Great books of the Western world, vol. 26 [26]

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ini^iiAKj)

,;o

keeping

my

his lordship?

Let

me

see

your Grace, against Lord Cardinal's man, for

an't please

my

house, and lands, and wife, and

from me.

all,

21

Thy

wife too! that's 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! 2nd Petit. Alas, sir, I am but a poor petitioner of Suf.

our whole township. Peter. [Giving his petition] Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown. 5o Queen. 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

—

.

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

38

master said that he was, and that the King was an

And

in

usurper.

Shall

I

Suf.

Who

is

there? [Enter Servant.]

Take

this

fellow in, and send for his master with a pursuivant presently: we'll hear more of your matter [Exit Servant uith peter.

before the King.

And

Queen.

as for you, that love to be protected

Under the wings of our Protector's grace, 41 Begin your suits anew, and sue to him. [Tears the let

them

[Exeunt.

court of England? government of Britain's isle.

Is this the fashion in the Is this the

And this

the royalty of Albion's king?

What, shall King Henry be a pupil still Under the surly Gloucester's governance?

Am And

a

I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours Thou ran'st a tilt in honour of my love And stolest away the ladies' hearts of France, I thought King Henry had resembled thee

all his

mind

is

bent to holiness.

To number Ave-Maries on his

beads;

His champions are the prophets and apostles, 60 His weapons holy saws of sacred writ. His study is his tilt-yard, and his loves Are brazen images of canonized saints. I would the college of the cardinals Would choose him Pope and carry him to Rome, And set the triple crown upon his head: That were a state fit for his holiness.

Madam,

be patient: as I was cause Your Highness came to England, so will I In England work your Grace's full content. Suf.

Queen. Beside the haughty Protector, have

yo

we

Beaufort

The imperious churchman,

Somerset, Buckingham, And grumbling York; and not the least of these But can do more in England than the king. Suf. And he of these that can do most of all Cannot do more in England than the Nevils: Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers. Queen. Not all these lords do vex me half so

much

As

better

dame, the Lord Protector's wife. She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies, 80 More like an empress than Duke Humphrey's that proud

wife:

Strangers in court do take her for the Queen: She bears a duke's revenues on her back.

worth than

all

my father's lands,

two dukedoms

89

for his daughter.

Suf. Madam, myself have limed a bush for her. And placed a quire of such enticing birds will light to listen to the lays,

madam, am bold to counsel you

again.

to me; For I in this. Although we fancy not the Cardinal, Yet must we join with him and with the lords, Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in dis-

So, let her rest: and,

list

As

Duke of York, this late complaint 100 Will make but little for his benefit. So, one by one, we'll weed them all at last, And you yourself shall steer the happy helm. for the

Sound a sennet. Enter the king, duke Humphrey OF GLOUCESTER, CARDINAL BEAUFORT, BUCKINGINGHAM, YORK, SOMERSET, SALISBURY, WARWICK, and the duchess of Gloucester.

In courage, courtship and proportion:

But

Was

Till Suffolk gave

grace.

^o

queen in title and in style, must be made a subject to a duke?

I

I

The very train of her worst wearing gown

And never mount to trouble you

go.

My Lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise,

Queen.

ACT

Contemptuous base-born callet as she is. She vaunted 'mongst her minions t'other day.

That she

supplications.]

Away, base cullions! Suffolk, All. Come, let's be gone.

VI

her heart she scorns our poverty: not live to be avenged on her?

King. For my part, noble lords, I care not which; all's one to me. York. If York have ill demean'd himself in

Or Somerset or York, France,

Then

let him be denay'd the regentship. Som. If Somerset be unworthy of the place. Let York be regent; I will yield to him. 10^ War. Whether your Grace be worthy, yea or

no.

Dispute not that: York is the worthier. Car. Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak. War. The Cardinal's not my better in the field. Buck. All in this presence are thy betters,

wick. War. Warwick Sal.

may live to

Peace, son! and

War-

be the best of all.

show some reason, Buck-

ingham,

Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this. Queen. Because the King, forsooth, will have

it

so.

Glou.

Madam,

the

To gi ve hi s censure

:

King

is

old enough himself

these are no women' s matters

Queen. If he be old enough, what needs your

Grace

121

To be Protector of his Excellence? Glou.

And,

Madam,

I

am

Protector of the realm;

at his pleasure, will resign

Suf. Resign

my place.

then and leave thine insolence. Since thou wert king as who is king but thou? it

—

The commonwealth hath daily run to wreck;

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

III

The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas; And all the peers and nobles of the realm /50 Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty. Car. The commons hast thou rack'd; the clergy's bags

Are lank and

lean with thy extortions.

Thy sumptuous

Som.

buildings and thy wife's

Thy cruelty

Buck.

Thy

Queen. If they

in

sale

Enter horner, the Armourer, and his man peter, guarded. Suf. Because here

as the suspect

is

in France,

thee quickly hop without thy head. GLOUCESTER. Thc QUEEN dwps her fan. my fan: what, minion! can ye not? 14.1

[£x/>

She gives the duchess a box on the ear.

cry vou mercy, madam; was it you? Duch. Was't I! yea, I it was, proud French-

woman: I come near your beauty with my nails, rid set my ten commandments in your face.

Could

King. Sweet aunt, be quiet; 'twas against her will.

Duch. Against her will! good King, look

to't in

time;

and dandle thee like a baby: place most master wear no

thee,

in this

breeches.

She

shall not strike

Dame Eleanor unrevenged. {Exit.

Buck. Lord Cardinal,

And

I

will follow Eleanor,

Humphrey, how he proceeds: now; her fume needs no spurs. gallop far enough to her destruction. [Exit.

listen after

She's tickled She'll

Re-enter Gloucester.

Glou. Now, lords, my choler being over-blown With walking once about the quadrangle, I come to talk of commonwealth affairs. As for your spiteful false objections.

Prove them, and I lie open to the law; But God in mercy so deal with my soul As I in duty love my king and country! But, to the matter that we have in hand:

160

1 say, my sovereign, York is meetest man To be your regent in the realm of France. Suf. Before we make election, give me leave To show some reason, of no little force.

That York York.

is

most unmeet of any man.

I'll tell

thee, Suffolk,

cannot

why I am unmeet:

First, for

I

Next,

be appointed for the place,

if I

flatter

My Lx)rd of Somerset will keep me here, Without discharge, money, or

furniture.

ijo

a

man

accused of treason:

Doth any one accuse York

181

for a traitor?

What mean'st thou, Suffolk; tell me, what are these? Suf. Please it your iMajesty, this is the man That doth accuse his master of high treason: His words were these: that Richard Duke of York Was rightful heir unto the English crown And that your majesty was an usurper. King. Say, man, were these thy words? Hor. An't shall please your Majesty, I never said nor thought any such matter: God is my witness, I am falsely accused by the villain. By

these ten bones,

to

me

my

lords, he did speak one night, as we were scouring my Lord of York's armour. York. Base dunghill villain and mechanical, I'll have thy head for this thy traitor's speech. I do beseech your royal Majesty, Let him have all the rigour of the law. 19^ Hor. Alas, my lord, hang me, if ever I spake the words. My accuser 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 ine: I have good witness of this: therefore I beseech your Majesty, do not cast away an honest man

them

in the garret

for a villain's accusation.

King. Uncle, what shall we say to this in law? Glou. This doom, my lord, if I may judge:

Let Somerset be regent o'er the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion: 210 And let these have a day appointed them For single combat in convenient place, For he hath witness of his servant's malice: This is the law, and this Duke Humphrey's doom. Som. I humbly thank your royal Majesty. Hor. And I accept the combat willingly. Pet. Alas, my lord, I cannot fight; for God's sake, pity my case. The spite of man prevaileth against me. Lord, have mercy upon me! I shall never be able to fight a blow. O Lord, my heart! Glou. Sirrah, or you must fight, or else be

O

thee in pride;

is

God the Duke of York excuse himself!

King.

Pet.

hamper

Though

Pray

York.

great.

Would make

She'll

was besieged, famish'd, and lost. War. That can I witness; and a fouler fact Did never traitor in the land commit. Suf. Peace, headstrong Warwick! War. Image of pride, why should I hold my

execution

of offices and towns

were known,

Give me

I

Dauphin's hands: danced attendance on his will

Till Paris

cost a mass of public treasury.

Upon offenders hath exceeded law And left thee to the mercy of the law.

I

Last time,

39

won into the

peace?

attire

Have

Till France be

VI

hang'd.

:

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

40

King. Away with them to prison; and the day of combat shall be the last of the next month. Come, Somerset, we'll see thee sent away. [Flourish. Exeunt.

Scene

iv. Gloucester s

garden

shall

"What

Boling.

VI he

ACT

die,

shall befall

I

and take his end. the Duke of Somer-

set?" Spir.

Let him shun castles;

Than where castles mounted stand. Have done, for more I hardly can endure.

WELL, and BOLINGBROKE.

my

By water

Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains

Enter MARGERY JOURDAIN, HUME, SOUTH-

Hume. Come,

Spir.

Descend to darkness and the burning

Boling.

masters; the Duchess,

I

tell

you, expects performance of your promises. Boling. Master Hume, we are therefore provid-

^o

lake!

False

fiend,

avoid!

[Thunder and lightning. Exit spirit.

ed: will her ladyship behold and hear our exor-

cisms?

you not her courage. have heard her reported to be a xVoman

Hume. Ay, what Boling.

I

else? fear

of an invincible spirit: but it shall be convenient, Master Hume, that you be by her aloft, while we be busy below; and so, I pray you, go, in God's name, and leave us. [Exit hume.] Mother Jourdain, be you prostrate and grovel on the earth; John Southwell, read you; and let us to our work. Enter duchess

aloft,

hvme following.

Duch. Well said, my masters; and welcome all. To this gear, the sooner the better. Boling. Patience,

good lady; wizards know

their

times:

Deep night, dark night,

howl

We will make fast within a hallow'd verge. Here they do the cerejnonies belonging, and make the circle; bolingbroke or southwell reads, "Conjuro te," &c. It thunders and lightens terribly; then the Spirit riseth.

Adsum.

till

50

Ask what thou wilt. That I had said and

done! .

The duke

yet lives that

Henry

shall de-

pose;

But him outlive, and die a violent death.

As

the Spirit speaks,

southwell

writes the an-

swer. Boling.

"What fates await the Duke of Suf-

folk?"

I

think

we watch'd you at an inch.

What, madam, are you there? the King and commonweal Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains:

My

Lord Protector will, I doubt it not. See you well guerdon'd for these good deserts. Duch. Not half so bad as thine to England's king,

yo

Injurious duke, that threatest where' s no cause.

Buck. True,

madam, none

at all

:

what

call

you

let

them be clapp'd up

close,

And

kept asunder. You, madam, shall with us. Stafford, take her to thee. [Exeunt above duchess and hume, guarded. We'll see your trinkets here all forthcoming. All, away! [Exeunt guard with jourdain, southwell, &c. York. Lord Buckingham, methinks, you watch'd

her well

A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon! Now, pray, my lord, let's see the devil's writ. What have we here? [Reads.] "The duke yet lives, that Henry shall depose;

''Aio

Boling. [Reading out of a paper] "First of the king: what shall of him become?" Spir.

Beldam,

Why,

thou speak, thou shalt not pass from

hence. Spir.

these traitors and their

6g

But him outlive, and die a violent death."

Asmath,

By the eternal God, whose name and power Thou tremblest at, answer that I shall ask; For,

Lay hands upon

trash.

Away with them!

the silent of the night.

And spirits walk and ghosts break up their graves, That time best fits the work we have in hand. Madam, sit you and fear not: whom we raise,

M. Jourd.

York.

this?

The time of night when Troy was set on fire; 20 The time when screech-owls cry and ban-dogs

Spir.

Enter the duke of york and the duke of BUCKINGHAM with their guard and break in.

this

te,

is

just

/Eacida,

Romanos vincere posse.''

Well, to the rest: "Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk? By water shall he die, and take his end. What shall betide the Duke of Somerset? Let him shun castles; jo Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains

Than where castles mounted stand." Come, come, my lords; These oracles are hardly attain'd,

And hardly understood. The King is now in progress towards Saint Alban's,

With him the husband of this

lovely lady:

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

IV

Thither go these news, as fast as horse can carry

Your grace

shall give

me leave, my Lord 80

in

And

prithee, peace,

I

Car. Let

me be blessed

Enter a Servingman.

this

would 'twere come to that! to Gloucester] Marry, when thou

my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick

Car. [Aside

To sup with me to-morrow night. Away!

darest.

[Exeunt.

Glou. [Aside

numbers

Scene

i.

II

Car. [Aside

Saint Alban's

Queen. Believe me, lords, for flying at the

brook,

And, ten to one, old Joan had not gone out. King. But what a point, my lord, your falcon made. And what a pitch she flew above the rest! To see how God in all his creatures works! are fain of climbing high.

an

it

your Majesty,

like

My Lord Protector's hawks do tower so well; They know their master loves to be aloft And bears his thoughts above his falcon's Glou.

My lord,

'tis

but a base ignoble

pitch.

Or

mind

Gloucester] Ay, where thou dar-

50

to

my fence shall fail.

all

Car. [Aside

to

Gloucester] Medice, teipsum

—

Protector, see to't well, protect yourself.

The winds grow high;

King.

my Lord Cardinal? how think you by

so do your stom-

achs, lords.

How irksome is this music to my heart!

that?

Car.

to

cardinal] Now, by God's mother, priest, I'll shave your crown for this.

Were it not good your Grace could fly to heaven? King.

^0

lord.

[Aside

clouds.

Ay,

factious

This evening, on the east side of the grove. King. How now, my lords! Car. Believe me, cousin Gloucester, Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly. had had more sport. [Aside to Gloucester] Come with thy two-hand sword. Glou. True, uncle. Car. [Aside to Gloucester] Are ye advised? the east side of the grove? Glou. [Aside to cardinal] Cardinal, I am with you. King. Why, how now, uncle Gloucester! Glou. Talking of hawking; nothing else, my

10

That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. Car. I thought as much; he would be above the Glou.

Make up no

We

saw not better sport these seven years' day: Yet, by your leave, the wind was very high; I

No marvel,

cardinal]

est not peep: an if thou darest.

Enter the king, queen, Gloucester, cardinal, and SUFFOLK, with falconers halloing.

man and birds

to

for the matter;

own person answer thy abuse.

In thine

ACT

earth.

for the peace

I make. proud Protector, with my sword! Glou. [Aside to cardinal] Faith, holy uncle,

Against

within there, ho!

Suf.

thine inso-

thy ambition, Gloucester. good queen, whet not on these furious peers;

King.

For blessed are the peacemakers on

hope of his reward. York. At your pleasure, my good lord. Who's

Yea,

41

knows

And

Queen.

of York,

To be the post,

Invite

VI

Suffolk, England

lence.

them:

A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector. Buck.

Why,

Glou.

The treasury of everlasting joy.

Thy heaven is on earth;

When such strings jar, what hope of harmony? I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.

thine eyes and

Enter a

thoughts

Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart 20 Pernicious Protector, dangerous peer. That smooth'st it so with king and commonweal!

townsman of Saint Alban's^

(^'^yi^g

"A miracle!"

:

Glou.

What,

Cardinal,

is

your priesthood grown

peremptory? Tantane animis cfelestihus ira? Churchmen so hot? good uncle, hide such malice; With such holiness can you do it? Suf. No malice, sir; no more than well becomes So good a quarrel and so bad a peer. Glou. As who, my lord? Suf.

Why,

as you,

my lord,

An't like your lordly Lord-protectorship.

50

What means this noise?

Glou.

Fellow, what miracle dost thou proclaim?

Towns. Suf.

A miracle!

60

a miracle!

Come to the King and tell him what

miracle.

Towns. Forsooth, a blind man

at Saint

Alban

s

shrine.

Within

this half-hour,

hath received his sight,

A man that ne'er saw in his life before. King.

Now, God

be praised, that to believing

souls

Gives

light in darkness,

comfort

in despair!

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

42 Enter the

mayor

of Saint Alban's and his brethren^

bearing simpcox, between two in a chair, simp-

cox's wiFE following.

King. Great

his

is

my masters:

subtle knave! but yet

it

shall

life.

not serve.

my opinion yet thou see'st not well. Simp. Yes, master, clear as day, I thank and Saint Alban.

In

his sight his sin be multiplied.

Glou. Stand by,

A

them:

vale,

Although by

my wife desired some

me see thine eyes: wink now: now open

Let

procession,

To present your highness

with the man. comfort in this earthly

ACT u

And made me climb, with danger of m) Glou.

Here comes the townsmen on

Car.

VI

Simp. Alas, good master, damsons.

7/

bring him near the

Glou. Say' St thou

God

me so? What colour is this

cloak of?

His highness' pleasure King.

Good

is

to talk with him.

Simp. Red, master; red as blood. Glou Why, that's well said.What colour

fellow, tell us here the circum-

gown

stance.

That we for thee may glorify the Lord. What, hast thou been long blind and now

no is

my

of?

Simp. Black, forsooth: coal-black as jet. King Why, then, thou know'st what colour

re-

jet is of?

stored?

And yet,

Simp. Born blind, an't please your Grace.

Suf.

Wife. Ay, indeed, was he.

Glou. But cloaks and gowns, before this day,

What woman is this?

Suf.

a

Wife. His wife, an't like your worship.

80

Glou. Hadst thou been his mother, thou couldst

have better told. King. Where wert thou born? Simp. At Berwick in the north, an't like your Grace. King. Poor soul, God's goodness hath been great to thee:

I

think, )et did he never see.

many.

Wife. Never, before this day, in all his life. Glou. Tell me, sirrah, what's my name?

Simp. Alas, master, I know not. G/ow.What's his name? Simp. I know not.

Nor

Glou.

120

his?

Simp. No, indeed, master. G/ow .What's thine own name?

Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass, But still remember what the Lord hath done. Queen. Tell me, good fellow, camest thou here by chance,

knave

Or of devotion, to this holy shrine? Simp. God knows, of pure devotion;

blind,

Christendom. If thou hadst been born thou mightst as well have known all our

names

as thus to

being

call'd

A hundred times and oftener, in my sleep,

po

By good Saint Alban; who said, "Simpcox,

Wife.

my shrine, and I will help thee."

Most true,

forsooth; and

many time and

Myself have heard a voice to call him so. Car. What, art thou lame? Ay, God Almighty help me! Simp.

How camest thou so?

sit

Glou.

Simp. But that

the lyingest

name

the several colours

we do

My

Alban here hath done his

and cunning to be great, that a miracle;

could restore this cripple to his legs again?

Simp. not

O master, that you could! My masters of Saint Alban's,

beadles

have you your own, and things called

in

whips?

May. Yes,

my lord, if it please your Grace.

Then send

A fall off of a tree.

May.

Sirrah, to fetch the beadle hither straight.

How long hast thou been blind?

Glou.

Now

so,

for

one presently. [Exit an Attendant. 141

Now,

master.

What, and wouldst climb a tree? my life, when I was a

in all

fetch

sirrah, if

me

by and by. from and run away.

a stool hither

you mean

to save yourself

me over this stool Simp. Alas, master, I am not able to stand

whipping, leap alone:

youth.

Too true;

there,

wear. Sight may distinguish of colours, but suddenly to nominate them all, it is impossible.

A plum-tree, master.

Simp. O, born

Wife.

Saunder,

Glou.

Simp. Wife. Glou.

please you,

in

Glou.

oft

Suf.

Then

Glou.

would ye not think

offer at

if it

master.

lords. Saint

come.

Come,

Simp. Saunder Simpcox, and

and bought his climbing very

dear.

Glou. Mass, thou lovedst plums well, that

wouldst venture so.

100

You go

about to torture

me in vain.

Enter a beadle with whips.

GIou.WqW,

sir,

we must

have you find your

:

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

I

whip him

legs. Sirrah, beadle

that

same

Bead.

he leap over

sirrah; off

with

I

do?

I

am

not

able to stand.

After the beadle hath hit him once, he leaps over the stool and runs away; and they follow and cry, ''A miracle/''

O God, seest Thou this, and bearest so

43

for myself, to

heaven

I

do

How

I

And,

for

Sorry

I

ipo

have loved

my king and commonweal:

my wife, I know not how it stands; am to hear what I have heard

Noble she is, but if she have forgot Honour and virtue and conversed with such As, like to pitch, defile nobility, I banish her my bed and company

And give her

as a

prey to law and shame.

That hath dishonour'd Gloucester's honest name.

long? It

VI

appeal,

my lord. Come on,

Simp. Alas, master, what shall

Queen.

Madam,

Glou.

stool.

will,

I

till

your doublet quickly.

King.

:

made me laugh to

see the villain run.

King. Well, for this night

Glou. Follow the knave; and take this drab

we

will repose us

200

here:

To-morrow toward London back

away.

again.

Wife. Alas,

To look into this business thoroughly

Glou.

And call these foul off'enders to their answers And poise the cause in justice' equal scales, Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause

sir, we did it for pure need. Let them be whipped through every market-town, till they come to Berwick, from i6o whence they came. [Exeunt wife, beadle, mayor, &c. Car. Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day. Suf. True; made the lame to leap and fly away. Glou. But you have done more miracles than I;

You made

in a day,

my lord,

whole towns to

Scene

Vork.

King.

What tidings with our cousin Bucking-

Buck. Such as

my heart doth tremble to unfold.

A sort of naughty persons, lewdly bent.

Sal.

Dealing with witches and with conjurers: we have apprehended in the fact; Raising up wicked spirits from under s^round.

Whom

Demanding of King Henry's

life

by

this

long to hear

my lord, you will not keep your hour. Glou. Ambitious churchman, leave to afflict my heart:

Sorrow and grief have vanquish'd all my powers; And, vanquish'd as I am, I yield to thee, Or to the meanest groom. King. O God, what mischiefs work the wicked ones,

heads thereby! Queen. Gloucester, see here the tainture of thy

thou wert best.

claim be

The Nevils are thy subjects to command. Vork. Then thus 10

second, William of Hatfield, and the third,

William of Windsor was the seventh and

last.

Edward the Black Prince died before his father And left behind him Richard, his only son. Who after Edward the Third's death reign'd as 20

king; Till

Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster,

The eldest

son and heir of John of Gaunt,

Crown'd by the name of Henry the Fourth, Seized on the realm, deposed the rightful king. Sent his poor queen to France, from whence she

came. where, as all you know, Harmless Richard was murder'd traitorously.

And him to Pomfret;

faultless,

at full.

if thy

Gloucester; i8o

nest.

it

The fifth was Edmund Langley, Duke of York; The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of

'Tis like,

And look thyself be

I

Duke of Clarence; next to whom Was John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster;

means

own

My Lord,

my title.

England's crown.

Lionel

forthcoming yet at London. This news, I think, hath turn'd your weapon's

their

infallible, to

good.

The

is

Heaping confusion on

is

Wales;

and death.

edge;

to satisfy myself,

Edward the Third, my lords, had seven sons: The first, Edward the Black Prince, Prince of

And other of your Highness' privy-council; As more at large your Grace shall understand. Car. [Aside to Gloucester] And so, my Lord Protector,

walk

War. Sweet York, begin: and

ijo The ringleader and head of all this rout, Have practised dangerously against your state.

Your lady

Now, my good Lords of Salisbury and

In craving your opinion of

Which

Under the countenance and confederacy Of Lady Eleanor, the Protector's wife.

London: The Duke of York's garden

Warwick, Our simple supper ended, give me leave In this close

ham?

n.

Enter york, Salisbury, and Warwick.

fly.

Enter Buckingham.

[Flourish. Exeunt.

prevails.

\

:

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

44

War. Father, the Duke hath told the truth; the house of Lancaster the crown. York. Which now they hold by force and not by

Thus got

right;

The

first

York can prophesy.

mind

at full.

My heart assures me that the Earl of

Warwick

have reign'd. But William of Hatfield died without an

York.

one day make the Duke of York a king. I do assure myself: Richard shall live to make the Earl of Warwick

Shall

York. And, Nevil, this

The third son, Duke of Clarence, from

whose

The greatest man in England

line

but the king.

claim the crown, had issue, Philippe, a daughter,

[Exeunt.

Who married Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March: Edmund had

Roger Earl of March; Roger had issue, Edmund, Anne and Eleanor. Sal. This Edmund, in the reign of Bolingbroke, As I have read, laid claim unto the crown; 40 And, but for Owen Glendower, had been king. Who kept him in captivity till he died. But

Scene

issue,

His eldest

York.

sister,

Anne,

My mother, being heir unto the crown. Married Richard Earl of Cambridge,

who was

To Edmund Langley, Edward the Third's fifth claim the kingdom she was heir :

To Roger Earl of March, who was the son Of Edmund Mortimer, who married Philippe, Duke of Clarence

jo

:

So, if the issue of the elder son

Succeed before the younger, I am king. War. What plain proceeding is more plain than this?

not yet, but flourishes in thee

I

judged thee: cannot justify whom the law condemns. [Exeunt duchess and other prisoners, guarded.

in thy sons, fair slips of such a stock. Then, father Salisbury, kneel we together;

private plot be

we the

60

first

our rightful sovereign With honour of his birthright to the crown. Both. Long life our sovereign Richard, Engshall salute

land's king!

York.

We thank you, lords. But

I

am

not your

king Till

I

be crown'd and that

my sword be stain'd

With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster; And that's not suddenly to be perform'd, But with advice and silent secrecy. Do you as I do in these dangerous days Wink at the Duke of Suffolk's insolence,

At Beaufort's pride, At Buckingham and Till they

at

yo

Somerset's ambition.

all the crew of them. have snared the shepherd of the flock.

That virtuous

prince, the

by God's book are adjudged to death.

my death.

And

And in this

as

Glou. Eleanor, the law, thou see'st, hath

Till Lionel's issue fails, his should not reign:

That

ofjustice

You, madam, for you are more nobly born. Despoiled of your honour in your life, 10 Shall, after three days' open penance done. Live in your country here in banishment. With Sir John Stanley, in the Isle of Man. Duch. Welcome is banishment; welcome were

Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt, The fourth son; York claims it from the third. It fails

hall

You four, from hence to prison back again; From thence unto the place of execution: The witch in Smithfield shall be burn'd to ashes, And you three shall be strangled on the gallows.

son.

Sole daughter unto Lionel

A

guard.

Such

son

I

hi.

Sound trumpets. Enter the king, the queen, Gloucester, YORK, SUFFOLK, and SALISBURY; the DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER, MARGERY JOURDAIN, SOUTHWELL, iivMY.^ and BOLINGBROKE, Under King. Stand forth. Dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester's wife: In sight of God and us, your guilt is great: Receive the sentence of the law for sins

to the rest.

By her

II

My lord, break we off; we know your

War.

son's heir, being dead.

heir.

I

Sal.

issue of the next son should

Sal.

ACT

'Tis that they seek, and they in seeking that Shall find their deaths, if

50

For Richard, the

VI

good Duke Humphrey;

Mine eyes are full of tears, my heart of grief. Ah, Humphrey, this dishonour in thine age Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground! I beseech your Majesty, give me leave to go; 20 Sorrow would solace and mine age would ease. King. Stay, Humphrey Duke of Gloucester: ere thou go, Give up thy staff; Henry will to himself Protector be; and God shall be my hope. My stay, my guide and lantern to my feet: And go in peace, Humphrey, no less beloved Than when thou wert Protector to thy king. Queen. I see no reason why a king of years Should be to be protected like a child. God and King Henry govern England's realm. 50 Give up your staff, sir, and the King his realm. Glou. My staff? here, noble Henry, is my staff:

As

willingly

do

I

the

same resign

!

SCENE

As

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

III

e'er thy father

Henry made

it

mine;

I

And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it As others would ambitiously receive it. Farewell, good king: when I am dead and gone,

May honourable peace attend thy throne! Queen.

Why, now

is

Henry

king, and

Margaret

scarce him-

40

sprays;

Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days.

him

let

go. Please

it

the court, to see this quarrel tried.

King. O' God's name, see the

lists

and

all

things

them end it; and God defend the right! never saw a fellow worse bested.

do well enough.

2nd Neigh. And ofcharneco. ^rd Neigh.

here's a pot of

and a fig for Peter! I St Tren. Here, Peter,

I

Be merry,

drink to thee: and be

Peter, and fear not thy

master: fight for credit of the 'prentices.

7/

thank you all: drink, and pray for me, pray you; for I think I have taken my last draught in this world. Here, Robin, an if I die, I Peter. I

I

give thee

my

it

were, up-

treason.

[Dies.

Take away

weapon. Fellow, thank God, and the good wine in thy master's way. ^p Peter. O God, have I overcome mine enemy in presence?

O

his

Peter, thou hast prevailed in

his death we do perceive his guilt: And God in justice hath reveal'd to us The truth and innocence of this poor fellow, Which he had thought to have murder 'd wrongfully.

Come,

fellow, follow us for thy reward.

[Sound a flourish. Exeunt.

Scene

iv.

apron: and. Will, thou shall have

hammer: and here, Tom, take all the money I have. O Lord bless me! I pray God! for

A

street

Enter Gloucester and his servingmen, in

mourning

cloaks.

Thus sometimes hath the

brightest

day

a cloud;

And after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with Sirs,

his wrathful nipping cold; as seasons fleet.

what's o'clock?

Ten,

Serv.

'Pren.

hither, as

Alarum. Theyfight, and peter strikes him down. Hor. Hold, Peter, hold! I confess, I confess

So cares and joys abound,

not afraid.

2nd

am come

Sound, trumpets, alarum to the combatants

Glou.

And

I

York. Dispatch: this knave's tongue begins to double.

cup

good double beer, neighbour: drink, and fear not your man. Hor. Let it come, i' faith, and I'll pledge you all;

that

Hor. Masters,

sight;

61

here, neighbour, here's a

thamp thy master

on my man's instigation, to prove him a knave and myself an honest man: and touching the Duke of York, I will take my death, I never meant him any ill, nor the King, nor the Queen: and therefore, Peter, have at thee with a down-

Neigh. Here, neighbour Horner, I drink to in a cup of sack: and fear not, neighbour, you

shall

see thou

For by

at one door, horner, the Armourer, and his NEIGHBOURS, drinking to him so much that he is drunk; and he enters with a drum before him and his staff zuith a sand-bag fastened to it; and at the other door peter, his man, with a drum and sandbag, and 'prentices drinking to him.

my

5^/.

well.

King. Go, take hence that traitor from our

Enter

ist

what more?

Thump. Thump! then

right!

Or more afraid to fight, than is the appellant, The servant of this armourer, my lords.

you

Sal. Peter!

this

fit:

I

81

Peter. Peter, forsooth.

York.

fore

York.

to

right blow!

your majesty, This is the day appointed for the combat; And ready are the appellant and defendant. The armourer and his man, to enter the lists, jo So please your Highness to behold the fight. Queen. Ay, good my lord; for purposely thereYork. Lords,

let

fall

blows. Sirrah, what's thy name.?

That bears so shrewd a maim; two pulls at once; His lady banish'd, and a limb lopp'd off. This staff of honour raught, there let it stand Where it best fits to be, in Henry's hand. Suf. Thus droops this lofty pine and hangs his

Here

master, he hath

much fence already. Come, leave your drinking, and

Sal.

[Exit.

self,

I

my

Peter.

And Humphrey Duke of Gloucester

Left

45

never able to deal with

learnt so

queen;

Thus

am

VI

Glou.

Ten is

my lord.

the hour that

was appointed me

To watch the coming of my punish'd duchess: Uneath may she endure the

flinty streets.

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, laughing at thy shame. That

erst did follow thy

proud chariot-wheels

10

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

46

When thou didst ride in triumph through the I

think she comes; and

I'll

prepare

My tear-stain'd eyes to see her miseries. Enter the duchess of Gloucester in a white

and a taper burning in her hand; with STANLEY, the SHERIFF, and Officers.

sir

ACT

11

And had I twenty times so many foe?^, 60 And each of them had twenty times their power, All these could not procure me any scathe. So long as I am loyal, true and crimeless.

streets.

But, soft!

VI

sheet,

john

Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach? Why, yet thy scandal were not wiped away, But

in

I

danger for the breach of law.

Thy greatest help is quiet,

gentle Nell:

pray thee, sort thy heart to patience; These few days' wonder will be quickly worn. I

Serv.

So please your Grace, we'll take her from

the sheriff.

No, stir not, for your lives; let her pass by. Duch. Come you, my lord, to see my open shame? Now thou dost penance too. Look how they gaze! zi See how the giddv multitude do point, And nod their heads, and throw their eyes on

Enter a herald.

Glou.

Her.

summon your Grace to his Majesty's

I

parliament,

Holden

jo

Bury the

at

first

of this next month.

And my consent ne'er

Glou.

ask'd herein be-

fore!

thee!

Ah, Gloucester, hide thee from

their hateful

This

is

close dealing. Well,

I

will be there.

looks,

And,

And

[Exit

thy closet pent up, rue my shame. ban thine enemies, both mine and thine! in

Glou. Be patient, gentle Nell; forget this grief.

Duch. Ah, Gloucester, teach

me to forget my-

I

take

my leave:

HERALD

and, master sheriff.

Let not her penance exceed the King's commission.

Sher. An't please

your Grace, here my commis-

sion stays.

self!

For whilst

And thou

My Nell,

I

think

I

am thy married wife

of this land, Methinks I should not thus be led along, 50 Mail'd up in shame, with papers on my back, And follow'd with a rabble that rejoice To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans. The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet. And when I start, the envious people laugh And bid me be advised how I tread. Ah, Humphrey, can I bear this shameful yoke? Trow'st thou that e'er I'll look upon the world. Or count them happy that enjoy the sun? No; dark shall be my light and night my day; 40 To think upon my pomp shall be my hell. Sometime I'll say I am Duke Humphrey's wife, And he a prince and ruler of the land: Yet so he ruled and such a prince he was As he stood by whilst I, his forlorn duchess. Was made a wonder and a pointing-stock To every idle rascal follower. But be thou mild and blush not at my shame, Nor stir at nothing till the axe of death Hang over thee, as, sure, it shortly will; 50 For Suffolk, he that can do all in all With her that hateth thee and hates us all, And York and impious Beaufort, that false priest, Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings. And, fly thou how thou canst, they'll tangle thee: But fear not thou, until thy foot be snared. Nor never seek prevention of thy foes. Glou. Ah, Nell, forbear! thou aimest all awry; I must offend before I be attainted; a prince. Protector

And Sir John Stanley is

appointed

now

To take her with him to the Isle of Man. Glou. Must you. Sir John, protect my lady Stan.

So am

I

here?

given in charge, may't please your

Grace.

80

worse in that I pray You use her well: the world may laugh again; And I may live to do you kindness if You do it her: and so. Sir John, farewell! Glou. Entreat her not the

Duch. What, gone,

my lord,

and bid

me not

farewell!

my tears, I cannot stay to speak. [Exeunt Gi^oucESTER and servingmen.

Glou. Witness

Duch. Art thou gone too?

all

comfort go with

thee!

my joy is death; Death, at whose name I oft have been afear'd. Because I wish'd this world's eternity. 90 Stanley, I prithee, go, and take me hence; I care not whither, for I beg no favour, For none abides with me:

Only convey me where thou art commanded. Stan. Why, madam, that is to the Isle of Man; There to be used according to your state. Duch. That's bad enough, for

I

am but re-

proach:

And

I then be used reproachfully? Like to a duchess, and Duke Hum-

shall

Stan.

phrey's lady.

According to that state you shall be used. 99 Duch. Sheriff, farewell, and better than I fare, Although thou hast been conduct of my shame. Sher. It is my office; and, madam, pardon me.

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

IV

Duch. Ay, ay, farewell; thy office is discharged. Come, Stanley, shall we go? Stan. Madam, your penance done, throw off this sheet.

And go we to Duch.

you

No,

it

Go,

My shame will not be shifted with my hang upon

a

woman's

will subscribe and say

Reprove

my richest robes

itself, attire

lead the

way;

I

me how

long to see

I

Suf.

can.

my prison.

no

[Exeunt.

ACT i.

The Abbey

at

III

my allegation,

I

wrong'd the Duke.

if you

St.

Edmund's

my Lord of Gloucester is not

wont

hindmost man, Whate'er occasion keeps him from us now. Queen. Can you not see? or will ye not observe The strangeness of his alter'd countenance? With what a majesty he bears himself. How insolent of late he is become, How proud, how peremptory, and unlike him'Tis not his

to be the

self?

We know the time since he was mild and affable. And if we did but glance a far-off look,

lo

Immediately he was upon his knee. That all the court admired him for submission: But meet him now, and, be it in the morn. When every one will give the time of day. He knits his brow and shows an angry eye And passeth by with stiff unbowed knee. Disdaining duty that to us belongs. Small curs are not regarded when they grin; But great men tremble when the lion roars; And Humphrey is no little man in England. 20 First note that he is near you in descent. And should you fall, he is the next will mount. Me seemeth then it is no policy. Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears And his advantage following your decease. That he should come about your royal person Or be admitted to your Highness' council. By flattery hath he won the commons' hearts. And when he please to make commotion, 'Tis to be fear'd they all will follow him. 50 Now 'tis the spring, and weeds are shallowthey'll

into this

been put to speak my mind, should have told your Grace's tale. Duchess by his subornation,

think

I first

I

if he

were not privy

As

practices:

to those faults.

next the King he was successive heir.

And

such high vaunts of his nobility,

yo bedlam brain-sick Duchess By wicked means to frame our sovereign's fall. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep;

Did

instigate the

And in his simple show he harbours treason. The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb. No, no, my sovereign; Gloucester is a man Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit. Car. Did he not, contrary to form of law. Devise strange deaths for small offences done? York. And did he not, in his protectorship, 60 Levy great sums of money through the realm For soldiers' pay in France, and never sent it? By means whereof the towns each day revolted. Buck. Tut, these are petty faults to faults

unknown.

Which time will

bring to light in smooth

Duke

Humphrey. King.

My lords, at once: the care you have of

us.

To mow down thorns that would annoy our Is worthy praise: but, shall I speak my con-

foot.

science.

Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent From meaning treason to our royal person jo As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove: The Duke is virtuous, mild and too well given To dream on evil or to work my downfall. Queen. Ah, what's

more dangerous than

this

fond affiance!

Seems he a dove? his feathers are but borrow'd. For he's disposed as the hateful raven: Is he a lamb? his skin is surely lent him. For he's inclined as is the ravenous wolf. Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit?

Take

heed,

my lord;

Hangs on the

rooted;

them now, and

^o

Yet, by reputing of his high descent.

ment.

King. I muse come:

I

can;

effectual.

Well hath your Highness seen

duke; And, had

Or,

Bury

fear;

The Upon my life, began her devilish

Sound a sennet. Enter the king, the queen, cardinal BEAUFORT, SUFFOLK, YORK, BUCKINGHAM, SALISBURY and WARWICK to the Parlia-

Suffer

it

fear if better reasons can supplant,

Or else conclude my words

will

Scene

47

Duke.

in the

My Lord of Suffolk, Buckingham, and York,

for our journey.

sheet:

And show

If it be fond, caJl

Which I

attire

VI

Made me collect these dangers

the welfare of us

all

cutting short that fraudful man.

o'ergrow the garden

And choke the herbs for want of husbandry. The reverent care I bear unto my lord

Enter somerset.

Som. All health unto

my gracious

sovereign!

80

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

48

King. Welcome, Lord Somerset. What news from France? Som. That all your interest in those territories Is utterly bereft you; all is lost. King. Cold news, Lord Somerset: but God's will be done! York. [Aside] Cold news for me; for I had hope of France As firmly as I hope for fertile England.

Thus

my blossoms blasted in the bud eat my leaves away;

are

And caterpillars But

Or

will

I

sell

remedy

this

po

gear ere long,

my title for a glorious grave.

my lord the king! my liege, that I have stay'd so long.

Glou. All happiness unto

Nay, Gloucester, know that thou

Suf.

come too

A heart unspotted

is

/50

Murder indeed, that bloody sin, I tortured Above the felon or what trespass else. Suf.

My lord, these faults are easy, quickly

answer'd:

But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge. Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself. I do arrest you in his Highness' name;

will clear yourself from

all

suspect: 1^0

gerous: is

choked with

foul ambition

loo

my lord, that you took

And, being Protector, stay'd the

soldiers' pay;

By means whereof his Highness

hath lost France.

it

hand; predominant And equity exiled your Highness' land. I know their complot is to have my life, And if my death might make this island happy And prove the period of their tyranny, I would expend it with all willingness ijo But mine is made the prologue to their play; For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril. Will not conclude their plotted tragedy. Foul subornation

arrest:

bribes of France,

but thought so? what are they that

malice.

never robb'd the soldiers 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 studying good for Eng-

And

Suffolk's cloudy brow his stormy hate; Sharp Buckingham unburthens with his tongue

no

land, I wrested from the king, hoarded to my use.

doit that e'er

Or any groat

I

Be brought against me at my trial-day! No; many a pound of mine own proper store, Because I would not tax the needy commons, Have I dispursed to the garrisons, Car. It serves

you

well,

The envious load that lies upon his heart; And dogged York, that reaches at the moon. Whose overweening arm I have pluck'd back. By false accuse doth level at my life: 160 And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest. Causeless have laid disgraces on

And with your

my lord, to say so

And I

say no more than truth, so help

me 120

York. In your protectorship

you did devise

Strange tortures for offenders never heard

of,

That England was defamed by tyranny. 'tis

well

known that,

whiles

Protector,

Pity was all the fault that was in me; For I should melt at an offender's tears,

all

to

shall not

make away my guiltless want

false witness to

was

life.

condemn me,

Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt; The ancient proverb will be well effected:

ijo

"A staff is quickly found to beat a dog." Car.

My liege, his railing is intolerable:

If those that care to I

up

Ay, all of you have laid your heads together Myself had notice of your conventicles

much.

God!

my head

best endeavour have stirr'd

My liefest liege to be mine enemy:

And never ask'd for restitution.

Why,

is

Beaufort's red sparkling eyes blab his heart's

it?

I

Glou.

never gave them condign punishment:

Virtue

not easily daunted.

York. 'Tis thought,

I

gers, I

Glou. Ah, gracious lord, these days are dan-

The purest spring is not so free from mud As I am clear from treason to my sovereign: Who can accuse me? wherein am I guilty?

Glou.

a bloody murderer.

And charity chased hence by rancour's

Nor change my countenance for this

That

were

felonious thief that fleeced poor passen-

My conscience tells me you are innocent.

soon.

blush

think

it

Or foul

hope That you

art

Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art. I do arrest thee of high treason here. G/ow.Well, Suffolk, thou shalt not see me

Glou. Is

Unless

ACT in for their fault.

And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal To keep, until your further time of trial. King. My Lord of Gloucester, 'tis my special

Enter Gloucester.

Pardon,

VI

And lowly words were ransom

From

keep your royal person

treason's secret knife and traitors' rage

Be thus upbraided,

chid, and rated at.

And the offender granted scope of speech, 'Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.

!

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

I

Suf. Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here With ignominious words, though clerkly

Too

indeed;

Or as With

Beshrew the winners,

And

well such losers

for they play'd

may have

all

day:

Lord Cardinal, he

your prisoner. take away the Duke, and guard him

Car. Sirs,

is

sure.

King Henry throws away

Glou. Ah! thus

his

crutch

Before his legs be firm to bear his body. is the shepherd beaten from thy side

i^o

Thus

And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false! ah, that it were! For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear.

My lords, what to your wisdoms seem-

Queen.

shining checker'd slough, doth sting a for the beauty thinks

it

Believe me, lords, were none

excellent.

250

more wise than

I

And yet herein I judge mine own wit good This Gloucester should be quickly rid the world. To rid us from the fear we have of him. Car. That he should die is worthy policy; But yet we want a colour for his death: 'Tis meet he be condemn'd by course of law. Suf. But, in my mind, that were no policy: The King will labour still to save his life. The commons haply rise, to save his life; 2^0 And yet we have but trivial argument, More than mistrust, that shows him worthy death.

York. So that, by this,

you would not have him

die.

eth best,

Do or undo,

the snake roU'd in a flowering bank,

child

[Exit guarded.

King.

full

That

leave to speak.

my lord is cold in great affairs,

of foolish pity, and Gloucester's show Beguiles him as the mournful crocodile With sorrow snares relenting passengers,

me false!

Buck. He'll wrest the sense and hold us here

49

snow melts with the

sun's hot beams.

if she

i8o had suborned some to swear False allegations to o'erthrow his state? Queen. But I can give the loser leave to chide. Glou. Far truer spoke than meant: I lose,

As

VI

Queen. Free lords, cold

Henry

couch'd,

——

as if ourself were here.

What,

will

Suf.

your Highness leave the par-

Ah, York, no man

York. 'Tis

alive so fain as

York that hath more reason

I

for his

death.

liament?

King. Ay, Margaret;

my heart is drown'd with

But,

my Lord Cardinal,

and you,

my

Lord of

Suffolk,

Whose fiood begins to flow within mine eyes.

My body round engirt with misery,

200

For what's more miserable than discontent? Ah, uncle Humphrey! in thy face I see

The map of honour, truth and loyalty: And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come That

e'er

I

proved thee

false or fear'd

thy

faith.

What louring star now envies thy estate. That these great

lords and

Margaret our queen

Do seek subversion of thy harmless

it

to the bloody slaughter-house.

Even so remorseless have they borne him hence; And as the dam runs lowing up and down. Looking the way her harmless young one went.

And can do nought

but wail her darling's loss.

Even so myself bewails good Gloucester's case With sad unhelpful tears, and with dimm'd eyes Look after him and cannot do him good, Somighty are his vowed enemies. 220 His fortunes Say,

"Who's

I

will

weep and

'twixt each groan

a traitor? Gloucester he

is

As

place

Duke Humphrey

for the King's Pro-

tector?

250

Queen. So the poor chicken should be sure of death. Suf.

Madam,

'tis

true; and were't not madness,

then.

To make the fox surveyor of the fold?

life?

Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong; And as the butcher takes away the calf 210 And binds the wretch and beats it when it strays, Bearing

Say as you think, and speak it from your souls, Were't not all one, an empty eagle were set To guard the chicken from a hungry kite,

none."

[Exeunt all but queen, cardinal beaufort, SUFFOLK, and york; somerset remains apart.

Who being accused a crafty murderer, His guilt should be but idly posted over, Because his purpose is not executed. No; let him die, in that he is a fox, By nature proved an enemy to the flock. Before his chaps be stain'd with crimson blood, As Humphrey, proved by reasons, to my liege. And do not stand on quillets how to slay him: 261 Be it by gins, by snares, by subtlety. Sleeping or waking, 'tis no matter how, So he be dead; for that is good deceit Which mates him first that first intends deceit. Queen. Thrice-noble Suffolk,

'tis

resolutely

spoke. Suf. Not resolute, except so much were done; For things are often spoke and seldom meant:

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

50

my heart accordeth with my tongue,

But that

Seeing the deed is meritorious, And to preserve my sovereign from his foe,

York.

2jo

return

me soldiers, own affairs. I

lords.

520

will see per-

the false for

I

Duke Humphrey. with him no more.

will deal

shall trouble us

And

so break off; the day is almost spent: Lord Suffolk, you and I must talk of that event. York. My Lord of Suffolk, within fourteen days

And so say I. And I and now we three have spoke :

2^0

it,

who impugns our doom.

not greatly

At

Bristol

For there Suj.

see

I'll

lords,

from Ireland

my soldiers;

expect

I

I'll

Enter a post.

Great

Tost.

we to

No more of him,

That henceforth he

doing.

It skills

now

Car.

Queen. York.

take order for mine

I

form'd.

But

my hand, the deed is worthy

is

Majesty.

this task in hand.

provide

A charge. Lord York, that

S«/".

provide his executioner,

Here

am content:

I

Whiles

tender so the safety of my liege. S///".

ship it

them

*

am I come

York.

all

truly done,

Now, York,

for Ireland.

my Lord of York.

[Exeunt all but york. or never, steel thy fearful

thoughts,

amain,

55/

To signify that rebels there are up

And change misdoubt to resolution:

And put the Englishmen unto the sword: Send succours, lords, and stop the rage betime. Before the wound do grow uncurable; For, being green, there is great hope of help. Car. A breach that craves a quick expedient

Be that thou hopest

to be, or what thou art Resign to death; it is not worth the enjoying: Let pale-faced fear keep with the mean- born man, And find no harbour in a royal heart. Faster than spring-time showers comes thought

on thought.

stop!

What counsel give you in this weighty cause?

And not a thought but

That Somerset be sent as regent thither: 2^1 'Tis meet that lucky ruler be employ'd; Witness the fortune he hath had in France.

My brain more busy than the labouring spider

York.

Sww. If York, with all his far-fet policy. been the regent there instead of me. He never would have stay'd in France so long. York. No, not to lose it all, as thou hast done: I rather would have lost my life betimes Than bring a burthen of dishonour home

Had

By staying there so long till all were lost. Show me one scar character'd on thy skin: Men's

flesh

I

I

Whiles I

with:

sweet Somerset, be still: Thy fortune, York, hadst thou been regent there. Might happily have proved far worse than his. York. What, worse than nought? nay, then, a

shame take

all!

in the

number, thee that wishest

My Lord of York, try what your fortune

The uncivil kerns of Ireland

And temper clay with Ireland will

you

are in arms

blood of Englishmen:

lead a band of men.

I

lack'd and

is.

5/0

you

will give

them

in a

madman's hands. mighty band,

in Ireland nourish a

I

up in England somiC black storm blow ten thousand souls to heaven or

will stir

Shall

hell;

tempest shall not cease to rage 55/ Until the golden circuit on my head. Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams, Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw. And, for a minister of my intent, I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman, John Cade of Ashford, To make commotion, as full well he can, Under the title of John Mortimer. 5 60 In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade Oppose himself against a troop of kerns. And fought so long, till that his thighs with darts fell

Were almost like a sharp-quill'd porpentine; end being rescued,I have seen

Collected choicely, from each county some,

And,

And try your hap against the

Him caper upright like a wild Morisco,

Irishmen?

me

kindly; yet be well assured

it

You put sharp weapons ^00

No more, good York;

To

take

And this

it

snake,

cherish'd in your breasts, will sting your

hearts.

fire.

Car.

me you but warm the starved

fear

'Twas men

preserved so whole do seldom win.

If wind and fuel be brought to feed

thinks on dignity.

Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies. 5^0 Well, nobles, well, 'tis politicly done. To send me packing with an host of men:

Who,

Queen. Nay, then, this spark will prove a raging

Som. And, shame!

III

Why, our authority^ is his consent, And what we do establish he confirms:

Ere you can take due orders for a priest: Say you consent and censure well the deed. I

ACT

Suj.

York.

Suffolk,

I'll

VI my lord, so please his

Then, noble York, take thou

Say but the word, and I will be his priest. Car. But I would have him dead, my Lord of

And

will,

I

in the

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

I

Pray

Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells.

King.

Full often, like a shag-hair'd crafty kern,

^jo And given me notice of their villainies. This devil here shall be my substitute; For that John Mortimer, which now is dead, In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble: By this I shall perceive the commons' mind, How they affect the house and claim of York. Say he be taken, rack'd and tortured, I know no pain they can inflict upon him Will make him say I moved him to those arms. Say that he thrive, as 'tis great like he will, Why, then from Ireland come I with my strength And reap the harvest which that rascal sow'd;^^/ For Humphrey being dead, as he shall be. [Exit. And Henry put apart, the next for me.

Bury St Edmund's:

ii.

A

Enter certain murderers, ist

jR^-^Z^r SUFFOLK.

thou?

Where Suf.

Car.

him

Go, get you

to

my

Suf. Comfort,

Suf.

as

I

w

gave directions?

my good lord.

'Tis,

Away! be gone.

[Exeunt murderers.

Sound trumpets. Enter the king, the queen, cardinal BEAUFORT, SOMERSET, ivith Attendants. King. Go,

call

comfort! King. What, doth

our uncle to our presence

If he be guilty, as call

40

By crying comfort from a hollow breast. Can chase away the first-conceived sound?

Their touch affrights me as a serpent's sting. Thou baleful messenger, out of my sight! Upon thy eye-balls murderous tyranny Sits in grim majesty, to fright the world. 50 Look not upon me, for thine eyes are wounding: Yet do not go away: come, basilisk. And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight; For in the shade of death I shall find joy: In life but double death, now Gloucester's dead. Queen. Why do you rate my Lord of Suffolk thus?

Say we intend to try I'll

my Lord of Suffolk comfort

Came he right now to sing a raven's note, Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers; And thinks he that the chirping of a wren,

straight;

Suf.

How fares my gracious lord? my sovereign! gracious Henry,

Hide not thy poison with such sugar'd words: Lay not thy hands on me; forbear, I say;

for this venturous deed.

The King and all the peers are here at hand. Have you laid fair the bed? Is all things well, According

be patient.

O heavenly God!

me?

house;

Mur.

dead.

He doth revive again: madam,

King.

istMur. Here comes my lord. Now, sirs, have you dispatch'd this thing? istMur. Ay, my good lord, he's dead.

ist

is

eyes!

Suf.

reward you

to-

How fares my lord? Help, lords! the

King

Suf.

Enter Suffolk.

will

dream

Som. Rear up his body; wring him by the nose. Queen. Run, go, help, help! O Henry, ope thine

so penitent?

that's well said.

did

The KING swoons. Queen.

it

Why,

^0 I

night

Queen.

man

God forfend!

God's secret judgement:

The Duke was dumb and could not speak a word.

know

I

our uncle? what's the matter, Suffolk? in his bed, my lord; Gloucester is

dead.

room of state

let

is

Dead

Queen. Marry,

We have dispatch'd the Duke, as he commanded. 2nd Mur. O that were to do! What have we

Suf.

thank thee, Meg; these words content

I

How now! why look'st thou pale? why tremblest

hastily.

Mur. Run to my Lord of Suffolk;

done? Didst ever hear a

51

me much.

Hath he conversed with the enemy. And undiscover'd come to me again

Scene

VI

God he may acquit him of suspicion!

'tis

his

Although the Duke was enemy to him. Yet he most Christian-like laments his death: And for myself, foe as he was to me.

Grace to-day.

published.

him presently,

my noble lord. [Exit.

King. Lords, take your places; and,

I

pray you

all.

Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloucester Than from true evidence of good esteem 21 He be approved in practice culpable. Queen. God forbid any malice should prevail, That faultless may condemn a nobleman!

Might

liquid tears or heart-offending groans

Or blood-consuming I

would be

Look

sighs recall his

60

life,

blind with weeping, sick with groans,

pale as primrose with blood-drinking sighs,

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 judged I made the Duke away;

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

52

So shall my name with slander's tongue be with my reproach. jo This get I by his death: ay me, unhappy! To be a queen, and crown'd with infamy!

King. Ah,

courts be

me

woe

is

woe

for

fill'd

for Gloucester,

ACT

m

When he to madding Dido would unfold

wounded,

And princes'

VI

wretched

His

father's acts

Am

I

commenced

in

burning Troy!

not witch'd like her? or thou not false like

him?

