 
crown,  and  not  the  btad  itfelf.    STEJEVENS. 

Be 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         501 
Be  round  impaled  8  with  a  glorious  crown. 
And  yet  I  know  not  how  to  get  the  crown, 
For  many  lives  ftand  between  me  and  home  : 
And  I, — like  one  loft  in  a  thorny  wood, 
That  rents  the  thorns,  and  is  rent  with  the  thorns ; 
Seeking  a  way,  and  ftraying  from  the  way  ; 
Not  knowing  how  to  find  the  open  air, 
But  toiling  defperately  to  find  it  out, — 
Torment  myfelf  -to  catch  the  Englifh  crown  : 
And  from  that  torment  I  will  free  myfelf, 
Or  hew  my  way  out  with  a  bloody  axe. 
Why,  I  can  fmile,  and  murder  while  I  fmile  ; 
And  cry,  content,  to  that  which  grieves  my  heart; 
And  wet  my  cheeks  with  artificial  tears, 
And  frame  my  face  to  all  occafions. 
I'll  drown  more  failors  than  the  mermaid  lhall ; 
I'll  flay  more  gazers  than  the  bafiliik  ; 
I'll  play  the  orator  as  well  as  Ncflor, 
Deceive  more  flily  than  Ulyfles  could, 
And,  like  a  Sinon,  take  another  Troy  ; 
I  can  add  colours  to  the  cameleon  ; 
Change  fhapes,  with  Proteus,  for  advantages, 
*  And  fet  the  murd'rous  Machiavel  to  fchool. 
Can  I  do  this,  and  cannot  get  a  crown  ? 
Tut !  were  it  further  off,  I'll  pluck  it  down.     [Exit. 

8  impaled—]   i.e.  encircled.     So,  in  Heywood's  Rape 

of  Lucrece,   1630  : 

"  Tear  off  the  crown  that  yet  empales  his  temples." 

STEEVENS. 

9  And  fet  the  murderous  Macbiavel  tofcbool."]  As  this  is  an  an  i- 
ehronifm,   and  the  old  quarto  reads  : 

And  fet  the  afpiring  Cataline  to  fchool. 
I  don't  know  why  it  fhould  not  be  preferred.     WAR  BURTON. 

This  is  not  the  firft  proof  I  have  met  with,  that  Shakefpearc 
in  his  attempts  to  familiarize  his  ideas,  has  diminished  their  pro? 
priety.  STEEVSNS. 

Kk3  SCENE 


502        T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

SCENE        III. 

France. 

Flourifh.  Enter  Lewis  tie  French  king,  lady  Bona, 
Bourbon,  queen  Margaret,  prince  Edward,  her  Jon, 
and  the  earl  of  Oxford.  Lewis  fits,  and  rifeth  up  again. 

K.  Lewis.  '  Fair  queen  of  England,  worthy  Mar- 
garet, 

Sit  down  with  us ;  it  ill  befits  thy  flate, 
And  birth,  that  thou  ftiouldft  fland,  while  Lewis  doth 

fit. 

Queen.  *  No,  mighty  king  of  France ;  now  Margaret 
Mutt  (hike  her  fail,  and  learn  a  while  to  ferve, 
Where  kings  command.     I  was,  I  muft  confefs, 
Great  Albion's  queen  in  former  golden  days  : 
But  now  mifchance  hath  trod  my  title  down, 
And  with  difhonour  laid  me  on  the  ground  ; 
Where  I  muft  take  like  feat  unto  my  fortune, 
And  to  my  humble  feat  conform  myfelf. 

K.  Lewis.  Why,  fay,  fair  queen,  whence  fprings  this 

deep  defpair  ? 

Queen.  From  fuch  a  caufe  as  fills  mine  eyes  with 
tears, 

1  Fair  queen  of  England,  &c.]  Tftus  the  folio.     The  quartos 
give  the  following  : 

Welcome,  queen  Margaret,  to  the  court  of  France, 
It  fits  not  Lewis  to  fit  while  thou  doft  fland. 
•  Sit  by  my  fide  ;  and  here  I  vow  to  the?, 
Thou  lhalt  have  aid  to  rc-pofTefs  thy  right. 
And  beat  proud' Edward  from  his  ufurped  feat, 
And  place  king  Henry  in  his  former  rule.     STEEVENS. 
*  No,  mighty  king  of  France ;  &c.]  Inftcad  of  this  fpeech  the 
quartos  only  fupply  the  following  : 

S>uccn.  I  humbly  thank  your  royal  majefty, 
And  pray  the  God  of  heaven  to  blefs  thy  ftate, 
Great  king  of  France,  that  thus  regard'ft  our  wrongs. ' 

STEEVENS. 

And 


KING    HENRY    VI.        503 

And  flops  my   tongue,  while  heart  is  drown'd  in. 
cares. 

K.  Lewis.  Whate'er  it  be,  be  thou  ftill  like  thyfelf, 
And  fit  thee  by  our  fide :  yield  not  thy  neck 

[Seats  her  by  him, 

To  fortune's  yoke,  but  let  thy  dauntlefs  mind 
Still  ride  in  triumph  over  all  mifchance. 
Be  plain,  queen  Margaret,  and  tell  thy  grief; 
It  fhall  be  eas'd,  if  France  can  yield  relief. 

<3>ueen.  Thofe  gracious  words  revive  my  drooping 

thoughts, 

And  give  my  tongtie-ty'd  forrows  leave  to  fpeak. 
Now,  therefore,  be  it  known  to  noble  Lewis, — 
That  Henry,  fole  pofTeflbr  of  my  love, 
Is,  of  a  king,  become  a  banifh'd  man, 
And  forc'd  to  live  in  Scotland  a  forlorn  ; 
While  proud  ambitious  Edward,  duke  of  York, 
Ufurps  the  regal  title,  and  the  feat 
Of  England's  true-anointed  lawful  king. 
This  is  the  caufe,  that  I,  poor  Margaret,— 
With  this  my  fon,  prince  Edward,  Henry's  heir, — 
Am  come  to  crave  thy  juft  and  lawful  aid  ; 
And,  if  thou  fail  us,  all  our  hope  is  done  : 
Scotland  hath  will  to  help,  but  cannot  help  ; 
Our  people  and  our  peers  are  both  mif-led, 
Our  trcalure  feiz'd,  our  foldiers  put  to  flight, 
And,  as  thou  fee'fl,  ourfelves  in  heavy  plight. 

K.  Lew.  Renowned  queen,  with  patience  calm  the 

florm, 
While  we  bethink  a  means  to  break  it  off. 

Queen.  The  more  we  flay,  the  flronger  grows  our 
foe. 

K.  Lew.  The  more  I  ftay,  the  more  I'll  fuccourthee. 

Queen.  3  O,  but  impatience  waiteth  on  true  forrow  : 
And  fee,  where  comes  the  breeder  of  my  forrow. 

Enter 

3  O,  lut  impatience  waitftb  on  true  farrow  : 
Ai'dfce,  inhere  coma  the  breeder  of  mj  farrow.] 

K  k  4  How 


504        THIRD    PART    OF 

Enter  Warwick. 

K.  Lew.  What's  he,    approacheth  boldly  to  our 
prefence  ? 

Queen.  Our  earl  of  Warwick,  Edward's  greateft 
friend. 

K.  Lew.  Welcome,  brave  Warwick  !  What  brings 
thee  to  France  ?     [He  defcends.    She  arifetb* 

Queen.  Ay,  now  begins  a  fecond  florm  to  rife ; 
For  this  is  he,  that  moves  both  wind  and  tide, 

War.  From  worthy  Edward,  king  of  Albion, 
My  lord  and  fovereign,  and  thy  vowed  friend, 
I  come., — in  kindnefs,  and  unfeigned  love, — 
Firft,  to  do  greetings  to  thy  royal  perfon  ,* 
And,  then,  to  crave  a  league  of  amity ; 
And,  laftly,  to  confirm  that  amity 
With  nuptial  knot,  if  thou  vouchfafe  to  grant 
That  virtuous  lady  Bona,  thy  fair  fifter, 
To  England's  king  in  lawful  marriage. 

Queen.  If  that  go  forward,  4  Henry's  hope  is  done, 

War.  And,  gracious  madam,  in  our  king's  behalf, 

[Speaking  to  Bona* 

How  does  impatience  more  particularly  wait  on  true  forrow  ?  On 
the  contrary,  fuch  forrow  as  the  queen's,  which  came  gradually 
on  through  a  long  courfe  of  misfortunes,  is  generally  lei's  impa- 
tient than  that  of  thpfe  who  have  fallen  into  fuduen  miferies, 
The  true  reading  feems  to  be  : 

O,  tut  itr.pattcnce  waiting,  rues  to-morrow  : 
And  fee ,  ivbere  comes  the  breeder  of  my  forroiv. 
i.e.  When  impatience  waits  and  folicits  for  redrefs,  there  is  no- 
thing fhe  fo  much  dreads  as  being  put  off  till  to-morrow  (a  pro- 
verbial expreffion  tor  procraflination).     This  was  a  very  proper 
reply  to  what  the  king  faid  laft,  and  in  a  fentiment  worthy  of  the 
poet.     A  rhime  too  is  added,  as  was  cuflomary  with  him  at  the 
clofing  a-fcene."    WARBURTON. 

It  is  ftrange  that,  when  the  fenfe  is  fo  clear,  any  commentator 
fhould  thus  laborioufly  obfcure  it,  to  introduce  a  new  reading  j 
and  yet  ftranger  that  he  (hould  fhew  fuch  confidence  in  his  emen- 
dation as  to  infert  it  in  the  text.  JOHNSON. 

4  Henry's  hope  is  donc.~\  So,   the  folio.     The    quartos 

jread  :  -all  our  hope  is  done.     STEEVENS. 

J  am. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VL         505 

I  am  commanded,  with  your  leave  and  favour, 
Humbly  to  kifs  your  hand,  and  with  my  tongue 
To  tell  the  pafllon  of  my  fovereign's  heart ; 
Where  fame,  late  entering  at  his  heedful  ears, 
5  Hath  plac'd  thy  beauty's  image,  and  thy  virtue. 

Queen.  King  Lewis, — and  lady  Bona, — hear  me 

fpeak, 

Before  you  anfwer  Warwick.     His  demand 
Springs  not  from  Edward's  well-meant  honeft  love, 
But  from  deceit,  bred  by  neceflity  : 
For  how  can  tyrants  fafely  govern  home, 
Unlefs  abroad  they  purchafe  great  alliance  ? 
To  prove  him  tyrant,  this  reafon  may  fuffice,— - 
That  Henry  liveth  ftill :  but  were  he  dead, 
Yet  here  prince  Edward  ftands,  king  Henry's  fon. 
Look   therefore,    Lewis,   that  by  this  league  and 

marriage 

Thou  draw  not  on  thy  danger  and  difhonour : 
For  though  ufurpers  fway  the  rule  a  while, 
Yet  heavens  aje  juft,  and  time  fupprefleth  wrongs. 

War.  Injurious  Margaret ! 

Prince.  And  why  not  queen  ? 

War.  Becaufe  thy  father  Henry  did  ufurp  ; 
And  thou  no  more  art  prince,  than  Ihe  is  queen. 

Oxf.    Then    Warwick   difannuls    great   John  of 

Gaunt, 

Which  did  fubdue  the  greateft  part  of  Spain ; 
And,  after  John  of  Gaunt,  Henry  the  fourth, 
Whofe  wifdom  was  a  mirror  6  to  the  wifeft  ; 
And,  after  that  wife  prince,  Henry  the  fifth, 
t  Who  by  his  prowefs  conquered  all  France : 
From  thefe  our  Henry  lineally  defcends. 

5  Hath  plac'd  thy  beauty's  image ,  and  thy  virtue.]  So,  the  folio. 
The  quartos  thus  : 

Hath  plac'd  thy  glorious  image,  and  thy  vertues. 

STEEVENS. 

6  to  the  wlfejl ;]    So,    the  folio.     The    quartos, to 

STEEVENS. 

War. 


506         THIRD    PART    OF 

War.  Oxford,  how  haps  it,  in  this  fmooth  dif- 

courle, 

You  told  not,  how  Henry  the  (ixth  hath  loft 
All  that  which  Henry  the  fifth  had  gotten  ? 
Methinks,  thefe  peers  of  France  fhould  fmile  at  that. 
But  for  the  reft, — You  tcil  a  pedigree 
Of  threefcore  and  two  years  ;  a  filly  time 
To  make  prefer! ption  for  a  kingdom's  worth. 

Oxf.  Why,  Warwick,  canft  thou  fpeak  againft  thy 

liege, 

Whom  thou  obeyed'ft 7  thirty  and  fix  years, 
And  not  bewray  thy  treafon  with  a  blulh  ? 

War.  Can  Oxford,  that  did  ever  fence  the  right, 
Now  buckler  falihood  with  a  pedigree  ? 
For  fhame,  leave  Henry,  and  call  Edward  king. 

Oxf.  Call  him  my  king,  by  whofe  injurious  doom 
My  elder  brother,  the  lord  Aubrey  Vere, 
Was  done  to  death?  antf  more  than  fo,  my  father, 
Even  in  the  downfall  of  his  mellow'd  years, 
8  When  nature  brought  him  to  the  door  of  death  ? 
No,  Warwick,  no  ;  while  life  upholds  this  arm, 
This  arm  upholds  the  houfe  of  Lancafter. 

War.  And  I  the  houfe  of  York. 

K.  Lew.  Queen  Margaret,    prince  Edward,  and 

Oxford, 

Vouchfafe,  at  our  requeft,  to  ftand  aiide, 
While  I  ufe  further  conference  with  Warwick. 

Queen.  Heavens  grant,  that  Warwick's  words  be- 
witch him  not !  [They  retire. 

7  thirty-ajid-fix years,]  So,  the  folio.      The  quartos, 

thirty  and  eight  years.      STEEVENS. 

8  Wlxn  nature  brought  him  to  the  door' of  death  ?~\  TKus  the 
folio.     The  quartos : 

Whca  are  uiu  call  him  to  the  door  of  death. 

STEEVENS. 

This  paffage  unavoidably  brings  -before  the  mind  that  admir- 
able .injage  or  old  age  in  Sackville's  Induftlon  : 

-•  His  withered  fifi  iiill  kaccking  at  Jcaifa's  <&>r,  &c." 

FARMER. 

K. 


KING     HENRY     VI.        507 

K.  Lew.  Now,  Warwick,  tell  me,  even  upon  thy 

conference, 

Is  Edward  your  true  king  ?  for  I  were  loth, 
To  link  with  him  9  that  were  not  lawful  chofen. 

War.  Thereon  I  pawn  my  credit  and  mine  honour. 

K.  Lew.  But  is  he  gracious  in  the  people's  eye  ? 

War.  The  more,  that  Henry  was  unfortunate. 

K.  Lew.  Then  further, — all  diflembling  fet  afide, 
Tell  me  for  truth  the  meafure  of  his  love 
Unto  our  filler  Bona. 

War.  Such  it  feems, 
As  may  befeem  a  monarch  like  himfelf. 
Myfelf  have  often  heard  him  fay,  and  fwear,— - 
1  That  this  his  love  was  an  eternal  plant ; 
Whereof  the  root  was  fix'd  in  virtue's  ground, 
The  leaves  and  fruit  maintain'd  with  beauty's  fun ; 
*  Exempt  from  envy,  but  not  from  difdain, 
Unlefs  the  lady  Bona  quit  his  pain. 

K.  Lew.  Now,  filler,  let  us  hear  your  firm  refolve. 

j?0«fl.  Your  grant,  or  your  denial,  fliall  be  mine  : — 
Yet  I  confefs,  that  often  ere  this  day, 

[Speaking  to  Warwick. 

9  that  were  not  lawful  chofen.']  Thus  the  folio.     The 

quartos  as  follows  : 

"         that  is  not  lawful  heir.     STEE  YENS. 

1   That  this  hit. love  was  an  external  plant;]    The  old  quarto 
reads  rightly  eternal;   alluding  to  the  plants  of  Paradife. 

WAR  BUR  TO .v. 

*  Exempt  from  enty,  but  not  from  dlfJain,~\  Envy  is  always 
fuppofed  to  have  fome  fafcinating  or  blafting  power ;  and  to  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  envy  is  therefore  a  privilege  belonging  only 
to  great  excellence.  I  know  not  well  why  envy  is  mentioned 
here,  or  whofe  eniy  can  be  meant ;  but  the  meaning  is,  that  his 
love  is  fuperior  to  envy,  and  can  feel  no  blaft  from  the  lady's- 
difdain.  Or,  that  if  Bona  refufe  to  quit  or  requite  his  pain,  his 
love  may  turn  to  difdain,  though  the  conlcioufnefs  of  his  own 
merit  will  exempt  him  from  the  pangs  of  euiy.  \  jc;ixso.\. 

I  believe  envy  is  in  this  place,  as  in  many  others,  put  for  n:a-  ' 
lice  or  hatred.     His  iituation  places  him  above  thefe,  though  it 
cannot  fecure  him  from  female  difdain.     STEEVENS. 

->i  .  When 


508        THIRD    PART    OF 

When  I  have  heard  your  king's  defert  re-counted, 
Mine  ear  hath  tempted  judgment  to  defire. 

K.  Lew.  Then,  Warwick,  this,— Our  filler  fhall 

be  Edward's  ; 

And  now  forthwith  lhall  articles  be  drawn 
Touching  the  jointure  that  your  king  mufl  make, 
Which  with  her  dowry  ihall  be  counterpois'd  : — 
Draw  near,  queen  Margaret ;  and  be  a  witnefs, 
That  Bona  lhall  be  wife  to  the  EngHlh  king. 

Prince.  To  Edward,  but  not  to  the  Englilh  king. 

Queen.  Deceitful  Warwick  !  it  was  thy  device 
By  mis  alliance  to  make  void  my  fuit ; 
Before  thy  corning,  Lewis  was  Henry's  friend. 

K.  Lezv.  And  itill  is  friend  to  him  and  Margaret : 
But  if  your  title  to  the  crown  be  weak, — 
As  may  appear  by  Edward's  good  fuccefs, — 
Then  'tis  but  reaibn,  that  I  be  releas'd 
From  giving  aid,  which  late  I  promiied. 
Yet  lhall  you  have  all  kindnefs  at  my  hand, 
That  your  eltate  requires,  and  mine  can  yield. 

War.  Henry  now  lives  in  Scotland,  at  his  eafe; 
Where  having  nothing,  nothing  he  can  lofe. 
And  as  for  you  yourlelf,  our  quondam  queen, — 
3  You  have  a  father  able  to  maintain  you  ; 
And  better  'twere,  you  troubled  him  than  France. 

<j$ueen.  Peace,  impudent  and  lhamelefs  Warwick, 

peace  ; 

Proud  fetter-up  and  puller-down  of  kings ! 
I  will  not  hence,  'till  with  my  talk  and  tears, 
Both  full  of  truth,  I  make  king  Lewis  behold 
*  Thy  fly  conveyance,  and  thy  lord's  faife  love  ; 

[P(>/?,  blowing  a  born  within* 
For  both  of  you  are  birds  of  felf-fame  feather. 

3  You  have  a  father  able ]  This  feems  ironical.     The  po- 
verty of  Margaret's  father  is  a  very  frequent  topic  of  reproach. 

JOHNSON. 

*  Thy  fly  conveyance, ]  Conveyance  '^jv^gling^  and  thence 

»  taken  for  artifice  and  fraud.    JOHNSON. 

K.  Lnv. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.          509 

K.  Lezv.  Warwick,  this  is  fome  poft  to  us,    or 
thee. 

Enter  a  Poft. 

