(87) SECOND PART OF KING HENRY VI. "The Contention of the two famous houses of York and Lancaster,' in two parts, was pub hshed in quarto, in 1600; and the first part was entered on the Stationers' books, (as Mr. Steevens has observed,) March 12, 1593-4. On these two plays, which I believe to have been written by some preceding author, before the year 1590, Shakspeare formed, as I conceive, this and the following drama; altering, retrenching, or amplifying, as he thought proper. At present it is only necessary to apprize. the reader of the method observed in the printing of these plays. All the lines printed in the usual manner are found in the original quarto plays (or at least with such minute variations as are not worth noticing:) and those, I conceive, Shakspeare adopted as he found them. The lines to which inverted commas are prefixed, were, if my hypothesis be well founded, retouched, and greatly improved by him, and those with asterisks were his own original production; the embroidery with which he ornamented the coarse stuff that had been awkwardly made up for the stage by some of his contemporaries. The speeches which he new-modelled, he improved, sometimes by amplification, and sometimes by retrenchment. MALONE. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Humphrey, duke of Gloster, his uncle. King Henry the Sixth: Hume and Southwell, two priests. Cardinal Beaufort, bishop of Winchester, great Thomas Horner, an armourer. Peter, his man. uncle to the king. Richard Plantagenet, duke of York: ' Edward and Richard, his sons. Duke of Somerset, Duke of Suffolk, Duke of Buckingham, of the king's party. Lord Clifford, Young Clifford, his son. } Earl of Salisbury, of the York faction. Lord Scales, Governor of the Tower. Lord Say. Sir Humphrey Stafford, and his brother. Sir John A Sea-captain, Master, and Master's Mate, and Two Gentlemen, prisoners with Suffolk. Clerk of Chatham. Mayor of Saint Alban's. George, John, Dick, Smith, the Weaver, Michael, Alexander Iden, a Kentish Gentleman. Margaret, queen to king Henry. Margery Jourdain, a witch. Wife to Simpcox. Lords, Ladies, and Allendants; Petitioners, Aldermen, a Beadle, Sheriff, and Officers; Citzens, Prentices, Falconers, Guards, Soldiers, Messengers, &c. Scene, dispersedly in various parts of England. Seven carls, twelve barons, twenty reverend bishops, K. Hen. Suffolk, arise.-Welcome, queen Mar- I can express no kinder sign of love, Q. Mar. Great king of England, and my gra- R 1 had1-Studied so long, sat in the council-house, "The mutual conference that my mind hath Been crown'd in Paris, in despite of foes? K. Hen. Her sight did ravish: but her grace in Your deeds of war, and all our council, die? speech, O peers of England, shameful is this league! Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty, Q. Mar. We thank you all. [Flourish. Suff. My lord protector, so it please your grace, Here are the articles of contracted peace, Between our sovereign and the French king Charles, 'For eighteen months concluded by consent. Glo. Reads.] Imprimis, It is agreed between the French king, Charles, and William de la Poole, marquess of Suffolk, ambassador for Henry king of England, that the said Henry shall espouse the lady Margaret, daughter unto Reignier king of Naples, Sicilia, and Jerusalem; and crown her queen of England, ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing.Item,-That the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine, shall be released and delivered to the king her father K. Hen. Uncle, how now? 'Car. Nephew, what means this passionate dis course? This peroration with such circumstance?? Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast, * * Sal. Now, by the death of him that died for all, Pardon me, gracious lord;'Anjou and Maine! myself did win them both; Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart, K. Hen. They please us well.-Lord marquess We here create thee the first duke of Suffolk, Cousin of York, we here discharge your grace Somerset, Salisbury, and Warwick; and *York. For Suffolk's duke-may he be suffocate, That dims the honour of this warlike isle ! France should 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 sums of gold, and dowries with their wives: And our king Henry gives away his own, To match with her that brings no vantages. *Glo. A proper jest, and never heard before, That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth, For costs and charges in transporting her! *She should have staid in France, and starv'd in France, *Before *Car. My lord of Gloster, now you grow too hot; *It was the pleasure of my lord the king. Glo. My lord of Winchester, I know your mind; [Exeunt King, Queen, and Suffolk.'Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, state,But 'tis my presence that doth trouble you. 'Rancour will out: Proud prelate, in thy face I see thy fury: If I longer stay, Glo. Brave peers of England, pillars of the To you duke Humphrey must unload his grief, "Your grief, the common grief of all the land. 'What did my brother Henry spend his youth, 'His valour, coin, and people, in the wars? 