Ay me,

I can no more! die, Margaret! 120 For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long.

man! Queen. Be

Noise ivithin. Enter Warwick^ Salisbury,

me, more wretched than he

and many commons.

is.

What, I

dost thou turn

am no loathsome

What!

away and hide thy

leper; look

War. It is reported, mighty sovereign. That good Duke Humphrey traitorously

face?

on me.

art thou, like the adder,

waxen deaf?

kill thy forlorn queen. thy comfort shut in Gloucester's tomb? Why, then. Dame Margaret was ne'er thy joy.

Be poisonous too and Is all

Erect his statua and worship it, And make my image but an alehouse sign.

Was

So

By Suffolk and the Cardinal Beaufort's means. The commons, like an angry hive of bees That want their leader, scatter up and down And care not who they sting in his revenge. Myself have calm'd

wreck'd upon the sea And twice by awkward wind from England's bank Drove back again unto my native clime? What boded this, but well forewarning wind Did seem to say, "Seek not a scorpion's nest, Nor set no footing on this unkind shore"? I

for this nigh

their spleenful mutiny.

Until they hear the order of his death.

King. That; he

is

dead, good

Warwick,

too

'tis

true;

/50

But how he died God knows, not Henry: Enter his chamber, view his breathless corpse,

And comment then upon his War. That

What did I then, but cursed the gentle gusts And he that loosed them forth their brazen caves: And bid them blow towards England's blessed

shall

I

do,

sudden death.

my liege. Stay, Salis-

bury,

With the rude multitude till I return. King. O Thou that judgest all things,

^o

shore,

mur-

is

der'd

[Exit.

stay

my

thoughts,

Or turn our stern upon a dreadful rock?

My thoughts, that labour to persuade my soul

Yet ^olus would not be a murderer, But left that hateful office unto thee:

Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey's

The pretty-vaulting sea refused to drown me. Knowing that thou wouldst have me drown'd on

forgive me, God, For judgement only doth belong to thee. Fain would I go to chafe his paly lips With twenty thousand kisses and to drain

shore

With tears as salt as sea, through thy unkindness: The splitting rocks cower'd in the sinking sands And would not dask me with their ragged sides, Because thy flinty heart, more hard than they, loo Might in thy palace perish Margaret. As far as I could ken thy chalky cliffs. When from thy shore the tempest beat us back, I stood upon the hatches in the storm. And when the dusky sky began to rob My earnest-gaping sight of thy land's view, I took a costly jewel from my neck, A heart it was, bound in with diamonds. And threw it towards thy land the sea received :

life!

If

my suspect be false,

Upon his

face an ocean of salt tears,

To tell my love unto his dumb deaf trunk And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling: But

vain are these

all in

mean obsequies;

And to survey his dead and earthly image. What were it but to make my sorrow greater? Re-enter

Warwick and others,

bearing Gloucester's

body on a bed.

War.

Come hither, gracious

this

sovereign, view

body.

King. That

is

to see

how deep my grave

is

made;

it,

And so I wish'd thy body might my heart: And even with this I lost fair England's view no And bid mine eyes be packing with my heart And call'd them blind and dusky spectacles. ^

For losing ken of Albion's wished coast. I tempted Sufl^olk's tongue, The agent of thy foul inconstancy, To sit and witch me, as Ascanius did

How often have

/40

For with his soul fled all my worldly solace, For seeing him I see my life in death. War. As surely as my soul intends to live With that dread King that took our state upon him To free us from his father's wrathful curse, I do believe that violent hands were laid Upon the life of this thrice-famed duke.

/yo

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

11

A dreadful oath, sworn with a solemn

Suf.

War.

seen a timely-parted ghost,

I

not

53

Warwick,

if false

Of ashy semblance,

i6i

meagre, pale and bloodless.

descended to the labouring heart; it holds with death.

Being

all

Who,

in the conflict that

He dares not calm his contumelious spirit

Queen.

Nor cease to be an arrogant controller. Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times. War. Madam, be still; with reverence may I say;

Attracts the same for aidance 'gainst the enemy; Which with the heart there cools and ne'er re-

For every word you speak in his behalf Is slander to your royal dignity. Suf. Blunt-witted lord, ignoble in demeanour! If ever lady

turneth

wrong'd her lord so much,

To blush and beautify the cheek again.

Thy mother took into her blameful

But see, his face is black and full of blood. His eye-balls further out than when he lived, ijo Staring full ghastly like a strangled man; His hair uprear'd, his nostrils stretched with

And never of the Nevils'

struggling; ^

His hands abroad display'd, as one that grasp'd And tugg'd for life and was by strength subdued: Look, on the sheets his hair, you see, is sticking; His well-proportion'd beard made rough and rugged.

Like to the summer's corn by tempest lodged. cannot be but he was murder'd here; The least of all these signs were probable. Suf. Why, Warwick, who should do the Duke to death?

Myself and Beaufort had him in protection; i8o I hope, sir, are no murderers. War. But both of you were vow'd Duke Hum-

And we,

forsooth, had the good

Duke to

him

'Tis like

you would not

And

well seen he found an enemy.

'tis

Queen.

Then you,

feast

keep:

like a friend;

Humphrey's

timeless death.

Who finds the heifer dead and bleeding

And

sees fast by a butcher with an axe. But will suspect 'twas he that made the slaughter?

Who finds the partridge in the puttock's nest,

191

But may imagine how the bird was dead. Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak?

Even so suspicious is this tragedy. Queen. Are you the butcher, Suffolk? Where's your knife? Beaufort term'd a kite?

Suf.

I

wear no knife

But here's

Where are his

talons?

to slaughter sleeping

men;

sword, rusted with ease. That shall be scoured in his rancorous heart 199 That slanders me with murder's crimson badge. Say, if thou darest, proud Lord of Warwicka vengeful

shire,

That

I

am

faulty in

[£ji:^?7/

presence makes

Duke Humphrey's

me

mild,

2/p

murderous coward, on thy knee Make thee beg pardon for thy passed speech x\nd say it was thy mother that thou meant' st, That thou thyself wast born in bastardy; would,

false

And

after all this fearful homage done. Give thee thy hire and send thy soul to hell, Pernicious blood-sucker of sleeping men! Suf. Thou shalt be waking while I shed thy

blood.

War.

go with me.

Away even now, or I will drag thee hence:

Unworthy though thou art,

I'll

cope with thee 2^0

death.

CARDINAL, SOMERSET, and Others.

ghost.

[Exeunt Suffolk and Warwick.

belike, suspect these noble-

fresh

Is

And that my sovereign's

King.

guilty of Duke

War.

noble race.

War. But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee And I should rob the deathsman of his fee, Quitting thee thereby often thousand shames,

And do some service to Duke Humphrey's

men As

art

If from this presence thou darest

phrey's foes.

211

bed Some stern untutor'd churl, and noble stock Was graft with crab-tree slip; whose fruit thou

I

It

And you,

Suffolk

dare him?

tongue!

What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow? War. See how the blood is settled in his face. Oft have

What dares

VI

What stronger breastplate than a heart

untainted!

Thrice is he arm'd that hath his quarrel just, And he but naked, though lock'd up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

A noise within. Queen.

What noise is this?

Re-enter

Suffolk and Warwick, with

their

weapons drawn.

Why, how now, lords! your wrathful weapons drawn Here in our presence! dare you be so bold? Why, what tumultous clamour have we here? Suf. The traitorous Warwick with the men of Bury 240 Set all upon me, mighty sovereign. Sal. [To r/z^ COMMONS, entering] Sirs, stand apart; the King shall know your mind. Dread lord, the commons send you word by me. Unless Lord Suffolk straight be done to death, King.

—

!

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

54

Or banished fair England's territories, They will by violence tear him from your palace And torture him with grievous lingering death. They say, by him the good Duke Humphrey died;

They say, in him they fear your Highness' And mere instinct of love and loyalty,

death;

250

Free from a stubborn opposite intent. As being thought to contradict your liking. Makes them thus forward in his banishment. They say, in care of your most royal person. That if your Highness should intend to sleep And charge that no man should disturb your rest In pain of your dislike or pain of death. Yet, notwithstanding such a strait edict. Were there a serpent seen, with forked tongue, 260 That slily glided towards your Majesty, It

But when If,

'I

There's two of you; the devil make a third! And threefold vengeance tend upon your steps Suf. Cease, gentle queen, these execrations

And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave. Queen. Fie, coward woman and soft-hearted wretch!

whether you will or

say,

is

his

worth,

shamefully bereft of life.

Commons. [Within] An answer from the Kmg, 2jo my Lord of Salisbury Suf. 'Tis like the commons, rude unpolish'd

Would'curses

or we will all break in! King. Go, Salisbury, and tell them all from me, 280 I thank them for their tender loving care; And had I not been cited so by them. Yet did I purpose as they do entreat; For, sure, my thoughts do hourly prophesy Mischance unto my state by Suffolk's means: And therefore, by His majesty I swear. Whose far unworthy deputy I am. He shall not breathe infection in this air But three days longer, on the pain of death. [Exit SALISBURY.

O Henry, let me plead for gentle Suffolk!

King. Ungentle queen, to

call

him gentle Suf290

folk!

No more,

would invent

thou dost plead for him, Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath. Had I but said, I would have kept my word, I

say:

if

curse thine enemy? I

kill,

as doth the

mandrake's groan,

as bitter-searching terms,

5//

and horrible to hear, Deliver'd strongly through my fixed teeth. With full as many signs of deadly hate. As lean-faced Envy in her loathsome cave: My tongue should stumble in mine earnest words; curst, as harsh

Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint; Mine hair be fix'd on end, as one distract; Ay, every

hinds,

Could send such message to their sovereign: But you, my lord, were glad to be employ'd, To show how quaint an orator you are: But all the honour Salisbury hath won Is, that he was the lord ambassador Sent from a sort of tinkers to the King. Commons. [Within] An answer from the King,

spirit to

A plague upon them! wherefore should

curse them?

As

From such fell serpents as false Suffolk is, With whose envenomed and fatal sting.

Queen.

Suf.

I

Your loving uncle, twenty times

ruler of.

ransom for thy life. Come, Warwick, come, good Warwick, go with me; I have great matters to impart to thee. [Exeunt all but queen and Suffolk. Queen. Mischance and sorrow go along with you! ^00 Heart's discontent and sour affliction Be playfellows to keep you company! shall not be

Hast thou not

no,

They

III

irrevocable.

On any ground that am

The mortal worm might make the sleep eternal; And therefore do they cry, though you forbid. will guard you,

it is

ACT

after three days' space, thou here be'st found

The world

were but necessary you were waked.

Lest, being sufFer'd in that harmful slumber.

That they

swear,

I

VI

!

!

joint should

seem to curse and ban:

And even now my burthen'd heart would break. Should

I

not curse them. Poison be their

drink! Gall,

worse than gall, the

52/ daintiest that they

taste!

Their sweetest shade a grove of cypress trees! Their chiefest prospect murdering basilisks Their softest touch as smart as lizards' stings! Their music frightful as the serpent's hiss, And boding screech-owls make the concert full! All the foul terrors in dark-seated hell Queen. Enough, sweet Suffolk; thou torment'st thyself;

And these dread curses, like the sun 'gainst glass, Or like an overcharged gun, recoil, 55 And turn the force of them upon thyself. Suf. You bade me ban, and will you bid me /

leave?

Now, by the ground that I am banish'd from. Well could I curse away a winter's night, Though standing naked on a mountain top.

Where biting cold would never let grass grow, And think it but a minute spent in sport. Queen. O, let me entreat thee cease. Give me thy hand,

!

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

SCENE

!!

That

may dew

Nor

I

let

with my mournful tears; the rain of heaven wet this place,

^40

it

To wash away my wofiil monuments. O, could this kiss be printed in thy hand, That thou mightst think upon these by the seal, Through whom, a thousand sighs are breathed for thee!

So, get thee gone, that

I

may know my grief;

'Tis but surmised whiles thou art standing by,

As one that I

surfeits thinking

on a want.

will repeal thee, or, be well assured,

Adventure to be banished myself: 550 banished I am, if but from thee. Go; speak not to me; even now be gone. O, go not yet! Even thus two friends condemned

And

And

For where thou

art,

there

the world

is

thy sight to

From

thee to die were torture

O,

me stay,

let

so fast?

befall

applied to a deathful

wound.

sweet Suffolk: let me hear from thee; For wheresoe'er thou art in this world's globe, I'll have an Iris that shall find thee out. Suf.

I

go.

And take my heart with thee.

Queen. Suf.

A jewel,

lock'd into the wofuU'st cask

way fall

I

This

Scene what news,

at point

I

way for me. [Exeunt severally.

To signify unto his

Why only, Suffolk, mourn

^10

to death.

hi.

A bedchamber

Enter the king, Salisbury, Warwick,

CARDINAL is

befall!

parting be a fretful corro-

To France,

Queen.

Majesty of death; For suddenly a grievous sickness took him, ^jo That makes him gasp and stare and catch the air, Blaspheming God and cursing men on earth. Sometime he talks as if Duke Humphrey's ghost Were by his side; sometime he calls the King And whispers to his pillow as to him The secrets of his overcharged soul: And I am sent to tell his Majesty That even now he cries aloud for him. Queen. Go tell this heavy message to the King. [ExitwMJx. Ay me! what is this world! what news are these! But wherefore grieve I at an hour's poor loss, ^81 Omitting Suffolk's exile, my soul's treasure? Vaux.

^00 death:

sive. It is

prithee?

That Cardinal Beaufort

else

more than

what may

Away! though

Queen.

Enter WMjx.

Vaux

it

To die by thee were but to die in jest;

This

can no more: live thou to joy thy life; Myself no joy in nought but that thou livest.

I

I

55

what were

That ever did contain a thing of worth. Even as a splitted bark, so sunder we:

itself,

With every several pleasure in the world, And where thou art not, desolation.

Queen. Whither goes

VI

die,

But like a pleasant slumber in thy lap? 5^0 Here could I breathe my soul into the air, As mild and gentle as the cradle-babe Dying with mother's dug between its lips: Where, from thy sight, I should be raging mad And cry out for thee to close up mine eyes. To have thee with thy lips to stop my mouth; So shouldst thou either turn my flying soul, Or I should breathe it so into thy body. And then it lived in sweet Elysium.

Embrace and

kiss and take ten thousand leaves, Leather a hundred times to part than die. Yet now farewell; and farewell life with thee! Suf. Thus is poor Suffolk ten times banished; Once by the king, and three times thrice by thee. 'Tis not the land I care for, wert thou thence; A wilderness is populous enough, ^60 So Suffolk had thy heavenly company:

in

not for thee.

King.

to the

in bed.

How fares my lord?

speak, Beaufort, to

thy sovereign. Car. If thou be'st death,

I'll

give thee England's

treasure.

Enough

to purchase such another island.

So thou wilt let me live, and feel no pain. King. Ah, what a sign it is of evil life.

Where death's

approach is seen so terrible! War. Beaufort, it is thy sovereign speaks to thee. Car. Bring me unto my trial when you will. Died he not in his bed? where should he die? Can I make men live, whether they will or no? O, torture me no more! I will confess.

w

Alive agam? then show me where he is: I'll give a thousand pound to look upon him. He hath no eyes, the dust hath blinded them. Comb down his hair; look, look! it stands up-

And

with the southern clouds contend in tears, Theirs for the earth's increase, mine for my sorrows?

Now get thee hence:

the King, thou know'st, coming; If thou be found by me, thou art but dead. Suf. If I depart from thee, I cannot live;

is

Like lime-twigs

set to catch

Give me some drink; and

my winged soul.

bid the apothecary

Bring the strong poison that I bought of him. thou eternal Mover of the heavens. King. Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch O, beat away the busy meddling fiend

O

20

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

56

That

his

bosom purge this black

how

War. See,

despair!

the pangs of death do

make him

grin!

Disturb him not; let him pass peaceably. King. Peace to his soul, if God's good pleasure Sal.

so should these,

to meditation.

ACT

And

so

am

if

I

my name is

I;

Walter Whit-

more.

How now! why start'st thou?

what, doth death

affright?

Suf.

Thy name affrights me,

in

whose sound

is

death.

A cunning man did calculate my birth

King. Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all. Close up his eyes and draw the curtain close; all

IV

shalt thou die;

[To SUFFOLK. might have my will. Cap. Be not so rash; take ransom, let him live. Suf. Look on my George; I am a gentleman: Rate me at what thou wilt, thou shalt be paid, 50

And

Whit.

be!

Lord Cardinal, if thou think'st on heaven's bliss, Hold up thy hand, make signal of thy hope. He dies, and makes no sign. O God, forgive him! 29 War. So bad a death argues a monstrous life.

And let us

ACT

And therefore to revenge it,

lays strong siege unto this wretch's soul

And from

VI

[Exeunt.

And told me that by water I should die: Yet let not this make thee be bloody-minded; Thy name is Gaultier, being rightly sounded. Whit. Gaultier or Walter, which

IV

it is, I

care

not:

Scene

i.

The coast of Kent

Alarum. Fight at sea. Ordnance goes off. Enter a CAPTAIN, a MASTER, a MASTEr's-MATE, WALTER WHITMORE, and others; with them Suffolk, disguised, and other gentlemen, prisoners. Cap.

The gaudy,

Is crept into the

blabbing and remorseful day

bosom of the

sea;

prince,

And now

The Duke of Suffolk, William de la Pole. Whit. The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in

loud-howling wolves arouse the jades That drag the tragic melancholy night; Who, with their drowsy, slow, and flagging

rags!

wings.

Suf.

Clip dead men's graves and from their misty

For, whilst out pinnace anchors in the Downs, Here shall they make their ransom on the sand,

Or with their

Jove sometime went disguised, and why not I? Cap. But Jove was never slain, as thou shalt be. Suf. Obscure and lowly swain, King Henry's blood, 10

blood stain this discolour'd shore.

Bare-headed plodded by

And

so

What,

much

shall

you

Fed from

When I

give, or off goes

my trencher, kneel 'd down at the

think

you much

to

pay two thou-

Ay, and

the villains' throats; for die

you

The lives of those which we have lost in it,

sir;

a petty sum! and therefore spare

21

And therefore shall

I

and write home for

it

straight. I

lost

mine eye

60

in laying the prize aboard,

in

thy behalf

charm thy riotous tongue. I

stab the forlorn

swain? Cap. First

so will

it

Whit. Speak, captain, shall

my

Hfe.

2nd Gent. And

make thee crest -fall'n,

This hand of mine hath writ

shall:

fight

Be counterpoised with such give

it

allay this thy abortive pride;

How in our voiding lobby hast thou stood And duly waited for my coming forth?

And bear the name and port of gentlemen?

I'll

have feasted with Queen Margaret?

Remember it and let

sand crowns,

Whit.

my foot-cloth mule

board.

yours.

Gent.

my stir-

How often hast thou waited at my cup,

head.

1st

hand and held

And thought thee happy when I shook my head?

A thousand crowns, or else lay down your

Cut both

kiss'd thy

rup?

know.

Cap.

50

The honourable blood of Lancaster, Must not be shed by such a jaded groom. Hast thou not

Master, this prisoner freely give I thee; And thou that art his mate, make boot of this; The other, Walter Whitmore, is thy share. ist Gent. What is my ransom, master? let me

Mate.

Ay, but these rags are no part of the

duke:

jaws Breathe foul contagious darkness in the air. Therefore bring forth the soldiers of our prize;

Mast.

Never yet did base dishonour blur our name. But with our sword we wiped away the blot; 40 Therefore, when merchant-like I sell revenge. Broke be my sword, my arms torn and defaced, And I proclaim'd a coward through the world! Suf. Stay, Whitmore; for thy prisoner is a

me. Suf. Base thou.

let

my words stab him,

slave,

as

he hath

thy words are blunt and so art

— SCENE

o

:

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

I

Cap. Convey him hence and on our long-boat's side

I charge thee waft Capt. Walter,

Come,

Whit.

Strike off his head.

Thou

Suf.

darest not, for thy

own.

Pole!

Pool! Sir Pool! lord! 70

Cap.

Suffolk,

I

must waft thee to thy

death. Suf. Gelidus timor occupat artus, it is thee I fear. Whit. Thou shalt have cause to fear before I

Cap. Yes, Pole. Suf.

VI 57 me safely cross the Channel.

leave thee.

now? now

whose filth and dirt Troubles the silver spring where England drinks. Now will I dam up this thy yawning mouth

What,

For swallowing the treasure of the realm: Thy lips that kiss'd the queen shall sweep the

Suf. Suffolk's imperial tongue is stern and rough. Used to command, untaught to plead for favour.

Ay, kennel, puddle,

sink;

death

Against the senseless winds shalt grin in vain, Who in contempt shall hiss at thee again: And wedded be thou to the hags of hell,

For daring to affy

a

mighty lord

Unto the daughter of a worthless Having neither

By

So

grown great

it

we should honour such as these

suit: no, rather let my head Stoop to the block than these knees bow to any Save to the God of heaven and to my king; And sooner dance upon a bloody pole Than stand uncover'd to the vulgar groom.

True nobility

That

75

this

my death may never be forgot!

Great men oft die by vile bezonians: A Roman sworder and banditto slave Murder'd sweet TuUy; Brutus' bastard hand Stabb'd Julius Cassar; savage islanders

Pompey the Great; and Suffolk dies by pirates. [Exeunt whitmore and others ivith Suffolk. Cap. And as for these whose ransom we have set.

Re-enter

:

thee.

O that

I

of our king.

body.

head and lifeless body lie, Until the queen his mistress bury it. [Exit, 1st Gent. O barbarous and bloody spectacle! 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 with the body. let his

Away! convey him hence.

were

Scene

a god, to shoot forth

ii.

Blackheath

Enter GEORGE bevis and ]ohn Holland.

thunder

Upon these paltry, Small things

whitmore with Suffolk's

Whit. There

Burns with revenging fire; whose hopeful colours Advance our half- faced sun, striving to shine, Under the which is writ ''Invitis nubibus.'" The commons here in Kent are up in arms 100 And, to conclude, reproach and beggary Is crept into the palace

1^0

[Exeunt all but the first gentleman.

the

By shameful murder of a guiltless king And lofty proud encroaching tyranny.

make

servile, abject

base

drudges!

men proud:

Bevis.

of a

this villain

here.

impossible that I should die such a lowly vassal as thyself.

It is

Thy words move rage and not remorse in me: go of message from the Queen to France;

no

a sword, though made have been up these two days. have the more need to sleep now,

Come, and get thee

lath: they

Holl.

Being captain of a pinnace, threatens more Than Bargulus the strong Illyrian pirate. Drones suck not eagles' blood but rob bee-hives:

I

fear:

him away, and let him talk no more. Come, soldiers, show what cruelty ye can,

crown

By

exempt from

It is

As hating thee, are rising up in arms: And now the house of York, thrust from

Suf.

is

bear than you dare execute.

our pleasure one of them depart Therefore come you with us and let him go.

vain,

by

120

fair.

With humble

Suf.

like ambitious Sylla,

all

ye stoop?

Cap. Hale

overgorged With gobbets of thy mother's bleeding heart. By thee Anjou and Maine were sold to France, The false revolting Normans thorough thee Disdain to call us lord, and Picardy Hath slain their governors, surprised our forts And sent the ragged soldiers wounded home. 90 The princely Warwick, and the Nevils all. Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in

And

will

My gracious lord, entreat him, speak

More can I

king,

subject, wealth, nor diadem.

devilish policy art thou

And,

him

Far be

ground;

And thou that smiled at good Duke Humphrey's

are ye daunted

Gent.

ist

They

then. thee. Jack Cade the clothier means commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon it. Holl. So he had need, for 'tis threadbare. Well, I say it was never merry world in England since 10 gentlemen came up.

Bevis.

I tell

to dress the

—

— — —— —

—

!

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

58

O miserable age! virtue

Bevis.

is

not regarded in

handicrafts-men.

his coat

The nobihty

Holl.

think scorn to go in leather

aprons. Bevis. Nay, more, the King's workmen.

council are no good

"Labour in thy vocation"; which is as much to say as, "Let the magistrates be labouring men; and therefore 20 should we be magistrates." Bevis. Thou hast hit it; for there's no better sign of a brave mind than a hard hand. Holl. True; and yet

Holl.

I

see them!

said,

it is

see them! There's Best's son,

I

the tanner of Wingham

make dog's-leather of. Holl. And Dick the Butcher Bevis. Then is sin struck down

to

and

Argo, their thread of life is spun. Holl. Come, come, let's fall in with them.

Cade.

Cade. Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will

make shall

the Butcher,

rather,

felony to drink small beer:

it

palfry

all

common; and in Cheapside go to grass and when I am king,

be in

:

the realm shall

as

my

king

I

will be

God save your majesty! thank you, good people: there shall be all shall eat and drink on my score; will apparel them all in one livery, that they agree like brothers and worship me their

Cade.

I

I

may

infinite

The

Dick.

"first

thing

we

do, let's kill

all

the

Nay,

Cade.

smith

that

mean

I

to do. Is not this a la-

mentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? that parchment,

the

numbers.

father

Or

of proof.

lawyers.

We John Cade, so termed of our supposed

Dick. [Aside]

IV

lord.

50

Bevis.

Weaver, and a Sawyer, with

ACT

sheep.

and like an ox,

And Smith the weaver

Drum. Enter CADE, dick

VI

need not fear the sword; for

no money;

iniquity's throat cut like a calf.

Holl.

is

He

Dick. [Aside] But n^thinks he should stand in fear of fire, being burnt i' the hand for stealing of

All.

He shall have the skins of our enemies,

Bevis.

Smith. [Aside]

of stealing a cade of

being scribbled o'er, should undo a man? Some say the bee stings: but I say, 'tis the bee's wax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never

mine own man since.

How now! who's there?

91

herrings.

For our enemies

Cade.

shall fall before us, in-

spired with the spirit of putting

princes

—Command

down

40

He was

My mother a Plantagenet knew

I

Dick.

Dick. [Aside] She was, indeed, a pedler's daugh-

many laces. [Aside] But now of late,

and sold

49 not able to travel

Has

a

book

in his

pocket with red

letters

in't.

Cade.

My wife descended of the Lacies

Smith.

We took him setting of boys' copies.

Smith.

her well; she was a mid-

wife.

ter,

O monstrous

Smith.

Cade. Here's a villain'

Dick. [Aside] Cade.

clerk of Chatham: he can write and

read and cast accompt. Cade.

an honest man, and a good

bricklayer.

Cade.

The

Smith.

My father was a Mortimer

Dick. [Aside}

CHATHAM.

kings and

silence.

Dick. Silence! Cade.

Enter some, bringing forward the clerk of

Nay, then, he is a conjurer. Nay, he can make obligations, and write

court-hand. Cade.

I

am

loi

sorry

for't:

of mine honour; unless

the I

man

find

is

him

a proper

guilty,

man,

he shall

with her furred pack, she washes bucks here at

not die.

Come hither, sirrah, I must examine thee:

home.

what

thy name? Emmanuel.

Cade. Therefore

Dick. [Aside]

am I of an honourable house.

Ay, by my faith, the field is honwas he born, under a hedge,

ourable; and there

for his father had never a house but the cage.

Cade. Valiant

I

am.

Smith. [Aside] A' must needs; for beggary

is

I

am

able to endure

Dick. [Aside]

No

much.

question of that: for

I

60 have

seen him whipped three market-days together. Cade.

I

They use to write it on the top of letters: go hard with you. Cade. Let me alone. Dost thou use to write thy name? or hast thou a mark to thyself, like an Dick.

'twill

honest plain-dealing man?

thank God, brought up that I can write

fear neither

sword nor

fire.

///

have been so well my name. All. He hath confessed: away with him! he's a villain and a traitor. Cade. Away with him, I say! hang him with his Clerk. Sir,

valiant.

Cade.

is

Clerk.

I

I

:

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

II

his neck.

pen and ink-horn about

[Exit one with the clerk.

£wr^r MICHAEL.

Mich. Where's our general? 119 Cade. Here I am, thou particular fellow. Mich. Fly, fly, fly! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are hard by, with the King's forces. Cade. Stand, villain, stand, or

He

himself: he

is

but a knight,

thee down.

I'll fell

man

be encountered with a

shall

good

as

as

is a'?

Mich. No. Cade.

To equal

him,

I

will

presently. [Kneels] Rise

make myself a

up

knight

John Mortimer.

Sir

Now have at him!

[Rises]

VI

59

That speaks he knows not what? 160 All. Ay, marry, will we; therefore get ye gone. W. Staf. Jack Cade, the Duke of York hath taught you this. Cade. [Aside]

Go to,

He lies,

sirrah, tell the

for

I

invented

King from me,

it

myself.

that, for his

father's sake, Henry the Fifth, in whose time boys went to span-counter for French crowns, I am content he shall reign; but I'll be Protector over him. Dick. And furthermore, we'll have the Lord Say's head for selling the dukedom of Maine, ijo Cade. And good reason; for thereby is England mained, and fain to go with a staff, but that my puissance holds it up. Fellow kings, I tell you that

Lord Say hath gelded the commonwealth, and made it an eunuch: and more than that, he can speak French; and therefore he is a traitor. H. Staf. O gross and miserable ignorance! Cade. Nay, answer, if you can: the Frenchmen are our enemies; go to, then, I ask but this: can he that speaks with the tongue of an enemy be a that

Humphrey Stafford and william

Enter sir

STAFFORD,

H.

his Brother, ivith

drum and soldiers.

Rebellious hinds, the

Staf.

and scum of

filth

Kent,

Home

/50

your weapons down; to your cottages, forsake this groom:

Mark'd

for the gallows, lay

The King is merciful, if you revolt. W. Staf. But angry, wrathful, and

inclined to

W.

blood. If you

Cade.

go forward; therefore

As

yield, or die.

for these silken-coated slaves,

you, good people, that in time to come,

Over whom, For

I

H.

I

speak.

I

hope to reign;

am rightful heir unto the crown.

Staf. Villain,

thy father was a plasterer;

140

And thou thyself a shearman, art thou not? Cade. And Adam was a gardener. W. Staf. And what of that? Cade. Marry this: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, Married the Duke of Clarence' daughter, did he Staf.

Cade.

W.

Ay,

By

sir.

her he had

That's

Staf.

Cade.

Ay,

two children

at

one

birth.

false.

there's the question; but

say,

I

'tis

true:

by

a

being put to nurse,

beggar-woman

stolen

1^0

[Exeunt the two staffords, and soldiers. Cade.

And you

birth and parentage,

Became

a bricklayer

when he came to

His son

am

Now show yourselves men;

commons, follow 'tis

for liberty.

Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon; For they are thrifty honest men and such As would, but that they dare not, take our pafts. Dick. They are all in order and march toward

I;

Nay,

deny

'tis

it,

Cade. But then are

Scene

if you can.

too true; therefore he shall be

made

a

chimney

in

my

father's

house, and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it; therefore deny it not.

And will you credit this

words.

in order

when we

are

200

[Exeunt.

Alarums

hi.

Another part of Blackheath

to the fight,

wherein both the staffords

are slain. Enter

Smith. Sir, he

Staf.

we

age:

king.

H.

that love the

me.

most out of order. Come, march forward.

away;

And, ignorant of his

Dick.

them with the army of the King. H. Staf. Herald, away; and throughout every town Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade; That those which fly before the battle ends May, even in their wives' and children's sight. Be hang'd up for example at their doors ipo And you that be the King's friends, follow me. Assail

us.

The elder of them,

Was

we'll have his head. Well, seeing gentle words will not pre-

We Will not leave one lord, one gentleman:

not?

H.

Staf.

vail,

pass

I

not: It is to

good counsellor, or no? All. No, no; and therefore

base drudge's

Cade.

Dick. Here,

sir.

They

fell

Cade.

cade and the

rest.

Where's Dick, the butcher of Ashford? before thee like sheep and oxen, if thou hadst been

and thou behavedst thyself as in thine

own slaughter-house:

therefore thus will

;

:

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

6o I

reward thee, the Lent shall be as long again as

and thou shalt have a license to kill for a hundred lacking one. lo Dick. I desire no more. Cade. And, to speak truth, thou deservest no less. This monument of the victory will I bear [putting an Sir Humphrey's brigandine] and the bodies shall be dragged at my horse heels till I do come to London, where we will have the mayor's it is;

;

sword borne before Dtck. If

we mean

open the gaols and

us.

to thrive and

let

Cade. Fear not that,

do good, break

out the prisoners. I

warrant thee. Come,

march towards London.

Scene

iv.

let's

[Exeunt.

20

London: The palace

queen duke of Buckingham

Enter the king with a supplication, and the

with Sujfolk's

head., the

and the lord say. Queen. Oft have

I

VI

ACT

And calls your Grace usurper openly And vows to crown himself in Westminster.

IV

50

His army is a ragged multitude Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless: Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother's death Hath given them heart and courage to proceed: All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen,

They call

false caterpillars and intend their death. King. graceless men! they know not what they do.

O

Buck.

My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth,

Until a power be raised to put them down. 40 Queen. Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive.

These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased! King. Lord Say, the traitors hate thee; Therefore away with us to Killingworth. Say. So might your Grace's person be in danger. The sight of me is odious in their eyes;

And therefore in this city will I stay And live alone as secret as I may.

heard that grief softens the

mind

And makes

and degenerate; Think therefore on revenge and cease to weep. But who can cease to weep and look on this? Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast: But where' s the body that I should embrace? Buck. What answer makes your grace to the it

rebel's supplication?

King.

I'll

Enter another messenger.

fearful

send some holy bishop to entreat;

Mess. Jack Cade hath gotten London bridge:

The citizens fly and forsake their houses The rascal people, thirsting after prey. Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear

To spoil the city and your royal court. Buck. Then linger not, my lord; away, take horse.

lo For God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the sword! And I myself, Rather than bloody war shall cut them short, Will parley with Jack Cade their general: But stay, I'll read it over once again. Queen. Ah, barbarous villains! hath this lovely

King. Come, Margaret; God, our hope, will succour us. Queen.

That were unworthy to behold the same? King. Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn

King. Farewell,

is

gone,

now Suffolk

is

de-

my lord:

trust not the Kentish

rebels.

Say.

The trust I have is

And therefore am I

I

hope your Highness

shall

you be betray'd. mine innocence.

bold and resolute.

60

to have

Scene

v.

London: The Tower

Enter lord scales upon the Tower, walking.

have

20

his.

in

[Exeunt.

thy head.

Ay, but

My hope

ceased.

Buck. Trust nobody, for fear

face

Ruled, like a wandering planet, over me, And could it not enforce them to relent,

Say.

50

King. How now, madam! Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk's death? I fear me, love, if that I had been dead. Thou wouldest not have mourn'd so much for me. Queen. No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee.

Enter a messenger.

King. How now! what news? why comest thou in such haste? Mess. The rebels are in Southwark; fly, my lord! Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer, Descended from the Duke of Clarence' house,

Then enter two or Scales. ist Cit.

How now! No,

my

three

citizens below.

Jack Cade slain? lord, nor likely to be is

slain; for

they have won the bridge, killing all those that withstand 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 spare you shall command; But I am troubled here with them myself; The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower. But get you to Smithfield and gather head,

And thither

I

will send

10

you Matthew Goffe;

Fight for your King, your country and your lives

— SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

SCENE V

And so,

farewell, for

I

must

hence again.

Scene

vi.

London: Cannon rest,

Street

and strikes

his staff on London-stone.

Now

Cade.

here, sitting

command

6i

pound, the last subsidy. Enter george bevis, with the lord say. Cade}Nd\, he shall be beheaded for it ten times.

shilling to the

[Exeunt.

Enter jack cade and the

VI

Mortimer lord of this city. And upon London-stone, I charge and

is

of the city's cost, the pissingfirst year of our reign. And now henceforward it shall be treason for any that calls me other than Lord that,

conduit run nothing but claret wine this

Mortimer.

Ah, thou say, thou serge, nay thou buckram lord! now art thou within point-blank of our jurisdiction regal. What canst thou answer to my Majesty for giving up of Normandy unto Mounsieur Basimecu, the dauphin of France? Be it known unto thee by these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer, that I am the besom that must sweep the court clean of such filth as thou art. Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a

grammar

Enter a soldier, running. Sold.

Jack Cade! Jack Cade!

Knock him down

Cade.

[They

there.

kill

him.]

Smith. If this fellow be wise, he'll never call

ye Jack Cade more:

I

think he hath a very fair

warning.

My

Dick.

army gathered

lord, there's an

to-

gether in Smithfield.

Come,

then, let's go fight with them: go and set London bridge on fire: and, if you can, burn down the Tower too. Come, [Exeunt. let's away.

Cade.

but

first,

Scene Alarums,

Then

rest.

vii.

London: Smithfield

matthew goffe enter

and

slain,

is

jack cade, with

his

all

the

company.

Cade. So, sirs: now go some and pull down the Savoy; others to the inns of court; down with

them

school: and whereas, before, our forehad no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used, and, contrary to the King, his crown and dignity, thou hast built a paper-mill. It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually ralk of a noun and a verb, and such abominable words as no Christian ear can endure to hear. Thou hast appointed justices of peace, to call poor men before them about matters they were not able to answer. Moreover, thou hast put them in prison; and, because they could not read, thou hast hanged them; when, indeed, only for that cause they have been most worthy to live. Thou dost ride in a foot-cloth, dost thou not? S^jV .What of that? Cade. Marry, thou oughtest not to let thy horse wear a cloak, when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets. fathers

unto your lordship. a lordship, thou shalt have

have a

I

Cade.

Be

it

it

for that

Say.

D/f ^.What say you of Kent?

Only

that the laws of

England

may come

Say.

out of your mouth.

Mass,

it

I

have thought upon

mouth

shall

all

it,

it

shall

be so.

the records of the realm:

my

be the parliament of England.

Holl. [Aside]

Then we

are like to have biting

statutes, unless his teeth be pulled out.

Cade.

And henceforward

all

21

mala

a prize! here's the

with him, away with him! he

Hear me but speak, and bear me where you

will.

Kent, in the Commentaries Cassar writ. Is term'd the civil'st place of all this isle: Sweet is the country, because full riches; The people liberal, valiant, active, wealthy; Which makes me hope you are not void of pity. I

sold not Maine,

I

not Normandy, would lose my life.

lost

Justice with favour have

Prayers and tears have

I

always done;

moved me,

gifts

could

never.

Enter a messenger.

My lord, a prize,

Away

Yet, to recover them,

things shall be in

common.

Mess.

Say.

will be stinking

cheese. Cade.

60

this; 'tis ''bona terra,

speaks Latin.

//

Nay, John,

law; for his breath stinks with eating toasted

Away, burn

Cade.

'twill

not whole yet.

Smith. [Aside]

Nothing but

gens''

be sore law, then; for he was thrust in the mouth with a spear, and Holl. [Aside]

'tis

too; as myself,

for example, that

suit

word. Dick.

And work in their shirt am a butcher. You men of Kent

Dick.

all.

Dick.

When have I aught exacted at your hands, Lord

Say, which sold the towns in France; he that made us pay one and twenty fifteens, and one

But to maintain the King, the realm and you? Large gifts have I bestow'd on learned clerks, Because my book preferr'd me to the King,

70

— SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

62

And seeing ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven, Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirits, 80

head on

You cannot

shall

but forbear to murder me:

me

it: men we charge and com-

her maidenhead ere they have

and

ccipite;

This tongue hath parley'd unto foreign kings For your behoof Cade. Tut, when struck' st thou one blow in the

or tongue can

field?

and take up commodities upon our

Great men have reaching hands:

Say.

oft

have

I

struck

Those

pale for watching for

Hath made me

Ye

of sickness and diseases. have a hempen caudle then and

full

shall

is

France. Soldiers, defer the spoil of the city until

of of maces, will we ride through the streets; and at every corner have them kiss. Away! [Exeunt.

Scene

at us, as

who

be even with you":

I'll

see

should say,

if his

This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts. let

me

no

live!

remorse in myself with his words; but I'll bridle it: he shall die, an it be but for pleading so well for his life. Away with him! he has a familiar under his tongue; he speaks not o' God's name. Go, take him away, I say, and strike off his head presently; and then break into his son-in-law's house. Sir James Cromer, and strike off his head, and bring them both upon two Cade. [Aside]

I

feel

All. It shall be done.

Ah, countrymen!

120 if

when you make your

prayers,

God should be so obdurate as yourselves.

How would

Up

Cade.

your departed souls? and save my life. Cade. Away with him! and do as I command ye. [Exeunt some with lord say. The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a it

fare with

And therefore yet relent,

Fish Street!

down

Saint

Magnus'

and knock down! throw them into Thames! [Sound a parley.] What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat or Corner!

parley,

kill

when I command them

kill?

Enter

Buckingham and old Clifford,

Buck.

Ay, here they be that dare and will disturb

attended.

thee:

Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the King Unto the commons whom thou hast misled; And here pronounce free pardon to them all That will forsake thee and go home in peace. Clif.

What say ye, countrymen?

will

ye

10

relent,

And yield to mercy whilst 'tis offer'd you; Or let a rebel lead you to your deaths?

Who loves the King and will embrace his pardon. Fling up his cap, and say

"God

save his

Ma-

jesty!"

Who hateth him and honours not his father, Henry the

made

all France to quake, and pass by. All. God save the King! God save the King! Cade. What, Buckingham and Clifford, are ye so brave? And you, base peasants, do ye believe him? will you needs be hanged with your pardons

Shake he

poles hither.

Say.

Southwark

viii.

his rabblement.

not fear, provokes me.

Nay, he nods

ding.

O,

part

night: for with these borne before us, instead

Why dost thou quiver, man?

The palsy, and

not this braver? Let them kiss one

Alarum and retreat. Enter cade and all

head will stand steadier on a pole, or no. Take him away, and behead him. Say. Tell me wherein have I offended most? Have I affected wealth or honour? speak. Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold? Is my apparel sumptuous to behold? Whom have I injured, that ye seek my death? These hands are free from guiltless blood-shed"I'll

to Cheapside

bills?

when they were them again, lest they consult about the giving up of some more towns in

Now

alive.

the help of hatchet.

Cade.

we go

another, for they loved well

causes

Say.

shall

Re-enter one witii the heads.

Cade. But

po your good. Cade. Give him a box o' the ear and that will make 'em red again. Say. Long sitting to determine poor men's

Dick.

when

Marry, presently. O, brave!

I never saw and struck them dead. monstrous coward! what, to come be-

These cheeks are

Cade.

lord,

Cade. All.

hind folks? Say.

My

tell.

that

O

Geo.

wish

that their wives be as free as heart can

Dick.

IV

he pay me tribute; maid be married, but she shall

hold of me in

mand

ACT

his shoulders, unless

there shall not a

pay to

VI

Fifth, that

his

weapon

at us

about your necks? Hath my sword therefore broke through London gates, that you should leave me at the White Hart in South war k? I thought ye would never have given out these

arms

till

you had recovered your ancient

free-

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

VIII

dom: but you

are

all

recreants and dastards, and

delight to live in slavery to the nobility. Let

them

break your backs with burthens, take your houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters before your faces: for me, I will make shift for one; and so, God's curse light upon you all! All. We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade! Clif. Is Cade the son 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 meanest of you earls and dukes? Alas, he hath no home, no place to fly to; 40 Nor knows he how to live but by the spoil, Unless by robbing of your friends and us. Were't not a shame, that whilst you live at jar. The fearful French, whom you late vanquished,

Should make a start o'er seas and vanquish you?

Methinks already in this civil broil I see them lording it in London streets, Crying " VilliagoV unto all they meet. Better ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's mercy. To France, to France, and get what you have

the

them to an hundred mischiefs and makes them leave me desolate. I see them lay their heads together to surprise me. My sword make way for me, for here is no staying. In despite of the devils and hell, through the very middest of you! and heavens and honour be witness that no want of resolution in me, but only my followers' base and ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels. [Exit. Buck. What, is he fled? Go some, and follow him; And he that brings his head unto the King Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward, jo

[Exeunt some of them. soldiers: we'll devise a

mean

To reconcile you all unto the King. Scene

ix.

[Exeunt.

Kenilworth Castle

Sound trumpets. Enter king, queen, and SOMERSET, on the terrace.

Was ever king that joy'd an earthly

throne,

And could command no more content than I?

No sooner was I crept out of my cradle

old.

Enter

to be a subject.

Buckingham and old Clifford.

Buck. Health and glad tidings to your Majesty! King. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Cade surprised?

Or is

he but retired to

make him

strong?

Enter, below, multitudes, with halters about their necks. Clif. He is fled, my lord,

and

all

his

powers do

yield;

10

And humbly thus,

with halters on their necks. Expect your Highness' doom, of life or death. King. Then, heaven, set ope thy everlasting

day have you redeem'd your

lives

And show'd how well you love your prince and country:

Fifth hales

Follow me,

months

Was never subject long'd to be a king

Soldiers, this 45)

ever feather so lightly blown to and

The name of Henry

63

a king, at nine

As I do long and wish

Continue still in this so good a mind. And Henry, though he be infortunate, Assure yourselves, will never be unkind: And so, with thanks and pardon to you all, I do dismiss you to your several countries. All. God save the King! God save the King!

20

Enter a messenger.

Clifford.

Was

fro as this multitude?

King.

was made

gates,

lost;

Cade.

I

To entertain my vows of thanks and praise!

Spare England, for it is your native coast: Henry hath money, you are strong and manly; God on our side, doubt not of victory. All. A Clifford! a Clifford! we'll follow the

King and

But

VI

Mess. Please it your grace to be advertised The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland,

And with a puissant and a mighty power

Of gallowglasses

and stout kerns marching hitherward in proud array. And still proclaimeth, as he comes along. His arms are only to remove from thee The Duke of Somerset, whom he terms a traitor. King. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and Is

York

distress'd;

5/

having 'scaped a tempest. Is straightway calm'd and boarded with a pirate: But now is Cade driven back, his men dispersed;

Like to a ship

that,

And now is York

in arms to second him. pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him, And ask him what's the reason of these arms. Tell him I'll send Duke Edmund to the Tower; And, Somerset, we will commit thee thither, Until his army be dismiss'd from him. 40 Som. lord, I'll yield myself to prison willingly. Or unto death, to do my country good. King. In any case, be not too rough in terms; For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language. Buck. I will, my lord; and doubt not so to deal As all things shall redound unto your good. I

My

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

64 King. Come, wife,

let's in,

and learn to govern

better;

For yet may England curse

my wretched reign. [Flourish. Exeunt.

Scene

x. Kent: Iden's garden

for

many

See

on ambition!

fie

on myself, that have a

a time, but for a sallet,

my

brain-pan

with a brown bill; and many a time, when I have been dry and bravely marching, it hath served me instead of a quart pot to drink in; and now the word "sallet" must serve cleft

me to feed on.

court. as these?

20 This small inheritance my father left me Contenteth me, and worth a monarchy. I seek not to wax great by others' waning, Or gather wealth, I care not, with what envy: Sufficeth that I have maintains my state And sends the poor well pleased from my gate. Cade. Here's the lord of the soil come to seize for a stray, for entering his fee-simple with-

out leave. Ah, villain, thou wilt betray me, and get a thousand crowns of the King by carrying my head to him: but I'll make thee eat iron like

an ostrich, and swallow my sword like a great pin, ere thou and I part. Iden. Why, rude companion, whatsoe'er thou be, I know thee not; why, then should 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 spite of me the owner, But thou wilt brave me with these saucy terms? Cade. Brave thee! ay, by the best blood that ever was broached, and beard thee too. Look on me well: I have eat no meat these 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 grass more. Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while England stands,

me

with thy looks:

50

truncheon;

And if mine arm be heaved in the air. Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth. As

words, whose greatness answers words. my sword report what speech forbears. Cade. By my valour, the most complete champion that ever I heard! Steel, if thou turn the edge, or cut not out the burly-boned clown in chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath, I beseech God on my knees thou mayst be turned to hobnails. [Here they fight, cade falls.] O, I am slain! famine and no other hath slain me: let "ten thousand devils come against me, and give me but the ten meals I have lost, and I' Id defy them all. Wither, garden; and be henceforth a burying-place to all that do dwell in this house, because the unconquered soul of Cade is fled. 70 Iden. Is't Cade that I have slain, that monstrous Let

for

this

traitor?

who would live turmoiled in the

And may enjoy such quiet walks

me

canst outface

My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast;

Enter iden. Iden. Lord,

if thou

Thy hand is but a finger to my fist. Thy leg a stick compared with this

sword, and yet am ready to famish! These five days have I hid me in these woods and durst not peep out, for all the country is laid for me; but now am I so hungry that if I might have a lease of my life for a thousand years I could stay no longer. Wherefore, on a brick wall have I climbed into this garden, to see if I can eat grass, or pick a sallet another while, which is not amiss to cool a man's stomach this hot weather. And I think this word "sallet" was born to do me good:

had been

ACT V

Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser;

Enter CADE. Cade. Fie

VI

That Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man. Oppose thy steadfasf-gazing eyes to mine.

Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed. And hang thee o'er my tomb when I am dead: Ne'er shall this blood be wiped from thy point; But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat, To emblaze the honour that thy master got. Cade. Iden, farewell, and be proud of thy victory. Tell Kent from me she hath lost her best man, and exhort all the world to be cowards; for I, that never feared any, am vanquished by famnot by valour.

ine,

How

Iden.

[Dies.

81

much thou wrong' st me, heaven be

my judge. Die,

damned wretch, the curse of her that bare

thee;

body in with my sword, might thrust thy soul to hell. Hence will I drag thee headlong by the heels Unto a dunghill which shall be thy grave, And there cut off thy most ungracious head; Which I will bear in triumph to the King, 8p Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon. [Exit.

And as

I

So wish

thrust thy

I, I

ACT V Scene

i.

Fields between Dartford and

Blackheath

Enter york, and his army of Irish, with

drum

and colours. York.

From

his right.

Ireland thus

comes York to claim

— SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

I

Henry's head: aloud; burn, bonfires, clear and

And pluck the crown from Ring,

bells,

feeble

bright,

To entertain great England's Ah!

siVKta majestas,

lawful king.

who would

65

my sovereign, virtuous Henry, Command my eldest son, nav% all my sons, As pledges of my fealty and love; And

I'll

not buy thee

VI

let

send them

all

as willing as

I

Lands, goods, horse, armour, any thing Is his

dear?

Let them obev that know not how to rule; This hand was made to handle nought but gold. I cannot giv^e due action to my words, Except a sword or sceptre balance it: lo A sceptre shall it have, have I a soul, On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France.

to use, so Somerset

Buck. York,

I

commend

Whom have we here? me? The King hath Buck. York,

this

kind submission:

We twain will go into his Highness' tent. Enter king and Attendants.

King. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us,

York. In

I must dissemble. meanest well, I greet thee

Humphrey of Buckingham,

I

arm?

in

submission and humility

bring?

York.

And

well.

York.

all

York doth present himself unto your Highness. King. Then what intends these forces thou dost

Buckingham, to disturb

sent him, sure:

if thou

have,

I

may die.

That thus he marcheth with thee arm Enter Buckingham.

50

live:

60

To heave the traitor Somerset from hence,

fight against that

Who since

accept thy

I

monstrous rebel Cade,

heard to be discomfited.

greeting.

Art thou

a messenger, or

Enter idex,

come of pleasure?

A messenger from Henry, our dread liege,

Buck.

being a subject as

am.

I

Cade's head.

Men. If one so rude and of so mean condition

May pass into the presence of a king,

To know the reason of these arms in peace; Or why thou,

-ivith

Lo,

I

present your

Grace

a traitor's head,

20 Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn, Should raise so great a power without his leave,

The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew. King. The head of Cade! Great God, how

Or dare to bring thy

Thou! O, let me view his visage, being dead. That living wrought me such exceeding

force so near the court.

York. [Aside] Scarce can

I

speak,

my choler is

so great:

O,

I

could

hew up rocks and

fight

with

Tell me,

flint,

I am so angry at these abject terms; And now, like Ajax Telamonius,

On sheep or oxen could I

am. far better

More

I

born than

like a king,

must make

spend is

I

him? I was, King. How

my fury.

the King,

more kingly

in

my friend,

Iden.

art

thou the

trouble.

man that slew 7/

your Majesty. thou call'd? and what

an't like art

is

thy de-

gree?

my thoughts:

Iden.

weather yet a while, 50 Till Henry be more weak and I more strong. Buckingham, I prithee, pardon me, That I have given no answer all this while; My mind was troubled with deep melancholy. The cause why I have brought this army hither Is to remove proud Somerset from the King, Seditious to his Grace and to the state. Buck. That is too much presumption on thy But

just

art

fair

Alexander Iden,

that's

my name;

A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his king. Buck. So please it you, my lord, 'twere not amiss He were created knight for his good service.

King. Iden, kneel down. [He

kneels.]

Rise up a

knight.

We give thee for reward a thousand marks. And will Iden.

that thou henceforth attend

on

us.

80

May Iden live to merit such a bounty.

And never live but true unto his

liege! [Rises.]

part:

arms be to no other end, The King hath yielded unto thy demand: The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower. But

Enter queen and somerset.

if thy

York. Buck.

Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Upon mine honour, he is prisoner.

York. Then, Buckingham,

powers. Soldiers, I thank you

all;

I

do dismiss

my

disperse yourselv^es;

Meet me to-morrow in Saint George's field. You shall have pa\- and everything you wish

40

King. See, Buckingham, Somerset comes with the queen: Go, bid her hide him quickly from the Duke. Qiieev. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head,

But boldly stand and front him to his face, York. How now! is Somerset at liberty? Then, York, unloose thy long-imprison'd thoughts,

w

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

66

And let thy tongue be equal

90

I

Not fit to govern and rule multitudes. Which darest not, no, nor canst not rule

And not to grace an

humour Makes him oppose himself against Clif.

a traitor.

Clif.

frown, like to Achilles' spear, wi with the change to kill and cure. Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up And with the same to act controlling laws. Give place: by heaven, thou shalt rule no more O'er him whom heaven created for thy ruler. monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York, Som. Of capital treason 'gainst the King and crown:

O

Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace. York. Wouldst have me kneel? first let me ask

I

I

bow

a

knee to man.

no

my sons to be my bail:

know, ere they

pawn

have me go to ward. swords for my enfranchise-

will

their

To say if that the bastard

come amain, boys of York [Exit

I

Look

am thy

BUCKINGHAM.

Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge! thy betters in their birth. Shall be their father's bail and bane to those 120

The sons of York,

;

my surety will refuse the boys! edward and richard.

See where they come: it

I'll

warrant they'll make

call

thy image so:

astonish these fell-lurking curs:

Bid Salisbury and

Warwick come to me. Warwick and Salisbury.

Enter the earls of Clif.

Are these thy

bears? we'll bait thy bears

And manacle the bear-ward in their chains. If thou darest bring

Rich. Oft have

I

them

to the baiting place, /jo

seen a hot o'erweening cur

Run back and

bite, because he was withheld; being suffer'd with the bear's fell paw.