Pojl.  My  lord  ambaflador,  thefe  letters  are  for  you ; 

[To  Wanvick. 

Sent  from  your  brother,  marquis  Montague. — 
Thefe  from  our  king  unto  your  majefly. — 

[To  K.  Lexis. 

And,  madam,  thefe  for  you ;  from  whom,  I  know 

not.     [To  the  §hteen.  They  all  read  their  letters. 

Qxf.  I  like  it  well,  that  our  fair  queen  and  miftrefs 

Smiles  at  her  news,  while  Warwick  frowns  at  his. 

Prince.  Nay,  mark,  how  Lewis  (tamps  as  he  were 

nettled  : 
I  hope,  all's  for  the  beft. 

K.  LTJV.  Warwick,  what  are  thy  news?  and  yours, 

fair  queen  ? 
Queen.  Mine,  fuch  as  fills  my  heart  with  unhop'd 

joys. 

War.  Mine,  full  of  forrow  and  heart's  difcontcnt. 
K.  Lew.  What !    has  your  king  marry 'd  the  lady 

Grey  ? 

And  now,  to  footh  your  forgery  and  his, 
Sends  me  a  paper  to  perfuade  me  patience  ? 
Is  this  the  alliance  that  he  feeks  with  France  ? 
Dare  he  prefume  to  fcorn  us  in  this  manner  ? 

§>ueen.  I  told  your  majefly  as  much  before : 
This  proveth  Edward's  love,  and  Warwick's  honefty. 
War.  King  Lewis,    I  here  proteft, — in  fight  of 

heaven, 

And  by  the  hope  I  have  of  heavenly  blifs,— 
That  I  am  clear  from  this  mifdeed  of  Edward's ; 
No  more  my  king,  for  he  difhonours  me  ; 
But  moft  himfelf,  if  he  could  fee  his  fhame.— - 
Did  I  forget,  that  by  the  the  houfe  of  York 
My  father  came  untimely  to  his  death  ? 

Did 


5io        THIRD    PART    OF 

5  Did  I  let  pafs  the  abufe  done  to  my  niece  ? 
Did  I  impale  him  with  the  regal  crown  ? 

6  Did  I  put  Henry  from  his  native  right ; 
And  am  I  guerdon'd  at  the  laft  with  fliame  ? 
Shame  on  himfelf !  for  my  defert  is  honour. 
And,  to  repair  my  honour  loft  for  him, 

I  here  renounce  him,  and  return  to  Henry  :— - 
My  noble  queen,  let  former  grudges  pafs, 
And  henceforth  I  am  thy  true  fervitor  ; 
I  will  revenge  his  wrong  to  lady  Bona, 
.And  replant  Henry  in  his  former  ilate. 

Queen.  Warwick,  thefe  words  have  turn'd  my  hate 

to  love  ; 

And  I  forgive  and  quite  forget  old  faults, 
And  joy  that  thou  becom'ft  king  Henry's  friend. 

War.  So  much  his  friend,  ay,  his  unfeigned  friend, 
That,  if  king  Lewis  vouchfafe  to  furniih  us 
With  fome  few  bands  of  chofen  foldiers, 
I'll  undertake  to  land  them  on  our  coafl, 
And  force  the  tyrant  from  his  feat  by  war. 
'Tis  not  his  new-made  bride  fhall  fuccour  him  : 
And  as  for  Clarence, — as  my  letters  tell  me, 
He's  very  likely  now  to  fall  from  him ; 
For  matching  more  for  wanton  luft  than  honour, 
Or  than  for  flrength  and  fafety  of  our  country. 

Bona.  Dear  brother,  how  fhall  Bona  be  rcveng'd, 
But  by  thy  help  to  this  diftrcfled  queen  ? 

s  Did  I  let  pafi  the  alufe  done  to  n:\  niece  ?]  Thus  Holinfhcd, 
p.  668  :  "  King  Edward  did  attempt  a  thing  once  in  the  carles 
houfe  which  was  much  againir.  the  eavles  honeftie  (whether  he 
would  have  defloured  his  daughter  or  his  niece,  the  certaintie  was 
not  for  both  their  honours  revealed)  for  furcly  fuch  a  thing  was 
attempted  by  king  Edward."  STEEVICN'S. 

6  Did  I  put  Henry  from  his  native  right)  &c.]  Thus  the  folio. 
The  quartos  read  : 

And  thrull  king  Henry  from  his  native  home  ? 
And  (moil  ungrateful)  dcth  he  ufe  me  thus  ? 

STEE  VEN-S. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         5,, 

Queen.  Renowned  prince,  how ihall  poor  Henry  live, 
Unlefs  thou  refcue  him  from  foul  defpair  ? 

Bona.  My  quarrel,  and  this  Englifh  queen's,  are  one. 

War.  And  mine,  fair  lady  Bona,  joins  with  yours. 

K.  Lew.  And  mine,    with  hers,  and  thine,   and 

Margaret's. 

Therefore,  at  laft,  I  firmly  am  refolv'd, 
You  ihall  have  aid. 

<j$ueen.  Let  me  give  humble  thanks  for  all  at  once. 

K.  Lew.  Then  England's  meflenger,  return  in  pofl; 
And  tell  falfe  Edward,  thy  fuppofed  king, — 
That  Lewis  of  France  is  fending  over  maikers, 
To  revel  it  with  him  and  his  new  bride  : 
Thou  feeft  what's  paft,  7  go  fear  thy  king  withal. 

Bona.  Tell  him,  In  hope  he'll  prove  a  widower 

fhbrtly, 
I'll  wear  the  willow  garland  for  his  fake. 

£>ueen.  Tell  him,  My  mourning  weeds  are  laid  afide, 
And  I  am  ready  to  put  armour  on  2. 

War*  Tell  him  from  me,  That  he  hath  done  me 

wrong ; 

And  therefore  I'll  uncrown  him,  ere't  be  long. 
There's  thy  reward  * ;  be  gone.  {Exit  Poft* 

K.  Lew.  But,  Warwick  ; 
Thyfelf,  and  Oxford,  with  five  thoufand  men, 
Shall  crofs  the  feas,  and  bid  falfe  Edward  battle  9 : 

7  — -go  fear  tfy  king — ]  That  is,  fright  thy  king.     JOHNSON. 

*  to  put  armour  on.~\  It  was  once  no  unufual  thing  for 

queeng  themfelres  to  appear  in  armour  at  the  head  of  their  forces. 
The  fiiit  which  Elizabeth  wore  when  fhe  rode  through  the  lines 
at  Tilbury  to  encourage  the  troops,  on  the  approach  of  the  ar- 
mada, may  be  ftill  feen  in  the  tower.  STEEVENS. 

9 an Jb\d  falfe  Eikvard  battle  :~\    This  phrafe  is  common 

to  many  of  our  ancient  writers.  So,  in  the  Misfortunes  of  %ing 
Arthur,  a  dramatic  performance,  1587  : 

'*  my  flefli  abhorrs 

"  To  lid  the  tattle  to  my  proper  blood."    STEEVENS. 

* thy  reward;]  Hare  we  are  to  fuppofe  that,  according  to 

ancient  cuftom,  Warwick  makes  a  prefent  to  the  herald  or  mef- 
fcnger,  whom  the  original  copies  call — a  Pofl.  STEEVENS. 

And 


512       YH  I  R  D    P  A  R  f    O  F 

And,  as  occafion  ferves,  this  noble  queen 
And  prince  lhall  follow  with  a  frefh  fupply. 
Yet,  ere  thou  go,  but  anfwer  me  one  doubt ;— •' 
What  pledge  have  we  of  thy  firm  loyalty  ? 

War.  This  lhall  allure  my  conftant  loyalty;— 
That  if  our  queen  and  this  young  prince  agree, 
*  I'll  join  my  younger  daughter,  and  my  joy, 
To  him  forthwith  in  holy  wedlock  bands. 

Ghteen.  *  Yes,  I  agree,  and  thank  you  for  your 

motion  : — 

Son  Edward,  me  is  fair  and  virtuous, 
Therefore  delay  not,  give  thy  hand  to  Warwick ; 
And,  with  thy  hand,  thy  faith  irrevocable, 
That  only  Warwick's  daughter  mall  be  thine. 

Prince.  Yes,  I  accept  her,  for  fhe  well  deferves  it; 
And  here,  to  pledge  my  vow,  I  give  my  hand. 

\_He  gives  his  hand  to  Warwick. 

K.  Lew.  Why  flay  we  now  ?  Thefe  foldiers  lhall 

be  levy'd, 

And  thou,  lord  Bourbon,  our  high  admiral, 
Shall  waft  them  over  with  our  royal  fleet.— 

1  Iii  former  copies : 

nijoin  my  eldeft  daughter  and  nyjoyy 

To  him  forthwith, ] 

Surely  this  is  a  miftake  of  the  copyifts.  Hall,  in  the  ninth  year 
of  K.  Edward  IV.  fays,  "  Edward  prince  of  Wales  wedded 
Anne  fecond  daughter  oo  the  earl  of  Warwick."  And  the  duke 
of  Clarence  xvas  in  love  with  the  elder,  the  lady  Ifabel ;  and  in, 
reality  was  married  to  her  five  years  before  prince  Edward  took 
the  lady  Anne  to  wife.  And  in  King  Richard  the  Third,  Glou- 
cefter,  who  married  this  lady  Anne  when  a  widow,  fays  : 

"  For  then  I'll  marry  Warwick's youngeft  daughter. 

"  What  though  I  kill'd  her  hufoand  and  her  father  ?" 
i.  e.  Prince  Edward,  and  king  Henry  VI.  her  father  in-law.   See 
likewife  Holinfhed  in  his  Chronicle,  p.  671  and  674.    THEOBALD. 
4  Yes,  I  agree,  &c.]    Inftead  of  this  fpeech,  the  quarto  hat 
only  the  following : 

With  all  my  heart ;  I  like  this  match  full  well. 

Love  her,  ion  Edward  ;   (he  is  fair  and  young  ; 

And  give  thy  hand  to  Warwick,  for  his  love." 

STEEVENI. 

I  long, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         513 

I  long,  'till  Edward  fall  by  war's  mifchance, 
For  mocking  marriage  with  a  dame  of  France. 

[Exeunt.     Mam1.  Warwick* 
War.  I  came  from  Edward  as  embaflador, 
But  I  return  his  fworn  and  mortal  foe  : 
Matter  of  marriage  was  the  charge  he  gave  me, 
But  dreadful  war  mall  anfwer  his  demand. 
Had  he  none  elfe  to  make  a  flale,  but  me  ? 
Then  none  but  I  mall  turn  his  jeft  to  forrow. 
I  was  the  chief  that  rais'd  him  to  the  crown, 
And  I'll  be  chief  to  bring  him  down  again  : 
Not  that  I  pity  Henry's  mifery, 
But  feek  revenge  on  Edward's  mockery.  [Exit. 


A  C  T     IV.      S  C  E  N  E     I. 

The  palace  in  England. 
Enter  Glojler,    Clarence,  •  Somerfet,  and  Montague. 

Glo.  Now  tell  me,  brother  Clarence,  what  think  you 
Of  this  new  marriage  with  the  lady  Grey  ? 
Hath  not  our  brother  made  a  worthy  choice  ? 

Clar.  Alas,  you  know,  'tis  far  from  hence  to  France ; 
How  could  he  flay  'till  Warwick  made  return  ? 

Sow*  My  lords,  forbear  this  talk  ;  here  comes  the 
king. 

FlouriJJi.  Enter  king  Edtvard,  lady  Grey,  as  queen ; 
Pembroke,  Stafford,  and  Haftings.  Four  Jland  on, 
one  fide,  and  four  on  the  other  3. 

Glo.  And  his  well-chofen  bride. 

Clar.  I  mind  to  tell  him  plainly  what  I  think. 

3  This  flage  direction  is  fufficient  proof  that  the  play,  as  ex- 
hibited in  the  folio,  was  printed  from  a  ihige  copy.  I  fuppofe 
thcfe  eight  important  perfonages  were  attendant!.  STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  L  1  K,  Edw. 


514        THIRD    PART    OF 

K.  Edzv.  Now,  brother  of  Clarence,  how  like  yoti 

our  choice, 
That  you  ftand  penfive,  as  half  malecontent  ? 

Clar.  As  well  as  Lewis  of  France,  or  the  earl  of 

Warwick ; 

Which  are  fo  weak  of  courage,  and  in  judgment, 
That  they'll  take  no  offence  at  our  abufe. 

K.  Edzv.    Suppofe,   they  take   offence  without  a 

caufe, 

They  are  but  Lewis  and  Warwick  ;  I  am  Edward, 
Your  king  and  Warwick's,  and  muft  have  my  will. 
Glo.  And  you  lhall  have  your  will,  becaute  our 

king  : 
Yet  hafty  marriage  feldom  proveth  well. 

K.  Etkv.  Yea,  brother  Richard,  9  arc  you  offended 

too  ? 

Glo.  Not  I  : 

No  ;  God  forbid,  that  I  fhould  \vifli  them  fever'd 
Whom  God  hath  join'd  together  :   ay,  and  'twere 

pity, 
To  (under  them  that  yoke  fo  well  together. 

K.Edw.  Setting  your  fcorns,  and  your  millikc,  afide, 
Tell  me  fome  reafon,  why  the  lady  Grey 
Should  not  become  my  wife,  and  England's  queen  :-— 
And  you  too,  Somerfet,  and  Montague, 
Speak  freely  what  you  think. 

Clar.  s  Then  this  is  my  opinion, — that  king  Lewis 
Becomes  your  enemy,  for  mocking  him 
About  the  marriage  of  the  lady  Bona. 

*  -    "  are  you  eft-tided  too?]   So,  the   folio.     The  quartos 

"  are  yo  u  againft  us  too  ?     S  T  1 1  v  K  N  s . 

5  Cla,  <Then  this  is  my  opinion, — &c.]    Initead  of  thia  and  the 
following  fpeech,  the  quartos  read  thus  : 

Llq.  My  lord,  then  this  is  my  opinion  ; 
That  Warwick,  being  diflionour'd  in  his  embaflage, 
Doth  feek  revenge,  to  quit  his  injuries. 

Glo.  And  Lewis  in  regard  of  his  filler's  wrongs, 
Doth  join  with  Warwick  to  fupplant  your  itate. 

STEEVEXS. 

Glo. 


1C  1  N  £    H  E  tf  R  Y    VI.         515 

Glo.  And  Warwick,  doing  what  you  gave  in  charge, 
Is  now  difhonoured  by  this  new  marriage* 

K.  Edw.  What,  if  both  Lewis  and  Warwick  be 

appeas'd, 
By  fuch  invention  as  I  can  devife  ? 

Mont.  Yet  to  have  join'd  with  France  in  fuch  al- 
liance, 

Would  more  have  ftrengthen'd  this  our  common- 
wealth 

'Gainft  foreign  florms,  than  any  home-bred  marriage. 
Haft.  Why,  knows  not  Montague,    that  of  itfelf 
England  is  fafe,  if  true  within  itfelf  ? 

Mont.  Yes  ;  but  the  fafer,  when  'tis  back'd  with 

France. 

Haft.  *Tis  better  ufing  France,  than  trufting  France: 
Let  us  be  back'd  with  God,  and  6  with  the  feas, 
Which  he  hath  given  for  fence  impregnable, 
And  with  their  helps  alone  defend  ourfelves ; 
In  them,  and  in  ourfelves,  our  fafety  lies. 

Clar.  For  this  one  fpeech,  lord  Haftings  well  de- 
fer ves 
To  have  the  heir  of  the  lord  Hungerford. 

K.  Ediv.  Ay,  what  of  that  ?  it  was  my  will,  and 

grant  ; 

And,  for  this  once,  my  will  fhall  ftand  for  law. 
Glo.  7  And  yet,  methinks,  your  grace  hath  not 

done  well, 

To  give  the  heir  and  daughter  of  lord  Scales 
Unto  the  brother  of  your  loving  bride  ; 

6  ci-//£  the  feat,]  This  has  been  the  advice  of  every 
man  who  in  any  age  understood  and  favoured  the  intereft  of  Eng- 
land.    JOHNSON. 

7  AndyctymetbinkS)  &c.]  The  quartos  vary  from  the  folio,  as 
follows  : 

Cla.  Ay,  and  for  fuch  a  thing  too,  the  lord  Scales 
Did  well  deferve  at  your  hands,  to  have  the 
Daughter  of  the  lord  Bonfield ;  and  left  your 
Brothers  to  go  feek  elfewhere  ;  but  in  your  madnefs 
You  bury  brotherhood.     STEEVENS. 

L  1  2  She 


516        THIRD    PART    OF 

She  better  would  have  fitted  me,  or  Clarence  : 
But  in  your  bride  you  bury  brotherhood. 

Clar.  Or  elfe 8  you  would  not  have  beflow'd  the  heir 
Of  the  lord  Bonville  on  your  new  wife's  fon, 
And  leave  your  brothers  to  go  fpeed  elfewhere. 

K.  Edw.  Alas,  poor  Clarence  !  is  it  for  a  wife, 
That  thou  art  malecontent  ?  I  will  provide  thee. 

Clar.  In  choofing  for  yourfelf,  you  Ihew'd  your 

judgment : 

Which  being  fhallow,  you  fhall  give  me  leave 
To  play  the  broker  in  mine  own  behalf; 
And,  to  that  end,  I  Ihortly  mind  to  leave  you. 

K.  Edw*  Leave  me,  or  tarry,  Edward  will  be  king, 
And  not  be  ty'd  unto  his  brother's  will. 

§)ueen.  My  lords,  before  it  pleas'd  his  majefty 
To  raife  my  flate  to  title  of  a  queen, 
Do  me  but  right,  and  you  muft  all  confefs 
That  I  was  not  ignoble  of  defcent, 
And  meaner  than  myfelf  have  had  like  fortune. 
But  as  this  title  honours  me  and  mine, 
So  your  diflikes,  to  whom  I  would  be  pleafing, 
Do  cloud  my  joys  with  danger  and  with  forrow. 

K.  Edw.  My  love,    forbear  to   fawn  upon  their 

frowns  : 

What  danger,  or  what  forrow  can  befall  thee, 
So  long  as  Edward  is  thy  conftant  friend, 
And  their  true  fovereign,  whom  they  muft  obey  ? 
Nay,  whom  tlrey  fhall  obey,  and  love  thee  too, 
Unlefs  they  feek  for  hatred  at  my  hands  : 
Which  if  they  do,  yet  will  I  keep  thee  fafe, 
And  they  fhall  feel  the  vengeance  of  my  wrath. 

do.  \_ajide.~]  I  hear,  yet  fay  not  much,  but  think 
the  more. 

8  •  you  luould  not  have  lefto^d  the  bc!r~\    It  muft  be  re- 

membered, that  till  the  R^ftoration,  the  heirefles  of  great  eftates 
were  in  the  wardlhip  of  the  king,  who  in  their  minority  gave 
them  up  to  plunder,  and  afterwards  matched  them  to  his  favour- 
ites. I  know  not  when  liberty  gained  more  than  by  the  abolition 
of  the  court  of  wards.  JOHNSON. 

Enter 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         5I? 

Enter  a  Poft. 

K.  Edw.  Now,  meflenger,  what  letters,  or  what 

news, 

From  France  ? 
Poft.  My  fovercign  liege,    no  letters ;    and  few 

words, 

But  fuch  as  I,  without  your  fpecial  pardon, 
Dare  not  relate. 