'Did he so often lodge in open field, 'In winter's cold, and summer's parching heat, (1) I am the bolder to address you, having We shall begin our ancient bickerings.4— Nay, more, an enemy unto you all; (3) This speech crowded with so many circum- Look to it, lords; let not his smoothing words * Bewitch your hearts; be wise, and circumspect. "What though the common people favour him, Calling him-Humphrey, the good duke of Glos ter; Clapping their hands, and crying with a loud voice* Jesu maintain your royal excellence! "With-God preserve the good duke Humphrey ! 'I fear me, lords, for all this flattering gloss, "He will be found a dangerous protector. Buck. Why should he then protect our sovereign, He being of age to govern of himself?'Cousin of Somerset, join you with me, And all together-with the duke of Suffolk,- I'll to the duke of Suffolk presently. *The peers agreed; and Henry is well pleas'd, I cannot blame them all; What is't to them? * And purchase friends, and give to courtezans, [Exit. Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood, 'And greatness of his place be grief to us, [Exeunt Buckingham and Somerset. 'Join we together, for the public good; 'In what we can to bridle and suppress 'The pride of Suffolk, and the cardinal, With Somerset's and Buckingham's ambition; And, as we may, cherish duke Humphrey's deeds, 'While they do tend the profit of the land. * War. So God help Warwick, as he loves the land, And common profit of his country! * York. And so says York, for he hath greatest cause. Sal. Then let's make haste away, and look unto the main. A day will come, when York shall claim his own; Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love, With his new bride, and England's dear-bought Hanging the head at Ceres' plenteous load? * As frowning at the favours of the world? Why are thine eyes fix'd to the sullen earth, Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight? "What see'st thou there? king Henry's diadem, Enchas'd with all the honours of the world? *If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face, War. Unto the main! O father, Maine is lost; Until thy head be circled with the same. That Maine, which by main force Warwick did win,'Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold:And would have kept, so long as breath did last:What, is't too short? I'll lengthen it with mine: Main chance, father, you meant; but I meant Maine; Which I will win from France, or else be slain. [Exeunt Warwick and Salisbury. York. Anjou and Malne are given to the French; *Paris is lost; the state of Normandy *Stands on a tickle' point, now they are gone: * Suffolk concluded on the articles; (1) For ticklish. And, having both together heav'd it up, *We'll both together lift our heads to heaven; And never more abase our sight so low, * As to vouchafe one glance unto the ground. (2) Meleager; whose life was to continue only so long as a certain firebrand should last. His mother Althea having thrown it into the fire, he expired in torment. Glo. O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy 'Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts: Be my last breathing in this mortal world! 'My troublous dream this night doth make me sad. "Duch. What dream, my lord? tell me, and I'll requite it "With sweet rehearsal of my morning's dream. Was broke in twain, by whom I have forgot, And on the pieces of the broken wand' 'When from Saint Albans we do make return, 'We'll see these things effected to the full. 'Were plac'd the heads of Edmond duke of Here Hume, take this reward: make merry, man, Somerset, 'And William de la Poole first duke of Suffolk. This was my dream; what it doth bode, God knows. Duch. Tut, this was nothing but an argument, That he that breaks a stick of Gloster's grove, 'Shall lose his head for his presumption. 'But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke: Methought, I sat in seat of inajesty, In the cathedral church of Westminster, 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 set the diadem. Glo. Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright: *Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtur'd' Eleanor! Art thou not second woman in the realm; And the protector's wife, belov'd of him?' *Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command, *Above the reach or compass of thy thought? And wilt thou still be hammering treachery, *To tumble down thy husband and thyself, From top of honour to disgrace's feet? Away from me, and let me hear no more. 1 With thy confederates in this weighty cause. [Exit Duchess. *Ilume. Hume must make merry with the duchess' gold; 'Marry, and shall. But how now, sir John Hume ? Seal up your lips, and give no words but-mum! The business asketh silent secrecy. *Dame Eleanor gives gold, to bring the witch: *Gold cannot come amiss, were she a devil. Yet have I gold, flies from another coast: I dare not say, from the rich cardinal, And from the great and new-made duke of Suffolk, 'Yet I do find it so: for, to be plain, They knowing dame Eleanor's aspiring humour, 'Have hired me to undermine the duchess, And buzz these conjurations in her brain. *They say, A crafty knave does need no broker; * Yet am I Suffolk and the cardinal's broker. * Hume, if you take not heed, you shall go near * To call them both-a pair of crafty knaves. Well, so it stands. And thus, I fear, at last, *Hume's knavery will be the duchess' wreck; *And her attainture will be Humphrey's fall: 'Duch. What, what, my lord! are you so Sort how it will,' I shall have gold for all. [Exit. choleric 'With Eleanor, for telling but her dream? Next time, I'll keep my dreams unto myself, 'Glo. Nay, be not angry, I am pleas'd again. 