Who,

And such

tail

between

And here comes

Clifford to deny their

Health and all happiness to my lord the King! [Kneels.] York. I thank thee, Clifford: say, what news

Clif.

wick.

Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump. crooked in thy manners as thy shape!

Clif.

As

York. Clif.

Nay, we

you thoroughly anon. by your heat you burn

shall heat

Take heed,

lest

yourselves.

160

Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to

bow? Old Salisbury, shame to thy

And

wilt thou

silver hair.

brain-sick son!

on thy death-bed play the ruffian.

seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?

O, where is

Where shall

O, where is loyalty? from the frosty head.

faith?

it

find a

harbour

in the earth?

Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war. And shame thine honourable age with blood? ijo

Why art thou old, and want'st experience?

with thee? fright us

and cried:

a piece of service will

If it be banish'd

bail.

his legs

you do. If you oppose yourselves to match Lord War-

What, Enter old Clifford and his son.

Nay, do not

and

Thou mad misleader of thy

good.

Queen.

in a glass,

king, and thou a false-heart traitor.

They may

King. Enter

we

Call hither to the stake my two brave bears. That with the very shaking of their chains

O blood-bespotted Neapolitan,

for

have

here!

Shall be the surety for their traitor father.

That

j^o

Hath clapp'd his

ment. Queen. Call hither Clifford; bid him

York.

Tower,

factious pate of his.

to death.

[Exit Attendant.

They'll

his king.

to the

Why, what a brood of traitors

York.

Is able

Sirrah, call in

him

shall.

brows of mine,

Whose smile and

of these. If they can brook

a traitor; let

Queen. He is arrested, but will not obey; His sons, he says, shall give their words for him. York. Will you not, sons? Ednjo. Ay, noble father, if our words will serve. Rich. And if words will not, then our weapons

awful princely sceptre. engirt these

He is

And chop away that

That head of thine doth not become a crown; Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff, That gold must round

ACT V

King. Ay, Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious

with thy heart. endure the sight of Somerset? False King! why hast thou broken faith with me, Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse? King did I call thee? no, thou art not King,

Shall

VI

with an angry look:

We are thy sovereign, Clifford, kneel again; For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee. Clif. This is my king, York, I do not mistake; But thou mistakest me much to think I do: /50 To Bedlam with him! is the man grown mad?

Or wherefore dost abuse it, if thou hast it? For shame! in duty bend thy knee to me That bows unto the grave with mickle age. Sal. My lord, I have consider'd with myself The title of this most renowned duke; And in my conscience do repute his Grace

SCENE

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

I

The rightful heir to England's

Proud northern

royal seat.

King. Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me? Sal. I

But greater sin to keep a sinful oath. Who can be bound by any solemn vow To do a murderous deed, to rob a man.

And have no other

reason for this

wrong

self. all

am resolved for death or dignity. Clif. The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove go to bed and dream

am resolved to

Than any thou Might War.

I'll

bear a greater storm

This day I'll wear aloft my burgonet. As on a mountain top the cedar shows That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm. Even to affright thee with the view thereof. Clif. And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy bear And tread it under foot with all contempt. Despite the bear-ward that protects the bear. 210

And

and their complices.

Rich. Fie! charity, for shame! speak not in spite.

sup with Jesu Christ to-night. Foul stigmatic, that's more than thou

shall

canst

tell.

Rich. If not in heaven, you'll surely sup in hell.

{Exeunt severally.

Scene Alarums to

ii.

Saint Alban's

the battle. Enter

War. Clifford of Cumberland,

Warwick.

'tis

Warwick

Clif.

my soul to leave thee unassail'd.

[Exit,

What seest thou in me, York? why dost I

be in

20

mine enemy. Nor should thy prowess want praise and

And if thou dost not hide thee from the bear. Now, when the angry trumpet sounds alarum And dead men's cries do fill the empty air, I

say,

come

forth and fight with

art so fast

But that 'tis shown ignobly and in treason. York. So let it help me now against thy sword As I in justice and true right express it. Clif. My soul and body on the action both! York. A dreadful lay! Address thee instantly. They fight, and Clifford falls. Clif.

La fin couronne les ceuvres. Thus war hath given thee peace,

York. art

me:

[Dies.

for thou

still.

Peace with

his soul.

Heaven,

if it

be thy will

!

5o

[Exit.

Enter

young Clifford.

Y. Clif. Shame and confusion! all is on the rout; Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds Where it should guard. war, thou son of hell, Whom angry heavens do make their minister, Throw in the frozen bosoms of our part Hot coals of vengeance! Let no soldier fly.

O

He that is truly dedicate to war Hath no self-love, nor he that loves himself Hath not essentially but by circumstance The name of valour. [Seeing his dead father] O, let the vile world end,

And the

calls:

Clifford,

intend, Clifford, to thrive to-day.

grieves

so to arms, victorious father.

To quell the rebels

Clif.

It

esteem.

200

write upon thy burgonet,

crest.

Y.

fight' St. I

Clif.

canst conjure up 'o-day;

The rampant bear chain'd to the ragged staff,

For you

For I myself must hunt this deer to death. War. Then, nobly, York; 'tis for a crown thou

But that thou

I but know thee by thy household badge. Now, by my father's badge, old Nevil's

Y. Clif.

Warwick, seek thee out some other

chase.

love,

To keep thee from the tempest of the field.

10

Of one or both of us the time is come.

York. Hold,

York.

again,

And that

afoot?

thou pause? With thy brave bearing should

true.

best to

all

Enter old Clifford.

As

War You were

what,

The deadly-handed Clifford slew my

But match to match I have encounter'd him And made a prey for carrion kites and crows Even of the bonny beast he loved so well.

the friends thou

hast,

I

York.

War.

ipo But that he was bound by a solemn oath? Queen. K subtle traitor needs no sophister. King. Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himYork. Call Buckingham, and

Enter YORK.

How now, my noble lord! steed.

To force a spotless virgin's chastity. To reave the orphan of his patrimony. To wring the widow from her custom'd right,

Clif.

67

of Cumberland, hoarse with calling thee to arms.

i8o

have.

King. Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath? Sal. It is great sin to swear unto a sin,

I

Warwick is

VI

lord, Clifford

premised flames of the last day Knit earth and heaven together! Now let the general trumpet blow his blast. Particularities and petty sounds To cease! Wast thou ordain'd, dear father.

40

SECOND PART OF KING HENRY

68

To lose thy youth in peace,

and to achieve

The silver livery of advised

age,

And,

Re-enter

thy reverence thy chair-days, thus

in

My heart

is

turn'd to stone: and while

be stony.

No more will

I

York not our old men

would speak blasphemy ere bid you fly: But fly you must; uncurable discomfit I

me even as the dew to fire. beauty that the tyrant oft reclaims Shall to my flaming wrath be oil and flax. Henceforth I will not have to do with pity: Meet I an infant of the house of York, And

seek out

in the hearts

for

Scene

hi. Fields

York.

my fame.

60

lion,

who in rage

Aged contusions and

But then i^^neas bare a living load, Nothing so heavy as these woes of mine.

Is

Rich. So,

lie

all

forgets

brush of time.

like a gallant in the brow of youth, Repairs him with occasion? This happy day

And,

not

itself,

nor have

we won one foot,

IfSalisbury belost.

{Exit, bearing off his father.

SOMERSET

s

Of Salisbury, who can report of him,

That winter

Come, thou new ruin of old Clifford's house: As did i4ineas old Anchises bear, So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders;

Enter richard and somerset

near St Alban

Alarum. Retreat. Enter york, richard, Warwick, and Soldiers, ivith drum and colours.

Into as many gobbets will I cut it As wild Medea young Absyrtus did: I

Reigns

Away,

of all our present parts. your relief! and we will live To see their day and them our fortune give: Away, my lord, away! [Exeunt.

spares;

their babes: tears virginal

Shall be to

In cruelty will

young Clifford.

set,

^9

'tis

mine, It shall

ACT V

my heart's on future mischief

V. Clif. But that

To die in ruffian battle? Even at this sight

VI

to fight.

is killed.

thou there;

For underneath an alehouse' paltry sign, The Castle in Saint Alban's, Somerset Hath made the wizard famous in his death. Sword, hold thy temper; heart, be wrathful

6^

My noble father,

Rich.

Three times to-day I holp him to his horse, Three times bestrid him; thrice I led him off. Persuaded him from any further act: 10 But still, where danger was, still there I met him; And like rich hangings in a homely house, So was his will in his old feeble body. But, noble as he is, look where he comes. £w/^r SALISBURY.

still:

Priests pray for enemies, but princes kill.

[Exit.

Sal.

Now, by my sword,

well hast thou fought

to-day; Fight: excursions. Enter king,

queen, and

others.

Queen.

Away, my lord! you are slow;

for shame,

away! King.

Can we outrun the heavens? good Mar-

garet, stay.

Queen.

nor

What are you made of?

you'll nor fight

fly:

Now is it manhood, wisdom, and defence, To give the enemy way, and to secure us By what we can, which can no more but fly. we then should see the bottom Of all our fortunes: but if we haply scape, As well we may, if not through your neglect,

We shall to London get, where you are loved breach

'Tis not enough our foes are this time fled, Being opposites of such repairing nature. York. I know our safety is to follow them; For, as I hear, the King is fled to London, To call a present court of parliament. Let us pursue him ere the writs go forth.

What

Alarum afar off. If you be ta'en,

And where this

By the mass, so did we all. I thank you, Richard: God knows how long it is I have to live; And it hath pleased him that three times to-day You have defended me from imminent death. Well, lords, we have not got that which we have:

now in our

made

May readily be stopp'd.

fortunes

says Lord

Warwick?

shall

we

War. After them! nay, before them,

Now, by my 80

faith, lords,

Saint Alban's battle

after if

21

them?

we can.

'twas a glorious day:

won by famous York

50

age to come. Sound drums and trumpets, and to London Shall be eternized in

all

And more such days

as these to us befall!

all:

[Exeunt.

^»?

The Third

Part of

KING HENRY THE SIXTH DRAMATIS PERSONS Sir John Montgomery Sir John Somerville

King Henry the Sixth Edward, Prince of Wales, his son Lewis XI, King of France Duke of Somerset Duke of Exeter Earl of Oxford Earl of Northumberland Earl of Westmoreland Lord Clifford Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York Edward, Earl of March, afterwards King

Tutor to Rutland Mayor of York Lieutenant of the Tower

Nobleman

Two

Keepers

Huntsman Son that has killed his father Father that has killed his son Seven Messengers

Edward IV Edmund, Earl of Rutland

Post Soldier

his

George, afterwards Duke of Clarence Richard, afterwards Duke of Gloucester

Queen Margaret

Duke

of Norfolk Marquess of Montague Earl of Warwick Earl of Pembroke

Elizabeth Woodville, Lady Grey, afterwards

Lord Hastings Lord Stafford Sir John Mortimer ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ Sir Hugh Mortimer Lady Grey brother to Rivers, Lord Sir William Stanley

Non-Speaking Henry, Earl of Richmond; Mayor of

Queen to Edward IV Bona,

I

sister to the

French Queen

:

. -^

Coventry; 4dmiral called Bourbon; Nurse; Aldermen; Soldiers; Attendants

y^^^^

|

Scene England and France :

i^ ACT Scene

WTiom I

I

Alarum. Enter the duke of york, edward, Richard, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Sol-

north,

He sHly stole away and left his men:

War.

Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, Cheer'd up the drooping army; and himself, Lord Clifford, and Lord Stafford, all abreast, Charged our main battle's front, and breaking in Were by the swords of common soldiers slain. Ediv. Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Bucking-

Before

20

And I

so do

L Victorious

Prince of York,

see thee seated in that throne

Which now the house of Lancaster usurps, 1 vow by heaven these eyes shall never close. This

is

the palace of the fearful king.

And this

it, York; and not King Henry's heirs'. York. Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and

For

10

or

is

head.

the great Lord of Northumberland,

ham,

my sons.

your Grace dead, my Lord of Somerset? Norf. Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt! Rich. Thus do I hope to shake King Henry's

wonder how the King escaped our hands. While we pursued the horsemen of the

Is either slain

Duke of Somerset's

York. Richard hath best deserved of all

But

I

Whereat

the

head.]

diers.

York.

me and tell them what I

[Throwing down

did.

War.

encounter'd as the battles join'd.

Rich. Speak thou for

London: The Parliament-house

wounded dangerously;

the regal seat: possess

this is thine

I

will;

29 For hither we have broken in by force Norf. We'll all assist you; he that flies shall die. York. Thanks, gentle Norfolk: stay by me, my

cleft his beaver with a downright blow: That this is true, father, behold his blood. Mont. And, brother, here's the Earl of Wilt-

I

shire's blood,

lords;

69

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

70

And,

soldiers, stay

and lodge by

me this night.

And when the King comes,

offer

Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. York. The Queen this day here holds her parliament, little

thinks

we shall be of her council:

Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words, and threats Shall be the war that Henry means to use. Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne, And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet; I

By words or blows here let us win our right. Rich. Arm'd as we are, let's stay within this

am thy

Duke of York. York.

Exe.

king henry, Clifford, Northumberland, WESTMORELAND, EXETER, afld the

It must and shall be so: content thyself. War. Be Duke of Lancaster; let him be King. West. He is both King and Duke of Lancaster; And that the Lord of Westmoreland shall main-

tain.

roses.

War.

My lords, look where the sturdy rebel so

in the chair of state: belike he means, Back'd by the power of Warwick, that false

You

for-

are those

which chased you from the

slew your fathers, and with colours spread March'd through the city to the palace gates. North. Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my

king.

grief;

And, by

and you both have

his soul,

thou and thy house shall rue

it.

West. Plantagenet, of thee and these thy sons,

Thy kinsmen and thy friends,

On him, his sons, his favourites and his friends. North. If I be not, heavens be revenged on me! thereof makes Clifford

mourn

in

have more

Than drops of blood were in my father's veins. Clif. Urge it no more; lest that, instead of words,

suffer this? let's pluck I

My heart for anger burns;

I'll

lives

steel.

cannot brook it. 60 K. Hen. Be patient, gentle Earl of WestmoreI

Warwick, such a messenger revenge his death before I stir. 100 War. Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless send thee,

As

shall

threats!

land. is

York. Will

for poltroons, such as he:

He durst not sit there,

had your father

lived.

If not, our

My gracious lord, here in the parliament Let us assail the family of York. North. Well hast thou spoken, cousin: be it so. K. Hen. Ah, know you not the city favours them. And they have troops of soldiers at their beck? Exe. But when the Duke is slain, they'll quickly fly.

it.

field

vow'd revenge

Patience

disprove

89

That we

Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father,

Clif.

shall

And

peer.

What, shall we him down.

And Warwick

get

Even

West.

81

Whom should he follow but his natural

throne?

Flourish. Enter

The hope

crown

York.

Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown.

And thine. Lord Clifford;

crown.

king?

best.

To aspire unto the crown and reign as

a traitor to the

art a traitor to the

War. True, Clifford; and that's Richard Duke of York. K. Hen. And shall I stand, and thou sit in my

The proudest he that holds up Lancaster, Dares stir a wing, if Warwick shake his bells. I'll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares;

Clif.

Thy father was

In following this usurping Henry.

mean to take possession of my right. War. Neither the King, nor he that loves him

sits,

my inheritance, as the earldom

War. Exeter, thou Clif.

wearing red

'Twas

was.

lute;

K. Hen.

am thine.

I

come down: he made thee

Exe. For shame,

house.

rest,

sovereign.

York.

War. The bloody parliament shall this be call'd, ^^o Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king, And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice Hath made us by- words to our enemies. York. Then leave me not, my lords; be resoI

I

To make a shambles -of the parliament-house!

him no

violence.

But

ACT

K. Hen. Far be the thought of this from Henry's heart, jo

[They go up.

War.

VI

you we show our

swords

K. Hen. What crown?

shall plead

title

title

it

to the

crown?

in the field.

hast thou, traitor, to the

Thy father was, as thou art, Duke of York; Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March: I

am

the son of Henry the Fifth,

Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop And seized upon their towns

and provinces.

—

SCENE

:

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

I

War. Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost

no

K. Hen. The Lord Protector lost it, and not I I was crown'd I was but nine months old. Rich. You are old enough now, and yet, me-

When

thinks,

you

Father, tear the

Edw. Sweet

lose.

crown from the usurper's head.

father,

do

Mont. Good brother,

so; set

it

on your head.

as thou lovest

and honour-

it

Thou art deceived: 'tis not thv southern power, Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent, Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud. Can set the Duke up in despite of me. Clif. King Henry, be thy title right or wrong. Lord Clifford vows to

out and not stand cavilling thus. drums and trumpets, and the King

Rich, Sound will fly.

York. Sons, peace!

K. Hen. Peace, thou! and give King Henry leave 120

to speak.

War. Plantagenet

shall

speak

first:

Where

that slew

my

/50

York. 'Twas by rebellion against his king. K. Hen. [Aside] I know not what to say; my title's weak. Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?

I

JO

And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livest. King. I am content: Richard Plantagenet, Enjoy the kingdom

after

my decease.

What wrong is this

Clif.

unto the Prince your

son!

What good

War.

this to

is

England and himself!

West. Base, fearful and despairing Henry!

How hast thou injured both thyself and us!

Clif.

West.

I

cannot stay to hear these

articles.

AWf/z. Norl.

Come,

Clif.

What then?

iSi

cousin, let us tell the

Queen these

news.

may, then am I lawful king; in the view of many lords, Resign'd the crown to Henry the Fourth, if he

West. Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king,

my lords,

he did

it

whose cold blood no spark of honour bides. North. Be thou a prey unto the house of York, And die in bands for this unmanly deed! Clif. In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome, In

Whose heir my father was, and I am his. 1^0 York. He rose against him, being his sovereign. And made him to resign his crown perforce. unconstrain'd.

Think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown? Exe. No; for he could not so resign his crown

Or live in peace abandon'd

and despised!

Northumberland, Clifford, and WESTMORELAND. War. Turn this way, Henry, and regard them [Exeunt

But that the next heir should succeed and reign. K. Hen. Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter? Exs. His is the right, and therefore pardon me. York. Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?

not.

Exe.

They

seek revenge and therefore will not 190

yield.

K. Hen. Ah, Exeter Why should you sigh, my lord? War. K. Hen. Not for myself. Lord Warwick, but \

My conscience tells me he

K. Hen. [Aside] All

me but one

heirs.

England to our heart's great sorrow,

War. Suppose,

with usurping blood. and the Soldiers show

ivith his foot,

me for this my life-time reign as king. York. Confirm the crown to me and to mine

War. Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be King. K. Hen. Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.

Exe.

his title

Let

my winding-sheet. Why faint you, lords?

K. Hrn. An For Richard,

resign thy crown.

themselves.

My title's good, and better far than his.

York.

Henry of l>ancaster,

K. Hen. My Lord of Warwick, hear word:

Wherein my grandsire and my father sat? No: first shall war unpeople this my realm; Ay, and their colours, often borne in France, in

my father!

O Clifford, how thy words revive my

[He stamps

kingly throne.

And now

him

160

alive,

What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords? War. Do right unto this princely Duke of York, Or I will fill the house with armed men. And over the chair of state, where now he sits.

And

Shall be

shall kneel to

I

me

heart!

York.

lords;

be you silent and attentive t«^. For he that interrupts him shall not live. K. Hen. Think'st thou that I will leave

thy defence:

swallow

Write up

hear him,

fight in

May that ground gape and K. Hen.

est arms.

Let's fight

71

North.

it

all.

VI

will revolt

is

lawful king.

from me, and

turn to him.

North. Plantagenet, for

/j/ all

the claim thou lay'st,

Think not that Henry shall be so deposed. War. Deposed he shall be, in despite of all

my son,

Whom But be

I

it

unnaturally shall disinherit. as

it

may:

I

here entail

The crown to thee and to thine heirs

for ever;

.

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

72

To cease this civil war, and, whilst live To honour me as thy king and sovereign, I

And neither by treason nor hostility To seek to put me down and reign thyself. Fork. This oath

I

200

King Henry! Plantagenet, em-

live

brace him.

K. Hen. And long live thou and these thy forward sons! York. Now York and Lancaster are reconciled. Exe. Accursed be he that seeks to make them

I

To entail him and his heirs unto the crown, What is it, but to make thy sepulchre

Stern Falconbridge

commands

the narrow seas;

The Duke is made Protector of the realm; 2^0 And yet shalt thou be safe? such safety finds The trembling lamb environed with wolves. Had I been there, which am a silly woman. The soldiers should have toss'd me on their pikes I would have granted to that act. But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honour: And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed. Until that act of parliament be repeal'd Whereby my son is disinherited 2$o The northern lords that have forsworn thy col-

Before

foes!

Sennet.

ACT

And creep into it far before thy time? Warwick is chancellor and the lord of Calais;

willingly take and will per-

form.

War. Long

VI

Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me; And given unto the house of York such head As thou shalt reign but by their sufferance.

Conditionally, that here thou take an oath

Here they come down.

Fork. Farewell,

my gracious lord;

I'll

to

my

castle.

And I'll keep London with my soldiers. And I to Norfolk with my followers. Mont. And I unto the sea from whence I came. War.

Norf.

[Exeunt york and his Sons, Warwick,

K. Hen. And

NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, their Soldiers, and Attendants. I, with grief and sorrow, to the 210

court.

Enter queen margaret and the prince of

WALES.

steal away. K. Hen. Exeter, so will I. Q. Mar. Nay, go not from me;

be-

I'll

I

will follow

thee.

K. Hen. Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay. Q. Mar. Who can be patient in such extremes? Ah, wretched man! would I had died a maid, seen thee, never borne thee son.

Seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father! Hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus?

Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I, 220 Or felt that pain which I did for him once. Or nourish'd him as I did with my blood. Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there.

Rather than have made that savage duke thine heir

And disinherited thine only son. Prince. Father,

If you be King,

you cannot

why

disinherit

should not

if once

they see them spread;

And spread they shall be, to thy foul disgrace And utter ruin of the house of York. Thus do I leave thee. Come, son, let's away; Our army is ready; come, we'll after them. K. Hen. Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.

Here comes the Queen, whose looks wray her anger:

Exe.

And never

ours

Will follow mine,

I

me:

succeed?

(2-

Mar. Thou hast spoke too much already: get thee gone.

K. Hen. Gentle son, Edward, thou wilt stay with me? Q. Mar. Ay, to be murder'd by his enemies. Prince. When I return with victory from the 261

field I'll

see your Grace:

Q. Mar.

Come,

till

son,

then

away;

I'll

follow her.

we may not linger

thus.

[Exeunt queen

margaret and the prince.

K. Hen. Poor queen! how love

to

me

Hath made her break out into terms of rage! Revenged may she be on that hateful duke. Whose haughty spirit, winged with desire, Will cost my crown, and like an empty eagle Tire on the flesh of me and of my son! The loss of those three lords torments my heart: 27/ I'll write unto them and entreat them fair. Come, cousin, you shall be the messenger. Exe.

And

I, I

hope, shall reconcile them

K. Hen. Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet son: The Earl of Warwick and the Duke enforced me. Q. Mar. Enforced thee! art thou King, and wilt be forced? 2^0 I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch!

and to her

son

all.

[Exeunt.

Scene

ii.

Sandal Castle

Enter richard, edward, and montague. Rich. Brother, though leave.

I

be youngest, give

me

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

SCENE U Ednv. No,

I

But

I

IVlont.

can better play the orator. have reasons strong and forcible. Enter the

sons and brother! at a

York.

No quarrel,

Intend here to besiege you in your castle: is hard by with twenty thousand men;

And therefore

About what? About that which concerns your Grace

that father,

5)

your hold, my lord. my sword. What! think'st thou

we fear them?

Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me; My brother Montague shall post to London: Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,

Whom we have left protectors of the King,

death.

Now you are heir, therefore enjoy it

With powerful

now:

policy strengthen themselves,

By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe. outrun you, father, in the end. I took an oath that he should quietly reign. Eduj. But for a kingdom any oath may be

It will

Enter sir john

would break a thousand oaths to reign one year. No; God forbid your Grace should be claim by open war.

prove the contrary,

if you'll

hear

me

Sir John.

20

speak.

Thou canst not,

Rich. i\n oath

is

son;

it is

the

impossible.

they are soldiers. Witty, courteous, Uberal, full of spirit. While you are thus employ'd, what resteth more, But that I seek occasion how to rise. And yet the King not privy to my drift, Nor any of the house of Lancaster? I

men in

them

battle straight,

jo

men to twenty! though the odds be

doubt not, uncle, of our victory. Many a battle have I won in France, When as the enemy hath been ten to one: Why should I not now have the like success? [Alarum. Exeunt.

Scene

hi. Field

Castle

of battle betwixt Sandal

and Wakefield

Alarums. Enter Rutland and Rut. Ah, whither shall

I

his

tutor.

fly to 'scape their

hands?

40

With whom the Kentishmen will wiUingly rise: them

our

I

presently.

And whet on Warwick to this enterprise. Thou, Richard, shalt to the Duke of Norfolk, And tell him privily of our intent.

In

let's set

great,

Elysium 50 And all that poets feign of bliss and joy. Why do we linger thus? I cannot rest Until the white rose that I wear be dyed Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart. York. Richard, enough; I will be King, or die.

my Lord Cobham,

forth and bid

York. Five

is

unto

hear their drums:

And issue

How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown;

shall

I

order.

!

You, Edward,

in

What, with five thousand men? Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need: woman's general; what should we fear?

Edw.

Therefore, to arms And, father, do but think

London

meet her

A march afar off.

Henry had none, but did usurp the place; Then, seeing 'twas he that made you to depose, Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous.

Brother, thou shalt to

shall not need; we'll

Rich.

A

Before a true and lawful magistrate. that swears:

circuit

She

field.

York.

of no moment, being not took

That hath authority over him

Within whose

Hugh Mortimer, mine

uncles.

You are come to Sandal in a happy hour; The army of the Queen mean to besiege us.

forsworn.

I'll

mortimer and sir hugh

York. Sir John and Sir

Rich.

Rich.

jp

MORTIMER.

broken:

shall be, if I

his oaths.

Mont. Brother, I go; I'll win them, fear it not: And thus most humbly I do take my leave. [Exit.

York.

York.

Henry nor

x\nd trust not simple

I

fo

fortify

Ay, with

York.

which is yours. York. Mine, boy? not till King Henry be dead. Rich. Your right depends not on his life or

York.

the northern earls

She

but a slight contention.

andu>;

I

all

and lords

The crown of England,

Edw.

The Queen with

Mess.

What is your quarrel? how began it first?

Rich.

Why comest thou in such

post?

strife?

EdnjD.

73

Enter a messenger.

what news?

But, stay:

duke of york.

Why, how now,

York.

VI

Ah,

tutor, look

where bloody Clifford comes!

trust; for

Enter Clifford and Soldiers. Clif.

Chaplain, away! thy priesthood saves thy

Hfe.

As

for the brat

of this accursed duke.

Whose father slew my father, he shall die. Tut. And I, my lord, will bear him company.

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

74 Clif. Soldiers,

Tut. Ah, CHjfFord,

murder not

this

Scene

innocent

Alarum.

child,

Lest thou be hated both of God and man!

dragged off by Soldiers. he dead already? or is it

How now!

is

fear

lo

And so he walks, insulting o'er his prey, And so he comes, to rend his limbs asunder. Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword, And not with such a cruel threatening look. Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die. I am too mean a subject for thy wrath: Be thou revenged on men, and let me live. vain thou speak'st, poor boy;

let

Clif.

Had

I

my

my father's blood open it again:

nor ease

my heart.

The sight ofanyofthe house of York Is as a fury to

50

my soul;

torment

Rut. O,

To thee I

let

take

Here must Enter

Clif.

Such pity I

as

my death!

I

why wilt thou slay

me? Clif.

He be as miserably slain as I. Ah, let me live in prison all my days;

and here

my life must end.

queen margaret, Clifford, Northumthe

PRINCE OF wales, and

Soldiers.

am your butt, and I

abide your shot.

2^

Ay,

to such

mercy

as his ruthless arm. fa-

ther.

Now Phaethon hath tumbled from his car, And made an evening at the noontide prick. York. My ashes, as the phoenix, may bring

forth

A bird that will revenge upon you all:

And when I give occasion of offence. Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause.

And in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven, Scorning whate'er you can afflict me with. come you not? what! multitudes, and fear? Clif. So cowards fight when they can fly no fur-

Why

No cause!

Thy father slew my father;

therefore, die. [Stabs

40

ther;

hifn.]

Rut. Difaciant laudis Plantagenet!

And this thy Shall rust

20

North. Yield to our mercy, proud Plantagenet. Clif.

But 'twas ere I was born. Thou hast one son; for his sake pity me, 40 Lest in revenge thereof, sith God is just,

Clif.

stay,

With downright payment, show'd unto my

Thy father hath.

Rut.

Clif.

//

Come, bloody Clifford, rough Northumberland, I dare your quenchless fury to more rage:

my rapier's point affords.

never did thee harm:

I

berland,

pray; sweet Clifford, pity me!

Rut.

wind

And I am faint and cannot fly their fury: And were I strong, I would not shun their fury: The sands are number'd that make up my life;

[Lifting his hand.]

me pray before I

ships before the

And when the hardiest warriors did retire,

And till I root out their accursed line And leave not one alive, I live in hell.

Therefore —

fly, like

waves. [A short alarum "within^ Ah, hark! the fatal followers do pursue;

digg'd up thy forefathers' graves ire,

my followers to the eager foe

With bootless labour swim against the tide And spend her strength with over-matching

thy brethren here, their lives and

could not slake mine

all

We

and, Clifford, cope with him.

And hung their rotten coffins up in chains, It

And

Turn back and

Richard cried, "Charge! and give no foot of ground!" And cried, "A crown, or else a glorious tomb! A sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre!" With this, we charged again: but, out, alas! bodged again; as I have seen a swan

Were not revenge sufficient for me; if I

the field:

My uncles both are slain in rescuing me;

In blood of those that had encounter'd him:

20

thine

No,

richard, duke of york.

And full as oft came Edward to my side, With purple falchion, painted to the hilt

should enter.

Then

Another part of thefield

My

Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words

He is a man,

iv.

Enter,

pursued by hunger-starved wolves. sons, God knows what hath bechanced them: But this I know, they have demean'd themselves Like men born to renown by life or death. Three times did Richard make a lane to me. And thrice cried, "Courage, father! fight it out!'*

father's blood

Rut.

I

Or lambs

That makes him close his eyes? I'll open them. Rut. So looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch That trembles under his devouring paws;

Clif. In

ACT

The army of the Queen hath got

York.

[Exit,

Clif.

VI

away with him!

I

summa sit ista tiia!

\Dies.

come, Plantagenet!

son's blood cleaving to

my blade

$0

upon my weapon, till thy blood, this, do make me wipe off both.

Congeal'd with

\Exit.

So doves do peck the So desperate thieves,

falcon's piercing talons; all

hopeless of their lives,

Breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers. York. Clifford, but bethink thee once again, And in thy thought o'er-run my former time;

O

And,

if thou canst for blushing,

view

this face,

SCENE

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

IV

thy tongue, that slanders him with cowardice Whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere

And

this!

not bandy with thee word for word, But buckle with thee blows, twice two for one. jo Q. Mar. Hold, valiant Clifford! for a thousand causes

would prolong awhile the

traitor's life.

Wrath makes him deaf: speak thou, Northumberland.

North. Hold, Clifford! do not honour him so

much

To prick thy finger, though to wound his heart: What valour were it, when a cur doth grin, For one to thrust

his

hand between

his teeth,

When he might spurn him with his It is

war's prize to take

foot

away?

vantages;

all

Hold you

60 is no impeach of valour. They lay hands on york, uoho struggles. Clif. Ay, ay, so strives the woodcock with the gin.

North. So doth the cony struggle in the net. York. So triumph thieves upon their conquer'd

booty;

North.

yield,

with robbers so o'ermatch'd.

stand upon this molehill here,

That raught at mountains with outstretched arms, Yet parted but the shadow with his hand. What! was it you that would be England's king? Was't you that revell'd in our parliament, 7/ And made a preachment of your high descent? Where are your mess of sons to back you now? The wanton Edward, and the lusty 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 rest, where is your darling Rutland? Look, York: I stain'd this napkin with the blood That valiant Clifford, with his rapier's point, 80 Made issue from the bosom of the boy;

And I

if thine

eyes can water for his death,

I

hate thee deadly,

I

should lament thy miserable state.

I

prithee, grieve, to

What, hath thy

head;

Whose tongue more poisons than the adder's

to

tooth!

How ill-beseeming is To triumph,

like an

it

in

thy sex

Amazonian trull, fortune captivates!

But that thy face is, visard-like, unchanging. Made impudent with use of evil deeds, I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush. To tell thee whence thou camest, of whom derived,

Were shame enough to shame thee,

wert thou

not shameless.

120

Thy father bears the type of King of Naples, Of both the Sicils and Jerusalem, Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman. that poor monarch taught thee to insult? It needs not, nor it boots thee not, proud queen, Unless the adage must be verified,

Hath

That beggars mounted run

their horse to death.

make women

proud; thy share thereof is small: 'Tis virtue that doth make them most admired; i^i The contrary doth make thee wonder 'd at 'Tis beauty that doth oft

God he knows,

:

make me merry, York.

As

the Antipodes are unto us,

Or as

a tear can fall for Rutland's death?

the south to the septentrion.

O tiger's heart wrapt in a woman's hide!

thou shouldst be

How couldst thou drain the life-blood of the

mad;

And I,

on.

makes them seem divine; The want thereof makes thee abominable: Thou art as opposite to every good

fiery heart so parch'd thine en-

Why art thou patient, man?

it

'Tis government that

trails

That not

set

And, whilst we breathe, take time to do him dead. Clif. That is my oflice, for my father's sake. Q. Mar. Nay, stay; let's hear the orisons he makes. no York. She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of France,

But,

give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal.

Alas, poor York! but that

do

But how is it that great Plantagenet Is crown'd so soon, and broke his solemn oath? As I bethink me, you should not be King /o/ Till our King Henry had shook hands with death. And will you pale your head in Henry's glory. And rob his temples of the diadem, Now in his life, against your holy oath? O, 'tis a fault too too unpardonable! Off with the crown; and, with the crown, his

Upon their woes whom

berland,

Come, make him

I

Ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king! Ay, this is he that took King Henry's chair, And this is he was his adopted heir.

What would your grace have done unto

him now? Q. Mar. Brave warriors, Clifford and Northum-

his hands, whilst

Putting a paper crown on his head.

And ten to one

So true men

75

Stamp, rave, and fret, that I may sing and dance. Thou wouldst be fee'd, I see, to make me sport: York cannot speak, unless he wear a crown. A crown for York! and, lords, bow low to him:

bite

Clif. I will

I

VI

make thee mad, do mock thee thus,

^o

child.

.

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

76

To bid the father wipe his eyes withal, And yet

and

/40

Scene

i.

Herefordshire

power.

wish:

Wouldst have me weep? why, now thou hast thy

Ediv.

I

wonder how our princely

Or whether he

will:

For raging wind blows up incessant showers.

From

And when the rage allays,

Had he

the rain begins.

my sweet Rutland's obsequies:

tears are

every drop cries vengeance for his death, fell Clifford, and thee, false French-

'Gainst thee,

i

woman. North. Beshrew me, but his passion moves

me 150

so

That hardly can I check my eyes from tears. York. That face of his the hungry cannibals Would not have touch'd, would not have stain'd with blood:

But you are more inhuman, more inexorable, O, ten times more, than tigers of Hyrcania.

be 'scaped

been ta'en, we should have heard the news; Had he been slain, we should have heard the news; Or had he 'scaped, methinks we should have heard The happy tidings of his good escape. How fares my brother? why is he so sad? Rich. I cannot joy, until I be resolved Where our right valiant father is become. I saw him in the battle range about; And watch'd him how he singled Clifford

This cloth thou dip'dst in blood of my sweet boy, And I with tears do wash the blood away. Keep thou the napkin, and go boast of this: 160 And if thou tell'st the heavy story right,

As doth

Yea even my

the hearers will shed tears;

foes will shed fast-falling tears,

And say, "Alas, it was a piteous deed!" There, take the crown, and, with the crown,

my

curse;

And in thy need such comfort come to thee As now I reap at thy too cruel hand! Hard-hearted Clifford, take me from the world:

Rich.

umberland?

Think but upon

the

wrong he

that will quickly

Here's for

did us

all.

dry thy melting

my oath,

here's for

tears.

my

father's

death. [Stabbing him.}

And here's to right our gentle-hearted

suns, each

one a perfect

Open Thy gate of mercy,

gracious

God!

My soul flies through these wounds to seek out Thee.

[Dies.

Q. Mar. Off with his head, and set

it

Not

separated with the racking clouds. But sever'd in a pale clear-shining sky. See, see! they join, embrace, and seem to kiss. As if they vow'd some league inviolable: ^0 Now are they but one lamp, one light, one sun. In this the heaven figures some event. Edw. 'Tis wondrous strange, the like yet never heard of. I

think

gates;

Should notwithstanding join our lights together And over-shine the earth as this the world. Whate'er it bodes, henceforward will I bear Rich.

.

cites us, brother, to the field,

Upon my target three

on York

So York may overlook the town of York

it

That we, the sons of brave Plantagenet, Each one already blazing by our meeds.

king. [Stabbing him.]

York.

Three glorious

sun;

I should not for my life but weep with him, ijo To see how inly sorrow gripes his soul. O. Mar. What, weeping-ripe, my Lord North-

Q. Mar.

a lion in a herd

suns?

Had he been slaughter-man to all my

kin,

Clif.

in the thickest troop

of neat; Or as a bear, encompass'd round with dogs, Who having pinch'd a few and made them cry, The rest stand all aloof, and bark at him. So fared our father with his enemies; So fled his enemies my warlike father: Methinks, 'tis prize enough to be his son. 20 See how the morning opes her golden gates, And takes her farewell of the glorious sun! How well resembles it the prime of youth, Trimm'd like a younker prancing to his love! Ediv. Dazzle mine eyes, or do I see three

My soul to heaven, my blood upon your heads!

And

10

forth.

Methought he bore him

Upon my soul,

father 'scaped,

away or no

Clifford's and Northumberland's pursuit:

See, ruthless queen, a hapless father's tears:

North.

11

A march. Enter edward, richard, and their

Bid' St thou me rage? why, now thou hast thy

And

II

A plain near Mortimer's Cross in

flexible;

stern, obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless.

These

ACT

ACT

be seen to bear a woman's face?

Women are soft, mild, pitiful, Thou

VI

/

[Flourish. Exeunt.

80

I

fair-shining suns

40

Nay, bear three daughters: by your leave

speak

it.

You love the breeder better than the male.

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

SCENE

EdnjD.

Enter a messenger.

left

with

thee;

art thou,

Rich. Say how he died, for I will hear it all. Mess. Environed he was with many foes, And stood against them, as the hope of Troy Against the Greeks that would have enter'd

77

His name that valiant duke hath

His dukedom and his chair with me is left. 90 Rich. Nay, if thou be that princely eagle's bird. Show thy descent by gazing 'gainst the sun: For chair and dukedom, throne and kingdom say; Either that is thine, or else thou wert not his.

whose heavv^ looks foretell Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue? Mess. Ah, one that was a woeful looker-on When as the noble Duke of York was slain, Your princely father and my loving lord! Edv). O, speak no more, for I have heard too much. But what

VI

March. Enter Warwick, marquess of MONTAGUE, and their army.

How now, fair lords What fare? what news abroad? Rich. Great Lord of Warwick, if we should re-

^o

War.

!

count

Troy.

Our

baleful news, and at each word's deliverance Stab poniards in our flesh till all were told. The words would add more anguish than the

But Hercules himself must yield to odds; And many strokes, though with a little axe, Hew down and fell the hardest-timber'd oak. By many hands your father was subdued;

wounds.

But only slaughter'd by the ireful arm Of unrelenting Clifford and the Queen, Who crown'd the gracious Duke in high despite, Laugh'd in his face; and when with grief he

valiant lord, the

Edw.

Which held thee dearly

is

wo

slain!

as his soul's redemption,

by the stern Lord Clifford done to death. War. Ten days ago I drown'd these news in

Is

wept.

The ruthless Queen gave him to dry his cheeks

Duke of York

O Warwick, Warwick! that Plantagenet,

6i

tears;

A napkin steeped in the harmless blood

And now,

Of sweet voung Rutland, by rough Clifford slain:

1

And after many scorns, many foul taunts. They took his head, and on the gates of York They set the same; and there it doth remain, The saddest spectacle that e'er I view'd. Ed'U). Sweet Duke of York, our prop to lean

After the bloody fray at Wakefield fought, Where your brave father breathed his latest gasp. Tidings, as swiftly as the posts could run. Were brought me of your loss and his depart, no I, then in London, keeper of the King,

to add more measure to your woes, come to tell you things sith then befall'n.

Muster'd

upon.

my soldiers, gather'd flocks of friends,

Now thou art gone, we have no staff, no stay.

And very well

O Clifford, boisterous Clifford! thou hast slain

March'd toward Saint Alban's to intercept the Queen, Bearing the King in my behalf along; For by my scouts I was advertised That she was coming with a full intent

The flower of Europe

for his chivalry;

7/

And treacherously hast thou vanquish'd him. For hand to hand he would have vanquish'd thee.

Now my soul's palace is become a prison: Ah, would she break from hence, that this my body Might in the ground be closed up in rest! For never henceforth shall I joy again. Never, O never, shall I see more joy! Rich. I cannot weep; for all my body's moisture Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart:

Nor can my tongue unload my heart's great burthen;

For selfsame wind that Is

81 I

should speak withal

kindling coals that fires

all

my breast,

And burns me up with flames that tears would quench.

To weep is to make less the depth of grief: Tears then for babes; blows and revenge for me. Richard, I bear thy name; I'll venge thy death, Or die renowned by attempting it.

appointed, as

I

thought,

To dash our late decree in parliament Touching King Henry's oath and your succession.

Short tale to make,

Our

we at Saint Alban's met,

120

and both sides fiercely fought: But whether 'twas the coldness of the King, Who look'd full gently on his warlike Queen, That robb'd my soldiers of their heated spleen; Or whether 'twas report of her success; 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; battles join'd,

Our soldiers', like the night-owl's lazy Or like an idle thresher with a flail. Fell gently

down,

flight,

as if they struck their friends.

cheer'd them up with justice of our cause. With promise of high pay and great rewards; I

/50

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

78

no heart to fight, But 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 myself. In haste, post-haste, are come to join with you; For in the marches here we heard you were, /40 Making another head to fight again. Ediv. Where is the Duke of Norfolk, gentle vain; they had

all in

Warwick? And when came George from Burgundy six miles off the

to Eng-

Duke is with the

And for your brother, he was lately sent From your kind aunt, Duchess of Burgundy, With aid of soldiers to this needful war. Rich. 'Twas odds, belike, when valiant Warwick fled: Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit. But ne'er till now his scandal of retire. /50 War. Nor now my scandal, Richard, dost thou hear;

For thou mine

know this

shalt

strong right hand of

the diadem from faint Henry's head,

Can pluck

ACT

And once And once

II

we march amain.

again bestride our foaming steeds.

again cry, "Charge upon our foes!" But never once again turn back and fly. Rich. Ay, now methinks I hear great Warwick

speak:

Ne'er

That

may

he live to see a sunshine day.

cries "Retire," if Warwick bid

him

stay.

shoulder will

I

lean;

And when thou hour-

fail'st

—

1S9 as

God forbid the

Must Edward

soldiers;

i

VI

Via! to London will

Edw. Lord Warwick, on thy

land?

War. Some

Why,

And wring the awful sceptre from his fist. Were he as famous and as bold in war As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer. Rich. I know it well. Lord Warwick; blame me

fall, which peril heaven forfend! War. No longer Earl of March, but Duke of York:

The next degree

is

England's royal throne;

For King of England shalt thou be proclaim'd In every borough as we pass along; And he that throws not up his cap for joy

King Edward,

make

forfeit

of his head.

valiant Richard,

Montague,

Shall for the fault

Stay we no longer, dreaming of renown. But sound the trumpets, and about our task. 200 Rich. Then, Clifford, were thy heart as hard as steel.

As thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds, I come to pierce it, or to give thee mine. Eduo. Then strike up drums: God and Saint George

for us!

not:

'Tis love

I

bear thy glories makes

If for the last, say ay, and to

War.

it,

Enter a second messenger.

me speak.

time what's to be done? But 160 Shall we go throw away our coats of steel, And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns. Numbering our Ave-Maries with our beads? Or shall we on the helmets of our foes Tell our devotion with revengeful arms? in this troublous

lords.

How now!

what news? 2nd Mess. The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me. The Queen is coming with a puissant host; And craves your company for speedy counsel. War.

War. Why then away.

Why, therefore Warwick came to seek

Have wrought

the easy-melting

King

like

wax.

sorts,

brave warriors,

let's

[Exeunt.

Scene

you out;

And therefore comes my brother Montague. Attend me, lords. The proud insulting Queen, With Clifford and the haught Northumberland, And of their feather many moe proud birds, ijo

it

ii.

Before York

king henry, queen Margaret, the PRINCE OF wales, CLIFFORD, and NORTHUMBERLAND, uoith drum and trumpets.

Flourish. Enter

Q. Mar. Welcome,

my lord, to this brave town

ofYork.

He swore consent to your succession,

Yonder' s the head of that arch-enemy

His oath enrolled

That sought to be encompass'd with your crown: Doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord? K. Hen. Ay, as the rocks cheer them that fear

And now

to

in the parliament;

London

all

the

crew are gone.

To frustrate both his oath and what beside May make against the house of Lancaster. Their power,

I

think,

is

thirty thousand strong:

Now, if the help of Norfolk and myself. With all the friends that thou, brave Earl of March, five

procure, /^o

and twenty thousand.

wreck:

Withhold revenge, dear God!

Nor wittingly have Clif.

Amongst the loving Welshmen canst Will but amount to

their

To see this sight, it irks my very soul. I

infringed

not my fault, my vow.

'tis

My gracious liege, this too much lenity

And harmful

pity

must be

laid aside.

To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?

10

SCENE

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

II

Not to the beast that would usurp their den. Whose hand is that the forest bear doth hck? Not his

that spoils her

young before her

leave,

face.

I'll

Not he that sets his foot upon her back. The smallest worm will turn being trodden on, And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood. crown, Thou smiling while he knit his angry brows He, but a duke, would have his son a king.

And raise his

level at thy

20

:

Make war with him that climb'd unto their nest, own lives in their young's de-

my liege, make them your precedent! his father's fault,

And long hereafter say unto his child, "What my great-grandfather and grandsire got

My careless father fondly gave away"? a shame were this! Look on the boy; his manly face, which promiseth 40

Ah, what

Successful fortune, steel thy melting heart

K. Hen. Full well hath Clifford play'd the ora-

my son my virtuous deeds

For

all

the rest

is

left

behind;

me no more!

50

held at such a rate

As brings a thousand-fold more care to keep Than in possession any jot of pleasure. Ah, cousin York! would thy best friends did

know

How

it

me that thy head

is

my lord,

and leave us to our

fortune.

K. Hen. I'll

Why,

that's

my fortune too;

therefore

stay.

Prince.

it

with resolution then to

fight.

My royal father, cheer these noble lords fight in

Unsheathe your sword, good George!"

your defence:

father; cry "Saint

80

March. Enter edward, george, richard, warwick, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, and Soldtcrs.

Edw. Now,

perjured Henry! wilt thou kneel for

And set thy diadem upon my head; Or bide the mortal fortune of the field?

You, that are king, though he do wear the crown. Have caused him, by new act of parliament, pi To blot out me, and put his own son in. Cltf.

here!

My

lord, cheer up your spirits: our Q. Mar. foes are nigh.

And this soft courage makes your followers faint. You promised knighthood to our forward son: Unsheathe your sword, and dub him presently. Edward, kneel down. 60 K. Hen. Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight; And learn this lesson, draw thy sword in right.

And

reason too:

Who should Rich.

doth grieve

are ab-

Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms Before thy sovereign and thy lawful king? Edw. I am his king, and he should bow his knee; I was adopted heir by his consent: Since when, his oath is broke; for, as I hear,

me, didst thou never hear

That things ill-got had ever bad success? And happy always was it for that son Whose father for his hoarding went to hell? leave

when you

Q. Mar. Go, rate thy minions, proud insulting boy!

tor.

Inferring arguments of mighty force.

I'll

yo

grace.

To hold thine own and leave thine own with him.

And v/ould my father had

best success

And hearten those that

Were it not pity that this goodly boy

tell

toward prince.

sent.

North. Be

fence?

But, Clifford,

like a

would your Highness would depart the

I

Q. Mar. Ay, good

fearful

Offering their

And let

spoken

field:

50

by

is

crown.

to the death.

Enter a messenger.

The Queen hath

flight,

his birthright

that

it

Mess. Royal commanders, be in readiness: For with a band of thirty thousand men

Clif.

Yet, in protection of their tender ones.

Should lose

Why,

Clif.

use

in the towns, as they do march along, Proclaims him king, and many fly to him: Darraign your battle, for they are at hand.

Who hath not seen them, even with those wings

For shame,

as apparent to the

it

in that quarrel

York;

face be fearful to their eyes,

Which sometime they have used with

And

And

a king, blest

And though man's

draw

Comes Warwick, backing of the Duke of

issue, like a loving sire;

with a goodly son, Didst yield consent to disinherit him. Which argued thee a most unloving father. Unreasonable creatures feed their young;

Thou, being

79

My gracious father, by your kingly

Prince.

Who 'scapes the lurking serpent's mortal sting?

Ambitious York did

VI

ucceed the father but the son? there, butcher? O, I cannot

Are you

speak! Clif.

Ay, crook-back, here

I

stand to answer

thee,

Or any he the proudest of thy

sort.

'Twas you that kill'd young Rutland, was it not? Clif. Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfied. Rich.

Rich. For God's sake, lords, give signal to the fight.

100

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

8o

What say'st thou, Henry,

War.

When you and Your

I

met

at Saint

Alban's

legs did better service than

War. Then 'twas

last,

your hands. 'tis

thine.

You

Clif.

said so

much

before, and yet

War. 'Twas not your valour,

Cliff^ord,

you

fled.

drove

Ediv.

you

manhood

that durst

make

stay.

off"

I

hold thee reverently.

the parley; for scarce

I

can refrain

no

The execution of my big-swoln heart Upon that Clifford, that cruel child-killer. slew thy father,

I

Clif.

Ay,

Rich.

thou him a child? and a treacherous

call'st

like a dastard

coward.

As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland; But ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed. K. Hen. Have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak. Q. Mar. Defy them then, or else hold close thy

am

I

prithee, give

no

120

My liege, the wound that bred this meet-

ing here

Cannot be cured by words; therefore be still. Rich. Then, executioner, unsheathe thy sword: By him that made us all, I am resolved That Clifford's manhood lies upon his tongue. Edw. Say, Henry, shall I have my right, or no?

spring,

And that thy summer

selves.

know thou, since we have begun to strike. We'll never leave till we have hewn thee down, Or bathed thy growing with our heated bloods. Edw. And, in this resolution, I defy thee; ijo Not willing any longer conference. Yet,

Since thou deniest the gentle king to speak.

Sound trijinpets!

War. If thou deny, their blood upon thy head; For York in justice puts his armour on. /50 Prince. If that be right which Warwick says is

Rich.

no wrong, hut every thing

Whoever got thee,

is

stay:

These words

will cost ten thousand lives this day.

[Exeunt.

Scene

right.

I

there thy mother

like a foul

I

in Yorkshire

Mark'd by

lay

strength,

And spite of spite needs must

or lizards' dreadful stings.

rest awhile.

knowing whence thou

Enter edward, running.

1^0

Edw. Smile,

channel should be call'd the sea not,

I

gilt,

Whose father bears the title of a king Shamest thou

runners with a race,

For strokes received, and many blows repaid, strong-knit sinews of their

the destinies to be avoided.

Rich. Iron of Naples hid with English

toil, as

me down a little while to breathe;

Have robb'd my

mis-shapen stigmatic,

As venom toads,

As

War. Forspent with

wot, thou hast thy mother's tongue.

dam;

if a

A field of battle between Towton

Alarum. Excursions. Enter Warwick.

Q. Mar. But thou art neither like thy sire nor

But

hi.

and Saxton,

stands;

For, well

our bloody colours wave! or else a grave.

Q. Mar. Stay, Edward. Ediv. No, wrangling woman, we'll no longer

right, is

let

And either victory,

ne'er shall dine unless thou yield the crown.

There

bred us no increase.

We set the axe to thy usurping root;

A thousand men have broke their fasts to-day, That

state,

But when he took a beggar to his bed. And graced thy poor sire with his bridal-day. Even then that sunshine brew'd a shower for him. That wash'd his father's fortunes forth of France And heap'd sedition on his crown at home. For what hath broach'd this tumult but thy pride? Hadst thou been meek, our title still had slept; And we, in pity of the gentle king, i6i Had slipp'd our claim until another age. Geo. But when we saw our sunshine made thy

my tongue:

limits to

a king, and privileged to speak.

Clif.

he match'd according to his

He might have kept that glory to this day;

And though the edge hath something hit our-

lips.

K. Hen. I

stoop;

And had

Rich. Northumberland,

Break

Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou. Although thy husband may be Menelaus; And ne'er was Agamemnon's brother wrong'd By that false woman, as this King by thee. His father revell'd in the heart of France, /yo And tamed the King, and made the Dauphin

me

thence.

North. No, nor your

II

To make this shameless callet know herself.

War-

my turn to fly, and now

ACT

A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns.

wilt thou yield

the crown?

Q. Mar. Why, how now, long-tongued wick! dare you speak?

VI

traught,

To let thy tongue detect thy base-born heart?

gentle heaven! or strike, ungentle

death!

art ex-

For

this

world frowns, and Edward's sun

clouded.

is

:

SCENE

:

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

III

War. How now, of good?

my lord!

what hap? what hope

Enter GEORGE. Geo. Our hap is loss, our hope but sad despair; lo Our ranks are broke, and ruin follows us

What counsel give you? Edw.

Bootless

is flight,

whither we fly? they follow us with

[Exeunt.

Scene

Enter richard.

withdrawn

thyself?

Thy brother's

blood the thirsty earth hath drunk, Broach'd with the steely point of Clifford's lance; And in the very pangs of death he cried. Like to a dismal clangor heard from far,

"Warwick, revenge!

brother, revenge

my

So, underneath the belly of their steeds, stain'd their fetlocks in his

20

my horse,

because

I

losses, whiles the foe

look upon, as

if the

Scene

doth rage;

wolf to death.

v.

Another part of thefield

Alarum. Enter king henry alone.

tragedy

Or fortune given me measure of revenge.

Can neither

never pause again, never stand

Ediv.