K.  Edw.  Go  to,  we  pardon  thee :  therefore,  in  brief, 
Tell  me  their  words  as  near  as  thou  canft  guefs  them. 
What  anfwer  makes  king  Lewis  unto  our  letters  ? 
Pqft.  At  my  depart,  thefe  were  his  very  words ; 
Go  tell  falfe  Edward,  thy  fuppofed  king, — 
That  Lewis  of  France  is  fending  over  ma/tiers, 
To  revel  it  with  him  and  his  new  bride. 

K.  Edw.  Is  Lewis  fo  brave  ?  belike,  he  thinks  me 

Henry. 
But  what  faid  lady  Bona  6  to  my  marriage  ? 

Poft.  Thefe  were  her  words,  utter'd  with  mild  dif- 

dain  : 

Tell  him,  in  hope  he* II  prove  a  widower  Jhortly, 
ril  wear  the  willow  garland  for  his  fake. 

K.  Edw.  I  blame  not  her,  me  could  fay  little  lefs; 
She  had  the  wrong.  But  what  faid  Henry's  queen  ? 
For  I  have  heard,  that  me  was  there  in  place. 

Poft.  Tell  him,  quoth  me,  my  mourning  weeds  are  done, 
And  I  am  ready  to  put  armour  on. 

K.  Edw.  Belike,  me  minds  to  play  the  Amazon. 
But  what  faid  Warwick  to  thefe  injuries  ? 

Pqft+  He,  more  incens'd  againft  your  majefty 
Than  all  the  reft,  difcharg'd  me  with  thefe  words ; 
Tell  him  from  me,  that  he  hath  done  me  wrong, 
And  therefore  I'll  uncrown  him,  ere't  be  kng. 

9    to  my  marriage  ?]  The  quartos  read  : 

•   to  thefe  wrongs.    STEEVENS. 

L  1  3 


5i8        THIRD    PART    OF 

K.  Echu.  Ha  !  durfl  the  traitor  breathe  out  fo  proud 

words  ? 

Well,  I  will  arm  me,  being  thus  forewarn'd  ; 
They  fhail  have  wars,  and  pay  for  their  preemption* 
But  fay,  is  Warwick  friends  with  Margaret  ? 

Pqft.  Ay,  gracious  fovereign  ;  they  are  fo  HnkM 

in  rriendihip, 

That  young  prince  Edward  marries  Warwick's  daugh- 
ter. 
Clar,  T  Belike,  the  younger  ;  Clarence  will  have 

the  elder. 

Now,  brother  king,  farewel,  and  fit  you  faft, 
For  I  will  hence  to  Warwick's  other  daughter ; 
That,  though  I  want  a  kingdom,  yet  in  marriage 
I  may  not  prove  inferior  to  yourfelf. — 
*  You,  that  love  me  and  Warwick,  follow  me. 

[Exit  Clarence,  and  Somerfet  follows* 
Glo.  Not  I  : 

My  thoughts  aim  at  a  further  matter  ;  I 
Stay  not  for  love  of  Edward,  but  the  crown.     \AJide* 
K.  Edw.  Clarence  and  Somerfet  both  gone  to  War* 

wick  ! 

Yet  am  I  arm'd  againft  the  word  can  happen  ; 
And  hafle  is  needful  in  this  defperate  cafe. — - 

1  Belike  the  elder;  Clarence  will  have  the  younger.]  I  have 
ventured  to  make  elder  and  younger  change  places  in  this  line 
againil  the  authority  of  all  the  printed  copies.  The  reafon  of  it 
will  be  obvious.  THEOBALD. 

*  ToU)  that  love  me  and  Warwick,  follow  me.]  That  Clarence 
ihould  make  this  fpeech  in  the  king's  hearing  is  very  improbable, 
yet  I  do  not  fee  how  it  can  be  palliated.  The  king  never  goes 
out,  nor  can  Clarence  be  talking  to  a  company  apart,  for  he 
answers  immediately  to  that  which  the  Poft  fays  to  the  king. 

^  JOHNSON*. 

You,  t'  at  love  me  and  Wanu'uk^  follow  mc.~\  When  -the  earl 
of  Eflex  tt  empted  to  raife  a  rebellion  in  the  city,  with  a  defign, 
as  was  fuppofed,  to  ftorm  the  queen's  palace,  he  ran  about  the 
greets  with  Viis  fwoid  drawn,  crying  out,  "  They  that  love  me, 
me, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         519 

3  Pembroke,  and  Stafford,  you  in  our  behalf 
Go  levy  men,  and  make  prepare  for  war  ; 
They  are  already,  or  quickly  will  be  landed  : 
Myfelf  in  perfon  will  ftraight  follow  yon. 

[Exeunt  Pembroke  and  Stafford. 
But,  ere  I  go,  Haftings, — and  Montague,— 
Refolve  my  doubt.     You  twain,  of  all  the  reft, 
Are  near  to  Warwick,  by  blood,  and  by  alliance  : 
Tell  me,  if  you  love  Warwick  more  than  me  ? 
If  it  be  fo,  then  both  depart  to  him  ; 
I  rather  wifh  you  foes,  than  hollow  friends  : 
But  if  you  mind  to  hold  your  true  obedience, 
Give  me  aflurance  with  fome  friendly  vow, 
That  I  may  never  have  you  in  fufped:. 

Mon.  So  God  help  Montague,  as  he  proves  true  ! 

Hajl.  And  Haftings,  as  he  favours  Edward's  caufe  ! 

K.  Edw.  Now,  brother  Richard,  will  you  ftand 
by  us  ? 

Glo. 4  Ay,  in  defpight  of  all  that  ftiall  withftand  you. 

K.  Edw.  Why  fo ;  then  am  I  fure  of  vidtory. 
Now  therefore  let  us  hence  ;  and  lofe  no  hour, 
'Till  we  meet  Warwick  with  his  foreign  power. 

[Exeunt. 

3  Pembroke,  and  Stafford >  &c.]  The  quartos  give  the  paflage 
thus: 

Pembroke  go  raife  an  army  prefently  ; 

Pitch  up  my  tent ;  for  in  the  field  this  night 

I  mean  to  reft  ;  and,  on  the  morrow  morn, 

I'll  march  to  meet  proud  Warwick,  ere  he  land 

Thofe  ftraggling  troops  which  he  hath  got  in  France,  £sV." 

STEEVENS. 

*  Ay^  in  defpigbt  of  all  flat  Jfjatt  witbjland you.]    The  quartos 
continue  the  fpeech  thus  : 

Ay,  my  lord,  in  defpight  of  all  that  fhall  withftand  you  ; 
For  why  hath  nature  made  me  halt  downright, 
But  that  I  fhould  be  valiant,  and  ftand  to  it : 
For  if  I  would,  I  cannot  run  away.    STEEVEXS. 


520        THIRD    PART    OF 

SCENE    II. 
fParwickf&ire: 

Enter  Warwick  and  Oxford,  with  French  foldiers. 

War.  Truft  me,  my  lord,  all  hitherto  goes  well ; 
The  common  people  by  numbers  fvvarm  to  us. 

Enter  Clarence^  and  Somerfet. 

But,  fee,  where  Somerfet  and  Clarence  comes ; — 
Speak  fuddcnly,  my  lords,  are  we  all  friends  ? 

Gar.  Fear  not  that,  my  lord. 

War,  Then,  gentle  Clarence,  welcome  unto  War- 
wick ; — 

And  welcome,  Somerfet : — I  hold  it  cowardice, 
To  reft  miftruftful  where  a  noble  heart 
Hath  pawn'd  an  open  hand  in  fign  of  love  ; 
Elfe  might  I  think,  that  Clarence,  Edward's  brother, 
Were  but  a  feigned  friend  to  our  proceedings  : 
But  welcome,  Clarence  ;  my  daughter  fhall  be  thine. 
And  now  what  refts,  but,  in 5  night's  coverture, 
Thy  brother  being  carelefly  encamp'd, 
6  His  foldiers  lurking  in  the  towns  about, 
And  but  attended  by  a  fimple  guard, 

5  nigh t's  overture,]  The  author  mu ft,  I  think,  have 

written  night's  coverture.     For  though  overture,  which   fignifies 
firft  an  opening,  then  an  offer,  may  likewife  mean   an  opportu- 
nity, yet  in  an  overture  feems  to  be  an  improper  phrafe. 

JOH.VSON. 

Coverture  is  the  reading  of  the  old  quartos  as  well  as  the  folio; 
and  thefe  are  the  only  au'thentick  copies  of  the  three  parts  of 
this  play.  STEEVENS. 

6  His  folders  lurking  in  the  town  about,}  Dr.  Thirlby  advifed 
the  reading  towns  here  ;  the  guard  in  the  fcene  immediately  fol- 
lowing lays : 

•  --but  tuhy  commands  the  king, 

is  chief  followers  lodge  in  towns  about  him. 

THEOBALP, 

We 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         521 

We  may  furprize  and  take  him  at  our  pleafure  ? 
Our  fcouts  have  found  the  adventure  7  very  eafy  : 
That  as  Ulyfles,  and  flout  Diomede, 
With  flight  and  manhood  dole  to  Rhefus'  tents, 
And  brought  from  thence  the  Thracian  fatal  fleeds ; 
8  So  we,  well  cover'd  with  the  night's  black  mantle, 
At  unawares  may  beat  down  Edward's  guard, 
And  feize  himfelf ;  I  fay  not — flaughter  him, 
For  I  intend  but  only  to  furprize  him. — 
You,  that  will  follow  me  to  this  attempt, 
Applaud  the  name  of  Henry,  with  your  leader. 

[They  all  cry>  Henry  ! 

Why,  then,  let's  on  our  way  in  filent  fort : 
For  Warwick  and  his  friends,  God  and  faint  George '. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE     III. 

Edward's  Camp. 

Enter  the  Watchmen  to  guard  his  tent. 

1  Watch.  Come  on,  my  maflers,  each  man  take 

his  Hand; 
The  king,  by  this,  is  fet  him  down  to  fleep. 

2  Watch.  What,  will  he  not  to  bed  ? 

1  Watch.  Why,  no  :  for  he  hath  made  a  folemn 

vow, 

Never  to  lie  and  take  his  natural  reft, 
'Till  Warwick,  or  himfelf,  be  quite  fuppreft. 

2  Watch.  To-morrow  then,  belike,  (hall  be  the  day, 
If  Warwick  be  fo  near  as  men  report. 

3  Watch.  But  fay,  I  pray,  what  nobleman  is  that, 
That  with  the  king  here  refteth  in  his  tent  ? 

17  very  eajy:~\  Here  the  quartos  conclude  this  fpeech, 

adding  only  the  following  lines  : 

Then  cry  king  Henry  with  refolved  minds, 
And  break  we  prefently  into  his  tent.     STEEVENS. 
8  So  ive,  ivtll  cover* d  with  the  night's  black  mantle,]   This  line 
may  confirm  the  reading  of  coverture.    JOHNSON. 

I  Watch* 


$zz        THIRD- PART    OF 

1  Watch.  'Tis  the  lord  Mailings,  the  king's  chiefeft 

friend. 
3  Watch.  O,  is  it  fo  ?    But  why  commands  the 

king, 

That  his  chief  followers  lodge  in  towns  about  him, 
While  he  himfelf  keepeth  in  the  cold  field  ? 

2  Watch.    Tis  the  more  honour,  becaufe   more 

dangerous. 

3  Watch.  Ay  ;  but  give  me  worihip,  and  quietnefs, 
I  like  it  better  than  a  dangerous  honour. 

If  Warwick  knew  in  what  eftate  he  Hands, 
'Tis  to  be  doubted,  he  would  waken  him. 

1  Watch.  Unlefs  our  halberds  did  ihut  up  his  paf- 

fage. 

2  Watch.  Ay  ;  wherefore  elfe  guard  we  his  royal 

tent, 
But  to  defend  his  perfon  from  night-foes  ? 

Enter  Warwick,  Clarence,  Oxford,  Somerfet,  and  French 
foldiers,  fdent  all. 

War.  This  is  his  tent ;  and  fee,  where  iland  his 

guard. 

Courage,  my  mailers  :  honour  now,  or  never  ! 
But  follow  me,  and  Edward  mail  be  ours. 

1  Watch.  Who  goes  there  ? 

2  Watch.  Stay,  or  thou  dieft. 

[WarwickjOqd  the  reft, cry  all, — Warwick!  Warwick! 
and  fet  upon,  the  guard ;  wbojly,  crying, — Arm  ! 
Arm  !  Warwick,  and  the  reft,  following  them. 

Tbe  drum  beating,  and  trumpets  founding. 

Enter  Warwick,  Somerfet,  and  the  reft,  bringing  the  king 
out  in  a  gown,  fitting  in  a  chair :  Glojier  and  Haftings 
fy  over  thejioge. 

Som.  What  are  they  that  fly  there  ? 
// j,-.  Richard,  and  Railings  :  let  them  go,  here's 
the  duke. 

K.  Edw. 


KING    HENRY    VI.       523 

K.  Edw.  The  duke !   why,   Warwick,  when,  we 

parted  laft, 
Thou  call'dft  me  king  ? 

War.  Ay,  but  the  cafe  is  alter'd  : 
When  you  difgrac'd  me  in  my  cmbaflage, 
Then  I  degraded  you  from  being  king, 
9  And  come  now  to  create  you  duke  of  York. 
Alas  !  how  fhould  you  govern  any  kingdom, 
That  know  not  how  to  ufe  embafladors  ; 
Nor  how  to  be  contented  with  one  wife ; 
Nor  how  to  ufe  your  brothers  brotherly  ; 
Nor  how  to  ftudy  for  the  people's  welfare ; 
Nor  how  to  ftirowd  yourfclf  from  enemies  ? 

K.  Edw.  Yea,  brother  of  Clarence,  art  thou  here 

too  ? 

Nay,  then  I  fee,  that  Edward  needs  muft  down.— 
Yet,  Warwick,  in  defpight  of  all  mifchance, 
Of  thee  thyfelf,  and  all  thy  complices, 
Edward  will  always  bear  himfelf  as  king  : 
Though  fortune's  malice  overthrow  my  ftate, 
My  mind  exceeds  the  compafs  of  her  wheel. 

War.  Then,  for   his  mind,  be  Edward  England's 

king  :  [Takes  off  his  crown. 

But  Henry  now  fhall  wear  the  Englilh  crown, 
And  be  true  king  indeed  ;  thou  but  the  ftiadow.-— 
My  lord  of  Somerfet,  at  my  requeft, 
See  that  forthwith  duke  Edward  be  convey'd 
Unto  my  brother,  archbilhop  of  York. 
When  I  have  fought  with  Pembroke  and  his  fellows, 
I'll  follow  you,  and  tell  what  anfwer 
Lewis,  and  the  lady  Bona,  fend  to  him  : — 
NOW,  for  a  while,  farewel,  good  duke  of  York. 
K-  Edw.  What  fates  impofe,  that  men  muft  needs 

abide  ; 

9  And  come  now  to  create  you  duke  of  Tork.]    Might  we  read 
with  a  flight  alteration  ? 

And  come  to  new  create^?*  duke  of  Tork,    JOHNSON. 


524        T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

It  boots  not  to  refift  both  wind  and  tide. 

[En/  king  Edward,  led  out. 

Oxf.  '  What  now  remains,  my  lords,  for  us  to  do, 
But  march  to  London  with  our  foldiers  ? 

War.  Ay,  that's  the  firft  thing  that  we  have  to  do  ; 
To  free  king  Henry  from  imprifonment, 
And  fee  him  feated  in  the  regal  throne.          [Exeunt. 

SCENE    IV. 

London,     ^he  Palace. 
*  Enter  tbe  ®ueen,  and  Rivers. 

Rh.    Madam,    what   makes  you  in  this  fudden 
change  ? 

Queen.  Why,  brother  Rivers,  are  you  yet  to  learn, 
What  late  misfortune  is  befall'n  king  Edward  ? 

Riv.  What,   lofs  of  fome  pitch'd  battle  againft 
Warwick  ? 

Queen.  No,  but  the  lofs  of  his  own  royal  perfon. 

Riv.  Then  is  my  fovereign  flain  ? 

Queen.  Ay,  alrnoft  ilain,  for  he  is  taken  prifoner  ; 
Either  betray'd  by  falfhood  of  his  guard, 
Or  by  his  foe  furpriz'd  at  unawares  : 

1  What  now  remains,  &c.]  Inftead  of  this  and  the  following 
fpeech,  the  quartos  have  : 

Clar.  What  follows  now  ?  all  hitherto  goes  well, 
But  we  muft  difpatch  fome  letters  into  France, 
To  tell  the  queen  of  our  happy  fortune ; 
And  bid  her  come  with  fpeed  to  join  with  us. 

War.  Ay,  that's  the  firft  thing  that  we  have  to  do, 
And  free  king  Henry  from  imprifonment, 
And  fee  him  feated  on  the  regal  throne. 
Come,  let's  away  ;  and,  having  paft  thefe  cares, 
I'll  poft  to  York,  and  fee  how  Edward  fares. 

STEEVENS. 

*  Enter  Rivers,  &c.]  Throughout  this  fcene  the  quartos  vary 
in  almoit  every  fpeech  from  the  folio.  The  variations  however 
are  hardly  fuch  as  to  deferve  notice.  STEEVENS. 

And, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         525 

And,  as  I  further  have  to  underftand, 
Is  new  committed  to  the  bifhop  of  York, 
Fell  Warwick's  brother,  and  by  that  our  foe. 

Riv.  Thefe  news,  I  muft  confefs,  are  full  of  grief; 
Yet,  gracious  madam,  bear  it  as  you  may  ; 
Warwick  may  lofe,  that  now  hath  won  the  day. 

Queen.  'Till  then,  fair  hope  mult  hinder  life's  decay. 
And  I  the  rather  wean  me  from  defpair, 
For  love  of  Edward's  offspring  in  my  womb  : 
This  is  it  that  makes  me  bridle  my  paffion, 
And  bear  with  mildnefs  my  misfortune's  crofs  ; 
Ay,  ay,  for  this  I  draw  in  many  a  tear, 
And  ftop  the  rifing  of  blood-fucking  fighs, 
Left  with  my  fighs  or  tears  I  blaft  or  drown 
King  Edward's  fruit,  true  heir  to  the  Englifh  crown. 

Riv.  But,  madam,  where  is  Warwick  then  become  ? 

^ueen.  I  am  informed,  that  he  comes  towards  Lon- 
don, 

To  fet  the  crown  once  more  on  Henry's  head  : 
Guefs  thou  the  reft ;  king  Edward's  friends  muft  down. 
But,  to  prevent  the  tyrant's  violence, 
(For  truft  not  him  that  once  hath  broken  faith) 
I'll  hence  forthwith  unto  the  fan&uary, 
To  fave  at  leaft  the  heir  of  Edward's  right ; 
There  lhall  I  reft  fecure  from  force,  and  fraud. 
Come  therefore,  let  us  fly,  while  we  may  fly  ; 
If  Warwick  take  us,  we  are  fure  to  die.         [Exeunt. 

SCENE      V. 

A  park  near  Middleham  Caftle  in  Torkjbire. 
Enter  Glofter,  Hajlings,  and  Sir  William  Stanley. 

Glo.  Now,   my  lord  Haftings,   and  fir  William 

Stanley, 

Leave  off  to  wonder  why  I  drew  you  hither, 
Into  this  chiefeft  thicket  of  the  park. 

Thus 


526        THIRD    PART    OF 

Thus  {lands  the  cafe  :  You  know,  our  king,  my  bro- 
ther, 

Is  prifoner  to  the  bifhop  here,  at  whofe  hands 
He  hath  good  ufage  and  great  liberty  ; 
And  often,  but  attended  with  weak  guard, 
Comes  hunting  this  way  to  difport  himfelf. 
I  have  advertis'd  him  by  fecret  means, 
That  if,  about  this  hour,  he  make  this  way, 
Under  the  colour  of  his  ufual  game, 
He  lhall  here  find  his  friends,  with  horfe  and  men, 
To  fet  him  free  from  his  captivity. 