'Mess. My lord protector, 'tis his highness' pleasure, 6 You do prepare to ride unto Saint Albans, "Whereas the king and queen do mean to hawk. Glo. I go.-Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us?* 'Duch. Yes, good my lord, I'll follow presently. [Exeunt Gloster and Messenger. 'Follow I must, I cannot go before, * While Gloster bears this base and humble mind. * Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood, *I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks, * And smooth my way upon their headless necks: *And, being a woman, I will not be slack To play my part in fortune's pageant. "Where are you there? Sir John!3 nay, fear not, SCENE III.-The same. A room in the palace. Enter Peter, and others, with petitions. 1 Pct. My masters, let's stand close; my lord protector will come this way by and by, and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill. 2 Pet. Marry, the Lord protect him, for he's a good man! Jesu bless him! Enter Suffolk, and Queen Margaret. * 1 Pet. IIcre 'a comes, methinks, and the queen with him: I'll be the first, sure. 2 Pet. Come back, fool; this is the duke of Suffolk, and not my lord protector. Suff. How now, fellow? would'st any thing with me? 1 Pet. I pray, my lord, pardon me! I took ye 'for my lord protector. Q. Mar. Reading the superscription.] To my lord protecter! are your supplications to his lordship? Let me see them: What is thine? 'i Pet. Mine is, an't please your grace, against John Goodinan, my lord cardinal's man, for keeping my house and lands, and wife and all, from me. Suff. Thy wife too? that is some wrong indeed.What's yours?-What's here! [Reads.] Against the duke of Suffolk, for enclosing the commons of Melford.-How now, sir knave? 2 Pet. Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township. Peter. [Presenting his petition] Against my (4) Let the issue be what it will. (5) With great exactness and observance of form. master, Thomas Horner, for saying, That the duke* And plac'd a quire of such enticing birds, of York was rightful heir to the crown. 'Q. Mar. What say'st thou? Did the duke of 'York say, he was rightful heir to the crown? 'Peter. That my master was? No, forsooth: my 'master said, That he was; and that the king was an usurper. *That she will light to listen to the lays, Suff. Who is there? [Enter Servants.]-Take this fellow in, and send for his master with a pursuivant presently:-we'll hear more of your malter before* the king. [Exeunt Servants, with Peter. 'Q. Mar. And as for you, that love to be protected Under the wings of our protector's grace, 'Begin your suits anew, and sue to him. [Tears the petition. Away, base cullions!-Suffolk, let them go. All Come, let's be gone. [Exeunt Petitioners. Q. Mar. My lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise, Is this the fashion in the court of England? * And must be made a subject to a duke? * His champions are-the prophets and apostles; * Are brazen images of canoniz'd saints. * Would choose him pope, and carry him to Rome, Suff. Madam, be patient: as I was cause * Q. Mar. Beside the haught protector, have we Beaufort, * The imperious churchman; Somerset, Buckingham, Yet must we join with him, and with the lords, * So, one by one, we'll weed them all at last, K. Hen. For my part, noble lords, I care not Or Somerset, or York, all's one to me. York. If York have ill demean'd himself in Then let him be denay'd' the regentship. Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place, Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. War. Warwick may live to be the best of all. *Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this. * Q. Mar. Because the king, forsooth, will have it so. 'Glo. Madam, the king is old enough himself To give his censure: these are no women's mat ters. Q. Mar. If he be old enough, what need your grace To be protector of his excellence? 'Glo. Madam, I am protector of the realm, 'And, at his pleasure, will resign my place. Suff. Resign it then, and leave thine insolence. 'The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck: And grumbling York; and not the least of these, 'As that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. More like an empress than duke Humphrey's wife; She bears a duke's revenues on her back, * And in her heart she scorns her poverty: Shall I not live to be aveng'd on her? Contemptuous base-born callat as she is, 'She vaunted 'mongst her minions t'other day, The very train of her worst wearing-gown Was better worth than all my father's lands, * Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter. 'Suff. Madam, myself have lim'd a bush for her; (1) Scoundrels. (2) Sayings. (3) Drab, trull. i. e. The complaint of Peter the armourer's man against his master, Are lank and lean with thy extortions. Som. Thy sumptuous buildings, and thy wife's attire, Have cost a mass of public treasury. Buck. Thy cruelty in execution, Q. Mar. Thy sale of offices and towns in *If they were known, as the suspect is great,- (5) Denay is frequently used instead of deny among the old writers. (6) Censure here means simply judgment or opinion. |