O Warwick,

I

do bend

still,

50

thine;

And, ere my knee rise from the earth's cold face, I throw my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee, Thou setter up and plucker down of kings, Beseeching thee, if with thy will it stands That to my foes this body must be prey, Yet that thy brazen gates of heaven may ope, 40 And give sweet passage to my sinful soul! Now, lords, take leave until we meet again, Where'er it be, in heaven or in 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

farewell.

Yet

let

us

And give them

all

together to our troops.

leave to fly that will not stay;

it

perfect

day nor

night.

Forced by the tide to combat with the wind; Now sways it that way, like the selfsame sea Forced to retire by fury of the wind: Sometime the flood prevails, and then the wind; Now one the better, then another best; 10 Both tugging to be victors, breast to breast. Yet neither conqueror nor conquered: So is the equal poise of this fell war. Here on this molehill will I sit me down.

To whom God will, there be the victory! For Margaret my queen, and Clifford too. Have chid me from the battle; swearing both They prosper best of all when I am thence. Would i were dead! if God's good will were so;

That winter should cut off our spring-time so. War. Away, away! Once more, sweet lords, Geo.

call

Now sways it this way, like a mighty sea

my knee with

And in this vow do chain my soul to thine!

'

this

Till either death hath closed these eyes of mine I

,

myself will hunt

King. This battle fares like to the morning's war. When dying clouds contend with growing light, What time the shepherd, blowing of his nails,

I'll

!

I

[Exeunt,

Were play'd in jest by counterfeiting actors? Here on my knee I vow to God above,

II

10

at thee!

will not fly.

Why stand we like soft-hearted women here, And

have

chase;

For

Wailing our

I

for the

Rich.

blood: I'll kill

is

They fight. Warwick comes; clieeord fiies. Nay, Warwick, single out some other

blood,

''

arm

this

To execute the like upon thyself; And so,

smoking

The noble gentleman gave up the ghost. War. Then let the earth be drunken with our

,

richard and clieeoku.

Clifford,

brother

death!"

That

Now,

Suppose

hast thou

Another part of thefield

have singled thee alone: 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 stabb'd thy father York; And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland; And here's the heart that triumphs in their death And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and Rich.

why

iv.

Excursions. Enter

And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit.

Ah, Warwick,

8]

As victors at the Olympian games: This may plant courage in their quailing breasts; For yet is hope of life and victory. Forslow no longer, make we hence amain.

wings;

Rich.

VI

And call them pillars that will stand to us; And, if we thrive, promise them such rewards

50

For what is in this world but grief and woe? O God! methinks it were a happy life, To be no better than a homely swain; To sit upon a hill, as I do now. To carve out dials quaintly, point by point, Thereby to see the minutes how they run.

20

.

!

.

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

82

How many make the hour full complete; How many hours bring about the day; How many days will finish up the year; How many years a mortal man may live. When this

Be

Enter a father that has killed his

known, then to divide the times: 50 So many hours must I tend my flock; So many hours must I take my rest; So many hours must I contemplate; So many hours must I sport myself; So many days my ewes have been with young; So many weeks ere the poor fools will ean; So many years ere I shall shear the fleece: So minutes, hours, days, months, and years, Pass'd over to the end they were created, Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave. 40 Ah, what a life were this! how sweet! how lovely! Gives not the hawthorn-bush a sweeter shade To shepherds looking on their silly sheep Than doth a rich embroider'd canopy

To kings that fear their subjects'

treachery?

O, yes

doth.

it

doth; a thousand-fold

it

the shepherd's

that has killed his father,

Ill

Who's

this?

O God,

it is

Whom in this conflict

I

my father's

face,

unawares have

kill'd.

O heavy times, begetting such events From London by the King was

I

Path.

Thou that

so stoutly hast resisted me.

press'd forth;

My father, being the Earl of Warwick's man, Came on the part of York, press'd by his And I, who at his hands received my life,

master;

O,

pity,

God,

this

miserable age!

What stratagems, how fell, how butcherly. Erroneous, mutinous and unnatural, This deadly quarrel daily doth beget! boy, thy father gave thee life too soon.

O

Woe above woe! grief more than

common grief!

O that my death would stay these ruthful deeds! O,

pity, pity, gentle heaven, pity!

The red rose and the white are on his face. The fatal colours of our striving houses: The one his purple blood right well resembles; The other his pale cheeks, methinks, presenteth: Wither one rose, and let the other flourish; loi If you contend, a thousand lives must wither. Son. How will my mother for a father's death Fath.

be satisfied!

How will my wife for slaughter of my

son

Shed seas of tears and ne*er be satisfied! K. Hen. How will the country for these woful chances

Misthink the King and not be

satisfied!

Was ever son so rued a father's death? Fath. Was ever father so bemoan'd his son? K. Hen. Was ever king so grieved for subjects* Son.

woe?

[Exit with the body

fill

And no more words

My sighing breast shall be thy funeral bell;

fill.

K. Hen. O piteous spectacle! O bloody times! Whiles lions war and battle for their dens, Poor harmless lambs abide their enmity. Weep, wretched man, I'll aid thee tear for tear;

And let out hearts and eyes, like civil war.

Fath.

These arms of mine

shall

be thy winding-

sheet;

My heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulchre. And

\

///

Much is your sorrow; mine ten times so much. Son. I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my

For from

they have flow'd their

po

And hath bereft thee of thy life too late!

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! 70 My tears shall wipe away these bloody marks; till

So

But let me see: is this our foeman's face? Ah, no, no, no, it is mine only son! Ah, boy, if any life be left in thee, Throw up thine eye! see, see what showers arise. Blown with the windy tempest of my heart. Upon thy wounds, that kill mine eye and heart!

Take on with me and ne'er

blows the wind that profits nobody. This man, whom hand to hand I slew in fight, May be possessed with some store of crowns; And I, that haply take them from him now, May yet ere night yield both my life and them To some man else, as this dead man doth me. 60 Son.

bringing

Give me thy gold, if thou hast any gold; For I have bought it with an hundred blows.

K. Hen.

dragging in the dead body.

son,

in the body.

homely curds,

His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle, His wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade, ^o All which secure and sweetly he enjoys, Is far beyond a prince's delicates. His viands sparkling in a golden cup, His body couched in a curious bed, When care, mistrust, and treason waits on him. Alarum. Enter a son

ACT n

grief.

is

And to conclude,

VI

blind with tears, and break o'ercharged with

my heart thine image ne'er shall go;

so obsequious will thy father be.

Even for the loss of thee, having no more. As Priam was for all his valiant sons. 120 I'll bear thee hence; and let them fight that will, For I have murdered where I should not kill. [Exit with the body.

SCENE

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

V

K. Hen. Sad-hearted men, much overgone with care,

Here

sits

a king

more woeful than you

are.

Alarums: excursions. Enter queen margaret, the PRINCE OF WALES, and exeter. Prince. Fly, father, fly! for all

I

at their

stabb'd your fathers' bosoms, split

your friends are

Alarum and retreat. Enter edward, george, RICHARD, MONTAGUE, WARWICK, and Soldicrs.

Edw.

Now breathe we, lords:

like a brace

of greyhounds i^o

fearful flying hare in sight,

That

As doth

to expostulate,

Or else come after: K. Hen. Nay, take

I'll

away

make speed; before.

me with thee, good sweet

Exeter:

Not that I fear to stay, but love to go Whither the Queen intends. Forward; away!

calm Henry, though he were a king, with a fretting gust. Command an argosy to stem the waves. But think you, lords, that Clifford fled with them? War. No, 'tis impossible he should escape; For, though before his face I speak the words, Your brother Richard mark'd him for the grave: And wheresoe'er he is, he's surely dead. ^/ [CLIFFORD groans, and dies. Edw. Whose soul is that which takes her heavy

[Exeunt.

led

vi.

Another part of thefield

A loud alarum. Enter Clifford, wounded. Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies,

Clif.

Which, whiles

O Lancaster,

I

More than my

gave King Henry light. overthrow body's parting with my soul! it

a sail, fill'd

leave?

Rich.

Scene

5/

A deadly groan, like life and death's de-

parting.

Edw. See who

it is:

If friend or foe, let

Rich.

lasted,

fear thy

Revoke

that

In hewing Rutland

But

Phoebus, hadst thou never given consent

That Phaethon should check thy

fiery steeds,

battle's ended,

doom of mercy,

for

'tis

Who not contented that he lopp'd the branch

And, now

thy tough commixture melts. Impairing Henry, strengthening misproud York, The common people swarm like summer flies; And whither fly the gnats but to the sun? lo And who shines now but Henry's enemies?

now the

and,

him be gently used.

Clifford;

My love and fear glued many friends to thee; I fall,

with peaceful

looks.

With

them:

when his

leaves put forth,

murdering knife unto the root From whence that tender spray did sweetly set his

spring, I

mean our princely father, Duke of York. War. From off the gates of York fetch down father's head,

which Clifford placed there;

Instead whereof let this supply the room:

And, Henry, hadst thou sway'd

Measure

as kings should

ity?

Bootless are plaints, and cureless are

No way to fly,

measure must be answered. forth that fatal screech-owl to our

house.

father did.

Giving no ground unto the house of York, They never then had sprung like summer flies; 1 and ten thousand in this luckless realm Had left no mourning widows for our death; And thou this day hadst kept thy chair in peace. For what doth cherish weeds but gentle air? 21 And what makes robbers bold but too much len-

The foe is

for

Edw. Bring

Or as thy father and his

y/

the head.

Your

Thy burning car never had scorch'd the earth! do,

bids

Some troops pursue the bloody-minded Queen,

And

fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath, bloody steel grasp'd in their ireful hands, Are at our backs; and therefore hence amain. Exe. Away! for vengeance comes along with

good fortune

us pause,

And smooth the frowns of war

post amain:

Edward and Richard,

my breast.

[Hefaints.]

And Warwick rages like a chafed bull: Away! for death doth hold us in pursuit. Q. Mar. Mount you, my lord: towards Berwick

Nay, stay not

83

hands I have deserved no pity. The air hath got into my deadly wounds. And much eff^use of blood doth make me faint. Come, York and Richard, Warwick and the rest;

For

fled,

Having the

VI

my wounds;

nor strength to hold out merciless, and will not pity;

flight:

That nothing sung but death

to us and ours:

Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound,

And his War.

I

ill-boding tongue

no more

think his understanding

Speak, Clifford, dost thou

is

shall speak.

bereft.

know who

60

speaks to

thee?

Dark cloudy death o'ershades his beams of life, And he nor sees nor hears us what we say. Rich. O, would he did! and so perhaps he doth: 'Tis but his policy to counterfeit,

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

84

Because he would avoid such bitter taunts Which in the time of death he gave our father. Geo. If so thou think'st, vex him with eager

VI To see these honours in possession.

mercy and obtain no

While we devise

Geo.

Rich.

Thou didst

fell

Thou

love York, and

pitied' St

Rutland;

I

am

I

son to

will pity thee.

Where's Captain Margaret, now?

Geo.

to fence

you

as thou

What, not an oath? nay, then the world

hand would buy two hours' life, 80 might rail at him, This hand should chop it off, and with the issuing in all despite

Keep. Under this thick-grown brake we'll shroud ourselves; For through this laund anon the deer will come; ist

And

in this

2nd Keep. I St

covert will

blood

I'll

stay above the

so both

may

my shoot is lost.

10

be past. Enter king henry,

disguised.,

with a

prayerbook.

head,

And rear it in the place your father's stands. And now to London with triumphant march,

^o And ask the Lady Bona for thy queen: So shalt thou sinew both these lands together; And, having France thy friend, thou shalt not dread

I'll

it

please

EdiD. Even as thou wilt, sweet

my lord.

Warwick,

let it

be;

no land of thine;

anointed:

No bending knee will call thee Caesar now, No humble suitors press to speak for right, For ist

a man comes for redress of thee; how can I help them, and not myself?

20

Keep. Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a

100 thy shoulder do I build my seat, I undertake the thing Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting. Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester, And George, of Clarence: Warwick, as ourself, Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best. Rich. Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester; For Gloucester's dukedom is too ominous. War. Tut, that's a foolish observation: Richard, be Duke of Gloucester. Now to Lon-

This is the quondam king; let's seize upon him. K. Hen. Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, For wise men say it is the wisest course. 2nd Keep. Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him.

in

And never will

'tis

keeper's fee:

cross the sea,

so

even of pure

Thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung from thee, Thy balm wash'd off wherewith thou wast

see the coronation;

And then to Brittany

stol'n,

No, not

scatter'd foe that hopes to rise again;

For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt, Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears.

To effect this marriage,

I

love.

No, Harry, Harry,

France,

I

K. Hen. From Scotland am

To greet mine own land with my wishful sight.

There to be crowned England's royal king: From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to

don,

hill,

Keep. That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-

Will scare the herd, and so

whose unstanched thirst York and young Rutland could not satisfy. War. Ay, but he's dead: off with the traitor's

For

we make our stand.

Here stand we both, and aim we at the best: And, for the time shall not seem tedious, I'll tell thee what befel me on a day In this self-place where now we mean to stand. 2nd Keep. Here comes a man; let's stay till he

Stifle the villain

First will

cross-bows in their

bow

If this right

The

njoith

hands,

shoot.

When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath. I know by that he's dead; and, by my soul. I

III

A forest in the north of England

Enter two keepers,

goes hard

That

i.

Culling the principal of all the deer.

War. They mock thee, Clifford: swear wast wont. Rich.

Scene

tortures for thy faults.

York. Ediv.

ACT

grace.

Ediv. ChfFord, repent in bootless penitence. 70 War. Clifford, devise excuses for thy faults.

III

no [Exewit.

words. Rich. ChfFord, ask

Acr

ist

Keep. Forbear awhile; we'll hear a

more. K. Hen.

little

My queen and son are gone to France

for aid;

And,

as

I

Is thither

hear, the great

commanding Warwick

gone, to crave the French King's sister

To wife for Edward:

if this news be true, Poor queen and son, your labour is but lost; For Warwick is a subtle orator, And Lewis a prince soon won with moving

j/

words.

i

SCENE

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

I

VI

85

Bv this account then iMargaret may win him; For she's a woman to be pitied much:

And you were sworn true subjects unto me: And tell me, then, have you not broke your oaths?

Her sighs will make a battery in his breast; Her tears will pierce into a marble heart; The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn; And Nero will be tainted with remorse, 40

For we were subjects but while you were king. K. Hen. Why, am I dead? do I not breathe a

To hear and Av, but

come to

Warwick,

beg,

^o;

So

man? Ah, simple men, you know not what you swear! Look, as I blow this feather from my face. And as the air blows it to me again, Obeying with my wind when I do blow.

see her plaints, her brinish tears.

she's

Keep,

I St

to give;

Henry, Edward.

She, on his left side, craving aid for

his right, asking a wife for She weeps, and says her Henry is deposed; He smiles, and says his Edward is install'd; That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no

And yielding to another when it blows. Commanded always by the greater gust; Such is the lightness of you common men.

more; Whiles Warwick wrong,

But do not break your oaths; for of that sin po My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty. Go where you will, the king shall be command-

He, on

tells his title,

smooths the

Inferreth arguments of mighty strength,

ed;

King from her, With promise of his sister, and what else. To strengthen and support King Edward's x\nd in conclusion wins the

O Margaret, thus 'twill be;

jo place.

and thou, poor soul,

for less

I

should not be;

And men may talk of kings, and why not 2nd Keep. Ay, but thou

talk'st as if thou

I?

wert

a

be you kings,

Keep.

ist

Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn! 2nd Keep. Say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens? K. Hen. xMore than I seem, and less than I was born to:

A man at least,

And

command, and

I'll

obey.

We are true subjects to the King, King

Edward. K. Hen. So would you be again to Henry, If he were seated as King Edward is. I St Keep. charge you, in God's name, and

We

the King's,

To go with us unto the officers. K. Hen. 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. loi

king.

K. Hen.

[Exeunt.

Why,

so

I

am,

in

mind; and

that's

enough.

Scene

60

2nd Keep. But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? K. Hen. Aly crown is in my heart, not on my

ii.

London: The palace

Enter king edward, Gloucester, clarence,

and LADY GREY.

K. Eduu. Brother of Gloucester,

head;

at Saint

Alban's

field

Not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is called content:

This lady's husband. Sir Richard Grey, was

A crown

His lands then seized on by the conqueror:

slain,

seldom kings enjoy. 2nd Keep. Well, if you be a king crown'd with it is

that

Her

now to repossess those lands; we in justice cannot well deny.

suit is

\V hich

content,

Your crown content and you must be contented

Because

To go along with us;

Thy worthy gentleman did lose his

for, as

we think,

You are the king King Edward hath deposed; And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance

Glou.

jo Will apprehend you as his enemy. K. Hen. But did you never swear, and break an oath?

of the house of York

Your highness

shall

life.

do well to grant her

suit;

were dishonour to deny it her. K. Edii'. It were no less; but yet

It

I'll

make

a

io

pause.

2nd Keep. No, never such an oath; nor will not now. K. Hm. Where did you dwell when I was King of England?

2nd Keep. Here I

Glou. [Aside

to

in this

country, where

we now

was anointed king

at nine

months

My father and my grandfather were kings,

old;

clarence] Yea,

is it

so?

I see the lady hath a thing to grant, Before the King will grant her humble

Clar. [Aside to

remain.

K. Hen.

in quarrel

game:

Gloucester]

how true he

suit.

He knows

the

keeps the wind!

Glou. [Aside to claresce] Silence! K. Edw. Widow, we will consider of your

suit;

And come some other time to know our mind.

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

86

L. Grey. Right gracious lord,

1

cannot brook

delay:

May it please your Highness to resolve me now; And what your pleasure is,

shall satisfy me. 20 clarence] Ay, widow? then I'll warrant you all your lands. An if what pleases him shall pleasure you. Fight closer, or, good faith, you'll catch a blow. Clar. [Aside to Gloucester] I fear her not, un-

Glou. [Aside

less

she chance to

Glou. [Aside he'll

to

to

clarence]

God

take vantages.

to

he'll rather

clarence] Nay, whip

me then:

give her two.

K. Ediv. 'Twere pity they should

I

not hear

Why,

then, thy husband's lands

I

freely give thee. I

my leave with many thousand

take

thanks. Glou. [Aside

she seals

to

it

clarence] The match

is

made;

with a curtsy.

K. Ediv. But stay mean.

thee,

'tis

the fruits of love

The fruits of love I mean, my

I

loving

liege.

K. Ediv. Ay,

What love,

but,

I

fear

think' st thou,

My love

till

me, I

in

another sense. 60

sue so

death,

much

to get?

my humble thanks,

my prayers;

father's lands.

L. Grey. Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. K. Ediv. Lords, give us leave: I'll try this

widow's wit. to clarence] Ay, good leave have you; for you will have leave, Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch. [GLOUCESTER ^72

And take his thanks that yet hath nothing

on the rock,

Prince.

industry and courage might have saved?

else.

his

moan, the ship

splits

lOI

—

March. Enter qijee^ Margaret, prince EDWARD, SOMERSET, OXFORD, and soldiers. Q. Mar. Great lords, wise wail their loss,

VI

speak not this as doubting any here; For did I but suspect a fearful man, He should have leave to go awav betimes, Lest in our need he might infect another And make him of like spirit to himself. If any such be here as God forbid! I

Ah, what a shame! ah, what a fault were this! Say Warwick was our anchor; what of that? And Montague our topmast; what of him? Our slaughter'd friends the tackles; what of

Enter a messenger.

Mess. Prepare you, lords, for

Ready

these?

Why, is not Oxford here another anchor? And Somerset another goodly mast?

Oxf.

friends of France our shrouds and tacklings? And, though unskilful, why not Ned and I 20 For once allow'd the skilful pilot's charge? will not from the helm to sit and weep, But keep our course, though the rough wind say

We

is

at

60

to fight; therefore be resolute.

I

thought no

To haste thus

The

Edward

hand, less:

it is

fast, to find

his policy

us unprovided.

Som. But he's deceived; we are in readiness. Q. Mar. This cheers my heart, to see your forwardness. Oxf. Here pitch our battle; hence we will not budge.

no.

From

Flourish and march. Enter king

shelves and rocks that threaten us with

wreck.

As good to chide the waves as speak them And what is Edward but a ruthless sea?

fair.

What Clarence but a quicksand of deceit? And Richard but a ragged fatal rock? All these the enemies to our poor bark.

Say you can swim; alas, 'tis but a while! Tread on the sand; why, there you quickly sink: Bestride the rock the tide will wash you off, 5/ Or else you famish; that's a threefold death. This speak I, lords, to let you understand. If case some one of you would fly from us. That there's no hoped-for mercy with the broth;

ers

K. Edw. Brave followers, yonder stands the thorny wood. Which, by the heavens' assistance and your strength,

Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night. 1 need not add more fuel to your fire, For well I wot ye blaze to burn them out:

rocks.

courage then! what cannot be avoided 'Twere childish weakness to lament or fear. Prince. Methinks a woman of this valiant spirit Should, if a coward heard her speak these words, Infuse his breast with magnanimity 4/ And make him, naked, foil a man at arms.

yo

Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords! Q. Mar. Lords, knights, and gentlemen, what I

should say

My tears gainsay; Ye

see,

I

for every

word

I

speak.

drink the water of mine eyes.

Therefore, no more but

More than with ruthless waves, with sands, and

Why,

edward,

GLOUCESTER, CLARENCE, and soldicrs.

this:

Henry, your sover-

eign, Is

prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd,

His realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain. His statutes cancell'd, and his treasure spent; And yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil. 80 You fight in justice: then, in God's name, lords. Be valiant and give signal to the fight. [Alarum: Retreat: Excursions. Exeunt.

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

I02

Scene

v.

VI

act v

Lascivious Edward, and thou perjured George,

Another part of thefield

And thou mis-shapen Dick, tell ye all I am your better, traitors as ye are: And thou usurp' st my father's right and mine. K. Edw. Take that, thou likeness of this railer 1

Flourish. Enter king edward, Gloucester, clarence, and soldiers; with queen Margaret, ox-

ford, and somerset, prisoners.

Now here a period of tumultuous

K. Ediv.

here. [Stabs him.]

Glou. Sprawl'st thou? take that, to end thy

broils.

Away with Oxford to Hames Castle straight:

agony. [Stabs him.]

For Somerset, off with his guilty head. Go, bear them hence; I will not hear them speak. Oxf. For my part, I'll not trouble thee with words. Som. Nor I, but stoop with patience to my for-

Q. Mar. So part world.

Q.Mar. O,

K. Edw.

we

Glou.

Is

It is:

who finds

proclamation made, that

and

lo,

and he

lo

his life?

where youthful Edward

I'll hence to London on a serious matter: Ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news. Clar. What? what?

Bring forth the gallant,

us hear

let

him

so

the trouble thou hast turn'd

me to?

Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York! Suppose that I am now my father's mouth; Resign thy chair, and where I stand kneel thou, Whilst I propose the selfsame words to thee, 20 Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to. Q. Mar. Ah, that thy father had been so rePrince.

solved!

That you might

still

have worn the

petti-

coat ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster.

Let

^sop fable in a winter's night;

His currish riddles sort not with

By heaven,

brat,

I'll

this place.

plague ye for that

word. Q. Mar. Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. Glou. For God's sake, take away this captive

Nay, take away

this scolding

back rather.

K. Ediv. Peace,

wilful boy, or

I

crook-

50 charm your

will

Untutor'd

Prince.

I

[Exit.

lad,

thou art too malapert.

know my duty; you

are

all

50

O traitors! murderers!

They that stabb'd Caesar shed no blood

at all,

Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame, If this foul deed were by to equal it: He was a man; this, in respect, a child: And men ne'er spend their fury on a child. What's worse than murderer, that I may name it?

No,

no,

And I

my heart will burst, an if I speak: my heart may burst.

undutiful:

60

will speak, that so

Butchers and

bloody cannibals! How sweet a plant have you untimely cropp'd! You have no children, butchers! if you had. The thought of them would have stirr'd up remorse: But if you ever chance to have a child. Look in his youth to have him cut off As, deathsmen, you have rid this sweet young villains!

prince!

K. Edw.

Away with her;

go, bear her hence

perforce.

Q. Mar. Nay, never bear

me hence,

dispatch

me

here; I'll

pardon thee my

death:

What, Clar.

wilt thou not? then, Clarence, do

By heaven,

I

will not

it

thou.

do thee so much

ease.

tongue. Clar.

Tower.

Here sheathe thy sword,

scold. Prince.

the

Ned, sweet Ned! speak to thy Q. Mar. mother, boy! Canst thou not speak?

young a thorn begin to prick? Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects,

Glou.

The Tower,

O

speak.

Prince.

for

brother;

Glou.

And

the world with

me to the King my

Glou. Clarence, excuse

Enter soldiers, ivith prince edward.

What! can

fill

her recovery.

comes!

Ednjo.

Why should she live, to

K. Edw. What, doth she swoon? use means

Shall have a high reward,

Glou.

^0

me too!

words?

sadly in this troublous

Edward

all

kill

Glou. Marry, and shall. [Offers to kill her.] K. Edw. Hold, Richard, hold; for we have done

To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem.

And

me with perjury.

too much. [Exeunt oxford and somerset, guarded.

K.

for twitting

[Stabs him.]

tune.

Glou.

And there's

Clar.

Q. Mar. Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it.

f

Clar. Didst

do

I

—

:

thou not hear

me

swear

I

would not

I

wilt thou not?

Where

is

that devil's

butcher,

thy alms-deed; Petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back. K. Edw. Away, I say; I charge ye, bear her art not here:

murder

is

80

hence.

Q. Mar. So prince

come to you and yours,

as to this

[Exit, led out forcibly.

K. Edw. Where's Richard gone? Clar. To London, all in post; and,

as

I

guess,

To make a bloody supper in the Tower. K. Edw. He's sudden,

if a

thing

comes

discharge the

common

With pay and thanks, and let's away to London And see our gentle queen how well she fares By this, I hope, she hath a son for me. 90 [Exeunt.

Scene

vi.

London: The Tower

Thy brother Edward, and thyself the sea Whose envious gulf did swallow up his life. Ah, kill me with thy weapon, not with words!

K. Hen. Ay,

at

your book

my good lord: —my lord,

I

should

say rather; 'Tis sin to flatter;

"good" was

Men for their sons,

wives for their husbands. And orphans for their parents' timeless death Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born. The owl shriek'd at thy birth, an evil sign; The night-crow cried, aboding luckless time; Dogs howl'd, and hideous tempest shook down

The raven rook'd her on the chimney's top, And chattering pies in dismal discords sung.

Thy mother felt more than a mother's pain, And yet brought forth less than a mother's hope, To wit, an indigested and deformed lump, 5/ Not

little better:

"Good Gloucester" and "good devil" were alike, And both preposterous; therefore, not "good

we must lieutenant. the reckless shepherd from the

Glou. Sirrah, leave us to ourselves:

[Exit

confer. flies

And,

Glou.

10

Glou. Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind;

The thief doth fear each bush an officer. K. Hen. The bird that hath been limed in a bush. With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush; And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird. Have now the fatal object in my eye Where my poor young was limed, was caught,

I'll

I

have heard,

hear no more: die, prophet, in thy

Crete,

That taught for

his all

son the office of a fowl ip his wings, the fool was drown'd.

after

this.

O, God forgive my sins, and pardon thee! [Dies. Glou. What, will the aspiring blood of Lancaster

61

Sink in the ground?

I

thought

it

would have

mounted. See

how my sword weeps

for the

poor king's

death!

O, may such purple

kill'd.

Why, what a peevish fool was that of

And yet,

be true which

For this, amongst the rest, was I ordain'd. K. Hen. Ay, and for much more slaughter

the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece

and

if the rest

Thou camest speech: [Stabs him.]

And next his throat unto the butcher's knife. What scene of death hath Roscius now to act?

Glou.

of such a goodly tree. thy head when thou wast

in

born.

wolf; first

like the fruit

Teeth hadst thou

To signify thou camest to bite the world:

lord."

K. Hen. So

ears that tragic history.

But wherefore dost thou come? is't for my life? Glou. Think'st thou I am an executioner? 50 K. Hen. A persecutor, I am sure, thou art: If murdering innocents be executing. Why, then thou art an execut oner. Glou. Thy son I kill'd for his presumption. K. Hen. Hadst thou been kill'd when first thou didst presume. Thou hadst not lived to kill a son of mine.

trees;

the walls.

Good day, my lord. What,

so hard?

So

Minos, that denied our course;

The sun that sear'd the wings of my sweet boy

henry and Gloucester, with the

LIEUTENANT, on

Icarus;

—

sort

Enter king

103

my poor boy,

And thus I prophesy, that many a thousand. Which now mistrust no parcel of my fear. And many an old man's sigh and many a widow's. And many an orphan's water-standing eye 40

in his

head.

Now march we hence:

VI

Daedalus;

Than can my

thou?

Glou.

I,

My breast can better brook thy dagger's point

Hard-favour'd Richard? Richard, where art

Thou

K. Hen.

Thy father,

it?

Q. Mar. Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyself: 'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity.

What,

—

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

SCENE V

I '

!

!

tears be alway shed those that wish the downfall of our house! If any spark of life be yet remaining, Down, down to hell; and say I sent thee thither:

From

[Stabs

him again.]

THIRD PART OF KING HENRY

I04 I,

that have neither pity, love, nor fear.

Indeed,

I

'tis

true that

Henry told me of;

have often heard my mother say came into the world with my legs forward:

For

I

"jo

Come hither,

Had not reason, think ye, to make haste. And seek their ruin that usurp'd our right? The midwife wonder'd and the women cried, I

VI

ACT V

That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion And made the forest tremble when they roar'd. Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat And made our footstool of security. Bess, and let

mc

kiss

my boy.

Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night.

"O Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!"

Went all

And

That thou mightst repossess the crown

was; which plainly signified That I should snarl and bite and play the dog. Then, since the heavens have shaped my body so, Let hell make crook'd my mind to answer it. ^o I have no brother, I am like no brother; And this word "love," which greybeards call so

I

divine.

resident in

And not

And of our labours Glou. [Aside]

I

will sort a pitchy

day

thou shalt reap the gain.

blast his harvest, if your

back:

in

20 head

or break

my

—

Work

and thou shalt execute. thou the way, K. Edw. Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen;

for thee;

buz abroad such prophecies That Edward shall be fearful of his life. And then, to purge his fear, I'll be thy death. King Henry and the Prince his son are gone: Clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest, Counting myself but bad till I be best. I'll throw thy body in another room And triumph, Henry, in thy day of doom. I

I'll

were laid; For yet I am not look'd on in the world. This shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave;

light:

But For

in

peace;

And heave it shall some weight,

men like one another me: I am myself alone. Clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the Be

afoot in summer's scalding heat.

And

will

your princely nephew, brothers both. that I owe unto your iMajesty seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. Q. Eliz. Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brothkiss

Clar. I

5>o

er,

The duty

thanks.

Glou. And, that

50 I

love the tree from

whence

thou sprang' St,

Witness the loving

\Exiu ivith the body.

[Aside]

kiss

I

To say the truth,

give the

fruit.

so Judas kiss'd his

master.

Scene

vii.

London: The palace

And cried

king edward, queen Elizabeth, CLARENCE, GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, a NurSC "with the young Prince Edward, and Attendants.

Flourish. Enter

K. Edw. Once more

we sit in England's royal

when

as

he meant

all

K. Edw. Now am I seated as my soul delights. Having my country's peace and brothers' loves. Clar. What will your Grace have done with Margaret?

throne.

King of France and Jerusalem, And hither have they sent it for her ransom. K. Edw. Away with her, and waft her hence to

Re-purchased with the blood of enemies. What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn. Have we mow'd down in tops of all their pride! Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd For hardy and undoubted champions; Two Cliffords, as the father and the son, And two Northumberlands; two braver men Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's

Reignier, her father, to the

Hath pawn'd the

the

Montague,

two brave

bears,

Sicils

France.

And now what rests but that we spend the time With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows, Such as befits the pleasure of the court? Sound drums and trumpets! farewell sour annoy! For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.

sound;

With them,

"All hail!"

harm.

Warwick and lo

[Exeunt.

.?»'

The Tragedy

of

KING RICHARD THE THIRD DRAMATIS PERSONS King Edward the Fourth Edward, Prince of ales, ofterivards King Edward V, later as a Ghost

Sir Sir Sir

W

Richard,

Duke

of York,

Walter Herbert Robert Brakenbury, Lieutenant Christopher XJksvjick, a priest Lord Mayor of London Sheriff of Wiltshire

sons to the King

later as a

Ghost George, Duke of Clarence,

later as a

Ghost

Tower

Two Murderers Three Citizens Messengers Pursuivant

Six

Priest

Scrivener

bury

Page to Richard III Ghosts of King Henry VI Lords

Thomas Rotherham, Archbishop of York John Morton, Bishop of Ely Duke of Buckingham, later as a Ghost Duke of Norfolk Earl of Surrey, his son Earl Rivers, brother to Elizabeth, later as a Ghost Marquis of Dorset ^ vr l *u sons to tltzabeth Lord rGrey, later as a r^ Ghost Earl of Oxford Lord Hastings, later as a Ghost Lord Stanley, later Earl of Derby Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Vaughan, later as a Ghost Sir Richard Ratcliff Sir William Catesby Sir James Tyrrel

to King Edward IV Margaret, widow of King Henry VI Duchess of York, mother to King Edward IV Lady Anne, widow of Edward Prince of Wales, son to King Henry VI, afterwards married to Richard,

Elizabeth, queen

I

I

of the

Gentleman Mourner

brothers to

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, afterthe King wards King Richard III Edward, Earl of Warwick, son of Clarence Henry, Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry VII Cardinal Bourchier, Archbishop of Canter-

,

James Blunt

.

|

later as a Ghost Margaret Plantagenet,

daughter of Clarence

other attendants. Two Bishops, Sir William Brandon, Citizens, Soldiers

Non-Speaking: Lords and

Scene: England

i^ ACT Scene Enter richard, Glou.

i.

But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks. Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty

I

London: a

street

duke of Gloucester,

solus.

To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;

Now is the winter of our discontent

I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion. Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, Deform'd, unfinish'd, sent before my time

Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house In the deep

bosom of the ocean

Now are our brows bound with victorious

And that

wreaths;

so lamely and unfashionable

me as

That dogs bark

at

Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.

Why,

weak

Grim-visaged War hath smooth'd

And descant on mine own deformity: And therefore, since I cannot prove a

his

I,

in this

Have no delight to Unless to spy

wrinkled

front;

xAnd now, instead of mounting barbed steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries.

20

Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,

buried.

I

halt

by them;

piping time of peace,

pass

away the time,

my shadow in the sun lover,

To entertain these fair well-spoken days,

10

am determined to prove a villian And hate the idle pleasures of these days. I

He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.

Plots have

105

I

laid,

inductions dangerous,

50

KING RICHARD

io6

By drunken prophecies,

and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the King In deadly hate the one against the other: And if King Edward be as true and just As I am subtle, false, and treacherous, This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up, About a prophecy, which says that Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be. 40 Dive, thoughts, down to my soul here Clarence comes. libels,

G

:

what means

this

armed guard

I beseech your Graces both to pardon me; His Majesty hath straitly given in charge That no man shall have private conference. Of what degree soever, with his brother. Glou. Even so; an't please your worship,

Brak.

Brakenbury,

Is

As yet I do not:

may I know? I

protest

can learn. He hearkens after prophecies and dreams; And from the cross-row plucks the letter G, And says a wizard told him that by His issue disinherited should be; And, for my name of George begins with G, It follows in his thought that I am he. 60 These, as I learn, and such like toys as these Have moved his Highness to commit me now. but, as

I

G

Why,

this

it is,

when men

are ruled

by

women: 'Tis not the

King that sends you to the Tower;

My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, That tempers him

'tis

she

to this extremity.

Was it not she and that good man of worship, AnthonyWoodville, her brother there. That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower, From whence this present day he is deliver'd? We are not safe, Clarence; we are not safe. jo Clar. By heaven, I think there's no man is secure But the Queen's kindred and night- walking heralds

That trudge betwixt the King and Mistress Shore. Heard ye not what an humble suppliant Lord Hastings was to her for his delivery?

Humbly

complaining to her deity

Got my Lord Chamberlain his I'll tell

you what;

If we will

keep

I

think

in favour

kindred are made gentle-

How say you, sir?

can you deny

all this?

my lord, myself have nought

to do.

Glou.

Naught

tell thee,

to

do with Mistress Shore!

I

fellow.

He that doth naught with her, excepting one. Were best he do it secretly, alone. Brak. What one, my lord? Glou.

100

Her husband, knave: wouldst thou

betray me? I beseech your Grace to pardon me, and withal Forbear your conference with the noble Duke. Clar. know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. Glou. are the Queen's abjects, and must obey. Brother, farewell: I will unto the King; And whatsoever you will employ me in, Were it to call King Edward's widow sister, I will perform it to enfranchise you. 110 Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood Touches me deeper than you can imagine. Clar. I know it pleaseth neither of us well. Glou. Well, your imprisonment shall not be

Brak.

We

We

long; I

will deliver you, or else lie for you:

Meantime, have patience. I must perforce. Farewell. Clar. [Exeunt ci.kRET With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops. go; and towards three or four o'clock

for the

Why who's so

Here's a good world the while! gross

Tell

I

a street

Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.

post:

Buck.

The same:

[Exit.

Hastings;

Which

To avoid the carping censures of the world.

Look

vi.

Enter a scrivener, with a paper

here.

There,

Scene

right noble princes both.

acquaint our duteous citizens

all

And to give notice that no manner of person

had seen and heard him speak:

And doubt you not, But

Baynard's Castle. [Exeunt all but Gloucester. Now will I m, to take some privy order, To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight; at

At any time have recourse unto the princes.

shall serve

As

129

Meet me within this hour

the purpose of his treason;

That you might well have

III

news

that the Guildhall affords. [Exit.

Go, Lovel, with Shaw;

Glou.

\To CATESBY.] them both

all

speed to Doctor

Go thou to Friar Penker;

bid

several doors.

Glou.

How now, my lord, what say the citizens?

Buck.

Now, by the holy mother of our

The

citizens are

Glou.

Lord,

mum and speak not a word.

Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's

children?

Buck.

I

did;

with

his contract

with Lady

Lucy,

And his contract by deputy in France; The insatiate greediness of his desires. And his enforcement of the city wives; His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy. As being got, your father then in France, And his resemblance, being not like the duke:

10

I did infer your lineaments. Being the right idea of your father. Both in your form and nobleness of mind; Laid open all your victories in Scotland, Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace.

Withal

Your bounty, Indeed,

left

virtue, fair humility;

nothing

fitting for the

purpose

Untouch'd or slightly handled in discourse: And when mine oratory grew to an end, I bid them that did love their country's good

Cry "God Glou.

save Richard, England's royal king

Ah! and did they

so?

20

I

KING RICHARD

I30

No, so God help me, they spake not

Buck.

importing than our general good. to have some conference with his Grace.

dumb statuas

or breathing stones.

Cate.

Buck. Ah, ha,

saith the

50

Duke, thus hath the Duke

But nothing spake

When he had done,

some followers of mine own, At the lower end of the hall, hurl'd up their caps, And some ten voices cried "God save King

an

The Mayor is

here at hand: intend

And be not easily won to our request Play the maid's part, still answer nay and take Glau. I go; and if you plead as well for them As I can say nay to thee for myself. No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue. go,

up to the

knocks

leads; the lord

[Exit

Enter the

But, sure,

I

we shall ne'er win him to

fear,

forbid his

80

it.

Grace should say

fear he will.

My lord,

Such troops of citizens to speak with him. His Grace not being warn'd thereof before: My lord, he fears you mean no good to him. Buck. Sorry I am my noble cousin should Suspect me, that I mean no good to him:

By heaven, I come in perfect love to him; And so once more return and tell his Grace. [£:i:/V

Are

is

CATESBY.

hard to draw them thence,

zealous contemplation. aloft,

CATESBY

Mayor

May.

See,

between two bishops.

returns.

where he stands between two

clergymen! Buck. Two props of virtue for a Christian prince.

To stay him from the fall of vanity: And, see, a book of prayer in his hand. True ornaments to know a holy man. Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince, Lend favourable ears to our request;

Catesby,

My lord, he doth entreat your Grace

And pardon us 60

Divinely bent to meditation; And in no worldly suit would he be moved To draw him from his holy exercise. Buck. Return, good Catesby, to thy lord again; Tell him, myself, the Mayor and citizens,

moment,

at their beads, 'tis

Enter Gloucester

Gloucester.

To visit him to-morrow or next day He is within, with two right reverend fathers.

po

When holy and devout religious men So sweet

says he?

In deep designs and matters of great

I

it.

Enter catesby.

how now,

I

prince

Re-enter catesby.

dance attendance here;

his servant:

meditation;

us nay!

Buck.

50

Duke will not be spoke withal.

Here comes

at

May. Marry, God

mayor and Citizens.

my lord:

knees

his

dallying with a brace of courtezans,

Cate.

some fear; Be not you spoke with but by mighty suit: And look you get a prayer-book in your hand And stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord; For on that ground I'll build a holy descant:

Cate.

this prince is not

He wonders to what end you have assembled

would they not speak? Buck. No, by my troth, my lord. Glaii. Will not the Mayor then and his brethren come?

What

my lord,

How now, Catesby, what says your lord?

And even here brake off, and came away. Glau. What tongueless blocks were they!

think the

jo

Happy were England, would this gracious Take on himself the sovereignty thereof:

Richard!" And thus I took the vantage of those few, "Thanks, gentle citizens and friends," quoth I; "This general applause and loving shout S9 Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard":

I

my lord.

But meditating with two deep divines; Not sleeping, to engross his idle body. But praying, to enrich his watchful soul:

warrant from himself.

in

But on

Not

inferr'd";

Welcome,

say,

He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed.

His answer was, the people were not wont

Go,

him what you

Edward!

To be spoke to but by the Recorder. Then he was urged to tell my tale again,

Buck.

I'll tell

[Exit.

silence:

Buck.

III

Are come

Gazed each on other and look'd deadly pale. Which when I saw, I reprehended them; And ask'd the Mayor what meant this wilful

"Thus

ACT

No less

a

word; But, like

III

100

the interruption

Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal. Glou. I

My lord, there needs no such apology:

rather do beseech

Who,

you pardon me. God,

earnest in the service of my

Neglect the visitation of my friends. But, leaving this, what is your Grace's pleasure?

Buck Even above.

that,

I

hope, which pleaseth

God

—

SCENE

KING RICHARD

VII

no good men of this ungovern'd isle. Glou. I do suspect I have done some offence That seems disgracious in the city's eyes, And that you come to reprehend my ignorance. Buck. You have, my lord: would it might please your Grace,

And

all

At our

entreaties, to

amend

that fault!

Glou. Else wherefore breathe

I

in a Christian

land?

Buck.

Then know,

it is

your

fault that

you

The supreme seat, the throne majestical, The scepter'd office of your ancestors. state

Which to recure, we heartily

/50

solicit

And

on you the charge kingly government of this your land,

Not

as protector, steward, substitute.

Your gracious

self to take

Or lowly factor for another's gain; from blood to blood, your empery, your own. For this, consorted with the citizens. Your very worshipful and loving friends, And by their vehement instigation. In this just suit come I to move your Grace. 14.0 Glou. I know not whether to depart in silence, Or bitterly to speak in your reproof, Best fitteth my degree or your condition: If not to answer, you might haply think Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty. Which fondly you would here impose on me; If to reprove you for this suit of yours. So season'd with your faithful love to me. Then, on the other side, I check'd my friends. Therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first, 75/ as successively

Your

right of birth,

And then,

in

God be thanked, there's no need of me, And much I need to help you, if need were; The royal tree hath left us royal fruit. But,

Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time. Will well become the seat of majesty. And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign, ijo On him I lay what you would on me. The right and fortune of his happy stars. Buck.

of fortune and your due of birth, 120 The lineal glory of your royal house. To the corruption of a blemish'd stock: Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts, Which here we waken to our country's good, This noble isle doth want her proper limbs; Her face defaced with scars of infamy. Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants. And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf Of blind forgetfulness and dark oblivion.

But

131

my greatness covet to be hid. And in the vapour of my glory smother'd.

Than

Which God defend that

resign

Your

III

in speaking,

Definitively thus

I

Your love deserves

not to incur the

You say that Edward is your brother's son: So say we too, but not by Edward's wife; For first he was contract to Lady Lucy Your mother lives a witness to that vow And afterward by substitute betroth'd To Bona, sister to the King of France. These both put by, a poor petitioner, A care-crazed mother of a many children, A beauty-waning and distressed widow, Even in the afternoon of her best days.

—

180

Made prize and purchase of his lustful eye, Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts To base declension and loathed bigamy: By her, in his unlawful bed, he got ipo This Edward, whom our manners term the Prince.

More bitterly could Save I

that, for

I

expostulate

reverence to some alive,

give a sparing limit to

my tongue.

Then, good my lord, take to your royal This proffer'd benefit of dignity;

self

If not to bless us and the land withal.

Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry

From the corruption of abusing times Unto a lineal true-derived course. May. Do, good my

lord,

your

200

citizens entreat

you. Buck. Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love. Gate.

O, make them

joyful, grant their lawful

suit!

last.

my desert

Unmeritable shuns your high request. First, if all obstacles were cut away. And that my path were even to the crown, As my ripe revenue and due by birth; Yet so much is my poverty of spirit. So mighty and so many my defects, As I had rather hide me from my greatness, Being a bark to brook no mighty sea.

trivial.

All circumstances well considered.

Glou. Alas,

but

should wring from him!

Grace; But the respects thereof are nice and

answer you.

my thanks;

I

My lord, this argues conscience in your

why would you heap these cares

on me? I I I

am unfit

for state and majesty: do beseech you, take it not amiss;

cannot nor

I

will not yield to you.

i6o

—

as, in love and zeal, it Loath to depose the child, your brother's son; 210 As well we know your tenderness of heart

Buck. If you refuse

An i gentle, kind, effeminate remorse, Which we have noted in you to your kin.

— KING RICHARD

132

And

egally indeed to

all

Your But

suit

Led

or no.

we

will plant

some other

Glou.

Cate.

citizens: 'zounds!

I'll

entreat no more.

O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham. [Exit BUCKINGHAM uoith the Citizens. Call them again, my lord, and accept

do rue Glau.

my lord, lest all the land

away? Anne.

Upon the like devotion

Would you enforce me to a world of

Q. Eliz. Kind

Re-enter

Buckingham and the rest.

Cousin of Buckingham, and you sage, grave men. Since you will buckle fortune on my back To bear her burthen whether I will or no, I must have patience to endure the load: 2^0 But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach Attend the sequel of your imposition. Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me From all the impure blots and stains thereof; For God he knows, and you may partly see. How far I am from the desire thereof. May. God bless your Grace! we see it and will it.

you shall but say the truth. you with this kingly title: Richard, England's royal king! 240

Glou. In saying so

Then

I

salute

Long live May. and Cit. Amen Buck. To-morrow will

it

please

you

to be

crown'd? Glou. Even

have Buck.

and, as

I

as yourselves,

sister,

thanks: we'll enter

10 all

together.

care?

Buck.

No farther than the Tower;

guess.

To gratulate the gentle princes there.

it.

Well, call them again. I am not made of stones, But penetrable to your kind entreats. Albeit against my conscience and my soul.

say

hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester? she's wandering to the Tower

my life,

for

Daughter, well met. Anne. God give your Graces both A happy and a joyful time of day! Q. Eliz. As much to you, good sister! Whither

221

their suit.

Another. Do, good

IV

On pure heart's love to greet the tender princes.

in the throne,

To the disgrace and downfall of your house: And in this resolution here we leave you. Come,

in the

Now,

brother's son shall never reign our king;

ACT

Who meets us here? my niece Plantagenet

Duch.

estates

Yet whether you accept our

III

it

when you

please, since

you

Enter brakenbury.

And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes. Master lieutenant, pray you, by your leave, How doth the Prince, and my young son of York? Brak. Right well, dear madam. By your patience,

may not suffer you to visit them; The King hath straitly charged the contrary. Q. Eliz. The King! why, who's that? I

Brak.

then,

I

mean the Lord

The Lord protect him from that

kingly

20

title!

Hath he

bounds betwixt their love and me? I am their mother; who should keep me from them? Duch. I am their father's mother; I will see them. Anne. Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother: Then bring me to their sights; I'll bear thy blame And take thy office from thee, on my peril. set

No, madam, no; I may not leave it so: am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me.

Brak. I

To-morrow,

cry you mercy:

Q. Eliz.

will

so.

I

Protector.

we will attend your

[Exit.

Grace:

And

so most joyfully

Glou.

Come,

let

we take our

Enter lord Stanley.

leave.

us to our holy task again.

Stan.

Farewell, good cousin; farewell, gentle friends. [Exeunt.

ACT Scene Enter, on one side,

i.

IV

Before the Toiver

queen Elizabeth, duchess of

Let

me but meet you,

ladies,

one hour

hence.

And I'll salute your Grace of York as mother, 50 And reverend looker on, of two fair queens. [To Anne] Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster, There to be crowned Richard's royal queen. Q. Eliz. O, cut my lace in sunder, that my pent

YORK, and MARQUESS OF DORSET; on the other, ANNE, DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER, leading LADY

May have some scope to beat, or else I swoon

MARGARET PLANTAGENET,

With this

Daughter.

Clarence' s

young

heart dead-killing news! unpleasing news! Anne. Despiteful tidings!

O

—

SCENE

KING RICHARD

I

Dor. Be of good cheer: mother,

how

fares

your

And

Grace?

O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee

Death and destruction dog thee

at the heels ;

40

go cross the seas. with Richmond, from the reach of hell:

hie thee, hie thee

from

this slaughter-house,

Lest thou increase the number of the dead;

of wise care

is

this

your counsel,

madam. Take all the swift advantage of the hours; You shall have letters from me to my son To meet you on the way and welcome you. Be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay. Duch. O ill-dispersing wind of misery! my accursed womb, the bed of death!

50

A cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world, murderous. Stan. Come, madam, come; I in all haste was

60

Anne. No! why?

now Came to me,

as

I

Anne. Adieu, poor

When he that is my husband

I

5,0

soul, that takest thv leave

Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee! [To anne] Go thou to Richard, and good angels guard thee! [To QUEEN Elizabeth] Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee! I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me! Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen. And each hour's joy wreck'd with a week of teen. 0. Eliz. Stay, yet look back with me unto the | stones, those tender babes

loi

For tender princes, use my babies well! So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell.

Scene

BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY,

hands

Which issued from my other angel husband And that dead saint which then I weepingr follow'd; 7/

I

all

apart.

My gracious

K. Rich. Give

blood was well wash'd from his

London:

ii.

the palace

Sennet. Enter richard, in

K. Rich. Stand

follow'd Henry's corse.

face,

my soul mourn for

Duch. [To Dorset]

save the Queen!"

O, when, I say, I look'd on Richaid's This was my wish: "Be thou," quoth

from

Q. Eliz. Farewell, thou woeful welcomer of glory!

Buck.

When scarce the

Cousin of Buckingham!

sovereign?

me

thy hand. [Here he ascendeth

Thus

his throne.]

pomp, crowned;

a PAGE, and othcrs.

high,

by thy advice

And thy assistance, is King Richard seated: But shall we wear these honours for a day? Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them? Buck. Still live they and for ever may they last! K. Rich. O Buckingham, now do I play the touch

To try if thou be current gold indeed:

"accursed,

For making me, so young, so old a widow! And, when thou wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed; And be thy wife if any be so mad As miserable by the life of thee As thou hast made me by my dear lord's death!"

—

I

com-

[Exeunt.

Q. Eliz. Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory; To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm.

Lo, ere

of me.

Rough cradle for such little pretty ones! Rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow

And I in all unwillingness will go. would to God that the inclusive verge

Even

rid

pity thy

I

Whom envy hath immured within your walls!

Anne.

And die ere men can say, "God

No more than

Pity,

sent.

Of golden metal that must round my brow Were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brain! Anointed let me be with deadly venom.

Anne.

Tower. you ancient

Whose unavoided eye is

1

no doubt, shortly be

ofit!

And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse, Nor mother, wife, nor England's counted queen. Stan. Full

Warwick,

father

yours.

If thou wilt outstrip death,

Go,

will,

my

for

plaining.

Thy mother's name is ominous to children. live

133

me

Q. Eliz. Poor heart, adieu!

Q. Eliz. hence!

And

III

Besides, he hates

can repeat this curse again.

in so short a space,

my woman's heart

Grossly grew captive to his honev words 80 And proved the subject of my own soul's curse. Which ever since hath kept my eyes from rest; For never yet one hour in his bed Have I enjoy'd the golden dew of sleep. But have been waked by his timorous dreams.

Young Edward

lives:

think

now what would I

10

say.

Buck. Say on,

K. Rich.

my loving lord.

Why,

Buckingham..

I

say,

I

would be

king.

Buck.

Why,

so

you

are,

my thrice renowned

liege.

K. Rich. Ha! am

I

king?

'tis

so: but

Edward

lives.

Buck. True, noble prince.

K. Rich. That Edward prince!"

O bitter consequence, still

should

live!

"True, noble

^

:

KING RICHARD

134

Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull: Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead;

And I would have

suddenly perform'd. speak suddenly; be brief.

it

What sayest thou?

Your Grace may do your

Buck.

K. Rich. Tut,

thou art

tut,

20

pleasure.

all ice,

ACT

III

IV

must be married to my brother's daughter, Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass. Murder her brothers and then marry her! Uncertain way of gain! But I am in So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin: I

thy kindness

Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.

freezeth:

Say, have

thy consent that they

I

Buck. Give

Re-enter page with tyrrel.

shall die?

me some breath, some little pause,

thy name Tyrrel? Tyr. James Tyrrel, and your most obedient

Is

my lord. Before I

I

positively speak herein:

will resolve

subject.

your Grace immediately.

Cate. [Aside to a stander by]

The King is

[Exit.

angry:

he bites the lip. K. Rich. I will converse with iron-witted fools And unrespective boys none are for me That look into me with considerate eyes 50 see,

:

High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.

V

enemies.

Boy! Page.

My lord?

K. Rich. Know' St thou not any

Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep's disturbers Are they that I would have thee deal upon

whom

Tyrrel,

corrupting gold

Would tempt unto a close exploit of death? Page. My lord, I know a discontented gentleman, Whose humble means match not his haughty mind:

twenty orators. And will, no doubt, tempt him to anything. K. Rich. What is his name? 4.0 His name, my lord, is Tyrrel. Page. K. Rich. I partly know the man: go, call him as

good

as

[ExifpXGK.

hither.

No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel: so long held out with

stops he

now

Go, by There

And

I

I

beyond the sea

Tyr. 'Tis done,

I

abroad

it

is

it is

done.

my gracious

lord.

we hear from thee,

Tyrrel, ere

My lord,

I

[Exit.