Enter  king  Edward)  and  a  Huntfman. 

Hunt.  This  way,  my  lord  ;  for  this  way  lies   the 

game. 
K.  Edw.  Nay,   this,  way,   man  ;  fee,   where  the 

huntfmen  fland. — 

Now,  brother  of  Glofter,  lord  Haflings,  and  the  reft, 
Stand  you  thus  clofe  to  fteal  the  bifhop's  deer  ? 

Glo.  Brother,  the  time  and  cafe  requireth  hafte ; 
Your  horfe  ftands  ready  at  the  park-corner. 
K.  Edw.  But  whither  lhall  we  then  ? 
Haft.  To  Lynn,  my  lord ;  and  fliip  from  thence  to 

Flanders. 
Glo.  Well  guefs'd,  believe  me  ;  'for  that  was  my 

meaning. 

K.  Edw.  Stanley,  I  will  requite  thy  forwardnefs. 
Glo.  But  wherefore  flay  we  ?  'tis  no  time  to  talk. 
K.  Edw.  Huntfman,  what  fay'fl  thou  ?  wilt  thou 

go  along  ? 

Hunt.  Better  do  fo,  than  tarry  and  be  hang'd. 
Glo.  Come  then,  away  ;  let's  ha*  no  more  ado. 
K.  Edw.  Bifhop,  farewel  :  fhield  thee  from  War- 
wick's frown  ; 
And  pray  that  I  may  repoflefs  the  crown.     [Exeunt. 

SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         527 

SCENE    VI. 

1'he  Tazver  in  London. 

Enter  king  Henry,  Clarence,  Warwick,  Somerfet,  young 
Richmond,  Oxford,  Montague,  and  Lieutenant  of  the 
Tower. 

K.  Henry.  Matter  lieutenant,  now  that  God  and 

friends 

Have  fhaken  Edward  from  the  regal  feat; 
And  turn'd  my  captive  flate  to  liberty, 
My  fear  to  hope,  my  forrows  unto  joys  ; 
At  our  enlargement  what  are  thy  due  fees  ? 

Lieu.  Subjects  may  challenge  nothing  of  their  fo- 

vereigns ; 

But,  if  an  humble  prayer  may  prevail, 
I  then  crave  pardon  of  your  majefty. 

K.  Henry.  For  what,  lieutenant  ?  for  well  ufmg  rne* 
Nay,  be  thou  fure,  I'll  well  requite  thy  kindnefs, 
For  that  it  made  my  imprifonment  a  pleafure  : 
Ay,  fuch  a  pleafure  as  incaged  birds 
Conceive,  when,  after  many  moody  thoughts, 
At  laft,  by  notes  of  houfhold  harmony, 
They  quite  forget  their  lofs  of  liberty. — 
But,  Warwick,  after  God,  thou  fet'fl  me  free, 
And  chiefly  therefore  I  thank  God,  and  thee  ; 
He  was  the  author,  thou  the  inftrument. 
Therefore,  that  I  may  conquer  fortune's  fpight, 
By  living  low,  where  fortune  cannot  hurt  me  ; 
And  that  the  people  of  this  bleffed  land 
May  not  be  punim'd  with  my  thwarting  ftars  ; 
Warwick,  although  my  head  ftill  wear  the  crown, 
I  here  refign  my  government  to  thee, 
For  thou  art  fortunate  in  all  thy  deeds. 

War.  Your  grace  hath  ftill  been  fam'd  for  virtuous ; 
And  now  may  feem  as  wife  as  virtuous, 

By 


528        THIRD    PART    OF 

By  fpying,  and  avoiding,  fortune's  malice, 
For  J  few  men  rightly  temper  with  the  flars  : 
Yet  in  this  one  thing  let  me  blame  your  grace, 
For  chufing  me,  when  Clarence  is  in  place. 

Clar.  No,  Warwick,  thou  art  worthy  of  the  fway, 
To  whom  the  heavens,  in  thy  nativity, 
Adjudg'd  an  olive  branch,  and  laurel  crown, 
As  likely  to  be  blefl  in  peace,  and  war  ; 
And  therefore  I  yield  thee  my  free  confent. 

War.  And  I  chufe  Clarence  only  for  protector. 

K.  Henry.  Warwick,  and  Clarence,  give  me  both 

your  hands ; 
Now  join  your  hands,  and,  with  your  hands,  your 

hearts, 

That  no  diflention  hinder  government : 
J  make  you  both  protectors  of  this  land ; 
While  I  myfelf  will  lead  a  private  life, 
And  in  devotion  fpend  my  latter  days, 
To  fin's  rebuke,  and  my  Creator's  praife. 

War.  What  anfwers  Clarence  to  his  fovereign's 
will  ? 

Clar.  That  he  confcnts,  if  Warwick  yield  confent ; 
For  on  thy  fortune  I  repofe  myfelf. 

War.  Why  then,  though  loth,  yet  muft  I  be  con- 
tent: 

We'll  yoke  together,  like  a  double  fhadow 
To  Henry's  body,  and  fupply  his  place; 
I  mean,  in  bearing  weight  of  government, 
While  he  enjoys  the  honour,  and  his  eafe. 
And,  Clarence,  now  then  it  is  more  than  needful, 
Forthwith  that  Edward  be  pronounc'd  a  traitor, 
And  all  his  lands  and  goods  confifcated. 

Clar.  What  elie  ?  and  that  fucceflion  be  determin'd. 

3  -few  men  rightly  temper  with  tbejlan  ;  ]   I  fuppofe  the 

meaning  is,  that  few  men  conform  their  temper  to  their  deftiny, 
\vhich  king  Henry  did,  when  finding  himfelr  unfortunate  he  gave 
the  management  of  public  affairs  to  more  profperous  hands. 

JOHNSON. 

War- 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         52p 

War.  Ay,  therein  Clarence  lhall  not  want  his  parr. 

A'.  Henry.  But,  with  the  firft  of  all  our  chief  affairs, 
Let  me  entreat,  (for  I  command  no  more) 
That  Margaret  your  queen,  and  my  fon  Edward, 
Be  fent  for,  to  return  from  France  with  fpeed  : 
For,  'till  I  fee  them  here,  by  doubtful  fear 
My  joy  of  liberty  is  half  eclips'd. 

Clar.  It  ftiall  be  done,  my  fovereign,  with  all  fpeed. 

K.  Henry.  My  lord  of  Somerfet,  what  youth  is  that, 
Of  whom  you  feem  to  have  fo  tender  care  ? 
.    Som.  My  liege,  it  is  young  Henry,  earl  of  Rich- 
mond. 

K.  Henry.  Come  hither,  England's  hope  :  If  fecret 
powers  [La?5  b*s  ^an^ on  his  bead. 

Suggeft  but  truth  to  my  divining  thoughts, 
4  This  pretty  hid  will  prove  our  country's  blifs. 
His  looks  are  full  of  peaceful  majefty ; 
His  head  by  nature  fram'd  to  wear  a  crown, 
His  hand  to  wield  a  fcepter  ;  and  himfelf 
Likely,  in  time,  to  blefs  a  regal  throne. 
Make  much  of  him,  my  lords  ;  for  this  is  he, 
Muft  help  you  more  than  you  are  hurt  by  me. 

Enter  a  Poft. 

War.  What  news,  my  friend  ? 

• 

*  This  pretty  lad ]  He  was   afterwards  Henry  VII,  a  man 

\vho  put  an  end  to  the  civil  war  of  the  two  houfes,  but  not  other- 
wile  remarkable  for  virtue.  Shakefpeare  knew  his  trade.  Henry 
VII.  was  grandfather  to  queen  Elizabeth,  and  the  king  from 
whom  James  inherited.  JOHNSON. 

Shakefpeare  only  copied  this  particular,  together  with  many 
others,  from  Holinfiied  :  "  — whom  when  the  king  had  a  good 
while  bchelJ,  he  laid  to  fuch  princes  :is  were  with  him  :  Lo, 
iuerlie  this  is  he,  to  whom  both  we  and  our  adverfaries  leaving 
the  poileffion  of  all  things,  (hail  hereafter  give  roome  and  place." 
p.  678. 

This  pretty  lad  <volll  prove  our  country  s  lift.]  Thus  the  folio. 
The  quartos  thus  ; 

'*  Thou,  pretty  boy,  fiialt  prove  this  country's  blifs." 

STEEVENS. 

VOL.  VI.  M  m  Ftf. 


530        THIRD     PART    OF 

PoJI.  That  Edward  is  efcaped  from  your  brother, 
And  fled,  as  he  hears  fince,  to  Burgundy. 

War.  Unlavoury  news  :  But  how  made  he  efcape  ? 

Pqft.  He  was  convey'd  by  Richard  duke  of  Glofter, 
And  the  lord  Haftings,  who  attended  him 
In  fecret  ambufh  on  the  foreft  fide, 
And  from  the  bilhop's  huntfmen  refcued  him  ; 
For  hunting  was  his  daily  exercife. 

War.  My  brother  was  too  carclefs  of  his  charge.— 
But  let  us  hence,  my  fovereign,  to  provide 
A  falve  for  any  fore  that  may  betide.  [Exeunt. 

Manent  Somerfet,  Richmond)  and  Oxford. 

Sow.  My  lord,  I  like  not  of  this  flight  of  Edward's  : 
For,  doubtlefs,  Burgundy  will  yield  him  help  ; 
And  we  fliall  have  more  wars,  before't  be  long. 
As  Henry's  late  prefaging  prophecy 
Did  glad  my  heart,  with  hope  of  this  young  Rich- 
mond ; 

So  doth  my  heart  milgivc  me,  in  thefe  conflicts 
What  may  befall  him,  to  his  harm,  and  ours  : 
Therefore,  lord  Oxford,  to  prevent  the  worft, 
Forthwith  well  fend  him  hence  to  Britany, 
'Till  ftorms  be  pail  of  civil  enmity. 

Oxf.  Ay  ;  for,  if  Edward  re-poifefs  the  crown, 
'Tis  like,  that  Richmond  with  the  reft  fhalldown. 

Som.  It  fhall  be  fo  ;  he  fhall  to  Britany. 
Ccmc  therefore,  let's  about  it  fpeedily.         [Exeunt. 


SCENE 


KING     HENRY     VI.         531 

SCENE    VII. 

Tork. 
Enter  king  Edward*    Glofter,  Haftings,  and  Soldiers. 

K.  Edw.  J  Now,  brother  Richard,  lord  Haftings, 

and  the  reft  ; 

Yet  thus  far  fortune  maketh  us  amends, 
And  fays — that  once  more  I  fhall  enterchange 
My  waincd  ftate  for  Henry's  regal  crown. 
Well  have  we  pafs'd,  and  now  rcpafs'd  the  feas, 
And  brought  defined  help  from  Burgundy  : 
What  then  remains,  we  being  thus  arrived 
From  Ravenfpurg  haven  before  the  gates  of  York, 
But  that  we  enter,  as  into  our  dukedom  ? 

Glo.  The  gates  made  faft  ! — Brother,  I  like  not 

this ; 

For  many  men,  that  Humble  at  the  threshold, 
Are  well  foretold — that  danger  lurks  within. 

K.  Edw.  Tulh,  man  !  abodements  muft  not  now 

affright  us : 

By  fair  or  foul  means  we  muft  enter  in, 
For  hither  will  our  friends  repair  to  us. 

Haft.  My  liege,  I'll  knock  once  more,  to  fummon 

them. 

Enter,  on  the  walls*  the  Mayor  of  Tork t  and  his  Brethren. 

Mayor.  My  lords,    we  were  fore-warned  of  your 
coming, 

5  No-iv,  Irotber  Richard,  &c.]    Inftead  of  this  and  the  three 
following  fpeeches,  the  quartos  read  only  : 

Enter  Edward  and  Richard,  tultb  a  troop  of  Hollanders. 
Edvj.  Thus  far  from  Belgia  have  we  pall  the  feas, 
And  march'd  from  Raunfpur-haven  unto  York  : 
But  foft  !  the  gates  are  fluit ;   I  like  not  this. 

RLh.  Sound  up  the  drum,  and  call  them  to  the  walls. 

STSEVEXS. 

M  m  2 


532        THIRD    PART    OF 

And  flint  the  gates  for  fafety  of  ourfelves  ; 
For  now  we  owe  allegiance  unto  Henry. 

K.  Edw.  But,    matter  mayor,    if  Henry  be  your 

king, 
Yet  Edward,  at  the  leaft,  is  duke  of  York. 

Mayor.  True,  my  good  lord  ;  I  know  you  for  no 

lefs. 
K.  Edzv.  Why,  and  I  challenge  nothing  but  my 

dukedom  ; 
As  being  well  content  with  that  alone. 

Glo.  But,  when  the  fox  has  once  got  in  his  nofe, 
He'll  foon  find  means  to  make  the  body  follow. 

[Me. 
Haft.  Why,  mafter  mayor,  why  ftand  you  in  a 

doubt  ? 
Open  the  gates,  we  are  king  Henry's  friends. 

Mayor.  Ay,  fay  you  fo  ?  the  gates  mall  then  be 
open'd.  [_He  defcends. 

Qk.  A  wife  flout  captain,  and  pcrfuaded  foon ! 
Haft.  6  The  good  old  man  would  fain  that  all  were 

well, 

So  'twere  not  'long  of  him  :  but,  being  enter'd, 
I  doubt  not,  I,  but  we  mall  foon  perfuade 
Both  him,  and  all  his  brothers,  unto  reafon. 

Re-enter  tic  Mayor  and  trco  ALknnen,  bdoiu. 

K.  Edw.  So,  mafter  mayor  :  thefe  gates  mull  not 

be  ihur, 

But  in  the  night,  or  in  the  time  of  war. 
What  ?  fear  not,  man,  but  yield  me  up  the  keys  ; 

\^Takes  bis  keys. 

For  Edward' will  defend  the  town,  and  rhec, 
And  all  thofe  friends  that  deign  to  follow  me. 

6   7 be  good  old  man  ivoaUfii'u  thai  all  were  :•„'<•//,]     The  mayor 
is  willing  we  fhould  enter,  fo  lie  may  not  be  blamed.     JOHNSON. 

March. 


KING     HENRY     VI. 


533 


Mrch.     Enter  Montgomery,  with  a  drum  and  Soldiers. 

Glo.  Brother,  this  is  fir  John  Montgomery, 
Our  trufty  friend,  unlefs  1  be  deceiv'd. 

K.  Edw.  Welcome,  fir  John  !  But  why  come  you 

in  arms  ? 

Montg.  To  help  king  Edward  in  his  time  of  ftorm, 
As  every  loyal  fubjedt  ought  to  do. 

Edw.  Thanks,  good  Montgomery  :  But  we  now 

forget 

Our  title  to  the  crown  ;  and  only  claim 
Our  dukedom,  'till  God  pleafe  to  fend  the  reft. 

Mont.  Then  fare  you  well,  for  I  will  hence  again ; 
I  came  to  ferve  a  king,  and  not  a  duke. — 
Drummer,  ftrike  up,  and  let  us  march  away. 

\¥be  drum  begins  a. march. 
K.  Edw.  Nay,  flay,  fir  John,  a  while ;  and  we'll 

debate, 
By  what  fafe  means  the  crown  may  be  recover'd. 

Montg.  What  talk  you  of  debating  ?  in  few  words, 
If  you'll  not  here  proclaim  yourfelf  our  king, 
I'll  leave  you  to  your  fortune  ;  and  be  gone, 
To  keep  them  back  that  come  to  fuccour  you  : 
Why  Ihould  we  fight,  if  you  pretend  no  title  ? 
Glo.  Why,  brother,  wherefore  Hand  you  on  nice 

points  ? 
K.  Edw.  When  we  grow  ftronger,  then  we'll  make 

our  claim  : 

'Till  then,  'tis  wifdom  to  conceal  our  meaning. 
Htift.  Away  with  fcrupulous  wit !  now  arms  muft 

rule. 

Glo.  And  fearlefs  minds  climb  fooneft  unto  crowns. 
Brother,  we  will  proclaim  you  out  of  hand  ; 
The  bruit  thereof  7  will  bring  you  many  friends. 

7  The  bruit]  i.e.  noife.     So,  in  Prefton's  Cambifa >: 

»'  ; — whole  manly  acts  do  fly 

**  By  bruit  of  fame." STEEVENS. 

M  m  3  K.  Eax.\ 


5^4        THIRD     PART     OF 

K.  Edzv.  Then  be  it  as  you  will  ;  for  'tis  my  right, 
And  Henry  but  uiurps  the  diadem. 

Montg.  Ay,  now  my  fovereign  fpeaketh  like  him- 

felf; 
And  now  will  I  be  Edward's  champion. 

Haft.  Sound,  trumpet  ;  Edward  lhall  be  here  pro- 

claim'd  :  — 
Come,  fellow-foldier,  make  thou  proclamation. 


( 

Sold,  [reads]  Ecku  ard  tkefourtb,  by  the  grace 
king  of  England  and  trance^  and  lord  of  Ireland,  &c. 

Montg.    And  whofoe'er   gainfays  king   Edward's 

right, 
By  this  I  challenge  him  to  fingle  fight. 

\T"  brows  donvn  bis  gauntlet, 

All.  Long  live  Edward  the  fourth  ! 

K.Eikv.  8  Thanks,  brave  Montgomery;  -  and 

thanks  unto  you  all. 

If  fortune  ferve  me,  I'll  requite  this  kindncfs. 
Now,  for  this  night,  let's  harbour  here  in  York  : 
And,  when  the  morning  fun  ihall  raife  his  car 
Above  the  border  of  this  horizon, 
We'll  forward  towards  Warwick,  and  his  mates  ; 
For,  well  I  wot,  that  Henry  is  no  ibldier.  — 
Ah,  froward  Clarence  !  —  how  evil  it  befeems  thee, 
To  flatter  Henry,  and  forfake  thy  brother  ! 
Yet,  as  we  may,  we'll  meet  both  thee  and  Warwick.  — 
Come  on,  brave  foldiers  ;  doubt  not  of  the  day  ; 
And,  that  once  gotten,  doubt  not  of  large  pny. 


8  T'hanlis,  Irave  Montgomery  ;  &c.]  Inftead  of  this  fpecch,  tlie 
quartos  have  only  the  following  : 

Edvj.  We  thank  you  all  :  lord  mayor,  lend  on  the  way. 
For  this  night  we  will  harbour  here  in  York  ; 
And  then  as  early  as  the  morning  fun 
Lifts  up  his  beams  above  this  horizon, 
We'll  march  to  London  to  meet  with  Warwick, 
And  pull  falfe  Henry  from  the  regal  throne.     STEEVHN?. 

SCENE 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         535 

SCENE    VIII. 

London. 

Enter  king  Henry,  Warwick,  Clarence,  Montague, 
Exeter,  and  Oxford. 

War.  What  counfel,  lords  ?  Edward  from  Bclgia, 
With  hafty  Germans,  and  blunt  Hollanders, 
Hath  pafs'd  in  fafety  through  the  narrow  fcas, 
And  with  his  troops  doth  march  amain  to  London ; 
And  many  giddy  people  flock  to  him. 

K.  Henry.  9  Let's  levy  men,  and  beat  him  back  again. 

Clar.  A  little  fire  is  quickly  trodden  out ; 
Which,  being  fufFer'd,  rivers  cannot  quench. 