Buckingham.

have consider'd

in

my mind

I

let that pass.

hear that news,

K. Rich. Stanley, he Buck.

is

Dorset

is

in.

fled to

my lord. your wife's son: well,

po

it.

My lord,

I

claim your

gift,

my due by

promise.

sick and like to die:

will take order for her keeping close.

Inquire

me out some mean-born gentleman,

Whom

I

marry

say

Ye shall, my lord.

look to

^o

my wife,

will

Shall

K. Rich. Well, Richmond. Buck.

[Stands apart.

My lord?

K. Rich. Rumour

so:

The late demand that you did sound me

hear the Marquis Dorset's fled

abides.

That Anne,

no more but

Re-enter

K. Rich. Catesby! Cate.

is

K. Rich. Tyr.

How now! what news with you?

My lord,

80

will love thee and prefer thee too.

me untired,

STANLEY.

To Richmond, in those parts

and lend thine ear:

this token: rise,

[Whispers.

Buck.

Where he

Tower.

And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them. K. Rich. Thou sing'st sweet music. Hark, come

for breath?

£72?^r

Stan.

bastards in the

me have open means to come to them.

we sleep?

The deep-revolving witty Buckmgham Hath he

mean those

I

Tyr. Let

hither, Tyrrel:

Gold were

And

K. Rich. Art thou, indeed? Tyr. Prove me, my gracious sovereign. K. Rich. Darest thou resolve to kill a friend of mine? 70 Tyr. Ay, my lord; But I had rather kill two enemies. K. Rich. Why, there thou hast it: two deep

straight to Clarence'

daughter:

The boy is foolish, and I fear not him. Look, how thou dream'st! I say again,

give out

That x\nne my wife is sick and like to die: About it; for it stands me much upon jp To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me. [Exit CATESBY.

For which your honour and your faith is pawn'd; The earldom of Hereford and the moveables The which you promised I should possess. K. Rich. Stanley, look to your wife: if she convey Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it. Buck. What says your Highness to my just

demand? K. Rich. x\s I remember, Henry the Sixth Did prophesy that Richmond should be king,

When Richmond was a little peevish boy.

100

— SCENE

A

—

:

KING RICHARD HI

II

My lord!

Buck.

K. Rich.

How

my mind

chance the prophet could not at

told

me,

being by, that

I

I

should

kill

him?

My lord, your promise for the earldom

K. Rich. Richmond!

When last I was

at Exeter,

The mayor in courtesy show'd me the castle And call'd it Rougemont: at which name I started.

Because a bard of Ireland told I

should not live long after

I

me once,

saw Richmond,

All

Upon the stroke often.

Buck.

Well,

K. Rich.

Why let

Buck.

let it strike.

strike?

it

K. Rich. Because

that, like a Jack,

thou keep'st

the stroke

Betwixt thy begging and

my mediation.

am not in the giving vein to-day. Buck. Why, then resolve me whether you will

Thou troublest me;

I

[Exeunt all but Buckingham.

even so? rewards he my true service such deep contempt? made I him king for

Buck. Is

it

this? let

hi.

The same

night.

That ever yet

was

7?^?.

My lord!

K. Rich. Good news or bad, Rat.

Bad news,

my lord

And Buckingham,

sad

that thou comest

in so bluntly?

Ely is fled to Richmond; back'd with the hardy Welsh:

men, quoth Dighton, "lay those tender

Is in the field,

"Thus, thus," quoth Forrest, "girdling one another

arms were four red roses on a stalk.

their innocent alabaster

in their

and

still

his

power

increaseth.

K. Rich. Ely with Richmond troubles

babes":

lips

40

Enter ratcliff.

guilty of.

stories.

Which

aims

my brother's daughter,

act of piteous massacre

this land

Wept like two children in their deaths'

Their

know the Breton Richmond

And, by that knot, looks proudly o'er the crown, a jolly thriving wooer.

Although they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs, Melting with tenderness and kind compassion

Within

I

Elizabeth,

To her I go,

Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn To do this ruthless piece of butchery.

*'Lo, thus,"

for

At young

The tyrannous and bloody deed is done,

The most arch

of their death.

may do thee good,

be inheritor of thy desire. Farewell till soon [Exit tyrrel. The son of Clarence have I pent up close; His daug^hter meanly have I match'd in marriage;

Now,

Enter tyrrel.

Tyr.

I

And

[Exit.

Scene

shalt tell the process

The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom, And Anne my wife hath bid the world good

me think on Hastings, and be gone To Brecknock while my fearful head is on! O,

supper.

Meantime, but think how

am not in the vein.

my sovereign liege!

charge Beget your happiness, be happy then, For it is dene, my lord. But didst thou see them dead? K. Rich. Tyr. I did, my lord. And buried, gentle Tyrrel? K. Rich. Tyr. The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them; But how or in what place I do not know. 50 K. Rich. Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after

And thou

tut,

hail,

K. Rich. Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news? Tyr. If to have done the thing you gave in

120

or no.

K. Rich. Tut,

With

Enter king richard.

iio

K. Rich. Ay, what's o'clock? Buck. I am thus bold to put your Grace in mind Of what you promised me. Well, but what's o'clock? K. Rich.

I

—

there the villain stopp'd; But O! Whilst Dighton thus told on: "We smothered The most replenished sweet work of nature That from the prime creation e'er she framed." Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse; They could not speak; and so I left them both, To bring this tidings to the bloody King. And here he comes.

My lord!

Buck.

Forrest, "almost changed

"

the devil"

that time

Buck.

135

Which once," quoth

king, perhaps, perhaps

Have

.

summer beauty

kiss'd each

other.

A book of prayers on their pillow lay;

//

me

more near Than Buckingham and his rash-levied army. Come, I have heard that fearful commenting Is

leaden servitor to dull delay;

Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary:

Then fiery expedition be my wing, Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king!

SO

j

KING RICHARD

136

Come, muster men: my counsel is my We must be brief when traitors brave

iv.

And

the

If sorrow can

field.

Q. Mar. So,

Here

I

now prosperity begins

Thou hadst Thou hadst

to mellow mouth of death.

in these confines slily

have

I

And will

I

witness

to,

to France, hoping the consequence

and tragical. wretched Margaret: who comes

Will prove

as bitter, black,

Withdraw

thee,

here?

Enter queen Elizabeth and the duchess

OF YORK. Q. Eliz. Ah,

my young princes!

ah,

my tender

babes!

My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets! If yet

And

your gentle souls

be not fix'd in

fly in

And hear your mother's Q. Mar.

lo

the air

doom perpetual.

Hover about me with your

airy wings

lamentation!

Hover about her; say

that right for

right

infant morn to aged night. many miseries have crazed my voice,

Hath dimm'd your Duch. So

them.

That my woe- wearied tongue is mute and dumb, Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead? Q. Mar. Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet. 21 Edward for Edward pays a dying debt. Q. Eliz. Wilt thou, O God, fly from such

till

^0

a Richard kill'd him:

an Edward,

till

a Richard kill'd him;

Richard kill'd him, had a Richard too, and thou didst kill him; I had a Rutland too, thou holp'st to kill him. Q. Mar. Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard kill'd him. From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death: That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes. To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood, 50 That foul defacer of God's handiwork. That excellent grand tyrant of the earth That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls. Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves. upright, just, and true-disposing God, How do I thank thee that this carnal cur Preys on the issue of his mother's body And makes her pew-fellow with others' moan! Duch. O Harry's wife, triumph not in my woes! God witness with me, I have wept for thine. 60 Q. Mar. Bear with me; I am hungry for revenge. And now I cloy me with beholding it. Thy Edward he is dead, that stabb'd my Edward;

Duch.

lurk'd,

To watch the waning of mine adversaries.

A dire induction am

admit society,

down with

had a Harry,

IV

frown on the upper hand.

Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine: I had an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him;

Before the palace

into the rotten

let

Sitting

Enter QVEEN Margaret.

And drop

ACT

my woes

shield;

[Exeunt.

Scene

III

a Richard,

till

a

I

Thy other Edward dead, Young York he is but

to quit

my Edward;

boot, because both

they

Match not the high

perfection of my loss:

And throw them in the entrails of the wolf?

Thy Clarence he is dead that kill'd my Edward; And the beholders of this tragic play,

When didst thou sleep when such a deed was

The adulterate Hastings,

gentle lambs,

done? Q. Mar.

When holy Harry died,

and

my sweet

son.

Duch. Blind

sight,

dead

life,

poor mortal

living ghost.

Woe's life

scene, world's shame, grave's due

by

usurp'd.

Brief abstract and record of tedious days.

Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth. Sitting down. Unlawfully made drunk with innocents' blood! Q. Eliz. O, that thou wouldst as well afford a grave 5/ As thou canst yield a melancholy seat! Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here.

O, who hath any cause to mourn but I? Sitting down by her. Q. Mar. If ancient sorrow be most reverend, Give mine the benefit of seniory,

Rivers, Vaughan, Grey, Untimely smother'd in their dusky graves. Richard yet lives, hell's black intelligencer, Only reserved their factor, to buy souls

70

And send them thither: but at hand, at hand, Ensues his piteous and unpitied end: Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray, To have him suddenly convey'd away. Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I pray. That I may live to say, "The dog is dead!" Q. Eliz. O, thou didst prophesy the time would come 80 That I should wish for thee to help me curse That bottled spider, that foul bunch-back'd toad! Q. Mar. I call'd thee then vain flourish of my fortune; 1

call'd thee

then poor shadow, painted queen;

The presentation of but what I was; The flattering index of a direful pageant;

:

SCENE

!

KING RICHARD

IV

One heaved

a-high, to be hurl'd

down below;

A mother only mock'd with two sweet babes; A dream of what thou wert, a breath, a bubble, A sign of dignity, a garish flag. To be the aim of every dangerous

A queen in jest, only to Where is

fill

III

smother'd.

po

shot;

the scene.

I

hear his drum: be copious in exclaims.

Enter king richard, marching, with drums

thy husband now? where be thy

and trumpets.

brothers?

Where are thy children? wherein dost thou

joy?

Who sues to thee and cries "God save the Queen"?

For happy wife, a most distressed widow; For joyful mother, one that wails the name; For queen, a very caitiff crown'd with care; wo For one being sued to, one that humbly sues; For one that scorn'd at me, now scorn'd of me; For one being fear'd of all, now fearing one; For one commanding all, obey'd of none. Thus hath the course of justice wheel'd about. And left thee but a very prey to time; Having no more but thought of what thou wert. To torture thee the more, being what thou art. Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not no Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow? Now thy proud neck bears half my burthen'd yoke; From which even here I slip my weary neck, And leave the burthen of it all on thee. Farewell, York's wife, and queen of sad mischance: will

make me

smile in

France.

Q. Eliz.

O thou well skill'd in curses, stay

Q. Mar. Forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days; Compare dead happiness with living woe;

were fairer than they were, 121 slew them fouler than he is Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse: Revolving this will teach thee how to curse. words are dull; O, quicken them Q. Eliz.

My

with thine!

Thy woes will make them sharp and

pierce like mine.

[Exit.

Why should calamity be full of words?

Q. Eliz. Windy attorneys to their client woes. Airy succeeders of intestate joys. Poor breathing orators of miseries! Let them have scope: though what they do

impart at all,

1^0 right,

crown.

And the dire death of my two

sons and brothers?

Tell me, thou villain slave, where are

my

children?

Duch.

Thou toad,

thou toad, where

is

thy

brother Clarence?

And

Ned Plantagenet, his son? Where is kind Hastings, Rivers,

little

Q. Eliz.

Vaughan, Grey? K. Rich. A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women Rail on the Lord's anointed: strike, I say! /50 Flourish. Alarums. Either be patient, and entreat me fair. Or with the clamorous report of war Thus will I drown your exclamations. Duch. Art thou my son? K. Rich. Ay, I thank God, my father, and

condition.

that thy babes

Help not

Where should be graven, if that right were The slaughter of the prince that owed that

Which cannot brook the accent of reproof.

And he that

Duch.

done! Q. Eliz. Hidest thou that forehead with a golden crown,

Duch. Then patiently hear my impatience. K. Rich. Madam, I have a touch of your

And teach me how to curse mine enemies!

Q. Mar.

By strangling thee in her accursed womb. From all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast

yourself.

awhile.

Think

K. Rich Who my expedition? O, she that might have intercepted thee, intercepts

Lhich.

Where be the bending peers that flatter'd thee? Where be the thronging troops that foUow'd thee? Decline all this, and see what now thou art:

These English woes

37

Duch. If so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me, And in the breath of bitter words let's smother My damned son, which thy two sweet sons

75 o

yet do they ease the heart.

Duch. O, let me speak! K.Rich. Do then; but I'll not hear, ijp Duch. I will be mild and gentle in my speech. K. Rich. And brief, good mother; for I am in haste.

Duch. Art thou so hasty? I have stav'd for thee, God knows, in anguish, pain, and agony. K. Rich. And came I not at last to comfort you? Duch. No, by the holy rood, thou know'st it well.

Thou camest on earth to make the earth my

hell.

A grievous burthen was thy birth to me; Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy;

Thy school-days frightful, furious.

desperate, wild, and

KING RICHARD

138

Thy prime of manhood daring,

bold, and

venturous, age confirmed, proud, subtle, bloody,

K. Rich. Lo,

treacherous,

More mild,

more harmful, kind

but yet

Faith, none, but

that call'd

in hatred:

I

Let

I

had bless'd thee with a fairer life. 220 K. Rich. You speak as if that I had slain my

If grace

cousins.

me speak.

Q. Eliz. Cousins, indeed; and by their uncle cozen'd

bitterly.

Hear me a word; Duch. For I shall never speak to thee again.

i8o

So.

Diich. Either thou wilt die,

by God's

Till

Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror. Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish And never look upon thy face again. Therefore take with thee my most heavy curse; Which in the day of battle tire thee more Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st! ipo My prayers on the adverse party fight; And there the little souls of Edward's children Whisper the spirits of thine enemies And promise them success and victory. Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end; Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend. [Exit.

far

more cause, yet much

less

Abides in me; I say amen to all. K. Rich. Stay, madam; I must speak a word with you. 0. Eliz. I have no more sons of the royal blood

For thee to murder:

for

my daughters,

And

To revel in the entrails of my lambs. But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame, My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys Till that

And

I,

in

my nails

were anchor'd

in thine eyes;

such a desperate bay of death.

Like a poor bark, of sails and tackling reft, Rush all to pieces on thy rock bosom. K. Rich. Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise And dangerous success of bloody wars. As I intend more good to you and yours Than ever you or yours were by me wrong'd! Q. Eliz. What good is cover'd with the face of heaven.

To be discover' d, that can do me good?

Up to some scaffold, there to lose

K. Rich. No, to the dignity and height of

Richard,

let

her

honour.

The high imperial

type of this earth's glory.

Q. Eliz. Flatter my sorrows with report of it; Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour.

Canst thou demise to any child of mine? K. Rich. Even all I have; yea, and myself and all,

Throw over her the veil of infamy:

I withal endow a child of thine; SointheLetheofthy angry soul Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs

So she may

Which thou

Will

live,

And

I'll

corrupt her manners, stain her beauty;

Slander myself as false to Edward's bed;

I

240

children,

their heads?

royal and gracious.

she must die for this? O,

blunt

gentle lady.

They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens; And therefore level not to hit their lives. K. Rich. You have a daughter call'd Elizabeth, Q. Eliz.

knife was dull and was whetted on thy stone-hard heart.

Q. Eliz.

ipp

fair,

it

K. Rich. The advancement of your

curse

Virtuous and

Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life. Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts. Thy head, all indirectly, gave direction:

No doubt the murderous

just

ordinance.

Though

is the doom of destiny. True, when avoided grace makes

destiny:

prithee, hear

K. Rich. You speak too

spirit to

Eliz.

My babes were destined to a fairer death.

Strike up the drum.

Q. Eliz.

were

Q. Eliz. No, to their lives bad friends were

Q

Humphrey Hour,

be so disgracious in your sight, me march on, and not offend your Grace.

K. Rich.

stars

contrary.

your Grace

jyuch.

good

K. Rich. All unavoided

To breakfast once forth of my company. If

at their births

opposite.

What comfortable hour canst thou name, That ever graced me in thy company? K. Rich.

IV

And only in that safety died her

brothers.

I'jo

Thy

ACT

III

Q. Eliz.

live unscarr'd

will confess she

of bleeding slaughter,

was not Edward's daughter.

Wrong not her birth,

K. Rich.

she

is

of royal

blood.

Q. Eliz.

211

To save her life,

K. Rich. Her

life is

say she is not so. only safest in her birth. I'll

250

supposest I have done to thee. Q. Eliz. Be brief, lest that the process of thy kindness

Last longer telling than thy kindness' date.

K. Rich. Then know, thy daughter.

that

from

my soul I love

—

;

SCENE

KING RICHARD

IV

My

Q. Eliz. her soul.

daughter's mother thinks

it

with

Mine

Q. Eliz. That thou dost love thy soul:

So from thy

soul's love didst

my daughter from

255?

do thank thee for it. K. Rich. Be not so hasty to confound my meaning: I mean, that with my soul I love thy daughter, And mean to make her queen of England. Q. Eliz. Say then, who dost thou mean shall love

I

be her king?

K. Rich. Even he that makes her queen: who should be else?

What, thou? what think you of it, I, even I madam?

Q. Eliz.

K. Rich.

:

Q. Eliz. How canst thou woo her? That would I learn of you. K. Rich. As one that are best acquainted with her humour. Q. Eliz. And wilt thou learn of me? Madam, with all my heart. 2jo K. Rich. Q. Eliz. Send to her, by the man that slew her

A pair of bleeding hearts;

—

Her uncle Rivers; yea, and, for her sake, Madest quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne. K. Rich. Come, come, you mock me;

save for a night of groans

Endured of her,

for

Therefore accept such kindness as I can. 5/0 Dorset your son, that with a fearful soul Leads discontented steps in foreign soil. This fair alliance quickly shall call home To high promotions and great dignity: The king, that calls your beauteous daughter

Again

And

you be mother to

shall

all

a king.

the ruins of distressful times

Repair'd with double riches of content.

Shall

liquid drops

come

again, transform'd to orient pearl,

Often times double gain of happiness. Go, then, my mother, to thy daughter go;

Make

bold her bashful years with your

experience;

Prepare her ears to hear a wooer's tale; Put in her tender heart the aspiring flame Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princess With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys: And when this arm of mine hath chastised 5^/ duU-brain'd Buckingham,

but hate thee.

2 pi

Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes. after hours give leisure to repent.

To make amends,

I'll

give

kill'd the issue

it

to

of your

sons,

your daughter.

womb,

I

come

my conquest won.

she shall be sole victress, Caesar's Caesar.

Q. Eliz. What were brother

I

best to say? her father's

be her lord? or shall I say, her uncle? Or, he that slew her brothers and her uncles?

Having bought love with such a bloody spoil. K. Rich. Look, what is done cannot be now

kingdom from your

will retail

will

a conqueror's bed;

Would

K. Rich. Say that I did all this for love of her. Q. Eliz. Nay, then indeed she cannot choose

amended:

520

Advantaging their loan with interest

And

all this.

to see:

of tears that you have shed

And lead thy daughter to

be Richard that hath done

A ™

wife,

Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother;

To whom I

have

bid like sor-

Your children were vexation to your youth. But mine shall be a comfort to your age. The loss you have is but a son being king, And by that loss your daughter is made queen. I cannot make you what amends I would,

There is no other way; Q. Eliz. Unless thou couldst put on some other shape

If I

whom you

row.

Bound with triumphant garlands

way

If I did take the

mettle, of your very blood;

The petty rebel, this is

^00

Of all one pain,

To win your daughter.

Which

will beget

Than is the doting title of a mother; They are as children but one step below.

The

thereon engrave

Edward and York; then haplv she will weep: Therefore present to her as sometime Margaret Did to thy father, steep'd in Rutland's blood A handkerchief; which, say to her, did drain The purple sap from her sweet brother's body. And bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith. If this inducement force her not to love. 2 So Send her a story of thy noble acts Tell her thou madest away her uncle Clarence,

And not

I

upon your daughter:

What! we have many goodly days

brothers,

not the

issue of your blood

Even of your

thou love her

brothers;

And from my heart's

»39

A grandam's name is little less in love

What do you think?

K. Rich.

III

To quicken your increase,

Under what title shall I woo for thee, 340 That God, the law, my honour, and her love. Can make seem pleasing to her tender years? K. Rich. Infer fair England's peace by this alliance.

Q. Eliz.

Which

she shall purchase with

still

lasting war.

K. Rich. Say that the king, which may command, entreats.

——

—

———

KING RICHARD

140

The unity the king thy brother made Had not been broken, nor my brother slain:

Q. Eliz. That at her hands which the king's

King

forbids.

K. Rich. Say, she

shall

be a high and mighty

queen.

To wail the title, as her mother doth. K. Rich. Say, I will love her everlastingly. Q. Eliz. But how long shall that title "ever" 550

last?

Q. Eliz. But

how

in force unto her fair life's end.

long fairly shall her sweet

life last?

K. Rich. So long

as

o'erpast;

For

Q. Eliz. So long as hell and Richard likes of it. K. Rich. Say, I, her sovereign, am her subject

An honest tale speeds

The parents

in plain

terms

her

Q. Eliz. Plain and not honest

is

my

too harsh a

360 K. Rich. Your reasons are too shallow and too style.

in their age;

hast

Of hostile arms!

O no, my reasons are too deep and

myself myself confound!

Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours Day, yield

quick.

me not thy light;

Be opposite

all

!

^00

nor, night, thy rest!

planets of good luck

To my proceedings,

Too deep and dead,

poor infants, in their grave. K. Rich. Harp not on that string, madam; that

if, with pure heart's love. Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,

I

tender not thy beauteous princely daughter!

In her consists

past.

Harp on

it still

shall

I till

heartstrings

Without

my happiness and thine;

her, follows to this land and

To thee, herself,

break.

K. Rich. Now, by my crown

my George, my Garter, and

Q. Eliz. Profaned, dishonour'd, and the third usurp'd. I

swear

By nothing; for this is no oath: Q. Eliz. The George, profaned, hath lost his holy honour; The Garter, blemish'd, pawn'd his knightly ^jo

virtue;

The crown,

usurp'd, disgraced his kingly glory.

If something thou wilt

swear to be believed, Swear then by something that thou hast not wrong'd. K. Rich. Now, by the world 'Tis full of thy foul wrongs. Q. Eliz. K. Rich. My father's death 0. Eliz.

it

whose children thou

Old wither'd plants, to wail it with their age. Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast Misused ere used, by time misused o'erpast. K. Rich. As I intend to prosper and repent, So thrive I in my dangerous attempt

best being

tell

live,

butcher'd.

loving tale.

K. Rich.

389

slaughter'd,

K. Rich. Then

Q. Eliz.

myself have many tears to wash

Ungovern'd youths, to wail

plainly told.

is

I

Hereafter time, for time past wrong'd by thee. The children live, whose parents thou hast

love.

Q. Eliz. But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty. K. Rich. Be eloquent in my behalf to her.

Q. Eliz. dead;

3 So

by Him, The imperial metal, circling now thy brow. Had graced the tender temples of my child. And both the princes had been breathing here, Which now, two tender playfellows for dust. Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms. What canst thou swear by now? The time to come. K. Rich. Q. Eliz. That thou hast wronged in the time

heaven and nature lengthens

it.

Q. Eliz.

IV

If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath

Q. Eliz.

K. Rich. Sweetly

ACT

III

Thy life hath that dishonour'd.

K. Rich. Then, by myself Thyself thyself misusest. Q. Eliz. K. Rich. Why then, by God— God's wrong is most of all. Q. Eliz. If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him,

and

me.

many a Christian soul,

Death, desolation, ruin and decay: It cannot be avoided but by this; It will

not be avoided but by

4/0

this.

—

Therefore, good mother I must call you so Be the attorney of my love to her: Plead what I will be, not what I have been;

Not my deserts, but what I will deserve: Urge the necessity and state of times.

And

be not peevish-fond in great designs.

Q. Eliz. Shall

K. Rich. Ay, Q. Eliz. Shall

K. Rich. Ay,

I

be tempted of the devil thus? tempt thee to do good. forget myself to be myself? 420

if the devil I

if yourself's

remembrance wrong

yourself.

Q. Eliz. But thou didst kill my children. in your daughter's womb I bury

K. Rich. But them:

Where in that nest of spicery they

shall

breed

Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.

Q. Eliz. Shall I go win my daughter to thy will? K. Rich. And be a happy mother by the deed. Q. Eliz. I go. Write to me very shortly,

—

:

SCENE

KING RICHARD

IV

And you

shall

understand from

K. Rich. Bear her farewell.

me her mind.

my true love's

kiss;

and

Stan.

141

know not, mighty

I

sovereign, but

by

guess.

so,

queen Elizabeth. ^50 and shallow, changing woman!

K. Rich. Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess? Stan. Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and

[fori?

Relenting fool,

III

Ely,

Enter ratcliff; catesby following.

How now!

He makes

for England, there to claim the crown. K. Rich. Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway'd? 470 Is the King dead? the empire unpossess'd? What heir of York is there alive but we?

what news?

My gracious sovereign, on the western

Rat.

coast

Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore

And who

Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends, Unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back: 'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral;

And there they hull,

tell me, what doth he upon the sea? Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess. K. Rich. Unless for that he comes to be your

Stan.

ashore.

K. Rich. Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he?

liege.

440

You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes.

Here, my lord. K. Rich. Fly to the Duke: [To ratcliff] Post thou to Salisbury: When thou comest thither [To catesby] Dull, unmindful villain. Why stand'st thou still, and go'st not to the Cate.

Duke? mighty sovereign, let me know your mind, What from your Grace I shall deliver to him. K. Rich. O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy

Thou wilt revolt, and

K. Rich. Where him back?

At

shall

my good lord, my friends are in the

No,

west?

They have not been commanded, mighty

Stan.

sovereign: it your majesty to give me leave, muster up my friends, and meet your Grace Where and what time your Majesty shall please. K. Rich. Ay, ay, thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond:

go? told

me I

should post

My mind

is

changed,

sir,

my mind is

I

will not trust you,

sir.

Most mighty sovereign, You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful:

changed.

Stan.

Enter lord Stanley.

I

How now, what news with you? None good, my lord,

to please

you with

never was nor never will be

K. Rich. Well, Go muster men;

Your

the hearing;

Nor none

480

I'll

before.

Stan.

thy power, then, to beat

Please

Your Highness

K. Rich.

is

When they should serve their sovereign in the

do

Why, what wouldst thou do there I

me

K. Rich. Cold friends to Richard: what do they

Salisbury?

before

fear.

north.

[Exit.

What is't your Highness' pleasure I

Rat.

I

in the north.

go.

K. Rich.

him,

Where are thy tenants and thy followers? Are they not now upon the western shore. Stan.

The greatest strength and power he can make, And meet me presently at Salisbury. 450 Rat.

fly to

liege, therefore mistrust

not.

straight

I

No, mighty

Stan.

Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships?

Cate. First,

Cate.

England's king but great York's

Then,

expecting but the aid

Of Buckingham to welcome them

is

heir?

so bad, but

K. Rich. Hoyday,

it

may

well be told.

a riddle! neither

but, hear you, leave behind

George

Stanley: look your faith be

firm,

Or else his

good nor

bad!

son,

false.

^60

Stan.

head's assurance

So deal with him

as

I

is

but

frail.

prove true to you.

Why dost thou run so many mile about,

[Exit.

When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way?

Enter a messenger.

Once more, what news? Richmond

Stan.

K. Rich. There

let

him

sink,

is

on the

seas.

Mess.

and be the seas on

him! White-liver'd runagate, what doth he there?

My gracious sovereign, now in Devonjoo

shire,

am

As

I

Sir

Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate

by

friends

well advertised.

KING RICHARD

142

III

ACT V

Bishop of Exeter, his brother there,

With many moe

Scene

confederates, are in arms.

Enter second messenger.

My liege, in Kent the Guildfords are

2nd Mess.

v.

Lord Stanley's house

Enter Stanley and sir Christopher urswick. Stan. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from

inarms; And every hour more competitors Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth.

me: That in the sty of this most bloody boar My son George Stanley is frank'd up in hold: If I revolt, off goes young George's head;

The Enter third messenger.

My lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham K. Rich. Out on you, owls! nothing but songs

^rdMess.

my present aid.

fear of that withholds

me, where is princely Richmond now? Chris. At Pembroke, or at Ha'rford-west, in Wales. Stan. What men of name resort to him?

But,

tell

No man knows whither.

Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier; William Stanley; 10 Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir James Blunt, And Rice ap Thomas, with a valiant crew; And many moe of noble fame and worth: And towards London they do bend their course. If by the way they be not fought withal.

I cry thee mercy: K. Rich. There is my purse to cure that blow of thine. Hath any well-advised friend proclaim'd Reward to him that brings the traitor in?

Return unto thy lord; commend me to him: Queen hath heartily consented He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter. These letters will resolve him of my mind.

of death? [Hestrikethhim.] $io until thou bring me better news. ^rdMess. The news I have to tell your Majesty Is that by sudden floods and fall of waters Buckingham's army is dispersed and scatter'd; And he himself wander'd away alone,

Take that,

Chris. Sir

Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir

Stan.

Tell him the

^rd Mess. Such proclamation hath been made,

Farewell.

[Exeunt.

20

my liege.

ACT V

Enter fourth messenger. if.th

Mess. Sir

Thomas Lovel and Lord

Marquis Dorset, 'Tis said,

Scene

my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms.

this

Upon his

party: he, mistrusting them,

Hoised sail and made away for Brittany. K. Rich. March on, march on, since we are up in arms; $^0 If not to fight with foreign enemies. Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.

halberds, led to execution.

Buck. Will not

Cate.

My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is

taken; is the best news: that the Earl of Richmond with a mighty power landed at Milford, Is colder tidings, yet they must be told. K. Rich. Away towards Salisbury! while we reason here, A royal battle might be won and lost: Some one take order Buckingham be brought To Salisbury; the rest march on with me. 540

That Is

[Flourish. Exeunt.

King Richard

let

me speak

with him? Sher.

No,

my good lord;

therefore be patient.

Buck. Hastings, and Edward's children, Rivers,

Grey,

Holy King Henry and thy

fair son Edward, Vaughan, and all that have miscarried By underhand corrupted foul injustice, If that your moody discontented souls

Do through the clouds Even

for revenge

This

is

behold this present hour.

mock my destruction!

All-Souls' day, fellows,

Sher. It

Re-enter catesby.

Salisbury: an open place

Enter the sheriff, and Buckingham, with

^20

good comfort bring I to your Grace, The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest: Richmond, in Dorsetshire, sent out a boat Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks If they were his assistants, yea or no; Who answer'd him, they came from Buckingham Yet

i.

is,

is it

not?

10

my lord.

Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday. This is the day that, in King Edward's time, I wish'd might fall on me, when I was found Buck.

False to his children or his wife's

This

the day wherein

allies;

wish'd to fall By the false faith of him I trusted most; This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul Is

is

I

the determined respite of my wrongs:

That high All-Seer that I dallied with Hath turn'd my feigned prayer on my head And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.

20

SCENE

KING RICHARD HI

I

Thus doth he

force the swords of wicked

To turn their own points on their masters' bosoms:

Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon my head; "When he," quoth she,

lord.

lie

ii.

and blame the due of

The camp near Tamworth

Up with my

10

name is

a tower of strength, adverse party want. tent there! Valiant gentlemen,

Let us survey the vantage of the field; some men of sound direction: Let's want no discipline, make no delay; For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day. [Exeunt.

Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,

Call for

Thus far into the bowels of the land Have we march'd on without impediment; father Stanley

Enter, on the other side of the field,

Lines of fair comfort and encouragement. The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar,

your summer

that.

Which they upon the

friends,

spoil'd

one for

Nor. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. K. Rich. Why, our battalion trebles that Besides, the King's

and others, with drum and colours. Richm. Fellows in arms, and my most loving

That

all's

account:

Enter Richmond, oxford, blunt, Herbert,

And here receive we from our

I

Who hath descried the number of the foe?

[Exeunt.

Scene

here will

to-night;

But where to-morrow? Well,

Remember Margaret was a prophetess." Come, sirs, convey me to the block of shame; blame.

Up with my tent there!

K. Rich.

"shall split thy heart

with sorrow.

Wrong hath but wrong,

H3

K. Rich. Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we nqt? Nor. We must both give and take, my gracious

men

fields

and

Richmond,

Sir

William Brandon, oxford, dorset, blunt, and others. Some of the Soldiers pitch Richmond's

fruitful

tent.

vines.

Swills your

warm

blood like wash, and makes his

trough In your embowell'd bosoms, this foul swine

lo

now even in the centre of this isle. Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn: From Tamworth thither is but one day's march. Lies

Richm. The weary sun hath made a golden set. And, by the bright track of his fiery car, 20 Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow. Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard. Give me some ink and paper in my tent: I'll draw the form and model of our battle.

In God's name, cheerly on, courageous friends,

Limit each leader to

To reap the harvest of perpetual peace

And part

By this one bloody trial of sharp war.

My Lord of Oxford, you. Sir William Brandon,

Oxf. Every man's conscience

is

To fight against that bloody homicide. doubt not but his friends will

I

Blunt.

He hath no friends but who are friends

fly to us.

20

for fear,

Which

in his greatest

need will shrink from him.

Richm. All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march: True hope is swift and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes gods and meaner creatures kings. [Exeunt.

Scene

hi.

Bosworth Field

Enter king richard in arms, with Norfolk, the

earl of surrey, and others.

K. Rich. Here pitch our tents, even here in Bos worth field. My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?

My heart ten times lighter than my looks. K. Rich. My Lord of Norfolk— Sur.

Nor.

is

Here, most gracious

our small strength.

And you. Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me. The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment: Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him, And by the second hour in the morning 5/ Desire the Earl to see me in my tent:

a thousand

swords Herb.

his several charge.

in just proportion

liege.

Yet one thing more, good Blunt, before thou go'st,

Where is Lord Stanley quarter' d,

dost thou

know? Blunt. Unless

I

have mista'en his colours

much.

Which well I am

assured I have not done, His regiment lies half a mile at least South from the mighty power of the King. Richm. If without peril it be possible,

$9

Good captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him. And give him from me this most needfiil scroll. Blunt. Upon my life, my lord, I'll undertake it; And so, God give you quiet rest to-night! Richm. Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come, gentlemen. Let us consult upon to-morrow's business: In to our tent; the air is raw and cold. [They withdraw into the tent.

KING RICHARD

144

So much king richard, Norfolk, RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and OthcTS. to his tent,

Enter,

K. Rich.

It's

my lord;

supper-time,

nine o'clock.

I will not sup K. Rich. Give me some ink and paper. What, is my beaver easier than it was? And all my armour laid into my tent?

Cate. It

is,

my liege;

and

all

to-night.

^o

things are in

readiness.

K. Rich. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;

Use careful watch, choose trusty Nor.

I

go,

K. Rich.

Stir

Cate.

[Exit.

—

God give us leisure for these rites of love Once more,

My lord? Send out a pursuivant bid

him bring

Before sunrising, lest his son George Into the blind cave of eternal night.

his

at

arms

power 6i

fall

[Exit CATESBY Fill

—

for so the season bids us be Prepare thy battle early in the morning. And put thy fortune to the arbitrement Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war. po I, as I may that which I would I cannot With best advantage will deceive the time, And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms: But on thy side I may not be too forward, Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George, Be executed in his father's sight. Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time

upon:

my lord.

To Stanley's regiment;

i

Richm. Good lords, conduct him to his regiment: I'll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap. Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow, When I should mount with wings of victory: Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen. [Exeunt all but Richmond.

Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow. Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.

O Thou, whose captain Look on Put

RatclifF!

My lord?

soldiers.

7/ I

am

satisfied.

Give me

a

in their

hands thy bruising irons of wrath, uo

Make us thy ministers of chastisement.

Enter the ghost of prince edward, son

HENRY the Ghost. [To richard] Let

my lord.

my guard watch; leave me. mid of night come to my tent arm me. Leave me, I say.

Think, how thou stab'dst youth

And help to

At Tewksbury:

Bid

[Exeunt ratcliff and other Attendants.

Richmond

in his tent,

Lords

King Henry's

Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! Richm. All comfort that the dark night can

Stan.

So

afford

how

mother? Stan. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother. Who prays continually for Richmond's good:

Tell me,

fares our loving

issue,

fight in

thy behalf:

Richmond, comforts

Enter the ghost of

to thy person, noble father-in-law!

me in my prime of

souls

Of butcher'd princes

and others attending.

Be

me sit heavy on thy

despair, therefore, and die! 120 [To Richmond] Be cheerful, Richmond; for the

wronged to

to

sixth.

soul to-morrow!

Ratcliff, about the

Enter Stanley

fall

[Sleeps.

have not that alacrity of spirit Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have. Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?

K. Rich.

heavy

That we may praise thee in the victory! To thee I do commend my watchful soul, Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes: Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!

I

is,

a

The usurping helmets of our adversaries!

bowl of

wine:

Rat. It

account myself.

I

my forces with a gracious eye;

That they may crush down with

K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland ? Rat. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop Went through the army, cheering up the

K. Rich. So,

loi

!

adieu: be valiant, and speed well!

me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.

Rat.

steal on,

And ample interchange of sweet discourse, Which so long sunder'd friends should dwell

with the lark to-morrow, gentle

K. Rich.

The silent hours

Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love

sentinels.

my lord.

Norfolk. Nor. I warrant you, K. Rich. Catesby!

for that.

flaky darkness breaks within the east.

In brief

What is't o'clock?

Cate. It's

And

ACT V

III

Ghost. [To richard]

henry the

thee.

sixth.

When I was mortal, my

anointed body

By thee was punched full of deadly holes: Think on the Tower and me: despair, and die! Harry the Sixth

bids thee despair and die!

!

:

SCENE

KING RICHARD

III

III

H5

Now fills thy sleep with perturbations:

[To Richmond] Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror! Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king.

To-morrow

Doth comfort thee

[To Richmond]

in sleep: live,

and

And

flourish!

in the battle think on me, thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!

fall

Thou

quiet soul, sleep thou a

quiet sleep;

Enter tlu ghost of clarence. Ghost. [To Richard] Let

Dream of success and happy victory!

Thy adversary's wife doth pray

me sit heavy on thy

soul to-morrow!

i^i

Enter the ghost of Buckingham.

was wash'd to death with fulsome wine, Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death! To-m.orrow in the battle think on me I,

that

Ghost. [To Richard]

The

first

was

I

that

help'd thee to the crown;

And

fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die! [To Richmond] Thou offspring of the house of

The O,

last

was

that felt thy tyranny:

I

in the battle think

on Buckingham,

x\nd die in terror of thy guiltiness

Lancaster,

The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee: Good angels guard thy battle! live, and flourish!

Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath!

[To Richmond]

I

died for hope ere

thy soul to-morrow. Rivers, that died at Pomfret! despair, and die!

Ghost of G. [To Richard] Think upon Grey,

K. Rich. Give me another horse: bind up my wounds. Have mercy, Jesu! Soft! I did but dream. coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight. Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. What do I fear? myself? there's none else by: Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I. Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am. Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason

—

Ghost. [To Richard] Bloody and guilty,

awake. bloody battle end thy days! Think on Lord Hastings: despair, and die! [To Richmond] Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake! Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake! guiltily

why:

a

two young

Lest

I

revenge.

Alack,

I

What, myself upon myself?

love myself. Wherefore? for any good

That I myself have done unto myself? O, no! alas, I rather hate myself For hateful deeds committed by myself!

princes.

Dream on thy cousins smother'd in the Tower Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard,

1

am a villain:

yet

I lie, I

/j/

And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death! Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair and die!

i^o

am not.

Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not

Ghosts. [To Richard]

flatter.

My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And And

every tongue brings in a several tale. every tale condemns me for a villain.

Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree;

[To Richmond] Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy; Good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy! Live, and beget a happy race of kings!

used in each degree. Throng to the bar, crying all, "Guilty! guilty!"

Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee

And

flourish.

Enter the ghost of lady anne. Ghost. [To RICHARD] Richard, thy wife, that

wretched Anne thy wife. slept a quiet hour with thee,

That never

4

out of his dream. i^i

Enter the ghost of Hastings.

Enter the ghosts of the

could lend

But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay'd: God and good angels fight on Richmond's side; And Richard falls in height of all his pride. [The GHOSTS vanish, king richard starts

me sit heavy on

andletthy soul despair! Ghost of V. [To Richard] Think upon Vaughan and with guilty fear Let fall thy lance: despair, and die! All. [To Richmond] Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom Will conquer him! awake, and win the day!

I

thee aid:

vaughan. Ghost of R. [To Richard] Let

lyo

Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death:

Enter the ghosts of rivers, grey, and

And in

for thee.

i6o

Murder, stern murder, All sev^eral sins,

in the direst degree;

all

There is no creature loves me; 201 no soul shall pity me: Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself Find in myself no pity to myself? Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd Came to my tent; and every one did threat To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard. I

shall despair. if

I

die,

'^^H

^^

KING RICHARD

146 Enter ratcliff. 7?^?.

My lord!

help him;

K. Rich. 'Zounds! who Rat. RatcHff,

my lord;

A base foul stone, made precious by the foil

there?

is

'tis I.

Of England's chair, where he

The early

One that hath

village-cock

210 morn; up, and buckle on their armour. RatclifF, I have dream'd a fearful

Hath twice done Your friends are K. Rich. O dream!

salutation to the

If you

No doubt, my lord. I

fear,

I

fear—

be not afraid of

shadows.

K. Rich. By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard

Than can the substance often thousand soldiers Armed in proof and led by shallow Richmond. 220 It is not yet near day. Come, go with me; Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper. To see if any mean to shrink from me. [Exeunt.

Lords.

to

Richmond,

sitting in his tent.

Good morrow, Richmond!

fight against

do

fight in safeguard

swords.

For me, the ransom of my bold attempt Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face; if I thrive,

,/

shall share his part thereofr^

[Exeunt.

250

murder'd,

Came to my tent,

and Forces.

K. Rich. What said Northumberland as touching Richmond? Rat. That he was never trained up in arms. K. Rich. He said the truth: and what said Rat.

How far into the morning is

K. Rich.

it,

Surrey then?

'tis

lords?

it is.

time to arm and give

He was in the right;

and so indeed

[Clock striketh.]

Tell the clock there. Give

me a calendar.

Who saw the sun to-day?

direction.

Forbids to dwell upon: yet remember

this,

24.0

and wronged souls. Like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces; Richard except, those whom we fight against Had rather have us win than him they follow: For what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen, A bloody tyrant and a homicide; One raised in blood, and one in blood establish'd; saints

I,

my lord.

K. Rich. Then he disdains to shine; for by the book He should have braved the east an hour ago: 280 A black day will it be to somebody.

More than I have said, loving countrymen, The leisure and enforcement of the time

God and our good cause fight upon our side;

Not

Rat.

His ORATION TO HIS SOLDIERS

The prayers of holy

He smiled and said, "The better for our

purpose."

Upon the stroke of four. then

2^0

Re-enter king richard, ratcliff. Attendants

and cried on victory: I promise you, my soul is very jocund In the remembrance of so fair a dream.

Why,

the gain of my attempt

The least of you

ta'en a tardy sluggard here.

Richm. The sweetest sleep and fairest-boding dreams That ever enter'd in a drowsy head Have I since your departure had, my lords. Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard

Richm.

of your wives,

Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors; If you do free your children from the sword, 261 Your children's children quit it in your age. Then, in the name of God and all these rights, Advance your standards, draw your willing

fully;

How have you slept, my lord?

Lords.

your country's foes, pay your pains the

fat shall

God and Saint George! Richmond and victory!

gentlemen, Lords.

do

Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheer-

Richm. Cry mercy, lords and watchful

That you have

as his soldiers;

do sweat to put a tyrant down.

sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain;

If you

But Enter the lords

God's enemy,

ward you

hire;

O Ratcliff, my lord,

against

in justice

Your country's

K. Rich. Rat. Nay, good

250

falsely set;

is

ever been God's enemy:

if you fight

God will

If you

will our friends prove all

true?

k

Then,

You

What thinkest thou, Rat.

ACT V

III

One that made means to come by what he hath, And slaughter'd those that were the means to

Ratcliff!

Rat.

My lord?

The sun will not be seen to-day; K. Rich. The sky doth frown and lour upon our army. I would these dewy tears were from the ground. Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me More than to Richmond? for the selfsame heaven That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.

SCENE

KING RICHARD

ni

Enter Norfolk.

Nor. Arm, arm,

my lord;

the foe vaunts in the

field.

K. Rich. Come,

bustle, bustle, caparison

my

I

Lord Stanley,

will lead forth

And thus my

selves:

bid

him bring

power:

his

my soldiers to the plain,

men conquer us. And not these bastard Bretons; whom our fathers

2(fi

Have

battle shall be ordered:

My foreward shall be drawn out all in length.

directed,

In the main battle,

And in record,

we will follow

whose puissance on

either

side

Shall be well

winged with our

chiefest horse,

This, and Saint George to boot!

^oo

My lord, he doth deny to come. K. Rich. Off with his son George's head! Nor. My lord, the enemy is past the marsh: After the battle let George Stanley die. thousand hearts are great within K. Rich.

bought and sold."

Go, gentlemen, every man unto

A

my bosom:

his charge:

Advance our standards, set upon our foes; Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,

Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls:

Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devised at first to keep the strong in awe: 5/0 Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our

Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons

Upon them! Victory Scene

join bravely, let us to't pell-mell;

hand

in

hand to

sits

Alarum:

hell.

Army

Cate.

have inferr'd? What Remember whom you are to cope withal; A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways, A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants, Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits I

say more than

5 fo

iv.

Another part of thefield

Rescue,

Norfolk and him catesby.

excursions. Enter

forces fighting; to

His oration to his

!

on our helms. [Exeunt.

law.

shall

will he bring his

Mess.

A thing devised by the enemy.

If not to heaven, then

heirs of shame.

power?

too bold.

March on,

them the

Enter a messenger.

"Jockey of Norfolk, be not is

left

What says Lord Stanley?

He sheuueth him a paper.

For Dickon thy master

bobb'd, and

Ravish our daughters? [Drum afar off.] Hark! I hear their drum. Fight! gentlemen of England! fight, bold yeomen! Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood; Amaze the welkin with your broken staves! 54/

What think'st

thou, Norfolk? Nor. x\ good direction, warlike sovereign. This found I on my tent this morning.

Rich. [7^^^^^]

own land beaten,

Shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives?

John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey, Shall have the leading of this foot and horse.

They thus

in their

thump'd,

Consisting equally of horse and foot; Our archers shall be placed in the midst:

K.

H7

If we be conquer 'd, let

horse.

Call up

II

Lash hence these overv/eening rags of France, These famish'd beggars weary of their lives; Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit, 550 For want of means, poor rats, had hang'd them-

my Lord of Norfolk, rescue,

rescue!

I

The King enacts more wonders

than a man. Daring an opposite to every danger: His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights, Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death. Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!

forth

To desperate ventures and assured destrucAlarums. Enter king rich ard.

tion.

You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest; You having lands, and blest with beauteous

K. Rich.

520

wives.

Cate.

They would restrain the one, distain the other. x\nd who doth lead them but a paltry fellow. Long kept

Bretagne at our mother's cost? A milk-sop, one that never in his life Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow? Let's

in

whip these

again;

stragglers o'er the seas

A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a

horse!

Withdraw,

my lord;

I'll

help you to a

horse.

K. Rich. Slave,

And

I

I

have

set

my life upon a cast

will stand the hazard of the die:

10

think there be six Richmonds in the field; Five have I slain to-day instead of him. horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! I

A

[Exeunt.

KING RICHARD

148

That

Scene

v.

Another part of the field

Alarum. Enter richard and Richmond; they fight. RICHARD is slain. Retreat and flourish. Re-enter RICHMOND, STANLEY bearing the croiim, with divers other Lords.

Richm.

God and your arms be praised, victorious

friends;

The day Stan.

dog is dead. Courageous Richmond, well hast thou is

ours, the bloody

this

long-usurped royalty

From the dead temples of this bloody wretch Have I pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal: Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it. Richm. Great God of heaven, say Amen to all! tell me, is young George Stanley living? Stan. He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester 10 town; Whither, if it please you, we may now with-

But,

draw us. Richm.

What men of name are slain on either

John Duke of Norfolk, Walter Lord

Ferrers,

William Brandon. Richm. Inter their bodies as becomes their

Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir

That long have frown'd upon

20

their enmity!

What traitor hears me, and says not amen? England hath long been mad, and scarr'd herself; The brother blindly shed the brother's blood, The father rashly slaughter'd his own son, The son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire: York and Lancaster,

Divided

in their dire division,

O, now,

let

Richmond and Elizabeth,

The true succeeders of each royal house, By God's fair ordinance conjoin together! And let their heirs, God, if thy will be so.

50

Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace.

With

smiling plenty and fair prosperous days!

Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord, That would reduce these bloody days again And make poor England weep in streams of Let them not live to taste land's increase That would with treason wound this fair land's peace!

Now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives again: That she may long

births:

Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers

We

blood!

side? Stan.

submission will return to us: as we have ta'en the sacrament. will unite the white rose and the red: Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction, in

And then,

All this divided

acquit thee.

Lo, here,

ACT V

III

fled

live here,

God

say amen!

40

[Exeunt.

:

^THE COMEDY OF ERRORS DRAMATIS PERSONS Duke

SoLiNus,

^GEON,

of Ephesus

A A

.

merchant of Syracuse

a

tu^in brothers, and sons Antipholus of Ephesus Antiphoi.us of Syracuse of ALgeon and /Emilia tivin brothers, and attendDromio of Ephesus Dromio of Syracuse ants on the two Antipholuses I

Servant

Gaoler

An

Officer

I

I

|

Balthazar, a ?nerchant Angelo, a goldsmith First

Merchant,

friend

to

Emilia, wife to JEgeon, an abbess at Ephesus Adriana, wife to Antipholus of Ephesus LuciANA, her sister Luce, servant to Adriana

A

Antipholus of

Courtezan

Syracuse

Second Merchant,

to

whom

Angelo

Non-Speaking :0^c^r5 and

a debtor

is

other Attendants

Pinch, a schoohnaster

Scene: Ephesus

im^

ACT Scene

A

i.

Why thou departed' St from thy native home

I

hall in the

Duke

Enter duke, .4!XiEON, gaoler,

Mge. Officers,

and

other Attendants.

Than

Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall by the doom of death end woes and all.

A heavier task could not have been im

I

to speak

my griefs unspeakable: may witness that my end

Yet, that the world

Duke. Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more; I am not partial to infringe our laws The enmity and discord which of late Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen,

Was wrought by nature, not by vile offence, I'll utter what my sorrow gives me leave. was I born, and wed woman, happy but for me.

In Syracusa

Unto

a

Who, wanting guilders to redeem their lives

And by me, had not our hap been bad. With her I lived in joy; our wealth increased 40 By prosperous voyages I often made

Have

To Epidamnum;

seal'd his rigorous statutes

with their

bloods.

Excludes

all

pity

from our threatening looks.

w

For, since the mortal and intestine jars

'Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us, It hath in solemn synods been decreed. Both by the Syracusians and ourselves. To admit no traffic to our adverse towns: Nay, more. If any born at Ephesus be seen At any Syracusian marts and fairs; Again: if any Syracusian born Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies. His goods confiscate to the Duke's dispose, Unless a thousand marks be levied. To quit the penalty and to ransom him.

Thy

substance, valued at the highest rate,

Cannot amount unto a hundred marks; Therefore by law thou art condemn'd to die. Mge. Yet this my comfort: when your words are done.

My woes end likewise with the evening sun. Z)z/^^.

Well, Syracusian, sav

in brief the

cause

/

posed

i4^ge.

And

30

And for what cause thou camest to Ephesus.

s palace

till

my factor's death

And the great care of goods at random left Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse: From whom my absence was not six months old Before herself, almost at fainting under The pleasing punishment that women bear,

Had made provision for her following me And soon and safe arrived where I was. There had she not been long but she became A joyful mother of two goodly sons; And, which was strange, the one so like the

50

other

20

As

could not be distinguish'd but by names.

That very hour and in the self-same A meaner woman was delivered

inn

Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: Those, for their parents were exceeding poor I bought and brought up to attend my sons. My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys Made daily motions for our home return: Unwilling I agreed; alas! too soon

We came aboard. A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, 149

60

>

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

I50

But longer did we not retain much hope; For what obscured hght the heavens did grant Did but convey unto our fearful minds A doubtful warrant of immediate death; Which though myself would gladly have em-

course.

To tell sad stories of my own mishaps. Duke. And, for the sake of them thou sorrowest for.

Yet the incessant weepings of my wife, 7/ Weeping before for what she saw must come. And piteous plainings of the pretty babes, That mourn' d for fashion, ignorant what to fear. Forced me to seek delays for them and me. And this it was, for other means was none:

The sailors sought for safety by our boat, And left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us: 80

To him one of the other twins was bound. had been

like heedful

I,

Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd, Fasten'd ourselves at either end the mast;

And floating straight, obedient to the stream, Was carried towards Corinth, as we thought. length the sun, gazing upon the earth, Dispersed those vapours that offended us; And, by the benefit of his wished light.

At

The

seas

wax'd calm, and

^o

we discovered

Two ships from far making amain to us, Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this: But ere they came O, let me say no more! Gather the sequel by that went before. Duke. Nay, forward, old man; do not break off

—

so;

For

we may pity,

though not pardon thee.

O, had the gods done so, I had not now Worthily term'd them merciless to us 100 For, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues, We were encounter 'd by a mighty rock; JEge.

Which being violently borne upon. Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst; So

that, in this unjust divorce

Fortune had

left

JEge.

My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care.

At eighteen years became inquisitive

of us,

I labour'd of a love to see, 75/ hazarded the loss of whom I loved. Five summers have I spent in furthest Greece, Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia,

I

Hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsought Or that or any place that harbours men. But here must end the story of my life; And happy were I in my timely death. Could all my travels warrant me they live. 1^0 Duke. Hapless ^geon, whom the fates have mark'd To bear the extremity of dire mishap! Now, trust me, were it not against our laws, Against my crown, my oath, my dignity.

Which

princes,

And passed

sentence

guests;

And would have reft the fishers of their prey.

may not be recall'd

But to our honour's great disparagement. Yet I will favour thee in what I can. Therefore, merchant, I'll limit thee this day To seek thy life by beneficial help: Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus; Beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum. And live; if no, then thou art doom'd to die. Gaoler, take him to thy custody. I

will,

^geon wend,

his lifeless end. ii.

[Exeunt.

The Mart

Enter antipholus of Syracuse, dromio of SYRACUSE, and first merchant. ist

/50

my lord.

Scene

///

disannul.

But, though thou art adjudged to the death

But to procrastinate

Was carried with more speed before the wind; had seized on us; And, knowing whom it was their hap to save. Gave healthful welcome to their shipwreck'd

would they, may not

My soul should sue as advocate for thee.

Her part, poor soul! seeming as burdened With lesser weight but not with lesser woe.

length, another ship

his case

JEge. Hopeless and helpless doth

What to delight in, what to sorrow for.

At

— so

was like. Reft of his brother, but retain'd his name Might bear him company in the quest of him: his attendant

Gaol.

to both of us alike

And in our sight they three were taken up By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought.

me

After his brother: and importuned

That

And, coasting homeward, came to Ephesus;

of the other:

The children thus disposed, my wife and

Do me the favour to dilate at full What hath befall'n of them and thee till now.

Whom whilst

My wife, more careful for the latter-born. Had fasten'd him unto a small spare mast, Such as seafaring men provide for storms; I

I

Thus have you heard me sever'd from my bliss. That by misfortunes was my life prolong'd 120

braced,

Whilst

ACT

Had not their bark been very slow of sail; And therefore homeward did they bend their

Before the always wind-obeying deep Gave any tragic instance of our harm:

Mer. Therefore give out you are of Epi-

damnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. This very day a Syracusian merchant Is apprehended for arrival here;

And not being able to buy out his

life

!

SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

II

According to the statute of the town Dies ere the weary sun set in the west. There is your money that I had to keep. Ant. S. Go bear it to the Centaur, where

Ant. S. Stop in your wind, pray:

Where have you

we

this

hour

it

till I

come

to thee.

10

will be dinner-time:

view the manners of the town. Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings. And then return and sleep within mine inn, For with long travel I am stiff and weary. Get thee away. Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word. And go indeed, having so good a mean. [Exit. S.

I'll

A trusty villain, sir, that very oft,

When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humour with his merry jests.

20

will

Of whom I hope to make much benefit; I

crave your pardon. Soon at five o'clock.

Please you,

I'll

meet with you upon the mart

And afterward consort you till bed-time: My present business calls me from you now. S.

Farewell

till

then:

I

will

[Exit.

tent.

Ant.

S.

He that commends me to mine own con-

in the

Who,

I

gave you?

Wednesday

Tell me, and dally not, where

ocean seeks another drop.

the

money?

So great I

from

from thine own custody? 61 pray you, jest, sir, as you sit at dinner:

a charge

Dro. E.

I

my mistress come to you in post;

If I return,

I

shall

be post indeed.

For she will score your fault upon my pate. Methinks your maw, like mine, should be your clock

you home without a messenger. Come, Dromio, come, these jests are

strike

Ant.

S.

out of season; Reserve them till a merrier hour than this. Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee? jo Dro. E. To me, sir? why, you gave no gold to me. Ant. S. Come on, sir knave, have done your

And tell me how thou hast disposed thy charge. Dro. E.

My charge was but to fetch you from

the mart

Home to your house,

the Phoenix,

sir,

to dinner:

My mistress and her sister stays for you. S.

Now,

as

am

I

a Christian,

pate.

40

Some of my mistress' marks upon my shoulders, But not a thousand marks between you both. If I should pay your worship tliose again, Perchance you will not bear them patiently. A?it. S. Thy mistress' marks? what mistress,

Here comes the almanac of my true date. What now? how chance thou art return'd so soon?

slave, hast thou?

Dro. E. Return'd so soon! rather approach'd too

Dro. E. Your worship's wife,

my mistress at the

Phoenix;

late:

The capon burns, the pig falls from the spit. The clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell;

My mistress made

it

She that doth

And prays

one upon my cheek: meat is cold;

Ant.

so hot because the

ach;

You have no stomach having broke your fast; But we that know what 'tis to fast and pray for

your default to-day.

S.

fast

that

What,

till

you

you come home to dinner you home to dinner.

will hie

wilt thou flout

me thus unto my 9f

face,

The meat is cold because you come not home; You come not home because you have no stom-

Are penitent

is

We being strangers here, how darest thou trust

answer me my money, Or I shall break that merry sconce of yours That stands on tricks when I am undisposed: 80 Where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me? Dro. E. I have some marks of yours upon my

Enter dromio of ephesus.

is

o'

In what safe place you have bestow'd

falling there to find his fellow forth,

Unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself: So I, to find a mother and a brother. In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself.

She

that

had

The saddler had it, sir; I kept it not. Ant. S. I am not in a sportive humour now:

Ant.

tent

Commends me to the thing I cannot get. I to the world am like a drop of water That

I

I

foolishness

go lose myself And wander up and down to view the city. 5/ ist Mer. Sir, I commend you to your own conAnt.

money

me this,

To pay the saddler for my mistress' crupper?

And

you walk with me about the town. And then go to my inn and dine with me? ist Mer. I am invited, sir, to certain merchants,

What,

the

sir: tell

last

Till that,

Ant.

left

O — sixpence, that

Dro. E.

host,

And stay there, Dromio, Within

151

Being forbid? There, take you that, sir knave. Dro. E. What mean you, sir? for God's sake, hold your hands Nay, an you will not, sir, I'll take my heels. [Exit.

5/

Ant.

S.

Upon my

life,

by some device or other

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS my money. We bid be quiet when we hear

152

The villain is o'er-raught of all They say this town is full of cozenage,

But were

As, nimble jugglers that deceive the eye, Dark-working sorcerers that change the mind. loo Soul-killing witches that deform the body, Disguised cheaters, prating mountebanks. And many such-like liberties of sin:

gone the sooner. to the Centaur, to go seek this slave:

If it prove so, I'll

I

greatly fear

I

will be

my money is not safe.

ACT Scene

\Exit.

But, if thou live to see like right bereft, 40 This fool-begg'd patience in thee will be left. Luc. Well, I will marry one day, but to try. Here comes your man; now is your husband nigh.

Enter dromio of ephesus. II

Adr. Say,

The house of Antipholus of Ephesus Enter adriana and luciana.

I

is

your tardy master now at hand? two hands with me, and

Dro. E. Nay, he's at

my two ears can witness. Adr. Say, didst thou speak with him? know'st thou his mind? Dro. E. Ay, ay, he told his mind upon mine

that

my husband nor the slave re-

in such haste

sent to seek his master!

two o'clock. Luc. Perhaps some merchant hath invited him And from the mart he's somewhere gone to

Sure, Luciana,

ourselves complain:

So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee. With urging helpless patience wouldst relieve me;

turn'd.

That

II

cry;

burd^n'd with like weight of pain,

As much or more we should

i.

Adr. Neither

we

ACT it

ear:

it is

Beshrew his hand, I scarce could understand it. Luc. Spake he so doubtfully, thou couldst not feel his

dinner.

meaning?

Good sister, let us dine and never fret: A man is master of his liberty: Time is their master, and when they see time

I could too well feel his blows; and withal so doubtfully that I could scarce understand them.

They'll go or come: if so, be patient, sister. should their liberty than ours be Adr.

Adr. But say, I prithee, is he coming home? seems he hath great care to please his wife. Dro. E. Why, mistress, sure my master is hornmad. Adr. Horn-mad, thou villain! Dro. E. I mean not cuckold-mad; But, sure, he is stark mad.

Dro. E. Nay, he struck so plainly,

Why

more?

It

lo

Luc. Because their business still lies out o' door. Adr. Look, when I serve him so, he takes it ill. Luc. O, know he is the bridle of your will. Adr. There's none but asses will be bridled so. Luc. Why, headstrong liberty is lash'd with

woe.

When I desired him to come home to dinner, He ask'd me for a thousand marks in gold:

"My gold!" quoth

There's nothing situate under heaven's eye But hath his bound, in earth, in sea, in sky: The beasts, the fishes and the winged fowls

'"Tis dinner-time," quoth

Are their males' subjects and at their controls: 20 Men, more divine, the masters of all these,

quoth he: "Will you come home?" quoth I; "My gold!" quoth he, "Where is the thousand marks I gave thee, vil-

Lords of the wide world and wild watery seas. Indued with intellectual sense and souls. Of more pre-eminence than fish and fowls. Are masters to their females, and their lords: Then let your will attend on their accords. Adr. This servitude makes you to keep unwed. Luc. Not this, but troubles of the marriage-bed. Adr. But, were you wedded, you would hear some sway. Luc. Ere I learn love, I'll practise to obey. Adr. How if your husband start some other where? 50 Luc. Till he come home again, I would forbear. Adr. Patience unmoved! no marvel though she pause;

They can be meek that have no other cause.

A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,

I;

60

he:

"Your meat doth burn," quoth

I;

"My gold!"

lain?"

"The pig," quoth

I,

"is burn'd";

"My gold!"

quoth he:

"My mistress,

sir,"

quoth

I;

"Hang up thy mis-

tress!

know not thy mistress;

out on thy mistress!" Quoth who? Dro. E. Quoth my master: 70 "I know," quoth he, "no house, no wife, no mis-

I

Luc.

tress."

due unto my tongue, home upon my shoulders; For, in conclusion, he did beat me there. Adr. Go back again, thou slave, and fetch him home.

So that I

my errand,

thank him,

I

bare

SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

I

Go back again, and be new beaten

Dro. E.

I

home? For God's sake, send some other messenger. Adr. Back, slave, or I will break thy pate

And he will

bless that cross

with other

80 have a holy head. Adr. Hence, prating peasant! fetch thy master I

shall

home.

That

You

I

so round with

like a football

spurn

you

as

you with me,

you do spurn me thus?

me hence,

me hither:

and he will spurn

If 1 last in this service,

you must case me

in

Luc. Fie, how impatience loureth in your face! Adr. His company must do his minions grace, Whilst I at home starve for a merry look. Hath homely age the alluring beauty took From my poor cheek? then he hath wasted it: 90

Are my

my wit?

discourses dull? barren

Of my defeatures.

from home; poor

am

I

fie,

it

hence! dis-

I'll

left

110

die.

[Exeunt.

A public place

Enter antipholus of Syracuse.

Ant.

S.

The gold I gave to Dromio is

laid

up

Safe at the Centaur; and the heedful slave Is wander 'd forth, in care to seek me out

By computation and mine host's I

could not speak with

Dromio

with the gold you gave

S. Villain,

thou didst deny the gold's re-

ceipt

And told' St me of a mistress S. I

I

hope, thou

and a dinner;

felt'st I

was

displeased.

am glad to see you in this merry I

pray you, master,

vein: tell

S.

21

Yea, dost thou jeer and flout

me in the

I

jest?

Hold, take thou

that,

and

is

S.

Hold,

sir,

for

God's sake!

now your jest

earnest:

bargain do you give

it

me?

Ant. S. Because that I familiarly sometimes Do use you for my fool and chat with you, sauciness will jest

upon

my love

serious hours.

2p

in crannies

when he hides his beams. know my aspect

Sconce call you it? so you would leave I had rather have it a head: an you use these blows long, I must get a sconce for my head and insconce it too; or else I shall seek my wit in my shoulders. But, I pray, sir, why am I beaten? 40 Ant. S. Dost thou not know? Dro. S. Nothing, sir, but that I am beaten. Ant. S. Shall I tell you why? Dro. S. Ay, sir, and wherefore; for they say Dro.

S.

battering,

shame.

away, and weeping

ii.

me

And fashion your demeanour to my looks, Or I will beat this method in your sconce.

How many fond fools serve mad jealousy! Scene

sent

If you will jest with me,

my beauty cannot please his eye,

weep what's

Luc.

Ant.

But creep

his beauty; yet the gold bides still

it

you

When the sun shines let foolish gnats make sport,

quarter with his bed!

falsehood and corruption doth

since

me.

Your

That others touch, and often touching will Wear gold: and no man that hath a name

By

you

And make a common of my

see the jewel best enamelled

Since that

did not see

Upon what

but his stale. beat

know his eye doth homage otherwhere; Or else what lets it but he would be here? Sister, you know he promised me a chain; Would that alone, alone he would detain.

Will lose

I

Home to the Centaur,

Dro. 100

I

fair

a

that. [Beating him.]

pense.

I

when spake I such

teeth?

Adr. Unfeeling fools can with such wrongs

So he would keep

S.

Think'st thou

A sunny look of his would soon repair: feeds

sir?

me.

My decayed fair

Luc. Self-harming jealousy!

What answer,

hence.

Ant.

But, too unruly deer, he breaks the pale

And

S.

What means this jest?

What ruins are in me that can be found. By him not ruin'd? then is he the ground

10

since.

Dro.

Unkindness blunts it more than marble hard: Do their gay vestments his affections bait? That's not my fault: he's master of my state:

alter'd?

word? Ant. S. Even now, even here, not half an hour

For which,

If voluble and sharp discourse be marr'd,

your merry humour

That thus so madly thou didst answer me?

Dro. [Exit.

leather.

is

As you love strokes, so jest with me again. You know no Centaur? you received no gold? Your mistress sent to have me home to dinner? My house was at the Phoenix? Wast thou mad Dro.

Am

Dro. E.

See, here he comes.

Enter dromio of Syracuse.

beating:

Between you

153

him from the mart.

How now, sir!

across.

Dro. E.

sent

report.

since at first

every why hath a wherefore. Ant. S. Why, first, for flouting me; and then, wherefore. For urging it the second time to me. Dro.

S.

Was

of season,

there ever any

man thus

beaten out

y

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

154

When in the why

and the wherefore

is

rhyme nor reason? sir, I thank you. jo Ant. S. Thank me, sir! for what? Dro. S. Marry, sir, for this something that you gave me for nothing. Ant. S. I'll make you amends next, to give you nothing for something. But say, sir, is it dinner-

Well,

Thus

Dro. S.

No,

think the meat wants that

sir: I

Ant.

S.

I

Dro. Ant. Dro.

S. Basting.

Ant.

S.

Your reason?

Dro.

S.

Lest

Well,

it

sir;

what's that?

I

60

pray you, eat none of it.

make you

Well, sir, learn to jest in good time: there's a time for all things. Dro. S. I durst have denied that, before you S.

By what rule,

S.

Marry,

S. Let's S.

sir,

S.

Time himself.

hear

There's no time for a

man

to recover his

Why it is,

is

Time

such a niggard of hair,

so plentiful an excrement?

75)

S.

hair than wit.

Dro. S.

Not

a

man of those

but he hath the wit

to lose his hair.

Why,

thou didst conclude hairy plain dealers without wit.

Ant.

S.

men

Dro. S. The plainer dealer, the sooner lost: yet he loseth it in a kind of jollity. po Ant. S. For what reason? Dro. S. For two; and sound ones too. Ant. S. Nay, not sound, I pray you. Dro. S. Sure ones then. Ant. S. Nay, not sure, in a thing falsing. Dro. S. Certain ones then. Ant. S. Name them. Dro. S. The one, to save the money that he spends in tiring; the other that at dinner they should not drop in his porridge. 100 Ant. S. You would all this time have proved there is no time for all things.

120

How comes it now, my husband, O, how comes it

7/

it.

Because it is a blessing that he bestows on beasts; and what he hath scanted men in hair he hath given them in wit. Ant. S. Why, but there's many a man hath more Dro.

///

never words were music to thine ear, never object pleasing in thine eye. never touch well welcome to thy hand, never meat sweet-savour'd in thy taste. Unless I spake, or look'd, or touch'd, or carved to thee.

a rule as plain as the plain

grows bald by nature. Ant. S. May he not do it by fine and recovery? Dro. S. Yes, to pay a fine for a periwig and recover the lost hair of another man. Ant.

bald

vow

sir?

by

hair that

being, as

is

That That That That

choleric.

S.

bald pate of father

Ant. Dro.

himself

Adr. Ay, ay, Antipholus, look strange and frown: Some other mistress hath thy sweet aspects; I am not Adriana nor thy wife. The time was once when thou unurged wouldst

choleric and purchase

me another dry basting.

Ant. Dro.

Time

I

then 'twill be dry.

sir,

S. If it be, sir,

were so

it:

Enter adriana and luciana.

good time,

S. In

Ant.

mend

knew 'twould be a bald conclusion: who wafts us yonder?

have.

Ant.

S.

I

followers.

But, soft! S.

II

S.

and therefore to the world's end will have bald

time?

Dro.

ACT

Marry, and did, sir; namely, no time to recover hair lost by pature. Ant. S. But your reason was not substantial, why there is no time to recover. Dro.

neither

That thou art thus estranged from thyself? Thyself I call it, being strange to me, That, undividable, incorporate,

Am better than thy dear self's better part. Ah, do not tear away thyself from me! Foi know, my love, as easy mayst thou fall A drop of water in the breaking gulf And take unmingled thence that drop again. Without addition or diminishing, 1^0 As take from me thyself and not me too. How dearly would it touch thee to the quick Shouldst thou but hear I were licentious

And that this body, consecrate to thee, By ruffian lust should be contaminate! Wouldst thou not spit at me and spurn at me And hurl the name of husband in my face And tear the stain'd skin off my harlot-brow And from my false hand cut the wedding-ring And break it with a deep-divorcing vow? 1^0 I know thou canst; and therefore see thou do it. I am possess'd with an adulterate blot;

My blood is mingled with the crime of lust: For if we two be one and thou play false, I do digest the poison of thy flesh, Being strumpeted by thy contagion. Keep then

fair

league and truce with thy true

bed; I

live unstain'd,

Ant.

S.

thou undishonoured.

Plead you to me,

fair

dame?

I

know you

not:

In Ephesus

I

am

but

two hours

old,

i$o

SCENE

As

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

II

strange unto your

town

as to

your

talk;

Who, every word by all my wit being scann'd, Want wit in all one word to understand. Luc. Fie, brother! how the world is changed

Ant.

S.

Dro.

S.

you by Dromio home By Dromio? By me?

Adr. By thee; and

this

buffet thee and in his blows

i6o

Did you converse,

with

sir,

this gentle-

What is the course and drift of your compact? never saw her

Dro.

S.

Ant.

S. Villain,

I,

sir? I

thou

till

liest; for

this time.

even her very

words Didst thou deliver to me on the mart. Dro, S. I never spake with her in all my S.

How

can she thus then

life.

call us

by our

names? Unless it be by inspiration. Adr. How ill agrees it with your gravity ijo To counterfeit thus grossly with your slave. Abetting him to thwart me in my mood! Be it my wrong you are from me exempt. But wrong not that wrong with a more contempt. Come, I will fasten on this sleeve of thine: Thou art an elm, my husband, I a vine, Whose weakness married to thy stronger state Makes me with thy strength to communicate: If aught possess thee from me, it is dross. Usurping ivy, brier, or idle moss; i8o Who, all for want of pruning, with intrusion Infect thy sap and live on thy confusion. Ant. S. To me she speaks; she moves me for her theme: What, was I married to her in my dream? Or sleep I now and think I hear all this? What error drives our eyes and ears amiss? Until I'll

I

know

Luc. Dromio, go bid the servants spread for dinner.

This

We

S.

O,

for

my beads!

O

I

cross

me

for a sinner.

of spites! talk with goblins, owls and sprites:

If we

is

the fairy land:

obey them

spite

191

not, this will ensue.

They'll suck our breath or pinch us black and blue.

Luc.

Why pratest thou to thyself and answer' st

sot!

mind and

not?

am in

I.

my

Thou hast thine own form. No, I am

S. S.

I

am

I

should

an ass; else

know her as

could never be well as she knows

it

Am

[Exeunt.

ACT Scene

i.

III

Before the house of Antipholus of Ephesus.

Enter antipholus of ephesus, dromio of EPHESUS, ANGELO, and BALTHAZAR.

Good Signior Angelo, you must excuse

Ant. E. us

all;

My wife

shrewish when I keep not hours: with you at your shop see the making of her carcanet

Say that

is

I

linger' d

And that to-morrow you will bring it home. But here's a villain that would face me down He met me on the mart and that I beat him And charged him with a thousand marks in gold And that I did deny my wife and house. Thou drunkard,

thou,

what didst thou mean by 10

this?

Dro. E. Say what you will, I know; That you beat me

sir,

at the mart,

I

but

I

know what

have your hand

to show:

not?

Dromio, thou drone, thou

in

I

me. Adr. Come, come, no longer will I be a fool, To put the finger in the eye and weep. Whilst man and master laugh my woes to scorn. Come, sir, to dinner. Dromio, keep the gate. Husband, I'll dine above with you to-day And shrive you of a thousand idle pranks. 210 Sirrah, if any ask you for your master. Say he dines forth and let no creature enter. Come, sister. Dromio, play the porter well. I in earth, in heaven, or in hell? Ant. S. Sleeping or waking? mad or well-advised? Known unto these, and to myself disguised! I'll say as they say and per sever so And in this mist at all adventures go. Dro. S. Master, shall I be porter at the gate? Adr. Ay; and let none enter, lest I break your pate. 220 Luc. Come, come, Antipholus, we dine too late.

To

this sure uncertainty,

entertain the offer'd fallacy.

Dro.

think thou art in mind, and so

'Tis so,

woman?

Ant.

I

Nay, master, both

am

grass.

thou didst return from

my house for his, me for his wife.

S.

S. S.

But

That he did Ant.

Ant. Dro.

master,

an ape. 200 Luc. If thou art changed to aught, 'tis to an ass. Dro. S. 'Tis true; she rides me and I long for

to dinner.

him.

Denied

am transformed,

shape.

When were you wont to use my sister thus? for

I

Ant. Dro.

with you!

She sent

55

Dro. S.

snail,

thou slug, thou

were parchment and the blows you gave were ink,

If the skin

y

— THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

156

Your own handwriting would tell you what

the house

think.

Ant. E. Dro. E.

I

think thou art an ass.

By the wrongs

I

suffer

Dro.

Marry, so it doth appear and the blows I

bear. I

should kick, being kick'd; and, being at that pass,

You would keep from my

heels and

beware of an

come here. hold your dainties cheap,

sir,

and your

The porter

[Within]

for this time,

sir,

O

What a coil is who are those at the gate?

Dro. E. Let

my master in.

Balthazar, either at flesh or

And

so

tell

dish.

Have

at

name

Dromio?

comes too

late;

your master.

O Lord,

Dro. E.

fish,

there,

for a

Luce.

Luce. [Within] Faith, no; he

A table full of welcome makes scarce one dainty

you with

a proverb: Shall

I

must laugh! I

set in

my

staff"?

Good meat,

sir, is

common;

that every

that's:

Ant. E. And welcome more common; for that's nothing but words. Bal. Small cheer and great welcome makes a

merry

feast.

Ay to a niggardly host and more spar-

Ant. E.

ing guest:

But though

my cates be mean, take them in good

part;

Better cheer

may you have,

but not with better

my door is lock'd. Go bid them let us 50

in.

Dro. E. Maud, Bridget, Marian, Cicely, Gil-

coxcomb,

Can you tell

for

whose sake?

Dro. E. Master, knock the door hard. [Within] Let him knock till Luce.

Ant. E. You'll cry for

this,

minion,

if I

it

ache.

beat the

door down.

Ginn!

Dro. S. [Within]

Mome,

idiot,

malt-horse, capon,

patch!

Either get thee from the door or

sit

down at the

hatch.

Dost thou conjure for wenches, that thou

call'st

for such store,

When one is one too many? Go get thee from What patch is made our porter?

My

master stays in the street. Dro. S. [Within] Let him walk from whence he came, lest he catch cold on's feet. Ant. E. Who talks within there? ho, open the door!

Dro. S. [Within] Right, sir; I'll an you'll tell me wherefore.

tell

you when,

Ant. E. Wherefore? for my dinner: I have not dined to-day. 40 Dro. S. [Within] Nor to-day here you must not;

come again when you may.

What needs all that, and a pair of stocks in the town? 60 Adr. [Within] Who is that at the door that keeps all this noise? Dro. S. [Within] By my troth, your town is troubled with unruly boys. Ant. E. Are you there, wife? you might have Luce. [Within]

come

the door.

Dro. E.

When?

Luce. [Within]

heart.

But, soft!

Have

at you with another; can you tell? Dro. S. [Within] If thy name be call'd Luce Luce, thou hast answer'd him well. Ant. E. Do you hear, you minion? you'll let us in, I hope? Luce. [Within] I thought to have ask'd you. Dro. S. [Within] And you said no. Dro. E. So, come, help: well struck! there was blow for blow. Ant. E. Thou baggage, let me in.

Luce. [Within]

churl affords.

lian,

me out from

and my name is Dromio. Dro. E. villain! thou hast stolen both mine oflice and my name. The one ne'er got me credit, the other mickle blame. If thou hadst been Dromio to-day in my

Luce. [Within]

20

welcome dear. Ant. E. O, Signior

Bal.

HI

owe?

I

Thou wouldst have changed thy face or thy name for an ass.

Ant. E. You're sad, Signior Balthazar: pray God our cheer May answer my good will and your good welI

keepest

place.

ass.

Bal.

S.

ACT

What art thou that

Ant. E.

I

before.

Adr. [Within] Your wife, from the door.

sir

knave! go get you

Dro. E. If you went in pain, master, this "knave"

would go sore. Ang. Here is neither cheer, sir, nor welcome: we would fain have either. Bal. In debating which was best, we shall part with neither. Dro. E.

They

stand at the door, master; bid

them welcome hither. Ant. E. There is something cannot get

in.

in the wind, that

we

—— — SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

I

Dro. E.

You would say

ments were

Your cake

master,

so,

if your gar-

jo

thin.

there

is

warm within; you

stand here

in the cold: It

would make

a

man mad as

I'll

break ope

Break any breaking here, and I'll break your knave's pate. Dro. E. A man may break a word with you, sir, and words are but wind, Ay, and break it in your face, so he break it not S. [Within]

behind.

Dro.

seems thou want'st break-

upon thee, hind!

Dro. E. Here's too

you

fin,

there's a fowl without a

it, I

protest, without desert

withal;

[To angelo] Get you 'tis

it

made:

pray you, to the Porpentine;

For there's the house: that chain will

Be

for nothing but to spite

I

bestow

my wife

Upon mine hostess there: good sir, make haste. own doors refuse to entertain me, 120

Since mine

knock elsewhere, to see if they'll disdain me. Ang. I'll meet you at that place some hour

Do so. This

crow help us

in, sirrah,

we'll pluck a

me some [Exeunt,

Scene

n.

The same

>

Enter luciana and antipholus of Syracuse.

And may

Luc.

it

be that you have quite forgot shall, Antipholus,

A husband's office?

in the spring of love,

Shall love, in building,

Then

crow

jest shall cost

expense.

If you did

wed my

thy love-springs rot?

grow

sister for

so ruinous?

her wealth.

for her wealth's sake use her

with more

kindness:

together.

Ant. E. Go get thee gone; fetch crow.

me an iron

Or if you like elsewhere, do it by

stealth;

Muffle your false love with some show of

Bal. Have patience, sir; O, let it not be so! Herein you war against your reputation And draw within the compass of suspect The unviolated honour of your wife. Once this your long experience of her wisdom. po Her sober virtue, years and modesty, Plead on her part some cause to you unknown; And doubt not, sir, but she will well excuse

—

Why at this time the doors are made against

blindness:

Let not

my sister read it in your eye;

Be not thy tongue thy own shame's orator; Look sweet, speak fair, become disloyalty;

10

Apparel vice like virtue's harbinger; Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted;

Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint; Be secret-false: what need she be acquainted?

What simple thief brags of his own attaint?

you.

Be ruled by me: depart

'Tis double wrong, to truant with your bed

in patience.

And

And let us to the Tiger all to dinner. And about evening come yourself alone To know the reason of this strange restraint. hand you offer to break

loo

it,

Against your yet ungalled estimation That may with foul intrusion enter in And dwell upon your grave when you are dead;

it

in

thy looks

at board:

managed; 20 111 deeds are doubled with an evil word. Alas, poor women! make us but believe. Being compact of credit, that you love us; Though others have the arm, show us the sleeve; in your motion turn and you may move us. Then, gentle brother, get you in again; Comfort my sister, cheer her, call her wife: a bastard fame, well

'Tis holy sport to be a

little

vain.

When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife.

in

quiet.

in despite

her read

We

And that supposed by the common rout

For slander lives upon succession. For ever housed where it gets possession. Ant. E. You have prevail'd: I will depart

let

Shame hath

in

Now in the stirring passage of the day, A vulgar comment will be made of

And,

Bring

Even

so?

a fish without a

If by strong

I

no

woman that I mean,

home And fetch the chain; by this I know

Ant. E.

I

feather: If a

My wife — but,

This

hence.

much "out upon thee!"

pray thee, let me in. Dro. S. [Within] Ay, when fowls have no feathers and fish have no fin. Ant. E. Well, I'll break in: go borrow me a 80 crow. Dro. E. A crow without feather? Master, mean

For

we dine.

will

I'll

S. [Within] It

ing: out

Pretty and witty, wild and yet, too, gentle:

There

To her will we to dinner.

the gate.

Dro.

157

know a wench of excellent discourse,

Hath oftentimes upbraided me

a buck, to be so

bought and sold. Ant. E. Go fetch me something:

I

—what your name of mine — Nor by what wonder you do

Ant.

S.

Sweet mistress

else,

of mirth, mean to be merry.

I

is

know not,

hit

50

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

158

Less

show not

Than our

earth's

wonder, more than earth

weak, The folded meaning of your words' deceit.

I

am

I,

then well sister

I

know

in that glorious supposition

think

50

light, be drowned if she sink! What, are you mad, that you do reason so? Ant. S. Not mad, but mated; how, I do not know.

Let Love, being

It is a fault that

springeth from your eye.

Ant. S. For gazing on your beams, fair sun, being by. Luc. Gaze where you should, and that will clear

your sight. Ant. S. As good to wink, sweet love, as look on

woman; one

Why call you me love? call my sister so. Thy sister's

sister.

That's

my sister. No;

S.

It is thyself,

mine own

self's better part.

My food, my fortune and my sweet hope's aim, My sole earth's heaven and my heaven's claim. my sister is,

lays claim to

Ant.

sweet, for

am thee.

I

Thee will I love and with thee lead my life: Thou hast no husband yet nor I no wife. Give me thy hand. O, Luc.

soft, sir!

hold you

[Exit,

besides

I

am due

to

me, one that haunts

would have me

she, being a

very

beastly^ creature,

me.

po

she?

A

very reverent body; ay, such a one as a man may not speak of without he say "Sirreverence." I have but lean luck in the match, and yet is she a wondrous fat marriage. Ant. S. How dost thou mean a fat marriage? Dro. S. Marry, sir, she's the kitchen wench and all grease; and I know not what use to put her to but to make a lamp of her and run from her by her own light. I warrant, her rags and the tallow in them will burn a Poland winter: if she lives till doomsday, she'll burn a week longer than the whole world.

Ant.

S.

What complexion is

Dro.

S.

Swart, like

my

Ant. Dro.

she of?

shoe, but her face noth-

ing like so clean kept: for

man may go over

why, she sweats; a

shoes in the grime of it.

S.

That's a fault that water will mend.

S.

No,

sir, 'tis

in grain;

Noah's flood could

it.

no

What's her name?

Ant.

S.

Dro.

S. Nell, sir;

but her

name and

three quar-

an ell and three quarters, measure her from hip to hip.

will not

Ant. S. Then she bears some breadth? Dro. S. No longer from head to foot than from hip to hip: she is spherical, like a globe; I could find out countries in her. S. In

what part of her body stands

Enter dromio of Syracuse.

Ant. S. Why, how now, Dromio! where runn'st thou so fast? Dro. S. Do you know me, sir? am I Dromio? am I your man? am I myself?

Ire-

land?

Dro.

jo

as a

being a beast, she would have

I

S.

Marry,

sir, in

her buttocks:

I

found

out by the bogs.

still:

my sister, to get her good will.

how

besides myself,

that claims

What is

S.

Dro. S.

Ant.

or else should be.

S. Call thyself sister,

and

ters, that's

60

Mine eye's clear eye, my dear heart's dearer heart,

Luc. All this

sir,

beast: not that,

not do

night.

fetch

woman's man and

80

me; but that

is

Luc.

I'll

a

What woman's man?

S.

lay to your horse; and she

40

He gains by death that hath such means to die:

Ant.

am

S. What claim lays she to thee? Dro. S. Marry, sir, such claim as you would

no wife of mine, Nor to her bed no homage do I owe: Far more, far more to you do I decline. O, train me not, sweet mermaid, with thy note, To drown me in thy sister's flood of tears: Sing, siren, for thyself and I will dote: Spread o'er the silver waves thy golden hairs. And as a bed I'll take them and there lie.

S.

I

Ant.

a

Your weeping

Luc. Ant. Luc. Ant.

ass,

me, one that will have me.

yield.

Luc.

Ant.

a

god? would you create me new? Transform me then, and to your power I'll

And

an

Dro. S. Marry,

my soul's pure truth why labour you To make it wander in an unknown field?

if that

am

I

thyself?

in errors, feeble, shallow,

Against

But

S.

ni

man,

besides myself.

Teach me, dear creature, how to think and speak; Lay open to my earthly-gross conceit,

Are you

Dro.

di-

vine.

Smother'd

ACT

my

Ant. S Thou art Dromio, thou art thou art thyself.

your knowledge and your grace you

in

Ant.

S.

Where Scotland?

Dro.

S.

I

found

it

121

it

by the barrenness; hard

in the

palm of the hand. Ant. Dro.

S.

Where France?

S. In

making war Ant. Dro.

S.

her forehead; armed and reverted, against her heir.

Where England?

I looked for the chalky cliffs, but could find no whiteness in them; but I guess

S.

I

it

— SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

II

159

Stood in her chin, by the salt rheum that ran be-

Go home with it and please your wife withal;

tween France and

And soon at supper-time I'll visit you And then receive my money for the chain. 180 Ant. S. I pray you, sir, receive the money now. For fear you ne'er see chain nor money more. Ang. You are a merry man, sir: fare you well.

Ant. Dro.

S.

it.

Where Spain?

S. Faith,

saw

I

it

not; but

I

felt it

hot in

her breath.

Am.

S.

Dro.

S.

Where America, Oh,

the Indies?

upon her nose,

sir,

o'er embell-

all

[Exit.

ished with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires, declin-

Ant.

ing their rich aspect to the hot breath of Spain;

who

sent

last at

whole armadoes of caracks to be

bal-

her nose.

Ant.

S.

Where

Dro.

S.

Oh,

141

stood Belgia, the Netherlands? did not look so low. To con-

sir, I

clude, this drudge, or diviner, laid claim to

me;

me Dromio; swore I was assured to her; me what privy marks I had about me, as,

called

told

the

mark of

my

shoulder, the

the great wart on

my

left

mole

arm, that

in I

my

me turn Ant.

S.

i'

I

shore,

here;

161

high time that

I

were hence.

ACT Scene

i.

gifts.

stay:

away.

[ExiU

IV

A public place

/

Enter second merchant, angelo, and an officer.

2ndMer. You know

since Pentecost the

sum is

And since I have not much importuned you; Nor now I had not, but that I am bound

attach you by this officer. Ang. Even just the sum that I do owe to you Is growing to me by Antipholus, And in the instant that I met with you He had of me a chain: at five o'clock I

S. Made it for me, sir! I bespoke it not. Ang. Not once, nor twige, but twenty times you have.

will discharge

10

for the same.

me down to his house,

my bond and thank you too.

OF EPHESvs from Off.

I

And buy a rope's

save: see

s.

where he

go to the goldsmith's house, go end: that will

I

bestow

Among my wife and her confederates. For locking me out of my doors by day. I

Buy thou

a rope and bring

Dro. E. rope.

I

Get thee gone; home to me.

see the goldsmith.

But, soft!

Ant. E. it

the courtezan

That labour may you

comes. Ant. E. While thou

this?

for you.

money

Pleaseth you walk with

The chain unfinish'd made me stay thus long. Ant. S. What is your will that I shall do with have made

shall receive the

Enter antipholus of ei'hesus and dromio

Ang. Master Antipholus Ant. S. Ay, that's my name. lyo Ang. I know it well, sir: lo, here is the chain. I thought to have ta'en you at the Porpentine:

sir: I

my voyage:

for

satisfaction.

Or I'll

I

Enter angelo n^ith the cimin.

Ant.

such golden

Dromio

to the mart and there for

If any ship put out, then straight

She that doth call me husband, even my soul Doth for a wife abhor. But her fair sister, Possess'd with such a gentle sovereign grace, Of such enchanting presence and discourse, Hath almost made me traitor to myself: But, lest myself be guilty to self-wrong, I'll stop mine ears against the mermaid's song.

What please yourself,

not live by shifts

Therefore make present

will walk till thou return to me. one knows us and we know none, 'Tis time, I think, to trudge, pack, and be gone. Dro. S. As from a bear a man would run for life. [Exit. So fly I from her that would be my wife. Ant. S. There's none but witches do inhabit

Ang.

man here needs

is so vain an offer'd chain.

fair

To Persia and want guilders

town to-night: come to the mart,

I

'tis

cannot

due.

If every

And therefore

see a

I'll

dog and made

will not harbour in this

Where

I

no man

think, there's

When in the streets he meets

the wheel.

If any bark put forth,

I

neck,

Go hie thee presently, post to the road:

An if the wind blow any way from I

this

That would refuse so

/50

to a curtal

should think of this,

amazed ran

heart of steel,

me

I

tell:

But

from her as a witch: And, I think, if my breast had not been made of faith and my She had transform'd

What

S.

buy

a thousand

it

pound

a year:

I

buy

20 a

[Exit.

A man is well holp up that trusts to

you: promised your presence and the chain; But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me. Belike you thought our love would last too long, If it were chain'd together, and therefore came I

not.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

i6o

Ang. Saving your merry humour, here's the

much to

note

How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat,

The fineness of the gold and chargeful fashion. Which doth amount to three odd ducats more 50 Than I stand debted to this gentleman: I

pray you, see him presently discharged. is bound to sea and stays but for it. Ant. E. 1 am not furnish'd with the present

For he

money; Besides,

I

have some business

in the

town.

Good signior, take the stranger to my house And with you take the chain and bid my wife Disburse the sum on the receipt thereof: Perchance I will be there as soon as you. Aug. Then you will bring the chain to her yourself^

Ant. E. No; bear it with you, lest I come not time enough. Ang. Well, sir, I will. Have you the chain about

Off.

do

That

I

50

Dro.

Why, give it to my wife and fetch your you even

me by some token. now you run this humour out of

Either send the chain or send

Come, where' s

the chain?

I

pray you,

let

mt

see

My business cannot brook this dalli-

ance.

Good sir, say whether you'll answer me or no: I

leave him to the

60

1

fraught-

have bought

ship of Epidamnum stays for S.

Ant. E. rope

po all

me?

A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage. Thou drunken

slave,

I

sent thee for a

And told thee to what purpose and what end. Dro. S. You sent me for a rope's end as soon: You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark. Ant. E.

I

will debate this matter at

more

lei-

100

sure

To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight:

answer you! what should

I

answer

Ang. The money

key, and

this

tell

her, in the

desk

That's cover'd o'er with Turkish tapestry There is a purse of ducats; let her send it: Tell her

And that

ofllicer.

On,

I

am

arrested in the street

shall bail

officer, to

me: hie

prison

till it

thee, slave, be gone!

come.

\Exeunt second merchant, angelo,

you? that

you owe me

for the

chain. I owe you none till I receive the chain. Ang. You know I gave it you half an hour since.

Ant. E.

Our

fair

Give her

it.

Ant. E.

she bears away.

sir,

sir,

And teach your ears to list me with more heed.

breath,

I'll

is a bark of Epidamnum owner comes aboard

from land: they stay for nought at But foi their owner, master, and yourself. Ant. E. How now! a madman! Why, thou

What

chain!

2ndMer.

her

peevish sheep.

sir,

Ang. You hear how he importunes me; the

Ant. E. Fie,

till

have convey'd aboard and

Blows

dispatch.

it

81

The oil, the balsamum and aqua-vitas. The ship is in her trim; the merry wind

excuse

gave

suit.

Master, there

S.

stays but

age,

And I, to blame, have held him here too long. Ant. E. Good Lord! you use this dalliance to

I

you hear the

I

And then, tide stays for this gentleman,

money. Ang. Come, come, you know now.

me so apparently.

arrest you, sir:

do obey thee till I give thee bail. But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as dear As all the metal in your shop will answer. Ang. Sir, sir, I shall have law in Ephesus, To your notorious shame; I doubt it not. Ant. E.

Dro.

chain:

If not,

I

Enter dromio of syracvse, from the bay.

An if I have not, sir, I hope you have; Or else you may return without your money. Ang. Nay, come, I pray you, sir, give me the

Ant. E.

say so,

If he should scorn

you?

Your breach of promise to the Porpentine. I should have chid you for not bringing it, But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl. 2ndMer. The hour steals on; 1 pray you,

IV

Ang. You wrong me more, sir, in denying it: Consider how it stands upon my credit. 2nd Mer. Well, oflicer, arrest him at my suit. Off. I do; and charge you in the Duke's name to obey me. jo Ang. This touches me in reputation. Either consent to pay this sum for me Or I attach you by this oflicer. Ant. E. Consent to pay thee that I never had! Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou darest. Ang. Here is thy fee; arrest him, oflicer. I would not spare my brother in this case.

Ant. E.

Both wind and

ACT

You gave me none: you wrong me

Ant. E.

OFFICER and antipholus of EPHESUS. Dro. S. To Adriana! that is where we dined. Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband:

—

.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

SCENE

She

is

too big,

hope, for

I

me to compass.

///

must, although against my will. For servants must their masters' minds fulfil.

Thither

A back-friend,

i6i

a shoulder-clapper,

one that coun-

termands-

I

The passages of alleys,

[Exit.

creeks, and

narrow

lands;

A hound that runs counter and yet draws dryfoot well;

Scene

ii.

The house of Antipholus of

One

Ephesus Enter adriana and luciana.

S. I do not know the matter: he is 'rested on the case. Adr. What, is he arrested? Tell me at whose

He meant he did me none;

the

more

Dro.

suit.

Dro.

But he's

my

can

And what said he? That love I begg'd for you he begg'd of me. Adr. With what persuasion did he tempt thy Luc.

love?

With words that in an honest

my beauty,

Adr. Didst speak him

might

suit

cannot, nor

I

then

my speech.

It

is

arrested

of buff which 'rested him, that

in his

fetch

desk? sister. [Exit

it,

luciana.] This

I

left

I

him, and

now the clock

patience,

my

I

beseech.

heart, shall

have

The hours come

Adr.

me still;

back! that did

I

never

hear. his

Dro.

S.

O, yes;

any hour meet

if

a sergeant,

a'

turns back for very fear.

He is deformed, Ill-faced,

crooked, old and sere,

worse bodied, shapeless everywhere;

Vicious, ungentle, foolish, blunt, unkind,

21

Adr. As if Time were in debt! how fondly dost thou reason! Dro. S. Time is a very bankrupt and owes more

Stigmatical in making, worse in mind.

than he's worth to season.

Who would be jealous then of such a one? lost

is

wail'd

Adr. Ah, but

And

he

strikes one.

will not, hold

tongue, though not

No evil

in a suit

was two ere

will.

Luc.

suit

wonder at. That he, unknown to me, should be in debt. Tell me, was he arrested on a band? Dro. S. Not on a band, but on a stronger thing; A chain, a chain! Do you not hear it ring? 5/ Adr. What, the chain? Dro. S. No, no, the bell: 'tis time that I were

fair?

Have

Luc.

'

whose

gone:

First he did praise

My

at

I tell.

Go

Adr.

move.

I

know not

money

a stranger here.

Adr.

Adr.

I

Will you send him, mistress, redemption, the

Then swore he that he was

Adr. And true he swore, though yet forsworn lo he were. Luc. Then pleaded I for you.

Luc.

S.

well;

spite.

Luc.

^o

Why, man, what is the matter?

Adr.

Adr. Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so? Mightst thou perceive austerely in his eye That he did plead in earnest? yea or no? Look'd he or red or pale, or sad or merrily? What observation madest thou in this case Of his heart's meteors tilting in his face? Luc. First he denied you had in him no right. Adr.

that before the judgement carries poor souls

to hell.

I

when

it is

Nay,

gone.

think him better than

you not heard men

he's a thief too: have

say. I

say.

yet would herein others' eyes were worse.

Far from her nest the lapwing cries away: heart prays for him, though my tongue do

My

That Time comes

stealing

on by night and day?

If Time be in debt and theft, and a sergeant in

the way,

61

Hath he not reason to turn back an hour

in a

day?

curse.

Re-enter

Enter dromio of Syracuse.

Dro.

S.

Here! go; the desk, the purse! sweet,

now, make Luc.

haste.

How hast thou lost thy breath?

By running fast. 50 thy master, Dromio? is he well? Dro. S. No, he's in Tartar limbo, worse than hell A devil in an everlasting garment hath him; One whose hard heart is button'd up with steel; Dro.

S.

Adr.

Where

luciana

it

straight.

And Come,

bring thy master sister:

Conceit,

I

am

home immediately. down with conceit

press'd

my comfort and my injury.

is

A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough; A wolf, nav, worse, a fellow all in buff;

ivith a purse.

Adr. Go, Dromio; there's the money, bear

Scene

hi.

[Exeunt.

A public place

Enter antipholus of Syracuse.

Ant.

S.

There's not a

man I meet

but doth salute

me As

if I

were

their well-acquainted friend;

1

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

62

And every one doth call me by my name. Some tender money to me; some invite me; Some other give me thanks for kindnesses; Some offer me commodities to buy: Even now a tailor call'd me in his shop And show'd me silks that he had bought for me And therewithal took measure of my body. Sure, these are but imaginary wiles

And Lapland sorcerers

will burn.

lo

Dro. S. Master, here's the gold you sent me for. the picture of old Adam

sir.

here? 60 Dro. S. Master, if you do, expect spoon-meat; or bespeak a long spoon. Ant. S. Why, Dromio?

Dro. S. Marry, he must have a long spoon that eat with the devil.

new-apparelled?

What gold is this? what Adam dost thou

must

mean? Dro.

S.

but that

Ant.

Not that Adam that kept the Paradise,

Adam that keeps the prison:

in the calf s skin that

was

he that goes

killed for the Prodigal;

he that came behind you, sir, like an evil angel, 20 and bid you forsake your liberty. Ant. S. I understand thee not. Dro. S. No? why, 'tis a plain case: he that went, like a bass-viol, in a case of leather; the man, sir, that, when gentlemen are tired, gives them a sob and 'rests them; he, sir, that takes pity on decayed men and gives them suits of durance; he that sets up his rest to do more exploits with his

mace than a morris-pike. Ant. S. What, thou meanest an officer? Dro. S. Ay, sir, the sergeant of the band; he

Thou I

Ant.

Well,

S.

sir,

there rest in your foolery. Is

gone? Dro.

may we

be

art, as

then, fiend!

what tell'st thou me

you are

all,

a sorceress:

me and be gone.

Give me the ring of mine you had

Cour.

at

dinner.

Or, for

And

my diamond, the chain you promised,

Dro.

jo and not trouble you. Some devils ask but the parings of one's

be gone,

I'll

S.

sir,

nail,

A rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, A nut, a cherry-stone; But she, more covetous, would have a chain. Master, be wise: an if you give it her. The devil will shake her chain and fright us with it.

I pray you, sir, my ring, or else the chain: hope you do not mean to cheat me so. Ant. S. Avaunt, thou witch! Come, Dromio, let

Cour.

I

us go. 80 Dro. S. "Fly pride," says the peacock: mistress, that

Why,

Avoid

conjure thee to leave

that

man to answer it that breaks his band; one that thinks a man always going to bed and says, "God give you good rest!"

S.

of supping?

brings any

there any ship puts forth to-night?

Come not near her.

Will you go with me? We'll mend our dinner

inhabit here.

What, have you got S.

you know.

brought you word an hour since that the bark Expedition put forth to-night; and then were you hindered by the sergeant, to tarry for the hoy Delay. Here are the angels that you sent for to deliver you. Ant. S. The fellow is distract, and so am I; And here we wander in illusions:

demean himself. A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats, And for the same he promised me a chain: Both one and other he denies me now.

Some

The reason that I

S.

blessed

[Exeunt antipholus of Syracuse and

sir, I

power deliver

IV

Your man and you are marvellous merry,

Cour.

Enter dromio of Syracuse.

Ant.

ACT

wench: and thereof comes that the wenches say "God damn me";, that's as much to say "God make me a light wench." It is written, they appear to men like angels of light: light is an effect of fire, and fire will burn; ergo, light wenches

us from hence!

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE. Cour.

Now,

out of doubt Antipholus

is

mad,

Else would he never so

gather he

is

mad.

Besides this present instance of his rage,

£w/^r ^ COURTEZAN.

Is a

Well met, well met. Master Antipholus. I see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now: Is that the chain you promised me to-day? Cour.

Ant.

S. Satan, avoid!

I

charge thee, tempt

Ant. Dro.

S.

Master,

S. S.

It

is

this

is

the

Nay, she

is

devil.

dam; and here she comes

50 is

the devil's

in the habit

fits,

against his

p/

way.

My way is now to hie home to his house. And tell his wife that, being lunatic,

Mistress Satan?

worse, she

trance.

Belike his wife, acquainted with his

On purpose shut the doors

me

not.

Dro.

mad tale he told to-day at dinner.

Of his own doors being shut against his en-

of a

light

He rush'd into my house and took perforce

My ring away. This course I fittest choose; [Exit. For forty ducats is too much to lose.

SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

IV

Scene

iv.

A street

Enter adriana, luciana, the courtezan,

^m^ pinch.

Enter antipholus of ephesus and the officer. Ant. E. Fear me not, man; I will not break

Dro. E. Mistress, ''respice finem,'' respect your end; or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, "beware the rope's-end."

away:

much money, am 'rested for. a wayward mood to-day, leave thee, so

ril give thee, ere

I

To warrant thee,

as

My wife

is

in

And will not That I tell

Ant. E. Wilt thou still talk? [Beating him.] Cour. How say you now? is not your husband

I

mad?

lightly trust the messenger.

Adr. His incivility confirms no less. Good Doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer;

should be attach'd in Ephesus, you, 'twill sound harshly in her ears. I

Establish

Enter dromio of ephesus ivith a rope's-end.

Here comes money.

my man;

I

Dro. E. Here's that,

them

I

And

sent

I

you

for?

warrant you, will pay

Pinch.

serve you,

sir, five

hundred

at the

I

To what end did I To a rope's-end,

state

of darkness hie thee straight:

conjure thee by

sir;

and to that end

am

all

the saints in heaven!

sir, I

will

'tis

for

me

welcome

am

adversity.

Good now,

21

And

I

Adr.

hands.

Ant. E. Thou whoreson, senseless villain! Dro. E. I would I were senseless, sir, that might not feel your blows.

I

it

at

my house to-day.

me the guilty doors were shut

denied to enter in my house? husband, God doth know you dined at

O

home; Where would you had remain'd until this time, Free from these slanders and this open shame! Ant. E. Dined at home! Thou villain, what sayest thou?

nothing but blows,

Dro. E.

you may prove it have served him from the hour

Ant. E.

art sensible in

you, are these your cus-

companion with the saffron face

Whilst upon

hold thy tongue.

and so is an ass. Dro. E. I am an

this

in

Dro. E. Nay, rather persuade him to hold his

Thou

You minion,

Revel and feast I

60

am not

tomers?

Did to be patient;

I

soul!

Ant. E.

And to that end,

Dro. E. Nay,

Sir,

7/

sooth to say, you did not dine at

home. ass, indeed;

my long ears. I of my nativity to this instant, and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows. When I he heats me with beating; when I am warm, he cools me with beating: I am waked with it when I sleep; raised with it when I sit; driven out of doors with it when I go from home; welcomed home with it when I return: nay, I bear it on my shoulders, as a beggar wont her brat; and, I think, when he hath lamed me, I shall beg with it from door to door. Ant. E. Come, go along; my wife is coming yonder. cold,

your

mad. Adr. O, that thou were not, poor distressed

bid thee hie thee

you. [Beating him.] Good sir, be patient.

am

let it feel

Ant. E. Peace, doting wizard, peace!

Off.

by

and

charge thee, Satan, housed within this

I

And to thy I'll

returned.

Ant. E.

my hand,

To yield possession to my holy prayers

villain, for a

home?

Off.

is

ear. [Striking him.]

rate.

Ant. E.

demand.

pulse.

rope?

Dro. E.

will

man,

Ant. E. Five hundred ducats,

I

you what you

will please

Ant. E. There

10

all.

rope.

Ant. E.

^o

in his true sense again,

Luc. Alas,

Ant. E. But where's the money? Dro. E. Why, sir, I gave the money for the

Dro. E.

I

him

how fiery and how sharp he looks! Cour. Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy! Pinch. Give me your hand and let me feel your

think he brings the

How now, sir! have you that

163

Were not my doors

lock'd up and

I

shut

out?

Dro. E. Perdie, your doors were lock'd and you shut out.

Ant. E.

And

did not she herself revile

me there?

Dro. E. Sans fable, she herself reviled you there. Ant. E. Did not her kitchen-maid rail, taunt,

and scorn me? Dro. E. Certes, she did; the kitchen-vestal scorn' d you. Ant. E. And did not I in rage depart from thence? Dro. E. In verity you did; ness,

my bones bear wit80

—

:

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

164

That

The debt he owes

since have felt the vigour of his rage.

good to soothe him in these contraries? no shame: the fellow finds his vein And yielding to him humours well his frenzy. Adr.

Is't

Pinch. It

Ant. E.

is

Thou hast

suborn'd the goldsmith to

arrest me. Adr. Alas, I sent you money to redeem you,

By Dromio here, who came in haste for it. Dro. E. Money by me! heart and good-will you

And, knowing how the debt grows, I will pay it. Good master doctor, see him safe convey'd Home to my house. O most unhappy day! Ant. E. O most unhappy strumpet! Dro. E. Master, I am here enter' d in bond for you. Ant. E. Out on thee, villain! wherefore dost thou mad me? Dro. E. Will you be bound for nothing? be mad,

But, surely, master, not a rag of money.

Ant. E. Went'st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?

90

He came to me and I deliver'd it.

Luc.

And I am witness with her that she did. God and the rope-maker bear me wit-

ness

That

I

was

sent for nothing but a rope!

Pinch. Mistress, both

man and master is

pos-

sess'd; I know it by their pale and deadly looks They must be bound and laid in some dark room.

Ant. E. Say, wherefore didst thou lock

me forth

to-day?

And why dost thou deny the

bag of gold?

Adr. I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth. 100 Dro. E. And, gentle master, I received no gold; But I confess, sir, that we were lock'd out. Adr. DissembHng villain, thou speak' st false in both.

Ant. E. Dissembling harlot, thou art false in

all

And art confederate with a damned pack To make a loathsome abject scorn of me:

to

bind him.

Straight after did

meet him with

i^t

a chain.

may

is:

Enter antipholus of Syracuse nuith his rapier drawn, and dromio of Syracuse.

Adr.

And come with naked

Let's call Off.

more help

Away!

to have

swords.

them bound

again.

they'll kill us.

/50 [Exeunt all but antipholus of Syracuse

how pale and wan he

and DROMIO of Syracuse. Ant. Dro.

Thou

S. I see these S.

witches are afraid of swords.