War.  In  Warwickshire  I  have  true-hearted  friends, 
Not  mutinous  in  peace,  yet  bold  in  war; 
Thofe  will  I  mufter  up  : — and  thou,  fon  Clarence, 
Shall  flir,  in  Suffolk,  Norfolk,  and  in  Kent, 
The  knights  and  gentlemen  to  come  with  thcc  :— 
Thou,  brother  Montague,  in  Buckingham, 
Northampton,  and  in  Leicefterfhire,  ihalt  find 
Men  well  inclin'd  to  hear  what  thou  command'fl  :— 
And  thou,  brave  Oxford,  wondrous  well  belov'd, 
In  Oxfordshire  fhalt  mufter  up  thy  friends. — 
My  fovereign,  with  the  loving  citizens, — 
Like  to  his  ifland,  girt  in  with  the  ocean, 
Or  modcft  Dian,  circled  with  her  nymphs, — 
Shall  reft  in  London,  'till  we  come  to  him. — 

9  Lefs  levy  men,  and  beat  him  lack  a%ain."\  This  line  exprefles 
a  fpitit  of  war  ib  linfuitable  to  the 'character  of  Henry,  thut  I 
would  give  the  firft  cold  fpeech  to  the  king,  and  the  brilk  anfwer 
to  Warwick.  This  line  is  not  in  the  old  quarto ;  and  when 
Henry  faid  nothing,  the  firft  fpeech  might  be  as  properly  given 
to  Warwick  as  to  any  other.  JOHNSON. 

Every  judicious  reader  muil  concur  in  this  opinion. 

STEEVENS. 

M  m  4  Fair 


536         THIRD     PART     OF 

Fair  lords,  take  leave,  and  ftand  not  to  reply.— 
Farewel,  my  fovereign. 

K.  Henry.  Farewel,  my  Hector,  and  my  Troy's 
true  hope. 

Clar.  In  fign  of  truth,  I  kifs  your  highnefs'  hand.    ' 

K.  Henry.   Well-minded  Clarence,  be  thou  fortu- 
nate ! 

Mont.  Comfort,  my  lord  ; — and  fo  I  take  my  leave. 

Oxf.  [Kiffing  Henry 's  band.']    And  thus   I  leal  my 
truth,  and  bid  adieu. 

K.  Henry.  Sweet  Oxford,  and  my  loving  Montague, 
And  all  at  once,  once  more  a  happy  farevvel. 

War.  Farewel,  fweet  lords  ;  let's  meet  at  Coventry. 
[Exeunt  Warwick,  Clarence,  Oxford,  and  Montague. 

K.  Henry.  Here  at  the  palace  will  1  reft  a  while. 
Coufm  of  Exeter,  what  thinks  your  lordfhip  ? 
Methinks,  the  power,  that  Edward  hath  in  field, 
Should  not  be  able  to  encounter  mine. 

.Exe.  The  doubt  is,  that  he  will  feducc  the  reft. 

K.  Henry.  That's  not  my  fear,  '  my  meed  hath  got 

me  fame  : 

I  have  not  ftopp'd  mine  cars  to  their  demands, 
Nor  ported  off  their  fuits  with  flow  delays  ; 
My  pity  hath  been  balm  to  heal  their  wounds, 
My  mildnefs  hath  allay'd  their  fwelling  griefs, 
My  mercy  dry'd  their  water-flowing  tears  : 
I  have  not  been  defirous  of  their  wealth, 
Nor  much  opprefs'd  them  with  great  fubfulies, 
Nor  forward  of  revenge,  though  they  much  err'd  ; 

1   my  meed  bath  got  me  fame:}  Meed  fignifies   reward. 

We  ft.ould  read,  my  deed,  i.  e.  my  manners,  conduft  in   the  ad- 
miniftration.     WAR  BUR  TON. 

This  word  fignifies  merit,  both  as  a  verb   and  a   fuhftantive  : 
that  it  is  ufed  as  a  verb,  is;  clear  from  the  following  foolifh  coup, 
let,  which  I  remember  to  have  read  : 
"  Deem  if  I  meed, 
"  Dear  madam,  rcaJ." 

.      A  Specimen  of  J^erfes  that  read  the  fane  Way  lack-~varj 
and  forward.     Sir  JOHN  EAWKI.VS. 

Thou 


KING    HENRY     VI.         537 

Then  why  ftiould  they  love  Edward  more  than  me  ? 
No,  Exeter,  thefe  graces  challenge  grace  : 
And,  when  the  lion  fawns  upon  the  lamb, 
The  lamb  will  never  ceafe  to  follow  him. 

[7  Shout  within.     A  Lancqfter  !  A  Lancqfter  / 
Exe*  Hark,  hark,  my  lord  !  what  fhouts  are  thefe  ? 

Enter  king  Edivard,  Glofter,  andfoldiers. 

K.  Edw.  Seize  on  the  fhame-fac'd  Henry,  bear  him 

hence, 

And  once  again  proclaim  us  king  of  England. — 
You  are  the. fount,  that  makes  fmall  brooks  to  flow  : 
Now  flops  thy  fpring  ;  my  fea  lhall  fuck  them  dry, 

And  fwell  fo  much  the  higher  by  their  ebb. 

Hence  with  him  to  the  Tower ;  let  him  not  fpeak. 

[Exeunt  fome  with  king  Henry. 

And,  lords,  towards  Coventry  bend  we  our  courfe, 
Where  peremptory  Warwick  now  remains  : 
The  fun  Ihines  hot,  and,  if  we  ufe  delay, 
Cold  biting  winter  mars  our  hop'd-for  hay. 

Glo.  Away  betimes,  before  his  forces  join, 
And  take  the  great-grown  traitor  unawares  : 
Brave  warriors,  march  amain  towards  Coventry. 

[Exeunt. 

*  Shout  within.  A  Lanca/ler  /]  Surely  the  fhouts  that  ufhered 
king  Edward  fhould  be,  A  York  !  A  York  !  I  fuppofe  the  author 
did  not  write  the  marginal  directions,  and  the  players  confounded 
the  chara&ers.  JOHNSON. 


ACT 


538        THIRD    PART    OF 
ACT     V.        SCENE     I. 

Before  the  town  of  Coventry. 

Enter  Warwick,  the  Mayor  of  Coventry,  two  Meffengers, 
and  others,  upon  the  walls. 

War.  Where  is  the  poft,  that  came  from  valiant 

Oxford  ? 
How  far  hence  is  thy  lord,  mine  honeft  fellow  ? 

1  Mef.  By  this  J  at  Dunfmore,  marching  hitherward. 
War.  How  far  off  is  our  brother  Montague  ?-— 

Where  is  the  poll  that  came  from  Montague  ? 

2  Mef.  By  this  at  4Daintry,  with  a  puiflant  troop. 

Enter  Sir  John  Somerville. 

War.  Say,  Somerville,  what  fays  my  loving  fon  ? 
And,  by  thy  guefs,  how  nigh  is  Clarence  now  ? 
Somerv.  At   Southam  I  did  leave  him  with   his 

forces, 

And  do  expect  him  here  fome  two  hours  hence. 
War.  Then  Clarence  is  at  hand,  I  hear  his  drum. 
Somerv.  It  is  not  his,  my  lord  ;  here  Southam  lies  ; 
The  drum  your  honour  hears,  marcheth  from  War- 
wick. 
War.  Who  Ihould  that  be  ?  belike,  unlook'd-for 

friends. 

Somerv.  They  are  at  hand,  and  you  fliall  quickly 
know. 

3  •  •    <  at  Dunfmore^ ]  The  quartos  read at  Daintry. 

STEEVEXS. 
*  »  "••  at  Ddr/Vry,  '  •-•]  The  quartos  read at  Dunfmore. 

STEEVENS. 

Marcb. 


KING    HENRY     VI. 


539 


March.     Flour ffi.     Enter  king  Edward,  Glofter,  and 
Soldiers. 

K.  Ediu.  Go,  trumpet,  to  the  walls,  and  found  a 

park. 

Glo.  See,  how  the  furly  Warwick  mans  the  wall. 
War.   Oh,    unhid    ipight  !    is   fportful    Edward 

come  ? 

Where  flept  our  fcouts,  or  how  are  they  feduc'd. 
That  we  could  hear  no  news  of  his  repair  ? 

K.  Ed-zu.  Now,  Warwick,  wilt  thou  ope  tjie  city 

gates, 

Speak  gentle  words,  and  humbly  bend  thy  knee  ? — 
Call  Edward — king,  and  at  his  hands  beg  mercy, 
And  he  fhall  pardon  thee  thefe  outrages. 

War.  Nay,  rather,  wilt  thou  draw  thy  forces  hence, 
Confefs  who  fet  thee  up  and  pluck'd  thcc  down  ? — 
Call  Warwick — patron,  and  be  penitent, 
And  thou  ftialt  ftill  remain  the  duke  of  York. 

Glo.  I  thought,  at  leaft  he  would  have  faid  ~  the 

king  ; 

Or  did  he  make  the  jeft  againft  his  will  ? 
War.  Is  not  a  dukedom,  fir,  a  goodly  gift  f 
Glo.  Ay,  by  my  faith,  for  a  poor  e'arl  to  give; 
I'll  do  thee  fervice  for  fo  good  a  gift. 

War.  'Twas  I,  that  gave  the  kingdom  to  thy  bro- 
ther. 

A'.  Edw.  Why,  then  'tis  mine,    if  but  by  War- 
wick's gift. 

War.  Thou  art  no  Atlas  for  fo  great  a  weight : 
And,  weakling,  Warwick  takes  his  gift  again  ; 
And  Henry  is  my  king,  Warwick  his  fubjecl. 

K.  Edw.  But  Warwick's  king  is  Edward's  prifoncr : 
And,  gallant  Warwick,  do  but  anfwer  this, — 
What  is  the  body,  when  the  head  is  off? 

Glot  Alas,  that  Warwick  had  no  more  fore-caft, 

But, 


540        THIRD     PART    OF 

But,  whiles  he  thought  to  fteal  the  fingle  ten', 
The  king  was  5  flily  finger'd  from  the  deck  !  — 
You  left  poor  Henry  at  the  bifhop's  palace, 
And,  ten  to  one,  you'll  meet  him  in  the  Tower. 

K.  Edw.  'Tis  even  fo ;  yet  you  are  Warwick  fliil. 

Glo.  Come,  Warwick,  take  the  time,  kneel  down, 

kneel  down. 
Nay,  when  ?  ftrike  now,  or  elfe  the  iron  cools. 

War.  I  had  rather  chop  this  hand  off  at  a  blow, 
And  with  the  other  fling  it  at  thy  face, 
Than  bear  fo  Iowa  fail,  to  ftrike  to  thee. 

K.  Edw.  Sail  how  thou  canft,  have  wind  and  tide 

thy  friend  ; 

This  hand,  faft  wound  about  thy  coal-black  hair, 
Shall,  whiles  thy  head  is  warm,  and  new  cut  off, 
Write  in  the  duft  this  fentence  with  thy  blood, — 
Wind-changing  Warwick  now  can  change  no  more. 

Enter  Oxford,  with  drum  and  cokurs. 

War.  O    chearful   colours  !    fee,    where  Oxford 

comes ! 
Oxf.  Oxford,  Oxford,  for  Lancafler ! 

5   The  king  ivas  llily  finger* d  from  the  deck  !  ] 

Jlily  finger'd  —  ]  The  quartos  read — finely  finger'd. 
Finely  is  fubtily.     So,  in  Holinfhed's  reign  of  K.  Henry  VI. 
p.  640.     "  In  his  way  he  tooke  by  fine  force,  a  tower,    &c." 
Again,  p.  649,  "  —and  \>y  fine  force  either  to  win  their  pur- 
pofe,  or  end  their  lives  in  the  fame." 

A  pack  of  cards  was  anciently  term'd  a  deck  of  earns,  or  a 
fair  of  cards.  It  is  flill,  as  I  am  informed,  fo  called  in  Ireland. 
Thus,  in  K.  Edward  I.  1 599  : 

**  —as  it  were,  turned  us,  with  duces  and  trays,  out  of  the 
deck." 
Again,  in  the  Two  Maids  of  Moreclacke,   1609  : 

"  I'll  deal  the  cards  and  cut  you  from  the  deck." 
Again,  in  Stiffttut  F.niperor  of  the  Turks,    1638  : , 

"  \\  ell,  ir"  I  chance  but  once  to  get  the  deck, 

*'  To  deal  about  and  flmffle  as  I  would."     STE::VF.\S. 

Glo. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         541 

Glo.  7  The  gates  are  open,  let  us  enter  too. 

K.  Edw.  So  other  foes  may  fet  upon  our  backs. 
Stand  we  in  good  array ;  for  they,  no  doubt, 
Will  iflue  out  again,  and  bid  us  battle  : 
If  not,  the  city  being  of  fmall  defence, 
We'll  quickly  rouze  the  traitors  in  the  fame. 

War.  O,  welcome,  Oxford  !  for  we  want  thy  help. 

Enter  Montague,  with  drum  and  colours. 

Mont.  Montague,  Montague,  for  Lancafter  ! 

Glo.  Thou  and  thy  brother  both  fliall  buy  this 

treafon 
Even  with  the  deareft  blood  your  bodies  bear. 

K.  Edw.  The  harder  match'd,  the  greater  victory; 
My  mind  prefageth  happy  gain,  and  conqueft. 

Enter  Somerfet,  with  drum  and  colours. 

Sow.  Somerfet,  Somerfet,  for  Lancafter  ! 

Glo.  Two  of  thy  name,  both  dukes  of  Somerfet, 
Have  fold  their  lives  unto  the  houfe  of  York  ; 
And  thou  fhalt  be  the  third,  if  this  fword  hold. 

Enter  Clarence,  with  drum  and  colours. 

War.  And  lo,  where  George  of  Clarence  fweeps 

along, 
Of  force  enough  *  to  bid  his  brother  battle ; 

7  Tfje  gates  are  open,  let  us  enter  too.}    Thus  the  folio.     The 
quartos  read  : 

The  gates  are  open,  fee  they  enter  in, 

Let's  follow  them,  and  bid  them  battle  in  the  ftreets. 

Ed~v.  No  :  fo  fomc  other  might  fet  upon  our  backs,  • 
We'll  itay  till  all  be  enter'd,  and  then  follow  them. 

STEEVENS. 

8  fo  LlJ bis  brother  battle;]    Here  the  quartos  conclude 

this  fpeech,  and  add  the  following  : 

Clar.  Clarence,  for  Lancafter  ! 
Edw.  Et  tu  Brute  !  wilt  thou  ftab  Cssfar  too  ? 
A  parly,  firra,  to  George  of  Clarence,    STEEYENS. 


542        THIRD    PART     OF 

With  whom  an  upright  zeal  to  right  prevails, 
More  than  the  nature  of  a  brother's  love  :-— 
Come,  Clarence,  come;  thou  wilt,  if  Warwick  calls. 

[9  A  parky  is  founded ;  Richard  and  Clarence  wbifper 
together  ;  and  then  Clarence  takes  his  red  rqfe  out  of 
his  haty  and  throws  it  at  Warzvick. 

Clar.  Father  of  Warwick,   know  you  what  this 

means  ? 

Look  here,  I  throw  my  infamy  at  thee  : 
I  will  not  ruinate  my  father's  houfe, 
Who  gave  his  blood  '  to  lime  the  ftones  together, 
And  fet  up  Lancafter.  Why,  trow'ft  thou,  Warwick, 
That  Clarence  is  fo  harfh,  ib z  blunt,  unnatural, 
To  bend  the  fatal  inflruments  of  war 
Againft  his  brother,  and  his  lawful  king  ? 
Perhaps,  thou  xvilt  object  my  holy  oath  : 
To  keep  that  oath,  were  more  impiety 
Than  Jepthah's  when  he  facrific'd  his  daughter. 
I  am  fo  forry  for  my  trefpafs  made, 
That,  to  deferve  well  at  my  brother's  hands, 
I  here  proclaim  myfelf  thy  mortal  foe ; 
With  refolution,  wherefoe'er  I  meet  thee, 
(As  I  will  meet  thee,  if  thou  ftir  abroad) 
To  plague  thee  for  thy  foul  mif-leading  me. 
And  ib,  proud-hearted  Warwick,  I  defy  thee, 
And  to  my  brother  turn  my  blulhing  cheeks. — 
Pardon  me,  Edward,  I  will  make  amends  ; 
And,  Richard,  do  not  frown  upon  my  faults, 
For  I  will  henceforth  be  no  more  unconftant. 

K.  Edw.  Now  welcome  more,  and  ten  times  more 
belov'd, 

*  A  parley  isfmiutlcJ;  &c.]  This  note  of  direftion  I  reftored 
from  the  old  quarto.  And,  without  ir,  it  is  impoffihle  that  any 
reader  can  guefs  at  the  meaning  of  this  line  of  Clarence  : 

Look,  here,  I  throw  my  infamy  at  tbee.     THEOBALD. 

1 to  lime  the  fonts ]  That  is,  To  cement  the  ttones. 

Lime  makes  mortar.     JOHNSON. 

~-  ilu.it,  —  ]  Srupid,  infenfible  of  paternal  fondnefs. 

JOHNSON. 

Than 


K  I  N  G     H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         543 

Than  if  thou  never  hadft  deferv'd  our  hate. 

Glo.  Welcome,  good  Clarence;  this  is  brother-like. 

War.  O  3  paffing  traitor,  perjur'd,  and  unjuft  ! 

K.  Edw.  What,  Warwick,    wilt  thou  leave  the 

town,  and  fight  ? 
Or  fliall  we  beat  the  flones  about  thine  ears  ? 

War.  Alas,  I  am  not  coop'd  here  for  defence : 
I  will  away  towards  Barnet  prefently, 
And  bid  thee  battle,  Edward,  if  thou  ctar'ft. 

K.  Edw.  Yes,  Warwick,  Edward  dares,  and  leads 

the  way  : — 
Lords,  to  the  field  ;  faint  George,,  and  victory  ! 

[Exeunt. 
March.      Warwick  and  his  company  follow. 

SCENE    II. 

Afeld  of  battle  near  Barnet. 

Alarum  and  Evcurfions.     Enter  Edzuard,  bringing  forth 
Warwick  wounded. 

K.  Edw.  So,  lie  thou  there  :  die  thou,  and  die  our 

fear; 

4  For  Warwick  was  a  bug,  that  fear'd  us  all. — 
Now,  Montague,  fit  fail ;  I  feek  for  thee, 
That  Warwick's  bones  may  keep  thine  company. 

[Exit. 


3  Pajp»g ]  Eminent,  egregious ;  traiterous  beyond 

the  common  track  of  treafoh.     JOHNSON. 

*  i  or  Warwick  --Mas  a  bug  that  fear1  J  us  all.  ]  Bug  is  2 

bugbear,  a  terrific  being.     JOHNSON. 
So,  in  Cymbeline  : 

*'  are  become 

*'  The  mortal  bugs  o'  the  field." 
Again,  in  Stephen  Goflbn's  School  of  Abufe,   1579: 

"  Thefe  bttgges  are  fitter  tofeare  babes  than  to  move  nvn." 
Again,  in  Spenfer's  Fairy  Igueen,  B.  II.  c.  xii : 

"  Be  but  as  bugs  lofiaren  babes  withal."    STEEVENS. 