She that would be your wife

now ran

from you.

gaoler, thou,

wilt thou suffer

them

Ant.

To make a rescue? Off.

It

no

Ant. E. What, will you murder me?

am thy prisoner:

I

—

be so, but I did never see it. Come, gaoler, bring me where the goldsmith I long to know the truth hereof at large.

looks!

I

When as your husband all in rage to-day

Came to my house and took away my ring The ring I saw upon his finger now

Luc. God, for thy mercy! they are loose again.

within him.

poor man,

/j/

how idly do they

not.

Cour.

He

Adr. O, bind him, bind him! let him not come near me. Pinch. More company! The fiend is strong

Ay me,

poor souls,

talk!

strives.

Luc.

God help,

Adr. Go bear him hence. Sister, go you with [Exeunt all but adriana, luciana, me. OFFICER and courtezan. Say now, whose suit is he arrested at? Off. One Angelo, a goldsmith: do you know him? Adr. I know the man. What is the sum he owes? Off. Two hundred ducats. Adr. Say, how grows it due? Off. Due for a chain your husband had of him. Adr. He did bespeak a chain for me, but had it

Adr.

But with these nails I'll pluck out these false eyes That would behold in me this shameful sport. Enter three or four, and offer

good master: cry "The devil!" Luc.

Dro. E.

IV

Adr. I will discharge thee ere I go from thee: Bear me forthwith unto his creditor

might;

Adr.

ACT will be required of me.

Masters,

let

him go:

I

He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him. Pinch. Go bind this man, for he is frantic too. They offer to bind dromio of ephesus. Adr. What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer? Hast thou delight to see a wretched man

Do outrage and displeasure to himself? Off. He is my prisoner if I let him go, :

S.

Come to the Centaur;

Dro.

S. Faith, stay

surely do us no harm:

here this night; they will

you saw they speak us

fair,

give us gold: methinks they are such a gentle nation that, but for the mountain of that claims marriage of me,

heart to stay here

120

fetch our stuff

from thence: long that we were safe and sound aboard.

Ant.

S.

I

still

I

mad

flesh

could find in

and turn witch.

will not stay to-night for all the

my 160

town;

SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

IV

Therefore away, to get our stuff aboard. [Exeunt.

Dro. S. Run, master, run; for God's sake, take a house!

This

is

priory. In, or we are spoil'd! [Exeunt antipholus of Syracuse and

some

ACT V Scene

i.

Enter second

am

DROMIO of SYRACUSE

A street before a Priory

I

Abb. Be quiet, people. Wherefore throng you

sorry,

protest, he

I

hither?

Adr.

Let us come

Of very reverend reputation,

Of credit infinite,

And

sir.

9

Enter antipholus of Syracuse and dromio

OF SYRACUSE.

Ang. 'Tis so; and that self chain about his neck Which he forswore most monstrously to have. Good sir, draw near to me, I'll speak to him. I wonder much That you would put me to this shame and trouble; And, not without some scandal to yourself. With circumstance and oaths so to deny This chain which now you wear so openly:

Signior Antipholus,

Beside the charge, the shame, imprisonment.

You have done wrong to this my

honest friend.

20

This chain you had of me; can you deny it? Ant. S. I think I had; I never did deny it. 2nd Mer. Yes, that you did, sir, and forswore it

too. S.

Who heard me to deny it or forswear

it?

2nd Mer. These

ears of mine, thou know'st, did

hear thee. Fie on thee, wretch!

'tis

pity that thou livest

To walk where any honest men resort. Ant. S. Thou art a villain to impeach me thus: prove mine honour and mine honesty Against thee presently, if thou darest standi,

50

I'll

2nd Mer. I dare, and do defy thee They draw.

for a villain.

others.

within him, take his sword away: Bind Dromio too, and bear them to my house.

^o

But till this afternoon his passion Ne'er brake into extremity of rage. Abb. Hath he not lost much wealth by wreck of sea? Buried some dear friend? Hath not else his eye Stray'd his affection in unlawful love? 5/ A sin prevailing much in youthful men. Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing. Which of these sorrows is he subject to? Adr. To none of these, except it be the last; Namely, some love that drew him oft from home. Abb. You should for that have reprehended him. Adr. Why, so I did. Abb. Ay, but not rough enough. Adr. As roughly as my modesty would let me. Abb. Haply, in private. Adr. And in assemblies too. Abb. Ay, but not enough. 61 Adr. It was the copy of our conference: In bed he slept not for my urging it; At board he fed not for my urging it; Alone, it was the subject of my theme; In company I often glanced it; Still did I tell him it was vile and bad.

Abb. And thereof came mad:

The venom clamours of a

it

is

that the

jealous

Poisons more deadly than a

Enter adriana, luciana, the courtezan, and

Some get

we may bind him fast for his recovery.

Abb. How long hath this possession held the man? Adr. This week he hath been heavy, sour, sad, And much different from the man he was;

mad

man was

woman

dog's tooth,

yo

were hinder'd by thy railing. And thereof comes it that his head is light. Thou say'st his meat was sauced with thy upIt

Adr. Hold, hurt him not, for God's sake! he mad.

that

home

him.

walks.

Who, but for staying on our controversy, Had hoisted sail and put to sea to-day:

in,

bear him

Ang. I knew he was not in his perfect wits. 2nd Mer. I am sorry now that I did draw on

highly beloved.

Second to none that lives here in the city: His word might bear my wealth at any time. 2nd Mer. Speak softly: yonder, as I think, he

Ant.

To fetch my poor distracted husband

hence.

city?

Ang.

Prwry.

Enter the lady abbess.

merchant and angelo.

sir, that I have hinder'd you; had the chain of me. Though most dishonestly he doth deny it. 2nd Mer. How is the man esteem'd here in the

Ang.

But,

to the

seems

his sleeps

braidings:

Unquiet meals make ill digestions; Thereof the raging fire of fever bred; And what's a fever but a fit of madness?

—

.

1

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

66

Thou

say'st his sports

were hinder'd by thy

brawls:

Sweet recreation

barr'd,

what doth ensue

But moody and dull melancholy, to grim and comfortless despair, And at her heels a huge infectious troop Of pale distemperatures and foes to life? In food, in sport, and life-preserving rest

Luc. Kneel to the

80

with the Headsman and other

Duke. Yet once again proclaim If any friend will

Why bear you these rebukes and answer not? Adr. She did betray me to my own reproof, enter and lay hold on him.

po

Good people,

my house. my husband

Abb. Neither: he took this place for sanctuary. shall privilege him from your hands Till I have brought him to his wits again.

And it

Or lose my labour in assaying it. Diet his sickness,

Abb. Be

Duke. She is a virtuous and a reverend lady: It cannot be that she hath done thee wrong. Adr. May it please your grace, Antipholus my husband. Whom I made lord of me and all I had. At your important letters this ill day most outrageous fit of madness took him; That desperately he hurried through the street

—

patient; for

I

will not let

him

stir

have used the approved means I have. With wholesome syrups, drugs and holy prayers. To make of him a formal man again: It is a branch and parcel of mine oath, charitable duty ot my order. Therefore depart and leave him here with me. Adr. I will not hence and leave my husband

A

here:

And ill it doth beseem your holiness

no

To separate the husband and the wife. shalt not

have

him. I

all

Duke of this

mad

as

as

he

—

i^i

to the citizens

bearing thence

Once did I get him bound and sent him home, Whilst to take order for the wrongs I went That here and there his fury had committed. Anon, I wot not by what strong escape, He broke from those that had the guard of him; And with his mad attendant and himself, /jo Each one with ireful passion, with drawn swords, Met us again and madly bent on us Chased us away, till raising of more aid

We came again to bind them. Then they fled Into this abbey, whither we pursued them: And here the abbess shuts the gates on us And will not suffer us to fetch him out. Nor send him forth that we may bear him hence.

Therefore, most gracious Duke, with thy com-

mand

[Exit.

Luc. Complain unto the

Adr. Come, go:

Doing displeasure

Rings, jewels, any thing his rage did like.

I

Abb. Be quiet and depart: thou

With him his bondman,

By rushing in their houses,

my husband, be his nurse, for it is my office.

will attend

100 And will have no attorney but myself; And therefore let me have him home with me. Till

75

A

forth.

I

publicly,

abbess!

wildly.

Adr.

it

for him,

so much we tender him. Adr. Justice, most sacred Duke, against the

When he demean'd himself rough, rude, and

your servants bring

pay the sum

Officers.

He shall not die;

Luc. She never reprehended him but mildly.

a creature enters in

before he pass the

Enter duke, attended; ^^geon bareheaded;

would mad or man or beast: The consequence is then thy jealous fits Have scared thy husband from the use of wits.

let

Duke

abbey.

To be disturb'd,

Abb. No, not

his

death.

Kinsman

Adr. Then

ACT V

Beheaded publicly for his offence. Ang. See where they come: we will behold

indignity.

Let him be brought forth and borne hence for

will fall prostrate at his feet

help.

And never rise until my tears and prayers Have won his Grace to come in person hither And take perforce my husband from the abbess. 2nd Mer. By this, I think, the dial points at five:

Duke. Long since thy husband served me in my wars, 161 And I to thee engaged a prince's word. When thou didst make him master of thy bed.

Anon, I'm sure, the Duke himself in person Comes this way to the melancholy vale, The place of death and sorry execution.

To do him all the grace and good I

Behind the ditches of the abbey here.

120

Go, some of you, knock

And I

bid the lady abbess

will

determine

Ang. Upon what cause? 2nd Mer. To see a reverend Syracusian merchant.

Who put unluckily into this bay Against the laws and statutes of this town,

at the

come

this before

I

could.

abbey-gate

to

me.

stir.

Enter a SEKV \NT Serv.

O mistress, mistress, shift and save your-

self!

My master and his man are both broke loose.

SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

I

Beaten the maids a-row and bound the doctor, ijo Whose beard they have singed off with brands it blazed, they threw on him of puddled mire to quench the hair: My master preaches patience to him and the while His man with scissors nicks him like a fool. And sure, unless you send some present help, Between them they will kill the conjurer. Adr. Peace, fool! thy master and his man are

And ever,

Ang.

as

210

tells tc»

your Highness simple

is

false

Serv. Mistress,

madman justly chargeth them. liege, I am advised what I say, Ant. E. Neither disturbed with the effect of wine, Nor heady-rash, provoked with raging ire, Albeit my wrongs might make one wiser mad. In this the

My

This

thou dost report to us.

upon

my life,

I tell

you

truth!

O perjured woman! They are both for-

woman lock'd me out this day from dinner:

That goldsmith

here,

167

look on day, nor sleep on

I

sworn:

pails

And that

may

night,

But she

of fire;

Great

Luc. Ne'er

there,

were he not pack'd with

her.

Could witness

true;

it,

for he

was with me then;

iSi have not breathed almost since I did see it. He cries for you and vows, if he can take you, To scorch your face and to disfigure you. Cry "within. Hark! hark! I hear him, mistress: fly, be gone!

Who parted with me to go fetch a chain.

Duke. Come, stand by me; fear nothing. Guard with halberds! Adr. Ay me, it is my husband! Witness you. That he is borne about invisible: Even now we housed him in the abbey here; And now he's there, past thought of human

And in his company that gentleman.

I

Promising to bring

it

220

to the Porpentine,

Where Balthazar and I did dine together. Our dinner done, and he not coming thither, I

went

to seek him: in the street

There did

this perjured

I

met him

goldsmith swear

me

down That I this day of him received the chain. Which, God he knows, I saw not: for the which He did arrest me with an oflEicer. 250 I did obey, and sent my peasant home For certain ducats he with none return'd. Then fairly I bespoke the oflicer To go in person with me to my house.

reason.

:

Enter antipholus of ephesus and dromio

OF EPHESUS. Ant. E. Justice, most gracious Duke, O, grant

me justice! Even

190

for the service that long since

I

did thee.

When I bestrid thee in the wars and took

dote,

see

my son Antipholus and Dromio.

Ant. E. Justice, sweet prince, against that

woman there! She

whom thou gavest to me to be my wife.

That hath abused and dishonour'd me Even in the strength and height of injury! 200 Beyond imagination is the wrong That she this day hath shameless thrown on me. Duke. Discover how, and thou shalt find me just.

so?

a

hungry lean-faced

villain,

A mere anatomy, a mountebank, A threadbare juggler and a fortune-teller, A needy, hollow-eyed, sharp-looking wretch,240 A living-dead man: this pernicious slave. Forsooth, took on him as a conjurer, And, gazing in mine eyes, feeling my pulse, And with no face, as 'twere, outfacing me. Cries out, I was possess 'd. Then all together They fell upon me, bound me, bore me thence

And in a dark and dankish vault at home There left me and my man, both bound together; gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder, my freedom and immediately 2^0 Ran hither to your Grace; whom I beseech To give me ample satisfaction For these deep shames and great indignities. Ang. My lord, in truth, thus far I witness with Till, I

Ant. E. This day, great Duke, she shut the doors upon me. While she with harlots feasted in my house. Duke. A grievous fault! Say, woman, didst thou

gain'd

him,

Adr. No,

my good lord:

myself, he and

my

sister

To-day did dine together. So

As this

My wife, her sister, and a rabble more Of vile confederates. Along with them They brought one Pinch,

Deep scars to save thy life; even for the blood That then I lost for thee, now grant me justice. J^ge. Unless the fear of death doth make me I

By the way we met

is

false

he burdens

befall

my soul

me withal!

That he dined not

at

home, but was lock'd out.

Duke. But had he such a chain of thee or no? Ang. He had, my lord: and when he ran in here. These people saw the chain about his neck.

— 1

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

68

2nd Mer. Besides, I will be sworn these ears of mine Heard you confess you had the chain of him 2 60 After you first forswore it on the mart: And thereupon I drew my sword on you; And then you fled into this abbey here, From whence, I think, you are come by miracle. Ant. E. I never came within these abbey-walls. Nor ever didst thou draw thy sword on me: I never saw the chain, so help me Heaven! And this is false you burden me withal. Diike. Why, what an intricate impeach is this! 2jo I think you all have drunk of Circe's cup. If here you housed him, here he would have been; If he were mad, he would not plead so coldly: You say he dined at home; the goldsmith here Denies that saying. Sirrah, what say you? Dro. E.

Sir,

he dined with her there, at the Por-

pentine.

He did,

Cour.

and from

Dro. E. Ay,

whatsoever a believe him.

sir,

man

ACT but

I

am

sure

I

\'

do not; and

you are now bound to

denies,

^ge. Not know my voice! O time's extremity. Hast thou so crack'd and splitted my poor tongue

my only son my feeble key of untuned cares?

In seven short years, that here

Knows

not

Though now

this

In sap-consuming winter's drizzled

And

^10

grained face of mine be hid

snow

the conduits of my blood froze up.

all

Yet hath my night of life some memory. My wasting lamps some fading glimmer My dull deaf ears a little use to hear: All these old witnesses I cannot err Tell me thou art my son Antipholus.

left,

—

I never saw my father in my life. ^i^ ^ge. But seven years since, in Syracusa, boy. Thou know' St we parted: but perhaps, my son. Thou shamest to acknowledge me in misery.

Ant. E.

my finger snatch'd that

The Duke and

Ant. E.

all

that

know me in the

city

Ant. E. 'Tis true,

my liege;

this ring

I

Can witness with me that it is not I ne'er saw Syracusa in my life.

had of

her.

Duke. Saw'st thou him enter

my

Cour.

As

Duke.

Why, this

sure,

is

liege, as

abbey here? do see your Grace.

strange.

Go call the abbess 280

hither. I

think you are

all

[Exit one

to the

Abbess.

see a friend will save

my life

Duke. Speak freely, Syracusian, what thou wilt. sir, call'd Antipholus?

J^ge. Is not your name,

Dromio? was his bondman,

not that your bondman,

is

Dro. E. Within this hour

I

sir.

But he,

I

Now am

thank him, gnaw'd in two my cords: I Dromio and his man unbound. 290

am

you both of you remember me. Dro. E. Ourselves we do remember, sir, by you; For lately we were bound, as you are now.

Mge.

You

I

sure

Why look you

strange on

me? you know

me well. I never saw you in my life till now. O, grief hath changed me since you saw

Ant. E. J^ge.

me last. And careful hours Have written But

tell

with time's deformed hand

strange defeatures in

me yet,

dost thou not

my face:

know my voice?

Ant. E. Neither.

50/

J^ge. Dromio, nor thou?

No,

Dro. E. J^ge.

I

am

sure thou dost.

trust

me,

antipholus of Syracuse and dromio of Syracuse.

Re-enter abbess, uoith

Abb. Most mighty Duke, behold a man much wrong'd [All gather to see them.] 5^0 Adr. I see two husbands, or mine eyes deceive me. Duke. One of these men is Genius to the other; And so of these. Which is the natural man, And which the spirit? who deciphers them? Dro. S. I, sir, am Dromio: command him away. Dro. E. I, sir, am Dromio: pray, let me stay.

sir,

Ant.

S.

^geon art thou not? or else his ghost? my old master! who hath bound him

Dro. S. O, here?

Abb. Whoever bound him,

I

will loose his

bonds

are not Pinch's patient, are you, sir?

J^ge.

During which time he ne'er saw Syracusa: see thy age and dangers make thee dote.

.

And pay the sum that may deliver me.

And

twenty years

I

a

word: I

thee, Syracusian,

I tell

Have I been patron to Antipholus,

mated or stark mad.

Mge. Most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak Haply

Duke.

at the

I

so:

nor

I.

And gain a husband by his

liberty.

540

Speak, old JEgeon, if thou be'st the man That hadst a wife once call'd ^^milia

That bore thee at a burden two fair sons: O, if thou be'st the same JEgeon, speak. And speak unto the same i4imilia! Mge. If I dream not, thou art i4imilia: If thou art she, tell me where is that son That floated with thee on the fatal raft? Abb. By men of Epidamnum he and I And the twin Dromio all were taken up; But by and by rude fishermen of Corinth

550

— — SCENE

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

I

my

By And me they left with those of Epidamnum. What then became of them I cannot tell; I to this fortune that you see me in. Duke. Why, here begins his morning story Dromio and

force took

son from them

my most gracious

lord— Dro. E. And I with him. Ant. E. Brought to this town by that most

fa-

mous warrior, Duke Menaphon, your most renowned uncle. Adr. Which of you two did dine with me to-day? Ant. S. Adr.

I,

^72?.

£. No;

Ant.

S.

And

And this

fair

you

say nay to that. I; yet did she call me so: gentlewoman, her sister here.

It shall

I but gone in travail ^00 and till this present hour My heavy burthen ne'er delivered. The Duke, my husband and my children both, And you the calendars of their nativity, Go to a gossips' feast, and go with me; After so long grief, such festivity! Duke. With all my heart, I'll gossip at this feast. [Exeunt all but antipholus of Syracuse, ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, and dromio of ephesus. Dro. S. Master, shall I fetch your stuff from

are arose.

pawn

I

for

my

must have

that

Dromio:

Come, go with us; we'll look to that anon: Embrace thy brother there; rejoice with him. [Exeunt antipholus of Syracuse and

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS. is a fat friend at your master's

Dro. S. There house.

That She

kitchen' d

now

father here.

me for you to-day at dinner:

be

shall

my sister, not my wife. my glass, and not my

Dro. E. Methinks you are brother:

by you I am a sweet-faced youth. Will you walk in to see their gossiping? I

see

Dro.

S.

Not

I, sir;

you

are

Dro. E. That's a question:

^o

my elder. how

shall

we try it?

Dro. S. We'll draw cuts for the senior: lead thou

till

then

first.

Dro. E. Nay, then, thus:

We came into the world like brother and brother; 55>o

I

Ant. E. Dromio, what stuff of mine hast thou embark'd? Dro. S. Your goods that lay at host, sir, in the Centaur. ^10 Ant. S. He speaks to me. I am your master,

57/

not need; thy father hath his

life.

sympathized one day's error

Of you, my sons;

my husband?

I

Ant. E. These ducats

this

Thirty-three years have

so do

And thereupon these errors

Cour. Sir,

That by

Have sufFer'd wrong, go keep us company, And we shall make full satisfaction.

shipboard?

are not

Did call me brother. [To luciana] What I told you then, I hope I shall have leisure to make good; If this be not a dream I see and hear. Ang. That is the chain, sir, which you had of me. Ant. S. I think it be, sir; I deny it not. Ant. E. And you, sir, for this chain arrested me. Ang. I think I did, sir; I deny it not. 5^0 Adr. I sent you money, sir, to be your bail. By Dromio; but I think he brought it not. Dro. E. No, none by me. Ant. S. This purse of ducats I received from you And Dromio my man did bring them me. I see we still did meet each other's man. And I was ta'en for him, and he for me.

Duke.

And hear at large discoursed all our fortunes: And all that are assembled in this place.

gentle mistress.

And

my

pains

which.

came from Corinth,

and much thanks for

To go with us into the abbey here

right:

I

it;

good cheer. Abb. Renowned Duke, vouchsafe to take the

These two Antipholuses, these two so like, And these two Dromios, one in semblance Besides her urging of her wreck at sea These are the parents to these children, 5 60 Which accidentally are met together. Antipholus, thou camest from Corinth first? Ant. S. No, sir, not I; I came from Syracuse. Duke. Stay, stand apart; I know not which is Ant. E.

169

Ant. E. There, take

diamond from you.

And now

let's

another.

go hand

in hand, not

one before [Exeunt.

^ TITUS ANDRONICUS DRAMATIS PERSONS Saturninus, oldest son to the late Emperor of Rome, and afterwards declared Emperor Bassianus, brother

to

Titus Andronicus, the

Saturninus; in love with Lavinia a noble Roman, general against

Aaron, a Moor, beloved by Tamora A Captain A Tribune A Messenger

A Clown

Goths

Marcus Andronicus,

tribune of the people and

brother to Titus

Three Goths Tamora, Queen of

Lucius

Lavinia, daughter

QuiNTUS Martius MuTius

A

sons to Titus Andronicus

the Goths to

Titus Andronicus

Nurse

Non-Speaking:

Semproniiis, Caius, and Valentine, Titus; Alar bus, oldest son to Tamora; Senators, Tribunes, Soldiers, Attendants, Romans,

Young

Lucius, a boy, son to Lucius PuBLius, son to Marcus the tribune /^MiLius, a noble Roman

Demetrius Chiron

sons to

kinsmen

to

and Goths

Tamora

Scene Rome, and :

the country near

it

i^ ACT Scene

i.

Rome:

Know that the people of Rome,

I

before the Capitol

The Tomb of the Andronici appearing; the tribunes and Senators aloft. Enter, beloiv, from one side, Saturninus and his followers; and, from the other side, Bassianus and his followers; with drum and colours. Sat. Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the justice of my cause with arms, And, countrymen, my loving followers. Plead my successive title with your swords:

am his

Romans,

friends, followers, favourers

of

If ever Bassianus, Caesar's son,

lo

eyes of royal Rome, Keep then this passage to the Capitol And suffer not dishonour to approach

The imperial

in the

seat, to virtue consecrate.

To justice, continence and nobility; But let desert in pure election shine, And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

Enter marcus andronicus,

aloft.,

In election for the

up in arms. he undertook 5/ This cause of Rome and chastised with arms Our enemies pride: five times he hath return'd Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons In coffins from the field; And now at last, laden with honour's spoils, Returns the good Andronicus to Rome, Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms. Let us entreat, by honour of his name. Whom worthily you would have now succeed. And in the Capitol and senate's right, 41 Whom you pretend to honour and adore. That you withdraw you and abate your strength; Dismiss your followers and, as suitors should. Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. 5^^ How fair the tribune speaks to calm my

Marc. Princes, that strive by factions and by friends

a nation strong, train'd

are spent since

first

thoughts!

with the crown.

Bas.

Ambitiously for rule and empery,

Roman empery.

Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius For many good and great deserts to Rome: A nobler man, a braver warrior. Lives not this day within the city walls: He by the senate is accited home From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;

Hath yoked

my right. Were gracious

20

A special party, have, by common voice,

Ten years

first-born son, that

Then let my father's honours live in me, Nor wrong mine age with this indignity. Bas.

whom we

That, with his sons, a terror to our foes.

was the last That wore the imperial diadem of Rome; I

for

stand

Marcus Andronicus, so

I

do affy

In thy uprightness and integrity.

And so I love and honour thee and thine. Thy noble brother Titus and his sons, 170

$0

TITUS ANDRONICUS

SCENE

And her to whom my thoughts

are

humbled

all,

Gracious Lavinia, Rome's rich ornament,

That

I

will here dismiss

The tomb is opened. There greet in silence,

my loving friends.

And to my fortunes and the people's favour Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd.

O

my right, and here dismiss you all. and favour of my country Comm.it myself, my person, and the cause. thank you

as the dead are wont, 90 sleep in peace, slain in your country's wars! sacred receptacle of joys,

And

[Exeunt the followers of Bassianus. Sat. Friends, that have been thus forward in

I

171

Make way to lay them by their brethren.

all

And to the love

[Exeunt the followers of Satuminus.

Rome, be as just and gracious unto me As I am confident and kind to thee.

60

Open the gates, and let me in.

my

Sweet

of virtue and nobility, How many sons of mine hast thou in store, That thou wilt never render to me more! Luc. Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths, That we may hew his limbs and on a pile Ad manes fratrmn sacrifice his flesh Before this earthy prison of their bones; That so the shadows be not unappeased. 100 Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth. Tit.

and me, a poor competitor. [Flourish, saturninus and bassianus go up

Bas. Tribunes,

into the Capitol.

I

cell

give him you, the noblest that survives.

The eldest Tam.

son of this distressed queen.

Stay,

Roman brethren! Gracious

conqueror.

Victorious Titus, rue the tears Enter a captain. Cap. Romans, make way: the good Andronicus, Patron of virtue, Rome's best champion. Successful in the battles that he fights. With honour and with fortune is return'd From where he circumscribed with his sword And brought to yoke the enemies of Rome.

Drums and MUTius;

trumpets sounded. Enter martius and after them,

two men hearing a

coffin

covered with black; then lucius and quintus.

After them, titus andronicus; and then taMORA, with Alarhus, demetrius, chiron,

AARON, and other Goths, prisoners; People following.

and titus

The

bearers set

Soldiers

down

and

the coffin,

speaks.

shed,

And

if thy

O, think

sons

were ever dear to

thee,

my son to be as dear to me!

we are brought to Rome, To beautify thy triumphs and return. Sufficeth not that

uo

Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke. But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets For valiant doings in their country's cause? O, if to fight for king and commonweal

Were piety in thine,

it is

in these.

Andronicus, stain not thy tomb with blood: Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods? Draw near them then in being merciful:

Sweet mercy

is

nobility's true badge:

Thrice noble Titus, spare

my first-born son.

120

madam, and pardon me. brethren, whom you Goths

Tit. Patient yourself,

Rome, victorious in thy mourning weeds! jo Lo, as the bark that hath discharged her fraught Returns with precious lading to the bay From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage, Cometh Andronicus, bound with laurel boughs, To re-salute his country with his tears. Tears of true joy for his return to Rome. Thou great defender of this Capitol, Stand gracious to the rites that we intend! Romans, of five and twenty valiant sons. Half of the number that King Priam had. So Behold the poor remains, alive and dead! These that survive let Rome reward with love; These that I bring unto their latest home. Tit. Hail,

With burial amongst their

I

A mother's tears in passion for her son:

ancestors:

Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword. Titus, unkind and careless of thine

own.

Why suffer' St thou thy sons, unburied yet, To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx?

These are their beheld

Alive and dead, and for their brethren slain Religiously they ask a sacrifice: To this your son is mark'd, and die he must, To appease their groaning shadows that are gone. Luc. Away with him! and make a fire straight; And with our swords, upon a pile of wood, Let's hew his limbs till they be clean consumed.

[Exeunt i^vcwjs, quintus, martius, and MUTIUS, with Alarbus.

Tam. Chi.

O cruel, irreligious piety!

130

Was ever Scythia half so barbarous?

Dem. Oppose not Scythia

to ambitious

Rome.

Alarbus goes to rest; and we survive To tremble under Titus' threatening looks. Then, madam, stand resolved, but hope withal The self-same gods that arm'd the Queen of

Troy With opportunity of sharp revenge Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent.

TITUS ANDRONICUS

72

May favour Tamora. the Queen of Goths When Goths were Goths and Tamora was

to Solon's happiness over chance in honour's bed. Titus Andronicus, the people of Rome, Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been, iSo Send thee by me, their tribune and their trust. This palliament of white and spotless hue;

And triumphs 141

Re-enter lucius, quintus, martius, and MUTius, njjith their swords bloody.

Luc. See, lord and father,

And name thee in election for the empire. With these our late-deceased emperor's sons:

how we have

Our Roman rites: Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd, And entrails feed the sacrificing fire,

Be candidatus then, and put it on. And help to set a head on headless Rome. Tit. A better head her glorious body fits

Whose smoke,

Than his

perform 'd

like incense, doth

perfume the

And with loud Tit.

that shakes for age and feebleness:

What should I don this

sky.

Remaineth nought but to Let

it

'larums

be so; and

Make this his

inter

our brethren

welcome them let

to

Rome.

Andronicus

latest farewell to their souls.

Trumpets sounded, and

I

That hath aspired

queen

To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes.

ACT

the coffin laid in the tomb.

In peace and honour rest you here, my sons; /50 Rome's readiest champions, repose you here in rest,

Secure from worldly chances and mishaps! Here lurks no treason, here no envy swells, Here grow no damned grudges; here are no storms.

No noise,

but silence and eternal sleep: In peace and honour rest you here, my sons!

robe and trouble you?

Be chosen with proclamations to-day, To-morrow yield up rule, resign my life. And set abroad new business for you all? Rome, I have been thy soldier forty years,

/po

And led my country's strength successfully, And buried one and twenty valiant sons. Knighted in field, slain manfully in arms In right and service of their noble country: Give me a staff of honour for mine age. But not a sceptre to control the world: Upright he held it, lords, that held it last. 200 Marc. Titus, thou shalt obtain and ask the empery. Sat. Proud and ambitious tribune, canst thou tell?

£/2/^rLAVINIA.

Tit. Patience,

Lav. In peace and honour live Lord Titus long; noble lord and father, live in fame!

My Lo, I

tomb my

at this

render, for

And at thy

feet

I

Shed on the earth

O,

bless

tributary tears

my brethren's obsequies; Rome:

me here with thy victorious hand.

Whose Tit.

fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud! Kind Rome, that hast thus lovingly

reserved

The cordial of mine age to glad my heart! Lavinia, live; outlive thy father's days.

And fame's eternal date,

live

Lord Titus,

my beloved

brother,

Gracious triumpher Tit.

1 hanks,

in the

eyes of Rome

Rome's emperor. Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell Rather than rob me of the people's hearts! Luc. Proud Saturnine, interrupter of the good That noble-minded Titus means to thee! Tit. Content thee. Prince; I will restore to 210 thee The people's hearts, and wean them from themTill Saturninus be

selves.

marcus andronicus aW tribunes; saturninus and bassianus, attended.

Marc. Long

Romans, do me right: draw your swords, and sheathe them

I do not flatter thee, But honour thee, and will do till I die: My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends, I will most thankful be; and thanks to men Of noble minds is honourable meed. Tit. People of Rome, and people's tribunes here, I ask your voices and your suffrages Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus? Tribunes. To gratify the good Andronicus, 220

Bas. Andronicus,

for virtue's praise!

Enter, below, re-enter

Patricians,

Prince Saturninus.

not 160

kneel, with tears of joy for thy return to

Sat.

ijo

gentle tribune, noble brother

Marcus. Marc. And welcome, nephews, from successful wars. You that survive, and you that sleep in fame! Fair lords, your fortunes are alike in all. That in your country's service drew your swords But safer triumph is this funeral pomp,

And gratulate his safe return to Rome, The people will accept whom he admits. Tribunes, I thank you: and this suit I make. That you create your Emperor's eldest son, Lord Saturnine; whose virtues will, I hope, Tit.

:

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I

Reflect on

Rome as Titan's rays on earth,

Flourish,

And ripen justice in this commonweal: Then,

if you will elect

by

in

my advice.

Lord Saturninus Rome's great Emperor,

Lavinia will

I

make my

empress,

and

240

match

me highly honour 'd of your Grace: And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine, hold

I

250

owe.

ensigns humbled at thy feet. Thanks, noble Titus, father of my life! How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts Rome shall record, and when I do forget The least of these unspeakable deserts, Romans, forget your fealty to me. Tit. [To tamora] Now, madam, are you prisoner to an emperor; To him that, for your honour and your state, Will use you nobly and your followers. 260 Sat. A goodly lady, trust me; of the hue That I would choose, were I to choose anew.

Clear up, fair queen, that cloudy countenance: Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer. Thou comest not to be made a scorn in Rome: Princely shall be thy usage every way. Rest on my word, and let not discontent Daunt all your hopes: madam, he comforts you Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths.

you are not displeased with I,

my lord;

this?

is

the Emperor's

surprised!

By him that justly may

from all the world away. [Exeunt bassianus and marcus with lavinia. Mut. Brothers, help to convey her hence away, And with my sword I'll keep this door safe. [Exeunt lucius, quintus, and martius. Tit. Follow, my lord, and I'll soon bring her

My lord, you pass not here. What,

Barr'st

Sat.

Lav. Not

275^

by whom?

Tit.

Mine honour's

Lavinia,

right.

his betroth'd

Mut.

My sword, my chariot, and my prisoners; Receive them then, the tribute that

my

back.

King and commander of our commonweal, The wide world's Emperor, do I consecrate Presents well worthy Rome's imperial lord:

then,

Where is

Bas.

Bear

in this

you earnest

Ay, noble Titus; and resolved withal

Sat. Surprised!

heart.

my worthy lord;

are

guard? Treason, my lord! Lavinia

thee?

I

sir!

lord?

Tit. Traitors, avaunt!

And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse: Tell me, Andronicus, doth this motion please Tit. It doth,

maid is

Marc. ''Suum cuique'' is our Roman justice: This prince in justice seizeth but his own. Luc. And that he will, and shall, if Lucius live.

they come

Rome's royal mistress of my

How,

Tit.

Bas.

down. Sat. Titus x\ndronicus, for thy favours done To us in our election this day, I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts. And will with deeds requite thy gentleness: And, for an onset, Titus, to advance Thy name and honourable family, till

leave, this

mine. [Seizing Lavinia.]

To do myself this reason and this

And say "Long live our Emperor Saturnine!"

A long flourish

dumb show.

Lord Titus, by your

Bas.

Crown him, and say "Long live our Emperor!" Marc. With voices and applause of every sort, Patricians and plebeians, we create 2 j/

173

saturninus courts tamora

270

sith true nobility

Warrants these words in princely courtesy. Sat. Thanks, sweet Lavinia. Romans, let us go: Ransomless here we set our prisoners free: Proclaim our honours, lords, with trump and drum.

me my way in Rome?

boy!

villain

290

[Stabbing mutius.

Mut. Help, Lucius, help! [Dies. [During the fray, saturninus, tamora, demeTRius, CHIRON and AARON go out and re-enter, above.

Re-enter

Luc.

hvcws.

My lord, you are unjust, and, more than so,

In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son. Tit.

Nor thou, nor he,

are any sons of mine;

My sons would never so dishonour me: Traitor, restore Lavinia to the Emperor.

Luc. Dead, if you will; but not to be his wife.

That Sat.

is

another's lawful promised love.

No, Titus, no; the Emperor needs her

Nor her, I'll

[Exit.

not.

nor thee, nor any of thy stock

trust,

by

leisure,

Thee never, nor thy Confederates

all

him

that

5 00

mocks me once;

traitorous haughty sons,

thus to dishonour me.

Was there none else in Rome to make a stale, But Saturnine? Full well, Andronicus, Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine, That said' St I begg'd the empire at thy hands. Tit. O monstrous! what reproachful words are these? Sat.

But go thy ways; go, give that changing

309

piece

To him that flourish'd for her with his

sword:

A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy; One

fit

to

bandy with thy lawless

sons,

To rufl^e in the commonwealth of Rome.

TITUS ANDRONICUS

174 Tit.

These words are razors to my wounded

heart. Sat.

here

And therefore,

lovely

Tamora, queen of

Tit.

Goths,

my sudden choice. choose thee, Tamora, for my bride, And will create thee Empress of Rome. 520 Speak, Queen of Goths, dost thou applaud my If thou be pleased with this

choice?

And here I swear by all the Roman gods, Sith priest and holy water are so near

Hymenaeus

lead espoused

Tarn.

till

from forth

And here,

in sight

If Saturnine advance the

plead

of heaven, to

Rome I

Queen of Goths,

am not bid to wait upon this

bride.

when wert thou wont to walk

alone,

Dishonour'd thus, and challenged of wrongs? 540 Re-enter

marcus, lucius, quintus, and martius.

O

Titus, see, O, see what thou hast done! Marc. In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son. Tit. No, foolish tribune, no; no son of mine. Nor thou, nor these, confederates in the deed That hath dishonour'd all our family; Unworthy brother, and unworthy sons! Luc. But let us give him burial, as becomes; Give Mutius burial with our brethren. Tit. Traitors, away! he rests not in this tomb: This monument five hundred years hath stood. Which I have sumptuously re-edified: Here none but soldiers and Rome's servitors Repose in fame; none basely slain in brawls: Bury him where you can; he comes not here. Marc. My lord, this is impiety in you: My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him; He must be buried with his brethren. Quin. 1 And shall, or him we will accompany. Mart. ) Ttt. "And shall!" What villain was it spake

word?

Speak thou no more,

the rest will

if all

speed.

550

[Exeunt all but titus.

^jo

'

name doth nature

speak Tit.

accompany Your noble emperor and his lovely bride, Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine, Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered: There shall we consummate our spousal rites.

that

crest.

Quin. Father, and in that

She will a handmaid be to his desires, A loving nurse, a mother to his youth. Sat. Ascend, fair queen. Pantheon. Lords,

Tit. I

my

And, with these boys, mine honour thou hast wounded: My foes I do repute you every one: So, trouble me no more, but get you gone. Mart. He is not with himself; let us withdraw.

this place

my bride along with me.

swear.

Titus,

in

Quin.

stand,

will not re-salute the streets of Rome,

Or climb my palace, I

^60

What, would you bury him

Not I, till Mutius' bones be buried. MARCUS and the sons of Titus kneel. Marc. Brother, for in that name doth nature

burn so bright and everything

In readiness for I

•

Marc. No, noble Titus, but entreat of thee To pardon Mutius and to bury him. Tit. Marcus, even thou hast struck upon my

I

And tapers

I

despite?

That like the stately Phoebe 'mongst her nymphs Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome, Behold,

ACT

He that would vouch it in any place but

Quin.

Marc. Renowned Titus, more than half my soul

Luc. Dear father, soul and substance of us

all— Marc. Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter His noble nephew here in virtue's nest. That died in honour and Lavinia's cause.

Thou art a Roman; be not barbarous: The Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax That slew himself; and wise Laertes' son Did graciously plead for his funerals: Let not young Mutius, then, that was thy Be barr'd his entrance here.

^80 joy,

Rise, Marcus, rise.

Tit.

The dismall'st day

is

this that e'er

I

saw.

To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome! Well, bury him, and bury me the next. Luc, There

lie

[Mutius is put into the tomb. thy bones, sweet Mutius, with

thy friends. we with trophies do adorn thy tomb. All. [Kneeling] No man shed tears for noble Mutius;

Till

He lives

in

fame that died

in virtue's cause.

My

lord, to step out of these dreary Marc. dumps. How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome? Tit.

I

know not, Marcus;

Whether by device or no,

but

I

know it is;

the heavens can

tell:

Is

she not then beholding to the

That brought her

for this high

man

good turn so

far?

Yes, and will nobly him remunerate.

5^0

:

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I

from one side, saturninus tamora, demetrius, chiron, and AARON, from the other, bassianus, lavinia, and

Flourish.

Re-enter,

attended,

others. Sat. So,

Bassianus,

you have play'd your

prize:

God give you joy, sir, of your gallant bride! 400 Bas. And you of yours, my lord! I say no more. Nor wish no less; and so, take my leave. Sat. Traitor, if Rome have law or we have I

power. thy faction shall repent this rape. Bas. Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own, My true-betrothed love and now my wife? But let the laws of Rome determine all; Meanwhile I am possess'd of that is mine. Sat. 'Tis good, sir: you are very short with us; But, if we live, we'll be as sharp with you. 410 Bas. My lord, what I have done, as best I may, Answer I must and shall do with my life. Only thus much I give your Grace to know:

Thou and

By

the duties that

all

I

owe to Rome,

This noble gentleman. Lord Titus here. Is in opinion and in honour wrong'd; That in the rescue of Lavinia With his own hand did slay his youngest son, In zeal to you and highly moved to wrath To be controll'd in that he frankly gave: 420 Receive him, then, to favour. Saturnine,

That hath express'd himself in

all

his deeds

I'll

Prince Bassianus, leave to plead

Tit.

my deeds:

Rome and the righteous heavens

How

I

Tarn.

be

my judge,

have loved and honour'd Saturnine!

My worthy lord, if ever Tamora

Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine. Then hear me speak indifferently for all; 450 And at my suit, sweet, pardon what is past. Sat.

And

basely put

Not

so,

it

up without revenge? the gods of Rome

my lord;

forfend I should be author to dishonour you! But on mine honour dare I undertake For good Lord Titus' innocence in all; Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs: Then, at my suit, look graciously on him; Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose, 440 Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart. [Aside to saturninus] My lord, be ruled by me, be won at last; Dissemble all your griefs and discontents: You are but newly planted in your throne; Lest, then, the people, and patricians too,

Upon

a just survey, take Titus' part,

day to massacre them

To whom I

sued for

450

all

my dear son's

And make them know what

life.

queen Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain. Again speaking openly to saturninus. Come, come, sweet emperor; come, Andronicus; Take up this good old man, and cheer the heart That dies in tempest of thy angry frown. Sat. Rise, Titus, rise; my empress hath preto let a

'tis

vail'd.

4^p thank your Majesty, and her, my lord: These words, these looks, infuse new life in me. Tit.

I

Tarn. Titus,

I

am

incorporate in

Rome,

A Roman now adopted happily. And must advise the Emperor for his good. This day all quarrels die, Andronicus; And let it be mine honour, good my lord. That I have reconciled your friends and you. For you. Prince Bassianus, I have pass'd My word and promise to the Emperor, That you will be more mild and tractable. 4J0 And fear not, lords, and you, Lavinia; By my advice, all humbled on your knees, You shall ask pardon of his Majesty. Luc. do, and vow to heaven and to his

We

Highness,

That what we did was mildly

as

we might.

Tendering our sister's honour and our own. Marc. That, on mine honour, here I do protest. Sat. Away, and talk not; trouble us no more. Tarn. Nay, nay, sweet emperor, we must all be friends

475^

The tribune and his nephews I

What, madam! be dishonour'd openly

Tarn.

find a

And raze their faction and their family. The cruel father and his traitorous sons,

A father and a friend to thee and Rome. 'Tis thou and those that have dishonour'd me.

175

And so supplant you for ingratitude. Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin, Yield at entreats; and then let me alone:

sweet heart, look back. Marcus, for thy sake and thy brother's here,

will not be denied: Sat.

And I

kneel for grace;

at

my lovely Tamora' s entreats,

do remit these young men's heinous

faults:

Stand up. Lavinia, though you left me like a churl, I found a friend, and sure as death I swore I would not part a bachelor from the priest. Come, if the Emperor's court can feast two brides.

You

are

my guest,

Lavinia, and your friends. 4^0

be a love-day, Tamora. Tit. To-morrow, an it please your Majesty To hunt the panther and the hart with me.

This day

shall

With horn and hound we'll give your Grace bonjour. Sat.

Be

it

so, Titus,

and gramercy too. [Flourish.

ExeunU

TITUS ANDRONICUS

176

ACT Scene

i.

Rome:

And maintain Full well

Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top,

cerns;

Nor would your noble mother

Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait, And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown.

lo

thy thoughts.

will be bright, and shine in pearl

This petty brabble will undo us all. Why, lords, and think you not how dangerous

and gold.

It is

20

Or

Chi.

Lavinia

50

two gracious or thee more fortunate: fit

knew

she and

Would Aar.

thine elder brother's hope.

are ye

mad? or know ye not,

have your lath glued within your sheath

Till

how much

I

I

have.

dare.

so brave? \They draw.]

in

in love?

device.

I

Aaron, a thousand deaths propose to achieve her whom

Why makest thou

love.

80

is

is

Lavinia, therefore

a

it

so strange?

may be woo'd; therefore may be won;

woman, a woman,

is

I

To achieve her! how?

Dem. She She She 40

you know better how to handle it. Chi. Meanwhile, sir, with the little skill

the world:

you, lords, you do but plot your deaths

Chi.

Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side. Are you so desperate grown, to threat your friends?

all

How furious and impatient they be. By this

unadvised.

Dem. Ay, boy, grow ye

is

Why, Rome

Aar.

I tell

Aar. [Aside] Clubs, clubs! these lovers will not keep the peace. Dem. Why, boy, although our mother,

Full well shalt thou perceive

I,

And cannot brook competitors

as thou

To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace; And that my sword upon thee shall approve. And plead my passions for Lavinia's love.

Go to;

care not,

love Lavinia more than all the world. Dem. Youngling, learn thou to make some

'Tis not the difference of a year or

as

I

meaner choice:

Chi. Demetrius, thou dost

Makes me less I am as able and

jo

please.

wit, thy wit I

me

a prince's right?

know

wants edge.

to bear

upon

Lavinia then become so loose. Bassianus so degenerate. is

This discord's ground, the music would not

And manners, to intrude where I am graced; And may, for aught thou know'st, afl^ected be.

And so in this,

to jet

What,

That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd Without controlment, justice, or revenge? Young lords, beware! an should the Empress

Enter demetrius and chiron, braving.

over-ween in all; down with braves.

my dishonour here.

tongue.

This goddess, this Semiramis, this nymph. This siren, that will charm Rome's Saturnine, And see his shipwreck and his commonweal's. Holloa! what storm is this?

Dem. Chiron, thy years want

in

For that I am prepared and full resolved. Foul-spoken coward, that thunder' st with thy

And with thy weapon nothing darest perform! Aar. Away, I say! 60 Now, by the gods that warlike Goths adore.

Hast prisoner held, fetter'd in amorous chains And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus. Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts! I

5/

Chi.

And mount her pitch, whom

To wait upon this new-made empress. To wait, said I? to wanton with this queen.

much more

throat

That he hath breathed

with thy imperial mistress. thou in triumph

aloft

for

Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome. For shame, put up. Dem. Not I, till I have sheathed My rapier in his bosom and withal Thrust these reproachful speeches down his

So Tamora:

To mount

grudge:

this

would not for a million of gold The cause were known to them it most con-

Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach, And overlooks the highest-peering hills;

fit

such a quarrel openly?

wot the ground of all

I

I

Safe out of fortune's shot; and sits aloft, Secure of thunder's crack or lightning flash; Advanced above pale envy's threatening reach. As when the golden sun salutes the morn. And, having gilt the ocean with his beams.

Then, Aaron, arm thy heart and

II

Aar. [Coming forward] Why, how now, lords! So near the EmperOr's palace dare you draw,

II

before the palace

Enter aaron. Aar.

ACT

therefore

must be loved.

What, m.an! more water glideth by the mill Than wots the miller of; and easy it is Of a cut loaf to steal a shive, we know: Though Bassianus be the Emperor's brother, Better than he have worn Vulcan's badge. Aar. [Aside] Ay, and as good as Saturninus may.

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I

Dem. Then why should he despair to court

knows

Scene

cry of hounds heard

serve vour turns.

Av% so the turn were served.

Dem. Aaron, thou

hast hit

it.

Would you had

Aar.

hit

it

too!

we

be tired with this ado. hark ye, hark ye! and are you such fools not

Why, To square for this? would if offend you,

then,

That both should speed? Chi. Faith, not

101

me.

Nor me,

Dem. Aar. For shame, be

you

friends,

so

I

A

were one.

and join for that

up, the

fields are fragrant

cry of hounds, and horns winded in a peal. Enter SATURNINUS, TAMORA, BASSIANUS, LAVINIA, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON, and Attendants.

jar:

Many good morrows to your Majesty;

must do That you affect; and so must you resolve That what you cannot as you would achieve You must perforce accomplish as you may. Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste 'Tis policy and stratagem

Than

The hunt is

morn is bright and grey. and the woods are greenUncouple here and let us make a bay And wake the Emperor and his lovely bride And rouse the Prince and ring a hunter's peal, That all the court may echo with the noise. Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours. To attend the Emperor's person carefully: I have been troubled in my sleep this night. But dawning day new comfort hath inspired. 10 Tit.

The

or so Chi.

S forest near Rome: horns and

Enter titus andronicus, with Hunters., &c., MARCUS, LUCIUS, QUINTUS, and MARTI us.

And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose? Aar. Why, then, it seems, some certain snatch

Then should

ii.

and liberality?

fair looks,

hast not thou full often struck a doe.

Would

177

91

it

With words, What,

that

Madam,

to you as many and as good: promised your Grace a hunter's peal. Sat. And you have rung it lustily, my lord; Somewhat too early for new-married ladies. Bas. Lavinia, how say you? Lav. I say, no; I have been broad awake two hours and more. Sat. Come on, then; horse and chariots let us I

this Lavinia, Bassianus' love.

A speedier course than lingering languishment Must we

pursue, and

have found the path.

I

My lords, a solemn hunting

is

in

///

hand;

will the lovely Roman ladies troop: The forest walks are wide and spacious; And many unfrequented plots there are

There

have.

And to our shall

sport.

[To tamora]

Madam, now

ye see

Fitted

Our Roman hunting.

Single

Marc. I have dogs, my lord, Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, And climb the highest promontory top. Tit. And I have horse will follow where the

by kind for rape and villany: you thither then this dainty doe, And strike her home by force, if not by ^vords:

This way, or not at all, stand you in hope. Come, come, our empress, with her sacred wit To villainy and vengeance consecrate, Will we acquaint with all that we intend; And she shall file our engines with advice.

That

will not suffer

game Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain. Dem. Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse

121

nor hound, But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.

you to square yourselves,

[Exeunt.

But to your wishes' height advance you both. The Emperor's court is like the house of Fame, The palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears: The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and

Scene

hi.

A lonely part of the forest

Enter aaron, with a bag of gold.

Aar.

He that had wit would think

that

I

had

none.

dull;

There speak, and

strike,

your Darns; There serve your

lusts,

To bury so much gold under a tree

brave boys, and take

And never

eye,

Sit fas aut nefas,

75 o

till I

find the

stream

To cool this heat, a charm to calm these fits, Per Styga, per manes vehor.

[Exeunt.

after to inherit

it.

Let him that thinks of me so abjectly Know that this gold must coin a stratagem, Which, cunningly effected, will beget A very excellent piece of villainy: And so repose, sweet gold, for their unrest

shadow'd from heaven's

And revel in Lavinia' s treasury. Chi. Thy counsel, lad, smells of no cowardice, Dem.

20

[Hides the gold. .

That have their alms out of the Empress'

chest.

TITUS ANDRONICUS

178

Or

Enter TAMORA.

Who hath abandoned her holy groves

My lovely Aaron, wherefore look'st

Tarn.

To see the general hunting in this

thou sad, When everything doth make a gleeful boast? The birds chant melody on every bush, .

10

their

sweet shade, Aaron,

let

us

sit.

'Tis thought

Replying shrilly to the well-tuned horns. As if a double hunt were heard at once. Let us sit down and mark their yelping noise; 20 And, after conflict such as was supposed The wandering prince and Dido once enjoy'd. When with a happy storm they were surprised And curtain'd with a counsel-keeping cave. may, each wreathed in the other's arms. Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber; Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious

And to

We

Be unto us

as

is

gift in horning;

Moor

and you

singled forth to try experiments:

Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day! 'Tis pity they should take him for a stag. 7/ Bas. Believe me. Queen, your swarth Cimmerian Doth make your honour of his body's hue. Spotted, detested, and abominable. Why are you sequester'd from all your train, Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed.

Madam, though Venus govern your 50

dominator over mine:

And let her joy her

My silence and my cloudy melancholy, My fleece of wooly hair that now uncurls

This valley Bas.

Even as an adder when she doth unroll To do some fatal execution? No, madam, these are no venereal signs: Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand. Blood and revenge are hammering in my head. Hark, Tamora, the empress of my soul, 40 Which never hopes more heaven than rests in

it

up,

I

The King my

Tarn. Ah,

not yet their

Good

king, to be so mightily abused!

Tarn.

lives' destruction.

50 than

I'll

Bassianus comes: go fetch thy sons

whatsoe'er they be.

[Exit.

Enter bassianus and lavinia.

Who have we here? Rome's royal Empress,

Unflirnish'd of her well-beseeming troop?

Why have

I

patience to endure

all this?

Enter demetrius and chiron.

How now, dear sovereign, and our Have

I

not reason, think you, to look p/

These two have

'ticed

me hither to this place:

A barren detested vale, you see

No more, great Empress;

Be cross with him; and

have made him noted

The trees, though summer,

Hfe!

To back thy quarrels,

slips

long:

pale?

pray thee,

my sweet Moor, sweeter to me

brother shall have note of

Lav. Ay, for these

Tarn.

a parcel of our hopeful booty.

Which dreads

raven-colour'd love:

the purpose passing well.

Why doth your Highness look so pale and wan?

And give the King this fatal-plotted scroll. Now question me no more; we are espied; Here comes

fits

So

gracious mother!

in Bassianus' blood.

Seest thou this letter? take

Moor,

this.

Dem.

thee.

This is the day of doom for Bassianus: His Philomel must lose her tongue to-day, Thy sons make pillage of her chastity

And wash their hands

a barbarous

Lav. And, being intercepted in your sport. Great reason that my noble lord be rated For sauciness. I pray you, let us hence,

What signifies my deadly-standing eye,

Bas.

goodly

If foul desire had not conducted you?

desires,

Aar.

a

Accompanied but with

a nurse's song

Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep.

is

Are

you have

be doubted that your

And wander'd hither to an obscure plot.

birds

Saturn

61

With horns, as was Actaeon's; and the hounds Should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs, Unmannerly intruder as thou art! Lav. Under your patience, gentle Empress,

And, whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds,

Aar.

forest?

Tarn. Saucy controller of our private steps!

Had I the power that some say Dian had, Thy temples should be planted presently

The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun. The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind And make a chequer'd shadow on the ground: Under

ACT n

Dian, habited like her.

is it

it is;

yet forlorn and lean,

O'ercome with moss and baleful mistletoe: Here never shines the sun; here nothmg breeds. Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven:

And when they show'd me this abhorred pit. They told me, here, at dead time of the night,

A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes,

100

Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins. Would make such fearful and confused cries As any mortal body hearing it Should straight

fall

mad, or

else die suddenly.

No sooner had they told this hellish tale.