544        THIRD    PART    OF 

War.  Ah,  who  is  nigh  ?  come  to  me,  friend,  or  foe, 
And  tell  me,  who  is  victor,  York,  or  Warwick  ? 
Why  afk  I  that  ?  my  mangled  body  ihows, 
My  blood,  my  want  of  ftrength,  my  iick  heart  Ihows, 
That  I  muft  yield  my  body  to  the  earth, 
And,  by  my  fall,  the  conqueft  to  my  foe. 
Thus  yields  the  cedar  to  the  axe's  edge s, 
Whofe  arms  gave  ihelter  to  the  princely  eagle, 
Under  whofe  ihade  the  ramping  lion  flept ;' 
Whofe  top  branch  over-peer'd  Jove's  fpreading  tree, 
And  kept  low  fhrubs  from  winter's  powerful  wind* 
Thefe  eyes,  that  now  are  dimm'd  with  death's  black 

veil, 

Have  been  as  piercing  as  the  mid-day  fun, 
To  fearch  the  fecret  treafons  of  the  world  : 
The  wrinkles  in  my  brows,  now  fill'd  with  blood, 
W^ere  liken'd  oft  to  kingly  fepulchres  ; 
For  who  liv'd  king,  but  I  could  dig  his  grave  ? 
And  who  durfl  fmilc,  when  Warwick  bent  his  brow  ? 
.Lo,  now  my  glory  fmear'd  in  duft  and  blood ! 
6 My  parks,  my  walks,  my  manors  that  I  had, 
Even  now  forfake  me;  and,  of  all  my  lands, 
Is  nothing  left  me,  but  my  body's  length  1 
Why,  what  is  pomp,  rule,  reign,  but  earth  and  duft? 
And,  live  we  how  we  can,  yet  die  we  muft. 

5  Thus  yields  the  cedar  to  the  axe's  cdgey 

Wbofe  arms  gave  falter  to  tbc  princely  eagle , 
Under  wbofe  foade  the  ramping  lionjlept ;  &c.] 
It  has  been  obferved  to  me  that  the  vft  chapter  of  the  pro- 
phet  .E2tff£;V/ fuggefted  thefe  images  to  Shakefpeare.     **  All  the 
fowls  of  heaven  made  their  nefts  in  his  boughs,  and  under   his 
branches  did  all  the  beafts  of  the  field  bring  forth  their  young." 

STEEVENS. 

6  Cedes  coemptis  falt'thus,  et  domo,  I'illaque,     HOR . 
This  mention  of  his^<7/-^j  and  manors  diminilhes   the  pathetic 
'  cffttt  of  the  foregoing  lines.     JOHNSON. 


Enter 


KING    HENRY    VI. 

Enter  Oxford  and  Somerfit. 


545 


Sow.  7  Ah,   Warwick,   Warwick  !    wert  thou  as 

we  are, 

We  might  recover  all  our  lofs  again  ! 
The  queen  from    France   hath  brought  a  puifiunt 

power  ; 
Even  now  we  heard  the  news  :  Ah,  couldft  thou  fly  ! 

War.  Why,  then  I  would  not  fly.  — Ah,  Montague, 
If  thou  be  there,  fweet  brother,  take  my  hand, 
And  with  thy  lips  keep  in  my  foul  a  while  ! 
Thou  lov'ft  me  not ;  for,  brother,  if  thou  didir,' 
Thy  tears  would  wafli  this  cold  congealed  blood, 
That  gtews  my  lips,  and  will  not  let  me  fpcak. 
Come  quickly,  Montague,  or  I  am  dead. 

Som.  Ah,  Warwick,  Montague  hath  breath'd  his 

laft; 

And  to  the  lateft  gafp,  cry'd  out  for  Warwick, 
And  faid — Commend  me  to  my  valiant  brother. 
And  more  he  would  have  faid  ;  and  more  he  fpoke, 
*  Which  founded  like  a  clamour  in  a  vault, 

That 

7  Ab,  fPawicl,  Warwick !  &c^]    Thefe  two  fpeeches  ftand 
thus  in  the  quartos  : 

Oxf.  Ah,  Warwick,  Warwick !  chear  up  thyfelf,  and 

live  ; 

For  yet  there's  hope  enough  to  win  the  day. 
Our  warlike  queen  with  troops  is  come  from  France, 
And  at  Southampton  landed  hath  her  train  ; 
And,  might'ft  thou  live,  then  would  we  never  fly. 

IVar.  Why,  then  I  would  not  fly,  nor  have  I  now  ; 
But  Hercules  himfelf  irtuft  yield  to  odds  : 
For  many  wounds  receiv'd,  and  many  more  repaid, 
»     Hath  robb'd  my  flrong-knit  finews  or  their  ftrength, 
And  fpite  of  fpites  needs  niuft  I  yield  to  death. 

STEEVENS. 

*  Winch  founded  like  a  cannon  in  a  vault,]    The  old  quarto 

reads  clamour,   which  is   undoubtedly  right,    /.  e.  a  clamour  of 

tongues,  which,  as  he  fays,  could  not  be  diiVmguUhed.     This 

VOL.  VI.  N  n  wa* 


546        THIRD    PART    OF 

That  could  not  be  diftinguifh'd  ;  but,  at  laft, 
I  well  might  hear  deliver'd  with  a  groan, — 
O,  farewel,  Warwick  ! 

War.  Sweet  reft  his  foul  !  — 

Fly,  lords,  and  fave  yourfelves  ;  for  Warwick  bids 
You  all  farcwcl,  to  meet  in  heaven.  \D\es. 

Oxf.  9  Away,  away,  to  meet  the  queen's  great  power ! 
[They  bear  away  his  body^  and  Exeunt. 

SCENE    III. 

Another  part -of  the  field. 

FlourifJj.      Enter  king  Edward  in  triumph  ;   with  Glo~ 
Jtery  Clarence,  and  the  reft. 

K.  Eduv.  *  Thus  far  our  fortune  keeps  an  upward 

courfe, 

And  we  are  grac'd  with  wreaths  of  victory. 
But,  in  the  midft  of  this  bright-fhining  clay, 

was  a  pertinent  fimilitude  :  the  other  abfurd,  and  neither  agrees 
with  what  is  predicated  of  it,  nor  with  what  it  is  intended  to  il- 
luftrate.  WAR  BUR  TON. 

9  Away,  a*ivay,  &c.]    Inflead  of  this  line,  the  quartos  have 
the  following : 

Come,  noble  Somerfet,  let's  take  our  horie, 

And  caufe  retreat  be  founded  through  the  camp  ; 

That  all  our  friends  remaining  yet  alive 

May  be  forewarn'd,  and  fave  thernfelves  by  flight. 

That  done,  with  them  we'll  poft  unto  the  queeu, 

And  once  more  try  our  fortune  in  the  field. 

STEEVENS. 
1   Thus  far  our  fortune  keeps  an  upward  courfe, 

And  we  are  grac'd  with  wreaths  of  vitfory.^  Thus  the  fo- 
lh>.     The  quartos  thus  : 

Thus  {till  our  fortune  gives  us  vi&ory  ; 

And  girt  our  temples  with  triumphant  joys. 

The  big-bon'd  traitor  Warwick  hath  breatVd  his  lad. 

SttEVENS. 

ITpjr 


KING    HENRY    VI.         547 

1  fpy  a  black,  fufpicious,  threat'ning  cloud, 
That  will  encounter  with  our  glorious  fun, 
Ere  he  attain  his  eafeful  weftern  bed  : 
I  mean,  my  lords, — thofe  powers,  that  the  queen 
Hath  rais'd  in  Gallia,  *  have  arriv'd  our  coaft, 
And,  as  we  hear,  march  on  to  fight  with  us. 

Clar.  A  little  gale  will  foon  difperfe  that  cloud, 
And  blow  it  to  the  fource  from  whence  it  came  : 
Thy  very  beams  will  dry  thofe  vapours  up  ; 
For  every  cloud  engenders  not  a  ftorm. 

Glo.  The  queen  is  valu'd  thirty  thoufand  ftrong, 
And  Somerfet,  with  Oxford,  fled  to  her ; 
If  fhe  have  time  to  breathe,  be  well  aflur'd, 
Her  faction  will  be  full  as  ftrong  as  ours. 

K.  Etlzv.  We  are  advertis'd  by  our  loving  friends, 
That  they  do  hold  their  courfe  towards  Tewkfbury  ; 
We,  having  now  the  beft  at  Barnet  field, 
Will  thither  flraight,  For  willingnefs  rids  way  ; 
And,  as  we  march,  our  ftrength  will  be  augmented 
In  every  county  as  we  go  along. — 
*  Strike  up  the  drum  ;  cry — Courage  !  and  away. 

{Exeunt. 

*  •  •  lave  arriv'd  our  coaft,  ]  Milton  ufes  the  fame  ftruc- 

ture,  B.  II.  Par.LoJt: 

"  .ere  he  arrive 

«'  The  happy  ifle."     STEEVENS. 

3  Strike  up  the  drum  ;  cry       •  Courage!  and  away, ,]    Thus  the 
folio.     The  quartos  have  the  following  couplet : 

Come,  let's  go  ;  for  if  we  flack  this  bright  fummer's  day, 
Sharp  winter's  fhowers  will  mar  our  hope  for  hay. 

STEEVENS. 


N  n  2  SCENE 


548        THIRD    PART    OF 

SCENE      IV. 

eTcwkjl>i'.ry. 

March.     Enter  tbe  Queen,    Prince  of  Wales,  Somerfett 
Oxford,  and  Soldiers. 

Queen.  Great  lords,  wile  men  ne'er  fit  and  wail  their 

lofs, 

But  chearly  leek  how  to  redrefs  their  harms. 
•What  though  the  maft  be  now  blown  over-board, 
The  cable  broke,  our  holding  anchor  loft, 
And  half  our  failors  fwallow'd  in  the  flood  ? 
Yet  lives  our  pilot  ftill  :  Is't  meet,,  that  he 
Should  leave  the  helm,  and,  like  a  fearful  lad, 
With  tearful  eyes  add  water  to  the  fea, 
And  give  more  ftrength  to  that  which  hath  too  much  ; 
Whiles,  in  his  moan,  the  fhip  fplits  on  the  rock, 
Which  induftry  and  courage  might  have  fav'd  ? 
Ah,  what  a  lhame  !  ah,  what  a  fault  were  this  ! 
Say,  Warwick  was  our  anchor  ;  What  of  that  ? 
'And  Montague  our  top-mail ;  What  of  him  ? 
Our  ilaughter'd  friends  the  tackles  ;  What  of  thefe  r 
Why,  is  not  Oxford  here  another  anchor  ? 

And  Somerfet  another  goodly  maft  ? 

The  friends  of  France  our  ihrouds  and  tacklings  ? 

And,  though  unfkilful,  why  not  Ned  and  I 

For  once  ailow'd  the  ikilful  pilot's  charge  ? 

We  will  not  from  the  helm,  to  lit  and  weep  ; 

But  keep  our  courfe,  though  the  rough  wind  fay — no> 

From  flielves  and  rocks  that  threaten  us  with  wreck. 

As  good  to  chide  the  waves,  as  fpeak  them  fair. 

And  what  is  Edward,  but  a  ruthlefs  fea  ? 

What  Clarence,  but  a  quick-fand  of  deceit  ? 

And  Richard,  but  a  ragged  fatal  rock  ? 

All  thefe  the  enemies  to  our"  poor  bark. 

Say,  you  can  fwim  ;  alas,  'tis  but  a  while  : 

Tread 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y     VI.         549 

Tread  on  the  fand  ;  why,  there  you  quickly  fink  ; 
Beftride  the  rock  ;  the  tide  will  wafh  you  off, 
Or  elfe  you  famifh,  that's  a  threefold  death. 
This  fpeak  I,  lords,  to  let  you  underftand, 
In  cafe  fome  one  of  you  would  fly  from  us, 
That  there's  no  hop'd-for  mercy  with  the  brothers, 
More  than  with   ruthlefs   waves,   with  fane's,   and 

rocks. 

Why,  courage,  then  !  what  cannot  be  avoided, 
'Twere  childifh  wcaknefs  to  lament,  or  fear. 

Prince.  7  Methinks,  a  woman  of  this  valiant  fpirit 
Should,  if  a  coward  heard  her  fpeak  thefe  words, 
Infufe  his  brcaft  with  magnanimity, 
And  make  him,  naked,  foil  a  man  at  arms. 
I  fpeak  not  this,  as  doubting  any  here  : 
For,  did  I  but  fufpeft  a  fearful  man, 
He  fhould  have  leave  to  go  away  betimes  ; 
Left,  in  our  need,  he  might  infedt  another, 
And  make  him  of  like  fpirit  to  himfelf. 
If  any  fuch  be  here,  as  God  forbid  ! 
Let  him  depart,  before  we  need  his  help. 

Oxf.  Women  and  children  of  fo  high  a  courage  ! 
And  warriors  faint !  why,  'twere  perpetual  mame. — . 
Oh,  brave  young  prince  !  thy  famous  grandfather 

4  Methinlis,  a  woman  &c.]  The  preceding  fpeech  is  very 
impeded  in  the  quartos  and  therefore  not  worth  infertion.  In 
this  of  the  prince  there  is  however  much  and  important  varia- 
tion : 

Prince.  And  if  there  be  (as  God  forbid  there  fhould) 
'Mongll  us  a  timorous  or  fearful  man, 
Let  him  depart  before  the  battles  join  ; 
Left  he  in  time  of  need  entice  another,     . 
And  fo  withdraw  the  ibldiers'  hearts  from  us. 
I  will  not  itand  aloof,  and  bid  you  fight, 
But  with  my  iword  prels  in  the  thickeft  throngs, 
And  fmgle  Edward  from  his  itrongell  guard, 
And  hand  to  hand  enforce  him  lor  to  yield, 
Qr  leave  my  body,  aswitnels  to  my  thoughts.  STEEVENS. 

N  n  3  Doth 


55o        THIRD     PART    OF 

Doth  live  again  in  thee  ;  Long  may'fl  thou  live, 
To  bear  his  image,  and  renew  his  glories  ! 

Sow.  And  he,  that  will  not  fight  for  fuch  a  hope, 
Go  home  to  bed,  and,  like  the  owl  by  day, 
If  he  arife,  be  mock'd  and  wonder'd  at. 

Queen.  Thanks,  gentle  Somerfet ; — fweet  Oxford, 

thanks. 

Prince.  And  take  his  thanks,  that  yet  hath  nothing 
elfe, 

Enter  a  Mejjenger. 

Meff.  Prepare  you,  lords,  for  Edward  is  at  hand, 
Ready  to  fight ;  therefore  be  refolute. 

O.v/.  I  thought  no  lefs  :  it  is  his  policy, 
To  haile  thus  faft,  to  find  us  unprovided. 

Som.  But  he's  deceiv'd,  we  are  in  readinefs. 

Queen*  This  cheers  my  heart,  to  fee  your  forward- 
nefs. 

Oxf.  Here  pitch  our  battle,  hence  we  will  not  budge, 

Marclo.      Enter  king  Edward,    Glofler,   Clarence,    and 
Soldiers,  on  tke  otber  fide  of  the  ftage. 

5  K.  Ediv.  Brave  followers,  yonder  flands  the  thorny 

wood, 

Which,  by  the  heavens'  affiftance,  and  your  ftrength, 
Muft  by  the  roots  be  hewn  up  yet  ere  night. 
I  need  not  add  more  fuel  to  your  fire, 
For,  well  I  wot,  ye  blaze  to  burn  them  out  : 
Give  fignal  to  the  fight,  and  to  it,  lords. 

Queen.  Lords,    knights,   and  gentlemen,    what  I 
fhould  fay, 

*  K.  Edw.  Brave  followers,  &c.]  This  fcene  is  ill-contrived, 
in  which  the  king  and  queen  appear  at  once  on  the  ftage  at  the 
Ijead  of  oppofite  armies.  It  had  been  eafy  to  make  one  retire 
before  the  other  entered.  JOHNSON. 

My 


KING    HENRY    VI.         $5i 

My  tears  gainfay6;  for  every  word  I  fpeak, 
Ye  fee,  I  drink  the  water  of  mine  eyes. 
Therefore,  no  more  but  thU  : — Henry,  your  fove- 

reign, 

Is  prifoner  to  the  foe  ;  his  flate  ufurp'd, 
His  realm  a  flaughter-houfe,  his  fubjedts  flain, 
His  ttatutes  cancell'd,  and  his  treafure  fpent ; 
And  yonder  is  the  wolf,  'that  makes  this  fpoil. 
You  fight  in  juftice  :  then,   in  God's  name,  lords, 
Be  valiant,  and  give  fignal  to  the  fight. 

[Both  parties  go  out.  Alarum.     Retreat.     Excurfwns. 

SCENE      V. 

Enter   king   Edward,    Glofter,   Clarence,   &c.      The 
Queen,  Oxford,  and  Somerfet,  prifoners. 

K.  Edw.  Lo,  here  a  period  of  tumultuous  broils. 
Away  with  Oxford  to  Hammes'  Gaftle  ftraight : 
For  Somerfet,  off'  with  his  guilty  head. 
Go,  bear  them  hence ;  I  will  not  hear  them  fpeak. 

Oxf.  For  my  part,  I'll  not  trouble  thee  with  words. 

Som.  Nor  I,  but  ftoop  with  patience  to  my  fortune. 
[Exeunt  Oxford  and  Somerfet ,  guarded. 

Queen.  So  part  we  fadly  in  this  troublous  world, 
To  meet  with  joy  in  fweet  Jerufalem. 

K.  Edw.  Is  proclamation  made, — that,  who  finds 

Edward, 
Shall  have  a  high  reward,  and  he  his  life  ? 

Glo.  It  is ;  and,  lo,  where  youthful  Edward  comes. 

My  tears  gainfay  ;]  To  gal nf ay  is  to  unfay,  to  deny,  tocon- 
So,  in  a  Knack  to  know  a  Knave,    1594: 

feeing  my  father  grants 

I  will  notrt/w/foy."    STEEYENS. 


N  n  4  gnter 


552        THIRD    PART    OF 

Enter  foldiers  with  the  Prince. 

K.  Ed&.  Bring  forth  the  gallant,  let  us  hear  hiri\ 

fpeak : 

What !  can  fo  young  a  thorn  begin  to  prick  ? — 
Edward,  what  fatisfadtion  canft  thou  make, 
For  bearing  arms,  for  flirring  up  my  fubjects, 
And  all  the  trouble  thou  haft  turn'd  me  to  ? 

Prince.  Speak  like  a  fubjeet,  proud  ambitious  York  ! 
Suppofe,  that  I  am  now  my  father's  mouth  ; 
Refign  thy  chair,  and,  where  I  ftand,  kneel  thou, 
Whilrt  I  propofe  the  felf-fame  words  to  thee, 
Which,  traitor,  thou  wouklft  have  me  anfwer  to. 

Queen.  Ah,  that  thy  father  had  been  fo  refolv'd  ! 

Glo.  That  you  might  ftill  have  worn  the  petticoat, 
And  ne'er  have  ftol'n  the  breech  from  Lancafler. 

Prince.  7  Let  ./Efop  fable  in  a  winter's  night ; 
His  currifh  riddles-  fort  not  with  this  place. 

Glo.  By  heaven,  brat,  I'll  plague  you  for  that  word. 

Queen.  Ay,  thou  waft  born  to  be  a  plague  to  men. 

Glo.  For  God's  fake,  take  away  this  captive  fcold. 

Prince.  Nay,  take  away  this  fcolding  crook-back 
rather. 

K.  Edw.  Peace,  wilful  boy,  or  I  will 3  charm  your 
tongue. 

Clar.  Untutor'd  lad,  thou  art  too  malapert. 

Prince.  I  know  my  duty,  you  are  all  undutiful : 
Lafcivious  Edward, — and  thou  perjur'd  George,— 

7  Let  Mfop  &c.]  The  prince  calls  Richard,  for  his, crooked  - 
wcf?,  ^fop  ;  and  the  poer,  following  nature,  makes  Jflichard 
highly  incenfcd  at  the  reproach.  JOHNSON. 

"  charm  your  tovgiii\    The  quarto  reads,         tame  your 

tongue. 

The  former  is  beft.  So,  in  fir  A.  Gorges'  Tranfiation  of  Lu- 
can,  1614  : 

**  In  hope  that  thy  victorious  arme 

'*  Their  dunghill  crovving  fo  will  c/.>arme»"    STEEVENS. 

And 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.       553 

And  thou  mifhapen  Dick, — I  tell  ye  all, 
J  am  your  better,  traitors  as  ye  are ;— • 
And  thou  ufurp'ft  my  father's  right  and  mine. 
K.  Edw.  Take  that, 9  thou  likenefs  of  this  railer 
here.  [Stabs  him. 

Glo.  Sprawl'ft  thou  ?  take  that,  to  end  thy  agony, 

[Glo.  ftabs  him. 
Clar.  And  there's  for  twitting  me  with  perjury. 

[Clar.Jlabs  him. 
Queen.  Oh,  kill  me  too  ! 

Glo.  Marry,  and  fhall.  [Offers  to  kill  her. 

K.  Edw.  Hold,  Richard,  hold,  for  we  have  done 

too  much. 
Glo.  Why  Ihould  me  live,  to  fill  the  world  with 

words  ? 
K.  Edw.  What !  doth  Ihe  fwoon  ?  ufe  means  for 

her  recovery. 

Glo.  Clarence,  excufe  me  to  the  king  my  brother; 
I'll  hence  to  London  on  a  ferious  matter  : 
Ere  ye  come  there,  be  fure  to  hear  more  news. 
Clar,  What  ?  what  ? 

Glo.  The  Tower,  man,  the  Tower '  !  [Er//, 

Queen.  Oh,  Ned,  fweet  Ned !  fpeak  to  thy  mo- 
ther, boy ! 

Canft  thou  not  fpeak  ? — O  traitors !  murderers  I—- 
They, that  ftabb'd  Csefar,  ihed  no  blood  at  all, 
Did  not  offend,  nor  were  not  worthy  blame, 

9  thou  likenefs  of  this  railer  here.']    Thou  that  refembleft 

thy  railing  mother.     JOHNSON. 

The  old  copies  defcribe  Edward  as  ftriking  the  firft  blow,  and 
Glojler  the  next ;  and  I  believe  rightly,  for  hiiiory  informs  us 
that  Edward  fmote  the  prince  with  his  gauntlet,  on  which  the 
reft  difpatch'd  him.  The  words  fprawVJl  tbou  ?  feem  evidently  to 
belong  to  Richard;  and  I  have  therefore  continued  them  to  him 
on  the  authority  of  ancient  editions,  in  preference  to  the  allot- 
ment of  modern  innovation.  STEEVENS. 

1  Tfje  Tower  man,  the  Tower  /]  The  quarto  adds—/*//  root  them 
cur,  but,  perhaps,  injudicioufly.  STEEVENS, 

If 


554        THIRD    PART    OF 

If  this  foul  deed  were  by,  to  equal  it. 
He  was  a  man  ;  this,  in  refpedt,  a  child  ; 
And  men  ne'er  fpend  their  fury  on  a  child. 
What's  worfe  than  murderer,  that  I  may  name  it  ? 
No,  no  ;  my  heart  will  burft,  an  if  I  fpeak  :  — 
And  I  will  fpcak,  that  fo  my  heart  may  burft. — 
Butchers  and  villlains,  bloody  cannibals ! 
How  fwcet  a  plant  have  you  untimely  cropp'd  ! 
You  have  no  children,  butchers  ;  if  you  had, 
The  thought  of  them  would  have  flirr'd  up  remorfe  : 
But,  if  you  ever  chance  to  have  a  child, 
Look  in  his  youth  to  have  him  fo  cut  off, 
As,  deathfmen  !    *  you  have   rid   this  fweet  young 

prince. 
K.  Edzv.  A\vay  with  her  ;  go,  bear  her  hence  by 

force. 
Queen.  Nay,   never  bear  me  hence,  difpatch  me 

here  ; 

Here  fheath  thy  fword,  I'll  pardon  thee  my  death  : 
What  !   wilt  thou  not  ? — then,  Clarence,  do  it  thou. 
Clar.  By  heaven,  I  will  not  do  thee  fo  much  eafe. 
Queen.  Good  Clarence,  do  ;  fweet  Clarence,  do 

thou  do  it. 
Clar.  Didft  thou  not  hear  me  fwear,  I  would  not 

do  it  ? 

Queen.  Ay,  but  thou  ufeft  to  forfvvear  thyfelf ; 
3  'Twas  (in  before,  but  now  'tis  charity. 
What !  wilt  thou  not  ? 4  where  is  that  devil's  butcher, 

Hard- 

*  -you  have  rid  this fweet  young  prince,  ~\    The  condition  of 

this  warlike  queen  would  move  compalfion,  could  it  be  forgotten 
that  flie  gave  York,  to  wipe  his  eyes  in  his  captivity,  a  hand- 
kerchief ftaincd  with  his  young  child's  blood.     JOHNSON. 

4  Tivasfo ]  She  alludes  to  the  defertion  of  Clarence. 

JOHNSON. 

*  — — —  where  is  that  dcviFs  butcher, 

Richard?——-]  Thus  all  the  editions.     But  Jcv IPs  butcher,  in 
ether  terms,  I  think,  is  kill-devil:  rare  news  for  the  free-think- 
ers, 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         555 

Hard-favour'd  Richard  ?  Richard,  where  art  thou  ? 
Thou  art  not  here  :  Murder  is  thy  alms-deed  ; 
Petitioner  for  blood  thou  ne'er  put'ft  back. 

K.  Edw.  Away,    I  fay  ;    I  charge  ye,   bear  hdr- 
hence. 

Queen.  So  come  to  you,    and  yours,    as  to  this 
prince  !  [Exit  Queen. 

K.  Edw.  Where's  Richard  gone  ? 

Clar.  To  London,  all  in  poft  ;  and,  as  I  gucfs, 
To  make  a  bloody  flipper  in  the  Tower. 

K.  Edzv.  He's  fudden,  if  a  thing  comes  in  his  head. 
Now  march  we  hence  :  difcharge  the  common  fort 
With  pay  and  thanks,  and  let's  away  to  London, 
And  fee  our  gentle  queen  how  well  fhe  fares  ; 
By  this,  I  hope,  fhe  hath  a  fon  for  us.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE    VI. 

The  'Tower   of  London. 

Enter  king  Henry  with  a  book,    and  Glofter  with  tie 
Lieutenant^  on  the  Tower  walls. 

Glo.  Good  day,  my  lord  !  What,  at  your  book  fo 

hard  ? 
K.  Henry.  Ay,  my  good  lord  :  My  lord,  I  ftiould 

fay  rather ; 

;Tis  fin  to  flatter,  good  was  little  better  : 
Good  Glofter,  and  good  devil,  were  alike, 
And  both  prepoflerous ;  therefore,  not  good  lord. 

ers,  if  there  were  any  grounds  for  depending  on  it.  But  the 
poet  certainly  wrote  devil-butcher  ;  and  the  firft  part  of  the  com- 
pound is  to  be  taken  adjedtively,  meaning,  execrable,  infernal, 
devilifli.  THEOBALD. 

DeviFs  butcher  is  a  butcher  fet  on  by  the  devil.     Either  rcad» 
jug  may  ferve  without  fo  long  a  note.    JOHNSON. 


556        T  H  I  R  D    P  A  R  T    O  F 

Glo.  Sirrah,  leave  us  to  ourfelves  :  we  muft  confer. 

[Exit  Lieutenant. 

K.  Henry.  So  flies  the  recklefs  fliepherd  from  the 

wolf  : 

So  firft  the  harmlefs  iheep  doth  yield  his  fleece, 
And  next  his  throat  unto  the  butcher's  knife. — 
5  What  fcene  of  death  hath  Rofcius  now  to  ait  ? 

Glo.  Sufpicion  always  haunts  the  guilcy  mind ; 
The  thief  doth  fear  each  buili  an  officer. 

K.  Henry.  The  bird,  that  hath  been  limed  in  a  bufhj 
With  trembling  wings  mifdoubteth  every  bufh  6  : 
And  I,  the  haplefs  male  to  one  fu'eet  bird, 
Have  now  the  fatal  object  in  my  eye, 
Where  my  poor  young  was  lim'd,  was  caught,  and 
kill'd. 

5  It'hat  fcene  of  death  hath  Rofcius  now  to  a£t?~\  Rofcius  was 
certainly  put  for  Richard  by  fome  fimple  conceited  player,  who 
had  heard  of  Rofcius  and  of  Rome  ;  but  did  not  know  that  he  was 
an  aftor  in  comedy,  not  in  tragedy.     WARSURTON. 

Shakefpeare  had  occafion  to  compare  Richard  to  fome  player 
about  to  reprefent  a  fcene  of  murder,  and  took  the  firft  or  only 
name  of  antiquity  that  occurred  to  him,  without  being  very  fcru- 
pulous  about  its  propriety. 

I  know  not,  however,  that  it  is  proved,  on  claiFtcal  authority, 
that  Rofcius  was  no  actor  in  tragedy.  Naih,  in  Pierce  Pennilcfe's, 
Supplication  to  the  Devil,  1595,  fays,  "  Not  Rofcius  nor  jEfope, 
thofe  admired  tragedians,  that  have  lived  ever  fince  before  Chrill 
was  borne,  could  ever  performe  more  in  action  than  famous  Ned 
Allen." 
Again,  in  Acolajlus  his  Aftervjittc,  1600  : 

"  Through  thee  each  murthering  Rafchr*  is  appointed 
*'  To  aR  Jlrange  fcenes  of  Jcath  on  God's  anointed." 
Again,  in  Ccrtainc  Satyrcs,    1598: 

*'  Was  penn'd  by  Rofcioihe  tragedian."    STEEVENS. 

6  ——mifdoubteth  every  bujf? :]  To  mif doubt  is  to  fufpecl  clan- 
ger, to  fear.     So,  in  Humour  out  of  Breath,  a  comedy  by  John 
Day,   1608  : 

"  Hip.  Doubt  and  mif doubt  !  what  difference  is  there  here  ? 
"  O#.  Yes  much  :  when  men  mifdou.lt  'tis  laid  they  fear." 

STEEVENS. 

Gk. 


K  I  N  G    H  E  N  R  Y    VI.         557 

Glo.  Why,  what  a  7  peevifh  fool.was  that  of  Crete, 
That  taught  his  fon  the  office  of  a  fowl  ? 
And  yet,  for  all  his  wings,  the  fool  was  drown'd. 

K.  Henry.  I,  Daedalus  ;  my  poor  fon,  Icarus ; 
Thy  father,  Minos,  that  deny'd  our  courfe  ; 
The  fun,  that  fear'd  the  wings  of  my  fweet  boy, 
Thy  brother  Edward ;  and  thyfelf,  the  fea, 
\Vhofe  envious  gulph  did  fwallow  up  his  life. 
Ah,  kill  me  with  thy  weapon,  not  with  words ! 
My  breaft  can  better  brook  thy  dagger's  point, 
Than  can  my  ears  that  tragic  hiftory. — 
But  wherefore  doft  thou  come  ?  is't  for  my  life  ? 

Glo.  Think'ft  thou,  I  am  an  executioner  ? 

K.  Henry.  A  perfectitor,  I  am  furc,  thou  art ; 
If  murdering  innocents  be  executing, 
Why,  then  thou  art  an  executioner. 

Glo.  Thy  fon  I  kill'd  for  his  prefumption. 

K.  Henry.  Hadft  thou  been  kill'd,  when  firfl  thou 

didft  prefumc, 

Thou  hadft  not  liv'd  to  kill  a  fon  of  mine. 
And  thus  I  propheTy, — that  many  a  thoufand, 
8  Which  now  miflruft  no  parcel  of  my  fear  ; 
And  many  an  old  man's  figh,  and  many  a  widow's, 

And  many  an  orphan's  water-ftanding  eye, 

Men  for  their  fons,  wives  for  their  huibands'  fate,' 
And ^rphans  for  their  parents'  timelefs  death, — 
Shall  rue  the  hour  that  ever  thou  waft  born. 
The  owl  fliriek'd  at  thy  birth,  an  evil  fign  ; 
The  night-crow  cry'd,  aboding  lucklefs  time  ; 

?  peevijbfool---  ]  As  peevifinefs  is  the  quality  of  children, 

peevijb  fcems  to  fignify  childijh,  and  by  confequence^//y.   Ptevijb 
is  explained  by  coildijb,  in  a  former  note  of  Dr.  Warburton. 

JOHNSON. 

Shakefpeare  employs  the  word  peevijb  in  the  fame  (enfe  in  CyM- 
ieline,  where  the  reader  will  find  many  inftances  of  this  ufe  of  it." 

STEEVENS. 

8  Wljich  novj  miflruft  no  parcel  of  my  fear  ;]    Who  fufpeft  no 
part  of  what  my  fears  prefage.    JOHNSON, 

Dogs 


558        THIRD    PART    OF 
_  JDogs  howl'd,  and  hideous  tempefts  fliook  down  trees ; 
9  The  raven  rook'd  her  on  the  chimney's  top, 
And  chattering  pyes  in  difmal  difcords  fung. 
Thy  mother  felt  more  than  a  mother's  pain, 
And  yet  brought  forth  lefs  than  a  mother's  hope  ; 
To  wit, — an  undigeft  deformed  lump, 
Not  like  the  fruit  of  fuch  a  goodly  tree. 
Teeth  hadft  thou  in  thy  head,  when  thou  waft  born, 
To  fignify, — thou  cam'ft  to  bite  the  world  : 
1  And,  if  the  reft  be  true  which  I  have  heard, 

Thou 

9  The  raven  rooVJ  her ]  What  is  rook'd  her?  Read,  croatfd 

loarfe.     WAR  BURTON. 

The  true  reading  ieems  to  be  at  no  great  diitance  : 
•  the  tempcft  Jhook  do\vn  trees, 

The  raven  rock'd  her  on  the  chimney's  top,~\ 
On  the  top  of  the  chimney  fhaken  by  the  tempeft.     JOHNSOV. 

To  rook,  or   rather  to  ruck,  is  a  north-country  word,  fignity- 
Ing  toftjuat  do-ivn,  or  lodge  on  any  thing. 
So,  in  Chaucer's  Knight  a  Tale,  late  edit.  v.  1310  : 
"  What  is  mankind  more  unto  you  yhold, 
"  Than  is  the  fhepe,  that  roukcth  in  the  fold  ?" 
Again,  in  the  Nonnes  Prccftes  Tale,  ibid.  v.  15232  : 

*'  O  falfe  morderour,  rucking  in  thy  den." 
Again,  in  Gower  De  ConfcJJionc  Amantis,  Lib.  IV.  fol.  ^2  : 
**  But  now  thei  rucken  in  her  neft, 
**  And  reften  as  hem  liketh  befte." 

Again,  in  the  Preface  to  Stanyhurft's  Tranflation  of  Virgil,  1582: 
'*  I  cannot  devine  upon  fuch  bookes  that  happlye  rouke  in  llu- 
dentes  mewes,  &c." 
Again,  in  the  Tranflation  of  the  IVth  Book  : 

"  Alfo  on  the  turrets  the  fkrich  hovvle,  &c. 

**  doth  ruck,  &c." 

Again,  in  Warner's  Albion's  England,   1602,  B.  VII.  ch.  37  : 

*'  Have  lazy  wings,  be  ever  lean,  in  fullen  corners  ruck^ 

STEEVENS. 
1  And,  if  the  reft  Ic  true  ivhlch  I  have  beard, 

Thou  canty ] 

Had  our  editors  had  but  a  grain  of  fagacity,  or  due  diligence, 
there  could  have  been  no  room  for  this  abfurd  break,  fince  they 
might  have  ventured  to  fill  it  up  with   certainty  too.     The  old 
quarto  would  have  led  them  part  of  the  way  : 
Thou  catJR  into  the  world 

And 


KING     HENRY    VI.         559 

Thou  cam'ft  into  the  world  with  thy  legs  forward  : — 
Glo.  I'll  hear  no  more  ; — Die,    prophet,    in  thy 
fpeech  ;  [Stabs  him. 

For  this,  amongft  the  reft,  was  I  ordain'd. 

X.  Henry.  Ay,  and  for  much  more  daughter  after 
this. 

0  God  !  forgive  my  fins,  and  pardon  thce  !     [Dies. 
Glo.  What,  will  the  afpiring  blood  of  Lancafter 

Sink  in  the  ground  ?    1  thought,    it  would   have 

mounted. 
See;  how  my  fword  v\*eeps  for  the  poor  king's  death ! 

0,  may  fuch  purple  tears  be  ahvay  fhed 

From  thofe  that  wifh  the  downfal  of  our  houfe  !— 
If  any  fpark  of  life  be  yet  remaining, 
Down,  down  to  hell ;  and  fay — I  lent  thee  thither, 

[Stabs  tim  again. 

1,  that  have  neither  pity,  love,  nor  fear. — 
Indeed,  'tis  true,  that  Henry  told  me  of ; 
For  I  have  often  heard  my  mother  fay, 

1  came  into  the  world  with  my  legs  forward  : 
Had  I  not  reafon,  think  ye,  to  make  hafte, 
And  feck  their  ruin  that  ufurp'd  our  right  ? 
The  midwife  wonder'd  ;  and  the  women  cry'J, 
O,  Jefus  blefs  us;  he  is  born  ivltb  teeth  ! 

And  fo  I  was  ;  which  plainly  fignify'd — 

That  I  mould  fnarl,  and  bite,  and  play  the  dog. 

Then,  fince  the  heavens  have  fhap'd  my  body  fo, 

And  that  the  verfe  is  to  be  completed  in  the  manner  I  have 
given  it,  is  inconteftible  ;  for  unlefs  we  fuppofe  king  Henry  ac- 
tually reproaches  him  with  this  his  prepofterous  birth,  how  can 
Richard  in  his  very  next  foliloquy  fay  ? 

Indeed,  'tis  true  that  Henry  told  ntt  of, 
For  I  have  often  heard  my  mother  fay , 
/  came  into  the  world  ivitb  my  legs  forward. 
I  can  eafily  fee,  that  this  blank  was  caufed  by  the  nicety  of  the 
players,  to  fupprefs   an  indecent  idea.     But,    with  fubmiffion, 
this  was  making  but  half  a  cure,  unlefs  they  had  expunged  the 
repetition  of  it  out  of  Richard's  fpeech  too.    THEOBALD. 

Let 


560         THIRD    PART    <3F 

*  Let  hell  make  crook'd  my  mind,  to  anfwer  it; 

I  had  no  father,  I  am  like  no  father  : 

I  have  no  brother,  I  am  like  no  brother  : 

And  this  word—  love,    which  grey-beards  call  di 

vine, 

Be  refident  in  men  like  one  another, 
And  not  in  me  ;  I  am  myfelf  alone.  — 
Clarence,  beware  ;  thou  keep'ft  me  from  the  light 

3  But  I  will  fort  a  pitchy  day  for  thee  : 

4  For  I  will  buz  abroad  fuch  prophecies, 
That  Edward  fhall  be  fearful  of  his  life  ; 
And  then,  to  purge  his  fear,  I'll  be  thy  death. 
King  Henry,  and  the  prince  his  fon,  are  gone  : 
Clarence,  thy  turn  is  next  ;  and  then  the  reft  ; 
Counting  myfelf  but  bad,  'till  I  be  beft.— 

I'll  throw  thy  body  in  another  room, 

And  triumph,  Henry,  in  thy  day  of  doom. 


*  Let  bell  &c.]    This  line  Drydeu-  feems  to  have  thought  on 
in  his  Oedipus  : 

"  It  was  thy  crooked  mind  hunch  'd  out  thy  back, 
"  And  wander'd  in  thy  limbs."     STEEVENS. 
3  But  I  will  fort  a  pitchy  day  for  thec  :]  But  I  will   chufe  out 
an  hour  whofe  gloom  fhall  ba  as  fatal  to  you.     To  fort  is  to/elctf. 
So,  in  The  Spanijb  Tragedy,   160;  : 

**  -  for  they  had-forteJ  leifure." 
Again,  in  the  fifaaruboJy  Lover,  1629  : 

"  We  tt\al\/ort  time  to  take  more  notice  of  him." 

STSEYENS* 
*  For  I  will  buz  about  fuch  prophecies, 

That  EJ-ivardJhatt  be  fearful  of  his  life;} 
The  quartos  add  a  line  between  thefe  : 

fuch  prophecies, 

Under  pretence  of  outward  feeming  ill, 
That  &c.    STEEVENS. 


SCENE 


KING     II  K  N  R  Y     VI.         y>, 

S     C     E     N     E      VII. 

The  palace  in  London. 

Enter  king  EdzawJ,  the  ^ueen,  wilk  tie  yo:>.n?  Trl,:, -.-, 
Clarence,  Glqfter,  Ha/tings,  and  At  tenant*. 

K.Ediv.  Once   more  we   fit   in   England's   royal 

throne, 

Rc-purchas'd  with  the  blood  of  enemies. 
What  valiant  foe-men,  like  to  autumn's  corn, 
Have  we  mow'd  down,  in  top  of  all  their  pride  r 
Three  dukes  of  Somerfet,  threefold  renown'd 
For  hardy  and  undoubted  champions  : 
Two  Cliffords,  as  the  father  and  the  fon, 
And  two  Northumberlands  ;  two  braver  men 
Ne'er  fpurr'd  their  courfers  at  the  trumpet's  found  : 
With  them,  the  two  brave  bears,  Warwick  and  Mon- 
tague, ^ 

That  in  their  chains  fetter'd  the  kingly  lion, 
And  made  the  foreft  tremble  when  they  roai'd. 
Thus  have  we  fwept  fufpicion  from  our  feat, 
And  made  our  footflool  of  fccurity. — 
Come  hither,  Befs,  and  let  me  kits  my  boy  : —  ' 

\faktng  the  cb'dd. 

Young  Ned,  for  thee,  thine  uncles  and  my  fell", 
Have  in  our  armours  watch'd  the  winter's  night ; 
Went  all  afoot  in  fummer's  fcalding  heat, 
That  thou  might'fl  repoflefs  the  crown  in  peace  ; 
And  of  our  labours  thou  fhalt  reap  the  gain. 

Glo.  I'll  blaft  his  harveft,  if  your  head  were  lay'd  ; 
For  yet  I  am  not  look'd  on  in  the  world. 
This  moulder  was  ordain'd  fo  thick,  to  heave  ; 
And  heave  it  lhall  fome  weight,  or  break  my  back  : — 
5  Work  thou  the  way, — and  thou  fhalt  execute.  [Afide. 

K.  £tfc. 

5  Work  tlov.  the  iwrj1,   ami  that  fhah  execute.]  I  believe  we 
fliould  read  : 

VOL.  VI.  O  o  —  and 


562         T  H  I  R  D     P  A  R  T    O  F 

K.  EJiU.  Clarence  and  Gloftcr,    love   my  lovely 

queen  ; 
And  kifs  your  princely  nephew,  brothers  both. 

Clar.  The  duty,  that  I  owe  unto  your  majefty, 
I  feal  upon  the  lips  of  this  fvveet  babe. 

Queen.  6  Thanks,  noble  Clarence ;  worthy  brother, 

thanks. 

Glo.  And,  that  I  love  the  tree  from  whence  thou 
fprang'ft, 

Witnefs  the  loving  kifs  I  give  the  fruit : 

To  fay  the  truth,  fo  Judas  kifs'd  his  matter  ;-j 
And  cry'd — all  hail  !  when  as  he  meant — z.\\\A[ide. 

harm.  J 

K.  Eikv.  Now  am  I  feated  as  my  foul  delights, 
Having  my  country's  peace,  and  brothers'  loves. 

Clar.  What  will  yourgracehavedonewithMargaret? 
Reignier,  her  father,  to  the  king  of  France 
Hath  pawn'd  the  Sicils  and  Jeruialem, 
And  hither  have  they  fent  it  for  her  ranfom. 

K.  Edw.  Away  with  her,  and  waft  her  hence  to 

,  France. 

And  now  what  refts,  but  that  we  fpend  the  time 
With  irately  triumphs,  mirthful  comic  mows, 

Such  as  befit  the  pleafures  of  the  court  ? 

Sound,  drums  and  trumpets  ! — farewel,  four  annoy  ! 
For  here,  I  hope,  begins  our  lading  joy. 

[Exeunt  omnes. 

•    •  <eend  this. /&<?//  execute. 
Richard  laying  his  hand  on  his  forehead  fays : 

Work  thou  the  -Ttv.'v          •  • 
then  bringing  down  his  hand,  and  beholding  it, 

— and  \.\\\sjball  execute. 

Though  that  may  Hand,  the  arm  being  included  in  the  fhoulder. 

JOHNSON. 
The  quartos  read  : 

Work  thou  the  -iivy,  and  \.\\o\\Jbalt  execute. 

J  fuppofe  he  fpenks  this  line,  firft  touching  his  Lead)  and  then 
looking  on  his  band.     STEEVENS. 

6  Thanh,  noble  Clarence',  worthy  brother,  thanks.]  This  line 
has  been  given  to  king  Edward  ;  but  I  have,  with  the  old  quarto, 
i  cltorcd  it  to  the  queen.  THEOBALD. 


KING    HENRY    VI.        563 

The  three  parts  of  Henry  VI.  are  fufpe&ed,  by  Mr.  Theobald, 
of  being  fuppofititious,  and  are  declared,  by  Dr.  Warburton, 
to  be  certainly  not  Shakefpeare's.  Mr.  Theobald's  fulpicion 
arifes  from  fome  obfolete  words ;  but  the  phrafeology  is  like  the 
veil:  of  our  author's  ftile,  and  iingle  words,  of  which  however  I 
do  not  obferve  more  than  two,  can  conclude  little. 

Dr.  Warburton  gives  no  reafon,  but  1  fuppofe  him  to  judge 
upon  deeper  principles  and  more  compreheniive  views,  and  to 
draw  his  opinion  from  the  general  efteft  and  fpirit  of  theeompo- 
fition,  which  he  thinks  inferior  to  the  other  hiilorical  plays. 

From  mere  inferiority  nothing  can  be  inferred  ;  in  the  produc- 
tions of  wit  there  will  be  inequality.  Sometimes  judgment  will 
err,  and  fometimes  the  matter  itfelf  will  defeat  the  artift.  Of 
every  author's  works  one  will  be  the  beft,  and  one  will  be  the 
vvorft.  The  colouis  are  not  equally  pleafing,  nor  the  attitudes 
equally  graceful,  in  all  the  pictures  of  Titian  or  Reynolds. 

Diflimilitude  of  ftile  and  heterogeneoufnefs  of  fentiment,  may 
diffidently  fliow  that  a  work  does  not  really  belong  to  the  re- 
puted author.  But  in  thefe  plays  no  fuch  marks  of  fpurioufnefs 
are  found.  The  diftion,  the  verfification,  and  the  figures,  are 
Shakefpeare's.  Thefe  plays,  conlidered,  without  regard  to  cha- 
radters  and  incidents,  merely  as  narratives  in  verfe,  are  more  hap- 
pily conceived  and  more  accurately  finifhed  than  thofe  of  king 
John,  Richard  II.  or  the  tragic  fcenes  of  Henry  IV.  and  V.  It 
we  take  thefe  plays  from  Shakefpeare,  to  whom  fliall  they  be 
given  ?  What  author  of  that  age  had  the  fame  eafmefs  of  ex- 
preffion  and  fluency  of  numbers  ? 

Having  confidered  the  evidence  given  by  the  plays  themfelvcs, 
and  found  it  in  their  favour,  let  us  no-.v  enquire  what  corrobo- 
ration  can  be  gained  from  other  teftimony.  They  are  afcribed 
to  Shakefpeare  by  the  firft  editors,  whofe  atteftation  may  be  re- 
ceived in  queftions  of  fa6t,  however  unlkiltully  they  iuperin- 
tended  their  edition.  They  feem  to  be  declared  genuine  by  the 
voice  of  Shakefpeare  himfelf,  who  refers  to  the  fecond  play  in 
his  epilogue  to  Henry  V.  and  apparently  connects  the  firlt  act  of 
Richard  III.  with  the  laft  of  the  third  part  of  Henry  VI.  If  it 
be  objected  that  the  plays  were  popular,  and  that  therefore  he 
alluded  to  them  as  well  known  ;  it  may  be  anfwered,  with  equal 
probability,  that  the  natural  patfions  of  a  poet  would  have  dif- 
pofed  him  to  feparate  his  own  works  from  thofe  of  an  inferior 
hand.  And,  indeed,  if  an  author's  own  teftimony  is  to  be  over- 
thrown by  fpeculative  criticifm,  no  man  can  be  any  longer  fe- 
cure  of  literary  reputation. 

Of  thefe  three  plays  I  think  the  fecond  the  beft.  The  truth 
is,  that  they  have  not  fufficient  variety  or  action,  for  the  inci- 
dents are  too  often  of  the  fame  kind  ;  yet  many  of  the  charac- 
ters are  well  difcriminated.  King  Henry,  antt  his  queen,  king 
O  o  2  Ed- 


,".;         THIRD     PART     OF 

toward,  the  d'A          •  "ier,  and  the  carl  of  Warwick,  are 

ivm;ly  and  diit:n>°;!y  painted, 

The  v  Id  copies  01  the  two  latter  parts  or"  Henry  VI.  and  of 
Henry  V.  are  i'o  apparently  imperfect  and  mutilated,  that  there 
is  no  realon  for  fuppofiog  them  the  firft  draughts  of  ijhakefpeare. 
I  am  inclined  to  believe  them  copies  taken  bv  ibme  auditor  who 
wrote  down,  during  the  representation,  what  the  time  would  per- 
mit, then  perhaps  filled  up  fome  of  his  omniums  at  a  lecond  or 
third  hearing,  and  when  he  had  by  this  method  formed  lomething 
like  a  play,  lent  it  to  the  printer.  JOHNSON. 

So,  Hey  wood,  in  the  Preface  to  his  Rape  of  Lucrcce,  (fourth 
imprcilion)  1630  : 

44 for  though  fome  have  tifed  a  double  fale  of  their  la- 
bours, firft  to  the  itage  and  after  to  the  prefs,  for  my  own  part  1 
here  proclaim  myfelt  ever  faithful  to  the  firft,  and  never  guilty 
of  the  la  ft  :  yet  lince  fome  of  my  plays  have  (unknown  to  me, 
and  without  any  of  my  direction)  accidentally  come  into  the 
printer's  hands,  and  therefore  fo  corrupt  and  mangled  (copied 
only  by  tbc  f.?/-),  that  I  have  been  as  unable  to  know  them  as 
afhamed  to  challenge  them.  This  therefore  I  was  the  wiliinger, 
&c."  COLLINS. 

Dr.  John'.on's  conjecture  is  likewife  confirmed  by  a  Prologue  of 
Th'  Heywocd's  to  a  play  of  his  intitled,  If  you  know  not  me  yon 
buna  Nobodj,  1623  : 

»«  'Twas  ill  nurft, 

44  And  yet  received  as  well  perform 'd  at  firft, 
*'  Grac'd  and  frequented,  for  the  cradle  age 
«'  Did  throng  the  feats,  the  boxes  and  the  llage 
"  So  much,  that  fome  \yy  fteno^raphy  drew 
44  The  plot,  put  it  in  print ;  fcarce  one  word  true  : 
44  And  in  that  lamenefs  it  has  limp'd  fo  long, 
*'  The  author  now,  to  vindicate  that  wrong, 
44  Hath  took  the  pains  upright  upon  its  feet 
"  To  teach  it  walk — fo  pleafe  you  fit  and  fee  it." 

MALONI. 

There  is  another  circumftance  which  may  ferve  to  ftrengtheu 
this  fuppofition,  viz.  that  moft  of  the  fragments  of  Latin  verfes, 
omitted  in  the  quartos,  are  to  be  found  in  the  folio ;  and 
when  any  of  them  are  inferted  in  the  former,  they  are  fhame- 
fully  corrupted  and  mif-lpelt.  The  auditor,  who  underftood  Eng- 
liih,  might  be  unfldll'd  in  any  other  language.  STEEVENS. 

I  have  already  given  fome  realbns,  why  I  cannot  believe,  that 
thefe  plays  were  originally  written  by  Shakefpeare.  The  qucf- 
tion,  who  did  write  them  ?  is  at  beft,  but  an  argument  ad  igno- 
rantiam.  We  muft  remember,  that  very  many  old  plays  are 
anonymous  ;  and  thztflay-writing  wasfcarcely  yet  thought  reput- 
able :  nay,  fome  authors  exprefs  for  it  great  horrors  of  repent- 
ance.— 


KING     HENRY    VI.         56  - 

nnce.— I  will  attempt,  however,  at  fome  future  time,  to  anfa-er 
this  queition :  the  difquifition  of  it  wouW  be  too  long  for  this 
place. 

One  may  ar  k'ift  argue,  that  the  plays  were  not  written  by 
Shakefpeare,  from  Shakefpeare  himfelf.  The  Chorus  at  the  end 
of"  Henry  V.  addrefles  the  audience 

"  For  their  fake, 

"  In  your  fair  minds  let  this  acceptance  take." 
But  it  could  be. neither  agreeable  to  the  poet's  judgment  or  his 
modefty,  to  recommend  his  new  play  trom   the  merit  ai»d  fuccefs 

of  Henry   VI.! His   claim   to   indulgence   is,    that,    though 

bending  and  unequal  to  the  talk,  he  hns  ventured  to  purfue  the 
Jlory  :  and  this  fufficientty  accounts  for  the  connection  of  the 
whole,  and  the  allufions  of  particular  paflages.  FARMER. 

It  is  fcldom  that  Dr.  Farmer's  arguments  fail  to  enforce  con- 
virtion ;  but  here,  perhaps,  they  may  want  fomewhat  of  their 
ufual  weight.  I  think  that  Shakefpeare's  bare  mention  of  thefe 
pieces,  is  a  fufticient  proof  they  were  his.  That  they  were  fo, 
could  be  his  only  motive  for  inferring  benefit  to  himfelf  from 
the  fpectator's  recollection  of  their  paft  Yuccefs.  For  the  fake  of 
three  hirtorical  dramas  of  mine  which  have  already  afforded  you 
entertainment,  let  me  (fays  he)  intreat  your  indulgence  to  a 
fourth.  Surely  this  was  a  ftronger  plea  in  his  behalf  than  any 
ariiing  from  the  kind  reception  which  another  might  have  al- 
ready met  with  in  the  fame  way  of  writing.  Shakefpeare's  claim 
to  favour  is  founded  on  his  having  previoufly  given  pleafure  in 
the  courfe  of  three  of  thofe  hiftories  ;  becaufe  he  is  a  lending, 
fupplicatory  author,  and  not  a  literary  bully  like  Ben  Jonfon  ; 
and  becaufe  he  has  ventured  to  exhibit  a  feries  of  annals  in  a 
fuite  of  plays,  an  attempt  which  'till  then  had  not  received  the 
function  of  the  ftage. 

'  I  hope  Dr.  Farmer  did  not  wifh  to  exclude  the  three  dramas  be- 
fore us,  together  with  the  Taming  of  a  Shrew,  from  the  number 
or"  thofe  produced  by  our  author,  on  account  of  the  Latin  quo- 
tations to  be  found  in  them.  His  proofs  of  Shakefpeare's  want 
of  learning  are  too  Itrong  to  ftand  in  need  of  fuch  a  fupport ;  and 
yet  Venus  and  Adcnis,  "  the  nrft  heire  of  his  invention,"  h 
ufher'd  into  the  world  with  a  Latin  motto  : 

Vilia  miretur  vulgus  ;  mihi  flavus  Apollo 
Pocula  Caftalia  plena  miniftrat  aqua.     STEEVENS. 
Though   the  objections,  which  have  been  raifed  to  the  ge- 
nuinenefs  of  the  three  plays  of  Henry  the  fixth,  have  been  fully 
conlidered  and  anfwered  by  Dr.  Johnfon,  it  may  not  be  amifs  to 
add  here,  from  a  contemporary  writer,    a  paflage,    which  not 
only  points  at  Shakefpeare  as  the  author  of  them,  but  alfo  (hews, 
that,  however  meanly  we  may  now  think  of  them  in  comparifon. 
with  his  later  productions,  they  had,  at  the  time  of  their  ap- 
pearance, a  fufficient  degree  of"  excellence  to  alarm  the  jealoufy 

of 


THIRD    PART    OF 

of  the  older  playwrights.  The  paflage,  to  which  I  refer,  is  in 
a  pamphlet,  entitled,  Greene's  Groatfiuorth  of  Witte,  fuppofed 
to  have  been  written  by  that  voluminous  author,  Robert  Greene, 
M.  A.  and  faid,  in  the  title-page  to  be  publijhed  at  his  dying  re- 
queft  ;  probably,  about  1592.  The  conclufion  of  this  piece  is  an 
addrefs  to  his  brother-poets,  to  difluade  them  from  writing  any 
more  for  the  ftage,  on  account  of  the  ill  treatment  which  they 
were  ufed  to  receive  from  the  players.  It  begins  thus :  To  thofe 


his  quondam  acquaintance,  that  fpend  their  wits  in  mak- 
<ngplaycs,  R.  G.  •ivijheth  a  better  exer cife,  &c.  After  having  ad- 
dreu  himfelf  particularly  to  Chrifiopher  Marlowe  and  Thomas 


Lodge,  (as  I  guefs  from  circumftances,  for  their  names  are  not 
mentioned  ;)  he  goes  on  to  a  third  (perhaps  George  Peek)  ;  and 
having  warned  him  againft  depending  on  fo  meane  a  ftay  as  the 
players,  he  adds  :  Tes,  truft  them  not :  for  there  is  an  upfiart  crow 
beautified with  our  feathers,  that  with  his  tygres  head  wrapt  in  a 
players  hyde,  fuppofes  hce  is  as  well  able  to  bombajle  out  a  blanke 
verfe  as  the  beft  of  you  j  and  being  an  abfolute  Johannes  fac  totum 
is  in  his  own  conceit,  the  onely  Shake-fcene  in  a  countrey.  There 
can  be  no  doubt,  I  think,  that  Shakc-fccne  alludes  to  Shakefpeare  ; 
or  that  his  tygres  head  wrapt  in  a  players  hyde  is  a  parodie  upon 
the  following  line  of  York's  fpeech  to  Margaret,  Third  Part  of 
Henry  the  Sixth,  adt  I.  fc.  iv  : 

"  Oh  tygres  heart,  wrapt  in  a  woman's  hide" 

TYRWHITT. 


"END  OF  VOLUME  THE    SIXTH. 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 


Form  L-9-35m-8,'28 


PR  Johnson,  Steevens- 
2#2—-Tiie  plays  of 
J63    William 


177o   Shakespeare. 
v.6  . 


177$ 
v.G 

Intricted 


iii  mi  mi  ii  mill  mi  iii  111  inn  ill  mm  i ., ,. 

3  1158  00989  8072 


A     000017797    2 


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