—

—

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

III

But Straight they told

me they would bind me

—

here

And leave me to this miserable death: And then they call'd me foul adulteress, Lascivious Goth, and

all

no

the bitterest terms

me, struck home to show

my

strength. [Also stabs bassianus, uoho dies.]

Lav. Ay, come, Semiramis, nay, barbarous

Tamora, For no name fits thy nature but thy own! Tarn. Give me thy poniard; you shall know,

my boys, shall right

Stay,

will.

the better loved of me. Lav. Tamora, be call'd a gentle queen. And with thine own hands kill me in this place! For 'tis not life that I have begg'd so long; ijo

O

madam; here is more belongs

to her;

First thrash the corn, then after burn the straw: This minion stood upon her chastity. Upon her nuptial vow, her loyalty, And with that painted hope braves your mighti-

Poor I was slain when Bassianus died. Tam. What begg'st thou, then? fond woman,

shall she carry this

unto her grave?

Chi. An if she do, I would I were an eunuch. Drag hence her husband to some secret hole.

And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust.

/50

when ye have the honey ye desire. Let not this wasp outlive, us both to sting. Chi. I warrant you, madam, we will make that Tarn. But

Lav. Sweet lords, entreat her hear word. Listen, fair

To see her tears unrelenting

Lav.

Where never man's eye may behold my Do this, and be a charitable murderer. Tam. So should

;

madam:

let it

but be your heart to them

flint

/40

to drops of rain.

When did the tiger's young ones teach it

thee;

suck'dst from her did turn to

long.

Lav.

No grace?

no womanhood? Ah, beastly

thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny. Yet every mother breeds not sons alike: \To chiron] Do thou entreat her show a

blot and enemy to our general name! Confusion fall Chi. Nay, then I'll stop your mouth. Bring thou her husband: This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him. [Demetrius throws the body of Bassianus into the pit; then exeunt DEMETRIUS and CHIRON, dragging

OjfLAVINIA.

Tam. Farewell,

my sons:

see that

you make

her sure.

at

Ne'er

woman

pity.

What, wouldst thou have me prove myself

a bastard?

my sweet sons of their

The

marble;

Chi.

rob

creature!

be your glory

dam? O, do not learn her wrath; she taught

Even

I

body:

No, let them satisfy their lust on thee. 180 Dem. Away! for thou hast stay'd us here too

me but a

the

The milk thcu

beg; and one thing

fee:

Come, mistress, now perforce we will enjoy That nice-preserved honesty of yours. Lav. O Tamora! thou bear'st a woman's face Tarn. I will not hear her speak; away with her!

As

I

more That womanhood denies my tongue to tell: O, keep me from their worse than killing lust, i\nd tumble me into some loathsome pit.

sure.

Dem.

me go.

let

Lav. 'Tis present death

ness:

And

birds famish in their nests:

The worse to her,

your mother's

wrong.

Dem.

own

Be not obdurate, open thy deaf ears / 60 Tarn. Hadst thou in person ne'er offended me, Even for his sake am I pitiless. Remember, boys, I pour'd forth tears in vain, To save your brother from the sacrifice; But fierce Andronicus would not relent: Therefore, away with her, and use her as you

120

Your mother's hand

whilst their

slain thee,

Stabs BASSIANUS. for

The

—

O, be to me, though thy hard heart say no. Nothing so kind, but something pitiful! Tarn. I know not what it means; away with her! Lav. O, let me teach thee! for my father's sake, That gave thee life, when well he might have

That ever ear did hear to such effect: And, had you not by wondrous fortune come, This vengeance on me had they executed. Revenge it, as you love your mother's life. Or be ye not henceforth call'd my children. Dem. This is a witness that I am thy son.

And this

179

Lav. 'Tis true; the raven doth not hatch a lark: Yet have I heard O, could I find it now! /50 The lion moved with pity did endure To have his princely paws pared all away: Some say that ravens foster forlorn children,

Unto the body of a dismal yew,

Chi.

.

Till

let

all

my heart know merry cheer indeed.

the Andronici be

made away.

Now will hence to seek my lovely Moor, And let my spleenful sons this trull deflow'r. I

190

[Exit.

TITUS ANDRONICUS

i8o Re-enter aaron, ivith

Aar.

Come on, my

Straight will

Where Quin.

I

I

quintus and martius.

lords, the better foot before:

bring you to the loathsome pit

espied the panther fast asleep.

My sight is very dull, whate'er

Mart. And mine, shame.

Well could

I

it

bodes.

promise you; were't not for

I

What,

art

me

thy hand, that

I

II

may help thee

out;

Or, wanting strength to do thee so much good, I may be pluck'd into the swallowing womb Of this deep pit, poor Bassianus' grave. 240 I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink. Mart. Nor I no strength to climb without thy help.

leave our sport to sleep awhile.

Qtiin.

Thy hand once more;

I

will not loose

again.

Falls into the pit.

Quin.

ACT

Quin. Reach

thou

fall'n?

What

subtle hole

Till thou art here aloft or

I

below:

Thou canst not come to me:

is this,

Whose mouth is cover'd with rude-growing

I

come to thee.

Falls in.

briers.

Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood As fresh as morning dew distill'd on flowers?

A very fatal place

seems to me. Speak, brother, hast thou hurt thee with the fall? Mart. O brother, with the dismall'st object it

Aar. [Aside]

made heart lament!

sight

Now will

I

fetch the

King to

find

them here, That he thereby may give a likely guess How these were they that made away his

Along with me:

My brother dead!

Upon the north

Why dost not comfort me and help 209

To prove thou hast a true-divining heart, into this den.

gone; and

my compassionate

heart

Will not permit mine eyes once to behold

The thing whereat it trembles by surmise: O, tell me how it is; for ne'er till now Was I a child to fear I know not what. Mart. Lord Bassianus

lies

embrewed

Quin. If it be dark,

Mart.

220

he?

wear

Which, like a taper in some monument. Doth shine upon the dead man's earthy cheeks And shows the ragged entrails of the pit 2^0 So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood. :

O brother, help me with thy fainting hand made thee

faint, as

me it hath

Out of this fell devouring receptacle. As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth.

left

him

there.

we found him dead.

tamora, with Attendants; titus ANDRONICUS, and LUCIUS.

Where is my lord the King? Here, Tamora, though grieved with killing grief. 2 60 Tarn. Where is thy brother Bassianus? Sat. Now to the bottom dost thou search my Tarn.

Tarn.

Then

all

lies

too late

murdered. I

bring this fatal writ,

She giveth saturninus a 'tis

A precious ring, that lightens all the hole.

If fear hath

I

In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny.

pit.

finger he doth

know thou dost but jest:

The complot of this timeless tragedy; And wonder greatly that man's face can fold

here.

how dost thou know

Upon his bloody

I

Re-enter

wound: Poor Bassianus here

All on a heap, like to a slaughter'd Iamb, In this detested, dark, blood-drinking

25/

Sat.

see a fearful sight of blood and death. is

here,

We know not where you left him all alive;

But, out, alas! here have

A chilling sweat o'er-runs my trembling joints: My heart suspects more than mine eye can see.

Quin. Aaron

is

side of this pleasant chase;

'Tis not an hour since

Mart.

me out

And

what hole

To find thy brother Bassianus dead.

From this unhallowed and blood-stained hole? Quin. I am surprised with an uncouth fear:

Mart.

see

Into this gaping hollow of the earth?

Sat.

[Exit.

Aaron and thou look down

I'll

He and his lady both are at the lodge

brother.

Mart.

Sat.

And what he is that now is leap'd into it. Say, who art thou that lately didst descend Mart. The unhappy son of old Andronicus; Brought hither in a most unlucky hour,

hurt

That ever eye with

Enter saturninus with aaron.

Sat. [Reads]

letter.

"An if we miss to meet him

handsomely Sweet huntsman, Bassianus

Do thou so much Thou know' St

'tis

we mean

grave for him: 2jo our meaning. Look for thy reward as dig the

Among the nettles

at the elder-tree

Which overshades the mouth of that same pit Where we decreed to bury Bassianus.

Do this,

and purchase us thy lasting friends."

O Tamora! was ever heard the like? This is the pit, and this the elder-tree. Look, sirs, if you can find the huntsman out

—

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

III

That should have murder'd Bassianus

My gracious lord, here

Aar.

is

Enter MARCUS.

the bag of

280

gold.

[To TiTus] Two of thy whelps, fell curs of bloody kind, Have here bereft my brother of his life. Sirs, drag them from the pit unto the prison: There let them bide until we have devised Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them. Sat.

What,

Tarn.

are they in this pit?

O wondrous

How easily murder is discovered! Tit.

High Emperor, upon

beg

this

my feeble knee

this fell fault of my accursed sons, 290 Accursed, if the fault be proved in them Sat. If it be proved! you see it is apparent. Who found this letter? Tamora, was it you? Tarn. Andronicus himself did take it up. Tit. I did, my lord: yet let me be their bail; For, by my father's reverend tomb, I vow They shall be ready at your Highness' will To answer their suspicion with their lives. Sat. Thou shalt not bail them: see thou follow

me.

Some bring the murder'd body, some the murderers: Let them not speak a word; the guilt is plain; For, by my soul, were there worse end than

s^^o

Tarn. Andronicus, I will entreat the King: Fear not thy sons; they shall do well enough. Tit. Come, Lucius, come; stay not to talk with

[Exeunt.

ravished; her hands cut off,

Dem.

So,

now go tell,

an

lavinia,

and her tongue

if thy

cut

tongue can speak,

'twas that cut thy tongue and ravish'd thee.

Dem.

See,

and tokens she can

scrowl. Chi.

Go home, call for sweet water, wash thy

hands.

Dem. She hath no tongue to call, nor hands

to

wash;

And

so

Chi.

let's

leave her to her silent walks.

An 'twere my case,

I

should go hang

If thou hadst hands to help thee knit the

QOT6..[Exeunt

Alas, a crimson river of warm blood.

Like to a bubbling fountain stirr'd with wind, Doth rise and fall between thy rosed lips. Coming and going with thy honey breath. But, sure, some Tereus hath deflowered thee, And, lest thou shouldst detect him, cut thy tongue.

Ah, now thou turn'st away thy face for shame! And, notwithstanding all this loss of blood. As from a conduit with three issuing spouts, 50 Yet do thy cheeks look red as Titan's face

O, that I knew thy heart; and knew the beast, That I might rail at him, to ease my mind! Sorrow concealed, like an oven stopp'd. Doth burn the heart to cinders where it is. Fair Philomela, she but lost her tongue.

And

in a tedious

sampler sew'd her mind:

demetrius and chiron.

mean

is

And he hath cut those pretty

cut from thee;

4/

fingers off

That could have better sew'd than Philomel. O, had the monster seen those lily hands Tremble, like aspen-leaves, upon a lute

And make

the silken strings delight to kiss them.

Or, had he heard the heavenly harmony Which that sweet tongue hath made. He would have dropp'd his knife, and fell asleep 5/ As Cerberus at the Thracian poet's feet. Come, let us go, and make thy father blind; For such a sight will blind a father's eye: One hour's storm will drown the fragrant meads; What will whole months of tears thy father's eyes? for we will mourn with O, could our mourning ease thy misery!

Do not draw back,

myself.

Dem.

20

Why dost not speak to me?

Hfe!

will let thee play the scribe.

how with signs

love?

He would not then have touch' d them for his

Write down thy mind, bewray thy meaning so.

Chi.

An if thy stumps

As have thy

A craftier Tereus, cousin, hast thou met,

out.

Who

And might not gain so great a happiness

But, lovely niece, that

Another part of the forest zvith

kings have sought to

Blushing to be encounter'd with a cloud. I speak for thee? shall I say 'tis so?

death.

Enter demetrius and chiron,

wake

me! If I do wake, some planet strike me down, That I may slumber in eternal sleep!

Shall

That end upon them should be executed.

iv.

7/

Cousin, a word; where is your husband? If I do dream, would all my wealth would

sleep in.

That

Scene

Who is this? my niece, that flies away so

fast!

Whose circling shadows

boon, with tears not lightly shed.

them.

Mar.

Speak, gentle niece, what stern ungentle hands Have lopp'd and hew'd and made thy body bare Of her two branches, those sweet ornaments

thing!

I

i8i

here.

thee:

[Exeunt,

TITUS ANDRONICUS

l82

ACT Scene

i.

Receive

III

Rome:

a street

Enur Judges,

Senators and Tribunes, with martius and QuiNTus, bound, passing on to the place of execution;

titus going before, pleading.

Hear me, grave

Tit.

stones;

But wherefore stand' st thou with thy weapon drawn? Luc. To rescue my two brothers from their death:

For which attempt the judges have pronounced My everlasting doom of banishment. Tit. O happy man! they have befriended thee.

my cheeks; my condemned sons.

Filling the aged wrinkles in pitiful to

Whose souls

are not corrupted as

'tis

Why,

thought.

lo For two and twenty sons I never wept, Because they died in honour's lofty bed. [Lieth down; the Judges, &c. pass by him, and Exeunt. For these, these, tribunes, in the dust I write My heart's deep languor and my soul's sad

my tears stanch the earth's dry appetite;

My sons' sweet blood will make

it

shame and

blush.

O earth,

more with rain. from these two ancient urns. Than youthful April shall with all his showers: In summer's drought I'll drop upon thee still; In winter with warm tears I'll melt the snow, 20 And keep eternal spring-time on thy face. So thou refuse to drink my dear sons' blood. I

will befriend thee

shall distil

Enter lucius, with his sword drawn.

O reverend tribunes! O gentle, aged men! Unbind

my sons,

reverse the

doom of death;

me say, that never wept before. My tears are now prevailing orators.

And

let

Luc.

O noble father, you lament in vain:

The tribunes hear you not; no man is by; And you recount your sorrows to a stone. Tit. Ah, Lucius, for thy brothers let me plead. Grave Luc.

tribunes, once

more

I

entreat of you

—

5/

My gracious lord, no tribune hears you

speak. Tit.

Why,

'tis

no matter, man:

if they

did hear.

They would not mark me, or if they did mark. They would not pity me; yet plead I must. And bootless unto them.

foolish Lucius, dost thou not perceive

From these devourers to be banished! who comes with our brother Marcus

But

here?

Enter marcus and lavinia.

Marc. Titus, prepare thy aged eyes to weep; Or, if not so, thy noble heart to break: 60 I bring consuming sorrow to thine age. Tit. Will it consume me? let me see it, then. Marc. This was thy daughter. Why, Marcus, so she is. Tit. Luc. Ay me, this object kills me! Tit. Faint-hearted boy, arise, and look upon her. Speak, Lavinia, what accursed hand Hath made thee handless in thy father's sight? What fool hath added water to the sea. Or brought a faggot to bright-burning Troy? My grief was at the height before thou camest. And now, like Nilus, it disdaineth bounds. 7/ Give me a sword, I'll chop off my hands too; For they have fought for Rome, and all in vain; And they have nursed this woe, in feeding life; In bootless prayer have they been held up. And they have served me to effectless use: Now all the service I require of them Is that the one will help to cut the other. 'Tis well, Lavinia, that thou hast no hands; For hands, to do Rome service, are but vain. 80 Luc. Speak, gentle sister, who hath martyr'd thee?

Marc. O, that delightful engine of her thoughts. That blabb'd them with such pleasing eloquence. Is torn from forth that pretty hollow cage. Where, like a sweet melodious bird, it sung Sweet varied notes, enchanting every ear! Luc. O, say thou for her, who hath done this

Therefore I tell my sorrows to the stones; Who, though they cannot answer my distress, Yet in some sort they are better than the tribunes.

For that they will not intercept my tale When I do weep, they humbly at my feet

5/

That Rome is but a wilderness of tigers? Tigers must prey, and Rome affords no prey But me and mine: how happy art thou, then.

tears:

That

men to

death. [Rises.]

For pity of mine age, whose youth was spent In dangerous wars, whilst you securely slept; For all my blood in Rome's great quarrel shed; For all the frosty nights that I have watch'd; And for these bitter tears, which now you see

Let

and offendeth not. with their tongues doom

is silent,

And tribunes

stay!

Be

III

And, were they but attired in grave weeds, Rome could afford no tribune like to these. A stone is soft as wax, tribunes more hard than

A stone

fathers! noble tribunes,

ACT

my tears and seem to weep with me;

40

deed?

Marc. O, thus

I

found her, straying in the park,

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I

183

For thou, poor man, hast drown'd it with thine own. Luc. Ah, my Lavinia, I will wipe thy cheeks. Tit. Mark, Marcus, mark! I understand her

Seeking to hide herself, as doth the deer That hath received some unrecuring wound, po Tit. It was my deer; and he that wounded her Hath hurt me more than had he kill'd me dead: For now I stand as one upon a rock Environ'd with a wilderness of sea,

Had

Who marks the waxing tide grow wave by-

That

wave, Expecting ever when some envious surge Wiil in his brinish bowels swallow him. This way to death my wretched sons are gone; Here stands my other son, a banish'd man,

His napkin, with his true tears all bewet. Can do no service on her sorrowful cheeks. O, what a sympathy of woe is this. As far from help as Limbo is from bliss!

loo weeping at my woes my soul the greatest spurn Is dear Lavinia, dearer than my soul.

And here my

brother,

I

but seen thy picture in this plight,

would have madded me: what shall I do I behold thy lively body so? Thou hast no hands, to wipe away thy tears; It

Nor tongue, to tell me who hath martyr'd thee: Thy husband he is dead; and for his death Thy brothers are condemn'd, and dead by this.

When I

did

ah,

Stood on her cheeks,

Upon

no

son Lucius, look on her!

name her

brothers, then fresh tears

as

doth the honey-dew

Marc. Perchance she weeps because they kill'd her husband; Perchance because she knows them innocent. Tit. If they did kill thy husband, then be joyful, Because the law hath ta'en revenge on them. No, no, they would not do so foul a deed; Witness the sorrow that their sister makes. 120 Gentle Lavinia, let me kiss thy lips; Or make some sign how I may do thee ease: Shall thy good uncle, and thy brother Lucius, And thou, and I, sit round about some fountain, Looking all downwards, to behold our cheeks How they are stain'd, as meadows yet not dry

With miry slime left on them by a flood? And in the fountain shall we gaze so long Till the fresh taste be taken

from that clearness,

And made a brine-pit with our bitter tears? Or shall we cut away our hands, like thine? /50 Or shall we bite our tongues, and in dumb shows Pass the remainder of our hateful days? Plot

let us, that

have our tongues,

this

word

she say

said to thee:

i^p

—

my lord the Emperor

that, if thou love

thy

Let Marcus, Lucius, or thyself, old Titus, Or any one of you, chop off your hand, And send it to the King: he for the same Will send thee hither both thy sons alive; And that shall be the ransom for their fault. Tit. O gracious Emperor! O gentle Aaron! Did ever raven sing so like a lark That gives sweet tidings of the sun's uprise? With all my heart, I'll send the Emperor

Good Aaron,

160

wilt thou help to chop

it

off?

Luc. Stay, father! for that noble hand of thine

That hath thrown down so many enemies Shall not be sent:

my hand will serve the turn:

My youth can better spare my blood than you; And therefore mine shall save my brothers' lives. Marc. Which of your hands hath not defended Rome,

And rear'd aloft the bloody battle-axe. Writing destruction on the enemy's castle? ijo O, none of both but are of high desert: My hand hath been but idle; let it serve To ransom my two nephews from their death; Then have I kept it to a worthy end. Aar. Nay, come, agree whose hand shall go along.

For fear they die before their pardon come. Marc. My hand shall go.

By heaven,

Luc.

it

shall not go!

no more: such wither'd herbs

as these

for plucking up, and therefore mine.

Luc. Sweet father,

Luc. Sweet father, cease your tears; for, at

if

I

shall

be thought thy 180

son,

Let me redeem my brothers both from death. Marc. And, for our father's sake and mother's

grief.

See how my wretched sister sobs and weeps. Marc. Patience, dear niece. Good Titus, dry

care.

Now let me show a brother's love to thee.

thine eyes.

Ah, Marcus, Marcus! brother, well

Thy napkin cannot drink

Sends thee

Are meet

To make us wonder'd at in time to come.

Tit.

now would I

Enter aaron.

Aar. Titus Andronicus,

Tit. Sirs, strive

some device of further misery.

your

which

My hand:

a gather'd lily almost wither'd.

What shall we do?

to her brother

sons.

Now

Look, Marcus!

she a tongue to speak,

:

But that which gives

Had

signs:

a tear of mine,

I

wot 1^0

Tit.

Luc.

Agree between you; I will spare Then I'll go fetch an axe.

my hand.

:

1

TITUS ANDRONICUS

84

Marc. But

I

But

will use the axe.

[Exeunt lucius and marcus. Tit.

Come hither, Aaron;

Lend me thy hand, and

I'll

deceive them both:

I

But

I'll

deceive

I live,

men so:

ipo

deceive you in another sort,

And that you'll

Re-enter lucius and

Now stay your strife:

marcus.

what

shall

be

it

give his Majesty

was

[Exit.

my hand:

a

More hath it merited; that let it have. As for my sons, say I account of them ipp As jewels purchased at an easy price; And yet dear too, because I bought mine own. Aar.

I

go, Andronicus

Look by and by [Aside]

I

mean. O,

how this

villainy

Doth

fat

me with the very thoughts of it!

Let fools do good, and

fair

men call

for grace,

Aaron will have his soul black like his face. [Exit. Tit. O, here I lift this one hand up to heaven.

And bow this If any

power

To that I call! kneel with

wretched

me?

210 for

heaven

shall hear

our

prayers;

Or with our sighs we'll breathe the welkin dim, And stain the sun with fog, as sometime clouds

When they do hug him in their melting bosoms. Marc. O brother, speak with possibilities. And do not break into these deep extremes. Tit. Is not my sorrow deep, having no bottom? Then be my passions bottomless with them. Marc. But yet let reason govern thy lament. Tit. If there

Then into

were reason

limits could

I

for these miseries.

bind

my woes

o'erflow?

farewell, flattery: die, Andronicus;

two

sons' heads.

Struck pale and bloodless; and thy brother, Even like a stony image, cold and numb.

Ah, now no more

will

I

control thy griefs

I,

2 60

:

Rend off thy silver hair, thy other hand Gnawing with thy teeth; and be this dismal

sight

The closing up of our most wretched eyes: Now is a time to storm; why art thou still? Tit. Ha, ha, ha! Marc. Why dost thou laugh?

it fits

not with

this hour.

Why,

have not another tear to shed: is an enemy. And would usurp upon my watery eyes. And make them blind with tributary tears 2jo Then which way shall I find Revenge's cave? For these two heads do seem to speak to me And threat me I shall never come to bliss I

Besides, this sorrow

:

wax mad.

Threatening the welkin with his big-swoln face? And wilt thou have a reason for this coil? I am the sea; hark, how her sighs do blow! She is the weeping welkin, I the earth: Then must my sea be moved with her sighs;

Then must my earth with her continual tears Become a deluge, overflow'd and drown'd; 2^0 For

Now,

dost not slumber: see, thy

Thy warlike hand, thy mangled daughter here; Thy other banish'd son, with this dear sight

Tit.

221

When heaven doth weep, doth not the earth If the winds rage, doth not the sea

not shrink thereat!

end?

Thou

tears,

[To lavinia] What, wilt thou

Do, then, dear heart;

life

LAVINIA kisses TITUS. Marc. Alas, poor heart, that kiss is comfortless As frozen water to a starved snake. Tit. When will this fearful slumber have an

Marc.

feeble ruin to the earth: pities

a

wound.

That ever death should let life bear his name, 24^ Where life hath no more interest but to breathe!

to have thy sons with thee,

Their heads,

deal;

But sorrow flouted at is double death. Luc. Ah, that this sight should make so deep

And yet detested

and for thy hand

:

Mess. Worthy Andronicus, ill art thou repaid For that good hand thou sent'st the Emperor. Here are the heads of thy two noble sons;

Marc. Now let hot i^^tna cool in Sicily, And be my heart an ever-burning hell! These miseries are more than may be borne. To weep with them that weep doth ease some

hand that warded him From thousand dangers; bid him bury it;

Tell him

To ease their stomachs with their bitter tongues.

is

dispatch'd.

Good Aaron,

vomit them.

And here's thy hand, in scorn to thee sent back; Thy griefs their sports, thy resolution mock'd; That woe is me to think upon thy woes 240 More than remembrance of my father's death.

say, ere half an hour pass.

Cuts off TiTus's hand.

Tit.

I

leave, for losers will have leave

Enter a messenger, with two heads and a hand.

will be

honest,

whilst

drunkard must

Then give me

III

will give thee mine.

I

Aar. [Aside] If that be call'd deceit,

And never,

like a

ACT

why my bowels cannot hide her woes.

Till

all

Even

these mischiefs be return'd again.

in their throats that

have committed them.

me see what task I have to do. You heavy people, circle me about. That I may turn me to each one of you, And swear unto my soul to right your wrongs. Come,

let

:

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I

The vow is made. Come, brother, take And in this hand the other will I bear.

281

my

How Troy was burnt and he made miserable? O, handle not the theme, to talk of hands, Lest we remember still that we have none.

teeth.

As for thee, Thou art an

boy, go get thee from my sight; exile, and thou must not stay:

we have much to do.

[Exeunt titus, marcus, and lavinia. my noble father.

Luc. Farewell, Andronicus,

The woefuU'st man that ever Farewell, proud

Rome;

till

Rome: 290 Lucius come again, lived in

fie,

If Marcus did not name the word of hands! Come, let's fall to; and, gentle girl, eat this: Here is no drink! Hark, Marcus, what she says; I can interpret all her martyr'd signs; She says she drinks no other drink but tears, Brew'd with her sorrow, mesh'd upon her cheeks:

He leaves his pledges dearer than his life: Farewell, Lavinia, my noble sister;

Speechless complainer,

O, would thou wert

As begging hermits in their holy prayers: Thou shalt not sigh, nor hold thy stumps to

In thy

thou tofore hast been! But now nor Lucius nor Lavinia lives But in oblivion and hateful griefs. If Lucius live, he will requite your wrongs; And make proud Saturnine and his empress Beg at the gates, like Tarquin and his queen.

Now will

I

as

to the Goths, and raise a power.

To be revenged on Rome and Saturnine. Scene

ii.

now

sit:

But

[Exit.

young

And tears

10

that thus dost

make

it still.

Wound it with sighing, girl, kill it with groans; Or get some little knife between thy teeth. And That

just against all

thy heart

make thou

a hole;

the tears that thy poor eyes let

May run into that sink, Drown the lamenting

Marc. At that that I have kill'd, my lord; a fly. Tit. Out on thee, murderer! thou kill'st my heart;

already?

Marcus, no man should be mad but

are cloy'd with

I.

view of tyranny:

Becomes not Titus' brother: get thee gone; I see thou art not for my company. Marc. Alas, my lord, I have but kill'd a fly. Tit. But how, if that fly had a father and 60 mother? How would he hang his slender gilded wings, And buzz lamenting doings in the air! Poor harmless fly, That, with his pretty buzzing melody. Came here to make us merry! and thou hast kill'd

Marc. Pardon me,

fool in sea-salt tears.

with a knife. Marcus, with thy

him.

fall

and soaking in

sir; it

was

a black ill-favour'd

20

Marc. Fie, brother, fie! teach her not thus to lay Such violent hands upon her tender life. Tit. How now! has sorrow made thee dote

Why,

strikes the dish

away.

A deed of death done on the innocent

with outrageous

thus to

made of 50

Mine eyes

beating. it

moved,

knife?

talk in signs!

strike

tender sapling; thou art

will quickly melt thy life

MARCUS

Beats in this hollow prison of my flesh,

Thou canst not

in passion

to see his grandsire's heaviness.

What dost thou strike at,

mad with misery,

When thy poor heart beats

bitter

deep laments:

tears,

my breast;

Then thus I thump it down. [To lavinia.] Thou map of woe,

40

Young Luc. Good grandsire, leave these

Tit. Peace,

folded arms. This poor right hand of mine

all

be as perfect

Marc. Alas, the tender boy,

Marcus, unknit that sorrow-wreathen knot:

Who, when my heart,

will learn thy thought;

I

nor nod, nor kneel, nor make a sign. of tlicse will wrest an alphabet by still practice learn to know thy meaning.

Doth weep

and look you eat no more

tyrannize upon

I

Make my aunt merry with some pleasing tale.

Thy niece and I, poor creatures, want our hands, And cannot passionate our tenfold grief Is left to

I

And ^00

Than will preserve just so much strength in us As will revenge these bitter woes of ours.

With

action will

heaven.

set out.

Enter titus, marcus, lavinia, and LUCIUS, a fio^. Tit. So, so;

dumb

Nor wink,

A room in Titus's house

a banquet

50

how frantically I square my talk. As if we should forget we had no hands. Fie,

Hie to the Goths, and raise an army there: And, if you love me, as I think you do. Let's kiss and part, for

can she lay on her life? Ah, wherefore dost thou urge the name of hands;

To bid i4!]neas tell the tale twice o'er.

employ 'd: these arms! hand, sweet wench, between thy

Lavinia, thou shalt be

Bear thou

185

What violent hands

a head;

Like to the Empress' Moor; therefore Tit.

I

kill'd

him.

O, O, O,

Then pardon me

for reprehending thee,

For thou hast done a charitable deed. Give me thy knife, I will insult on him;

jo

TITUS ANDRONICUS

i86 Flattering myself, as if it

Come hither purposely to poison me. There's for thyself, and that's for Tamora. Ah,

and

think,

That comes

Marc. Lucius,

of a coal-black Moor.

in likeness

fly

And, madam, if my uncle Marcus go, I will most willingly attend your ladyship.

we are not brought so low, But that between us we can kill a fly I

IV

Causeless, perhaps. But pardon me, sweet aunt:

sirrah!

Yet,

ACT

Which made me down to throw my books,

were the Moor

I

will.

LAVINIA turns over with her stumps the books

Marc. Alas, poor man! grief has so wrought on him, 80 He takes false shadows for true substances. Tit. Come, take away. Lavinia, go with me: I'll to thy closet; and go read with thee Sad stories chanced in the times of old. Come, boy, and go with me: thy sight is young. And thou shalt read when mine began to dazzle. [Exeunt.

which LUCIUS has Tit.

let fall.

How now, Lavinia!

Marcus, what means

this?

^o

Some book there is that she desires to see. Which is it, girl, of these? Open them, boy. But thou art deeper read, and better skill'd: Come, and take choice of all my library. And so beguile thy sorrow, till the heavens Reveal the damn'd contriver of this deed.

Why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus?

ACT Scene

i.

Rome:

Marc.

IV Titus' s garden

Enter young lucius, and lavinia running after him, and the boy flies from her, with books under his arm. Then enter titus and marcus.

Young Luc. Help, grandsire,

help!

I

think she means that there

my aunt

Confederate in the fact: ay, more there was; Or else to heaven she heaves them for revenge.

what book is that she tosseth so? ^/ Young Luc. Grandsire, 'tis Ovid's MetamorTit. Lucius,

phoses;

My mother gave

Lavinia

me everywhere, I know not why: Good uncle Marcus, see how swift she comes. Alas, sweet aunt, I know not what you mean.

Tit. Soft! see

Marc. Stand by me, Lucius; do not fear thine

[Helping

me. For love of her that's gone, it from among the rest.

it

Marc. Perhaps she cuU'd

Follows

how busily

What would she find?

She loves thee, boy, too well to do thee harm.

This

my father was in Rome

she did.

Marc.

I

read?

the leaves. Tit. Lavinia,

Fear her not, Lucius: somewhat doth she

50 wert thou thus surprised, sweet

girl.

Ravish'd and wrong'd, as Philomela was.

mean: See, Lucius, see how much she makes of thee: 10 Somewhither would she have thee go with

thee thus? I

know not,

I,

nor can

and gloomy woods?

I

for murders and for rapes. Marc. O, why should nature build so foul a den. Unless the gods delight in tragedies? 60 Tit. Give signs, sweet girl, for here are none but

guess,

Unless some fit or frenzy do possess her: For I have heard my grandsire say full oft, Extremity of griefs would make men mad; And I have read that Hecuba of Troy Ran mad for sorrow: that made me to fear; Although, my lord, I know my noble aunt Loves me as dear as e'er my mother did. And would not, but in fury, fright my youth:

in the ruthless, vast,

By nature made

Marc. Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies

My lord,

Forced

See, see!

Ay, such a place there is, where we did hunt O, had we never, never hunted there! Pattern'd by that the poet here describes.

her.

Ah, boy, Cornelia never with more care Read to her sons than she hath read to thee Sweet poetry and Tully's Orator.

Young Luc.

Lavinia, shall

the tragic tale of Philomel,

And treats of Tereus' treason and his rape; And rape, I fear, was root of thine annoy. Marc. See, brother, see; note how she quotes

What means my niece Lavinia by these

signs? Tit.

is

she turns the leaves!

her.}

aunt. Tit.

Young Luc. Ay, when

was more

than one

friends.

What Roman lord it was durst do the deed: Or slunk not Saturnine, as Tarquin erst. That 20

left

the

camp to

sin in Lucrece' bed?

down, sweet down by me.

Marc.

Sit

niece: brother, sit

Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury, Inspire me, that I may this treason find! lord, look here: look here, Lavinia:

My

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I

This sandy plot is plain; guide if thou canst, -jo This after me, when I have writ my name Without the help of any hand at all. He "writes his name with his staff, and guides it with feet and mouth. Cursed be that heart that forced us to this shift! Write thou, good niece; and her display, at last, What God will have discover'd for revenge: Heaven guide thy pen to print thy sorrows plain. That we may know the traitors and the truth! She takes the staff in her ?nouth, and guides it with her stumps, and writes. Tit. O, do ye read, my lord, what she hath writ? ''Stuprum. Chiron. Demetrius." Marc. What, what! the lustful sons of Tamora Performers of this heinous, bloody deed? 80 Tit. Magni Dominator poli. Tarn lentus audis scelera? tam lentus vides? Marc. O, calm thee, gentle lord; although I

Come, come;

is

enough written upon

my dagger in their

bosoms, grandsire.

No, boy, not

Tit.

so;

I'll

teach thee another

course.

Lavinia, come. Marcus, look to my house: 120 Lucius and I'll go brave it at the court: Ay, marry, will we, sir; and we'll be waited on. [Exeunt titus, lavinia, and young luc. heavens, can you hear a good man Marc.

O

groan

And not relent or not compassion him? Marcus, attend him in his ecstasy. That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart Than foemen's marks upon his batter'd shield; But yet so just that he will not revenge. Revenge, ye heavens, for old Andronicus

Scene

The same:

ii.

a

room

!

this earth

in the palace

side,

Chi. Demetrius, here's the son of Lucius;

He hath some message to deliver us.

hope;

And swear with me, as, with the woeful fere And father of that chaste dishonour'd dame,

Aar. Ay, some

po

Young Luc. I may, I

And

[Aside]

see their blood, or die with this reproach.

enough, an you knew how. But if you hunt these bear- whelps, then beware:

wake; and,

She's with the lion deeply

if she still

young huntsman, Marcus; let And, come, I will go get a leaf of brass.

it

pray the

Dem. Gramercy,

Roman gods confound you

lovely Lucius: what's the

news? Young Luc. [Aside] That you are both

in league.

are a

And

both!

wind you once,

And lulls him whilst she playeth on her back. And when he sleeps will she do what she list.

My lords, with all the humbleness

greet your honours from x\ndronicus.

Tit. 'Tis sure

will

mad message from his mad

grandfather.

Lord Junius Brutus sware for Lucrece' rape, That we will prosecute by good advice Mortal revenge upon these traitorous Goths,

decipher'd, that's the news.

100

For

villains

mark'd with rape.

— May

it

please

you,

alone;

My grandsire, well advised, hath sent by me

And with a gad of steel will write these words. And lay it by: the angry northern wind

The goodliest weapons of his armoury

Will blow these sands, like Sibyl's leaves, abroad And where's your lesson, then? Boy, what say you? Young Luc. I say, my lord, that if I were a man, Their mother's bed-chamber should not be safe For these bad bondmen to the yoke of Rome. Marc. Ay, that's my boy! thy father hath

The hope of Rome; for so he bade me say; And so I do, and with his gifts present

For his ungrateful country done the like. Young Luc. And, uncle, so will I, an if I live. Tit. Come, go with me into mine armoury; I'll tit

thee; and withal,

Shalt carry from

Presents that

I

Your

lordships, that,

me to the Empress'

whenever you have need,

You may be armed and appointed well: And so I leave you both: [Aside] like bloody villains.

[Exeunt young lucius and Attendant. Dem. What's here? A scroll; and written round about? Let's see: [Reads] Integer

my boy,

vitce, scelerisque purus,

Nan eget Mauri jaculis,

sons

intend to send them both:

10

To gratify your honourable youth.

no

full oft

Lucius,

[Exit.

aaron, demetrius, and from CHiROK!; from the other side, young lucius, and an Attendant, with a bundle of weapons, and verses writ upon them. one

Enter,

And arm the minds of infants to exclaims. My lord, kneel down with me; Lavinia, kneel; And kneel, sweet bov, the Roman Hector's

You

do thy message, wilt thou

Young Luc. Ay, with

To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts

The dam

thou'lt

not?

know There

.87

Chi. I

read

O, it

'tis

a verse in

in the

nee arcu.

Horace;

I

grammar long ago.

know it well:

20

TITUS ANDRONICUS Aar. Ay, just; a verse in Horace; right, you have it.

Now, what

[Aside]

Here's no sound

a thing

it is

the old

jest!

Here is the babe, as loathsome as a toad Amongst the fairest breeders of our clime:

lines.

let

Led us

her rest in her unrest awhile. to

Rome,

was't not a happy star more than so.

strangers, and

Captives, to be advanced to this height? It

did

me good,

Aar. 'Zounds, ye whore! is black so base a hue? Sweet blowse, you are a beauteous blossom, sure. Dem. Villain, what hast thou done? Aar. That which thou canst not undo. Chi. Thou hast undone our mother. Aar. Villain, I have done thy mother.

A charitable wish and full of love.

Aar. Here lacks but your mother for to say

choice!

Aar.

she for twenty thousand

Nurse, give

Dem. Come,

let

us go; and pray to

all

the gods

Chi. Belike, for joy the Soft!

Emperor hath

a son.

50

who comes here?

my sword shall soon dispatch

Aar. Sooner this sword shall plough thy bowels

in her

arms.

Good morrow, lords: Nur. O, tell me, did you see Aaron the Moor? Aar. Well, more or less, or ne'er a whit at all, Here Aaron is; and what with Aaron now? Nur. O gentle Aaron, we are all undone!

Now help, or woe betide thee evermore! Why, what a caterwauling dost thou

keep!

What dost thou wrap and fumble in thine arms? that

which

I

would hide from heaven's

eye,

Our Empress' shame, and

59 stately

Rome's

disgrace! deliver'd, lords; she

is

deliver'd.

To whom?

Nur.

I mean, she is brought a-bed. Aar. Well, God give her good rest! What hath he sent her?

A devil.

you

kill

your

brother?

Now, by the burning tapers of the

sky.

That shone so brightly when this boy was got, He dies upon my scimitar's sharp point pi That touches this my first-born son and heir! I tell

Enter a nurse, ivith a blackamoor child

Nur.

me;

Stay, murderous villains! will

thus?

is

it

up.

given us over.

Aar.

I

Takes the child from the nurse and draws.

Trumpets sound within. Dem. Why do the Emperor's trumpets flourish

She

80

not die.

it.

For our beloved mother in her pains. Aar. [Aside] Pray to the devils; the gods have

Nur. O,

It shall

Nur. Aaron, it must; the mother wills it so. Aar. What, must it, nurse? then let no man but Do execution on my flesh and blood. Dem. I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's

more.

Aar.

fiend!

Chi. It shall not live.

point:

And that would

Dem.

thou hast undone.

Accursed the offspring of so foul a

amen. Chi.

hellish dog,

Woe to her chance, and damn'd her loathed

brother's hearing.

Dem. But me more good, to see so great a lord Basely insinuate and send us gifts. Aar. Had he not reason, Lord Demetrius? 40 Did you not use his daughter very friendly? Dem. I would we had a thousand Roman dames At such a bay, by turn to serve our lust. Chi.

The Empress sends it thee, thy stamp, thy seal. And bids thee christen it with thy dagger's point.

Dem. And therein,

before the palace gate

To brave the tribune in his

the devil's dam; a

issue:

That wound, beyond their feeling, to the quick. But were our witty empress well afoot, She would applaud Andronicus' conceit: 50 But

is

A joyless, dismal, black, and sorrowful

Nur.

to be an ass!

man hath found

sends them weapons wrapp'd about with

And now, young lords,

then she

IV

joyful issue.

their guilt;

And

Why,

Aar.

ACT

you, younglings, not Enceladus,

With all his threatening band of Typhon's Nor great Alcides, nor the god of war. Shall seize this prey out

What, what, ye

of his father's hands.

sanguine, shallow-hearted boys!

Ye white-limed walls! ye alehouse painted Coal-black

is

signs!

better than another hue,

scorns to bear another hue;

In that

it

For

the water in the ocean

all

brood,

Can never turn

100

the swan's black legs to white,

Although she lave them hourly in the flood. Tell the Empress from me, I am of age To keep mine own, excuse it how she can. Dem. Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus? Aar.

My mistress is my mistress; this myself,

The vigour and the picture of my youth: This before all the world do I prefer; no This maugre all the world will I keep safe, Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome. Dem. By this our mother is for ever shamed.

.

^

:

SCENE Chi.

TITUS ANDRONICUS

II

Rome will despise her for this

Nur. The Emperor,

foul escape.

in his rage, will

Hark

doom her

blush to think upon this ignomy.

Chi.

I

Why, there's the privilege your beauty with

Then

blushing

The close enacts and counsels of the heart! Here's a young lad framed of another

let

leer:

how the black slave smiles upon the father, As who should say, "Old lad, I am thine own." 121

He is your brother, lords, sensibly fed Of that self-blood that first gave life to you, And from that womb where you imprison'd were He is enfranchised and come to light:

Aar.

when we

And

to dispose this treasure in

I'll

it is

you

feed on berries and on roots.

And feed on curds and whey, and suck the goat. And cabin in a cave, and bring you up 775) To be a warrior, and command a camp. [Exit. Scene

hi.

The same: a public place

Tit.

ends

Come, Marcus; come, kinsmen;

Sir boy,

now let me see your

archery;

Be you remember'd, Marcus,

He kills the nurse. Weke, weke! so cries a pig prepared to the spit. Dem. What mean'st thou, Aaron? wherefore didst thou this?

deed of policy: Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours, A long-tongued babbling gossip? no, lords, no: And now be it known to you my full intent. 75/ Not far, one Muli lives, my countryman; His wife but yesternight was brought to bed; His child is like to her, fair as you are: Go pack with him, and give the mother gold, And tell them both the circumstance of all; And how by this their child shall be advanced, And be received for the Emperor's heir. And substituted in the place of mine. To calm this tempest whirling in the court; 160

this is

the way.

/40

said.

And let the Emperor dandle him for his own.

letters at the

men with bows.

Go to the Empress, tell her this I

a

bear you

that puts us to our shifts:

make you

Look ye draw home enough, and

'tis

I'll

of them; with him, marcus, young lucius, puBLius, Sempronius, Cains, and other Gentle-

Nur. Cornelia the midwife and myself;

O Lord, sir,

mine arms,

hence;

And no one else but the deliver'd Empress. Aar. The Empress the midwife, and yourself: Two may keep counsel when the third's away:

Aar.

off the

secretly to greet the Empress' friends.

Come on, you thick-lipp'd slave,

league, I am a lamb: but if you brave the Moor, The chafed boar, the mountain lioness. The ocean swells not so as x\aron storms. But say, again, how many saw the child?

170

Now to the Goths, as swift as swallow

Enter titus, bearing arrows uoith

join in

please.

flies;

For

brave lords!

what they

see thou wilt not trust the air

Nurse's body.

And we will

all subscribe to thy advice: /50 Save thou the child, so we may all be safe. Aar. Then sit we down, and let us all consult. My son and I will have the wind of you: Keep there: now talk at pleasure of your safety. They sit. Dem. How many women saw this child of his?

I

care of Tamora, Herself and hers are highly bound to thee [Exeunt demetrius and chiron bearing

There

so,

nurse.

With secrets. Dem. For this

Nay, he is your brother by the surer side, Although my seal be stamped in his face. Nur. Aaron, what shall I say unto the Empress? Dem. Advise thee, Aaron, what is to be done,

Why,

have given her physic,

the ladies tattle

Chi. Aaron,

Look,

Aar.

to the

I

This done, see that you take no longer days, But send the midwife presently to me. The midwife and the nurse well made away,

bears Fie, treacherous hue, that will betray

Pointing

ye see

And you must needs bestow her funeral; The fields are near, and you are gallant grooms:

death.

Aar.

89

ye, lords;

'tis

there

straight.

Terras Astrcea reliquit: she's gone, she's

fled.

Sirs,

take you to your tools. You, cousins, shall

Go sound the ocean, and cast your nets; Happily you may catch her in the sea; Yet there's as little justice as at land: No; Publius and Sempronius, you must do it; 10 'Tis you must dig with mattock and with spade. And pierce the inmost centre of the earth:

Then when you come to

Pluto's region,

pray you, deliver him this petition; Tell him, it is for Justice and for aid. And that it comes from old Andronicus, I

Shaken with sorrows in ungrateful Rome. Ah, Rome! Well, well; I made thee miserable What time I threw the people's suffrages 20 On him that thus doth tyrannize o'er me, Go, get you gone; and pray be careful all. And leave you not a man-of-war unsearch'd:

TITUS ANDRONICUS

190

This wicked Emperor

may have shipp'd her

hence;

Publius shot,

And, kinsmen, then we may go pipe for Justice. Marc. O Pubhus, is not this a heavy case.

To see thy noble uncle thus distract? Pub. Therefore, my lord, it highly us concerns By day and night to attend him carefully. And feed his humour kindly as we may, some careful remedy. 50 Marc. Kinsmen, his sorrows are past remedy. Join with the Goths; and with revengeful war Take wreak on Rome for this ingratitude. And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine. Till time beget

Tit. Publius,

how now! how now, my masters!

What, have you met with her? Pub. No, my good lord; but Pluto sends you Revenge from

for Justice, she

is

hell,

you

shall:

He thinks, with Jove in heaven, or somewhere 40

So that perforce you must needs stay a time. Tit. He doth me wrong to feed me with delays. I'll

dive into the burning lake below.

And pull her out of Acheron by the heels. Marcus, we are but shrubs, no cedars we. No big-boned men framed of the Cyclops'

size;

But metal, Marcus, steel to the very back. Yet wrung with wrongs more than our backs can bear:

And,

sith there's

no

justice in earth

nor

hell.

We will solicit heaven and move the gods

50

To send down Justice for to wreak our wrongs. Come,

to this gear.

You

are a

Marcus; [He gives them

good archer,

the

arrows .]

^'Adjovem,'' that's for you: here, ''AdApollineni'

^'Ad Martem,'' that's for myself: Here, boy, to Pallas: here, to Mercury:

Tit.

good

Why,

there

God give his lordship

goes:

it

joy!

Enter a clown, with a basket, and two pigeons in

News, news from heaven! Marcus,

the post

is

I

Clo. Alas, sir,

with him

in all

know

I

not Jupiter;

Tit.

Why,

Clo.

Ay, of my pigeons,

Tit.

Why,

Clo.

God

From forbid

I

never drank

my life.

villain, art

not thou the carrier? sir;

nothing

else.

come from heaven? sir, I never came there:

didst thou not

heaven!

alas,

should be so bold to press to heaven

I

in my young days. Why, I am going with my pigeons to the tribunal plebs, to take up a matter of brawl betwixt my uncle and one of the empe-

men. Marc. Why, sir, that is as fit as can be to serve for your oration; and let him deliver the pigeons to the Emperor from you. Tit. Tell me, can you deliver an oration to the Emperor with a grace? Clo. Nay, truly, sir, I could never say grace in rial's

my life.

Tit. Sirrah,

loi

come hither: make no more

ado,

To it, boy! Marcus, loose when bid. Of my word, I have written to effect;

But give your pigeons to the Emperor: shalt have justice at his hands. Hold, hold; meanwhile here's money for thy

There's not a god left unsolicited. 60 Marc. Kinsmen, shoot all your shafts into the

Give me pen and

as

to shoot against the wind.

By me thou

I

We will afflict the Emperor in his pride. Now,

masters, draw. [They shoot.]

Marc.

in

Virgo's lap; give it Pallas. I aim a mile beyond the

My lord,

moon; \oui letter

ink. Sirrah, can

you with a

Clo. x\y, sir.

O,

well said, Lucius!

Good boy,

charges.

grace deliver a supplication?

court:

Tit.

it.

what tidings? have you any letters? have justice? what says Jupiter? jp Clo. O, the gibbet-maker! he says that he hath taken them down again, for the man must not be hanged till the next week. Tit. But what says Jupiter, I ask thee?

all

To Saturn, Caius, not to Saturnine; You were

villain?

She laugh'd, and told the Moor he should not choose But give them to his master for a present.

Sirrah,

so employ'd,

else,

JO

.

The Bull, being gall'd, gave Aries such a knock That down fell both the Ram's horns in the court; And who should find them but the Empress'

Shall

If you will have

IV

my lord: when

come.

word.

Marry,

ACT

Marc. This was the sport,

is

with Jupiter by

this.

rif.Ha,ha! Publius, Publius,

what hast thou done?

See, see, thou hast shot off one of Taurus' horns.

Tit. Then here when you come

is

a supplication for you.

And

approach you must kneel, then kiss his foot, then deliver up your pigeons, and then look for your reward. I'll be at hand, sir; see you do it bravely. Clo. I warrant you, sir, let me alone. Tit. Sirrah, hast thou a knife? come, let me see

to him, at the

first

it.

Here, Marcus, fold

it

in the oration;

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

III

humble suppliant. And when thou hast given it the Emperor, Knock at my door and tell me what he says. For thou hast made

it

like an

Clo.

God be with you,

Tit.

Come, Marcus,

emperial.

us go. Publius, follow

Clo. 'Tis he.

[Exeunt.

me.

^o

Empress Emperor.

Tarn.

120

sir; I will.

let

191

Yea, forsooth, an your mistership be

Clo.

good den:

I

I

am, but yonder

sits

the

God and Saint Stephen give you have brought you a letter and a

couple of pigeons here.

Scene

iv.

The same:

before the palace

Saturninus reads the

Enter saturninus, tamora, demetrius, chiron. Lords, and others; saturninus with the arrows in his Sat.

hand that titus

Why,

lords,

shot.

what wrongs are

these!

was

ever seen

letter.

Go, take him away, and hang him presently. Clo. How much money must I have? Tarn. Come, sirrah, you must be hanged. Clo. Hanged! by'r lady, then I have brought up Sat.

a

An Emperor in Rome thus overborne,

neck to a

fair end.

[Exit, guarded.

Despiteful and intolerable wrongs!

Sat.

endure

50

monstrous villainy?

Troubled, confronted thus; and, for the extent Of egal justice, used in such contempt?

Shall

My lords, you know, as know the mightful gods.

May this be borne? As

However these disturbers of our peace

That died by law for murder of our brother. Have by my means been butcher 'd wrongfully! Go, drag the villain hither by the hair;

Buz

in the people's ears, there

I

nought hath pass'd,

But even with law, against the wilful sons Of old Andronicus. And what an if 10 His sorrows have so overwhelm'd his wits, Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks. His fits, his frenzy, and his bitterness? And now he writes to heaven for his redress: See, here's to Jove, and this to Mercury: This to Apollo; this to the god of war; Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome!

What's

And

this

but libelling against the senate.

A goodly humour, is it not, my lords? But

say, in

Rome no justice were

20

no shelter to these outrages: But he and his shall know that justice

He'll so

Cut

awake

whom,

Tarn.

head; and with a power

bent to the spoil.

They hither march

'Tis he the

amain, under conduct son to old Andronicus;

to approach:

common people love so much;

Myself hath often over-heard them

50

say,

When I have walked like a private man. That Lucius' banishment was wrongfully, And they have wish'd that Lucius were their

heart;

emperor. Tarn.

become

Why should you fear? is not your city

strong?

High-witted Tamora to gloze with all: But, Titus, I have touch 'd thee to the quick. Thy life-blood out: if Aaron now be wise,

Sat.

80

Tarn. King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy

name.

the anchor's in the port.

How now, good fellow!

Ay, but the citizens favour Lucius,

And will revolt from me to succour him.

Is the

Enter clown.

with us?

^^milius?

my lord; Rome never had

storms:

hath pierced him deep and scarr'd his

all safe,

Arm, arm, more cause.

/Emil.

Ay, now begin our sorrows

And rather comfort his distressed plight Than prosecute the meanest or the best For these contempts. [Aside] Why, thus it shall

Then is

What news with thee,

as ever Coriolanus did. warlike Lucius general of the Goths? These tidings nip me, and I hang the head jo As flowers with frost or grass beat down with

thoughts.

Calm thee, and bear the faults of Titus' age. The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons,

Whose loss

60

Enter /EMiLws.

Sat. Is

My gracious lord, my lovely Saturnine, commander of my

Rome and me.

As much

if she sleep,

as she in fury shall

life,

In hope thyself should govern

Who threats, in course of this revenge, to do lives

off the proud' St conspirator that lives.

Lord of my

if his traitorous sons,

Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege: For this proud mock I'll be thy slaughter-man; Sly frantic wretch, that holp'st to make me great.

Of Lucius,

Shall be

In Saturninus' health,

know from whence this same device proceeds:

Of high-resolved men,

feigned ecstasies

if I live, his

this

The Goths have gather'd

blazoning our injustice every where?

As who would

I

wouldst thou speak N

sun dimm'd, that gnats do

fly in it?

The eagle suffers little birds to sing. And is not careful what they mean thereby, Knowing that with the shadow of his wings

— TITUS ANDRONICUS

192

He can at pleasure stint their melody:

All the Goths. And as he saith, so say we all with him. Luc. I humbly thank him, and I thank you all.

Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome. Then cheer thy spirit: for know, thou emperor, I

sweet, and yet

more dangerpo

ous,

Than

baits to fish, or honey-stalks to sheep,

Sat.

But he will not entreat

And,

[Exit.

Now will I to that old Andronicus,

Sat.

Then go

"For

1

must bear thee

///

successantly, and plead to him.

[Exeunt.

Scene

i.

this,

This

the pearl that pleased your Empress' eye.

is

Plains bear RoTne

drum and colours. Luc. Approved warriors, and my faithful friends,

have received

letters

from great Rome,

Which signify what hate they bear their Emperor And how desirous of our sight they are. Therefore, great lords, be, as your titles witness. Imperious and impatient of your wrongs.

Let him make treble satisfaction. ist Goth. Brave slip, sprung from the great Andronicus, Whose name was once our terror, now our comfort;

in us: we'll follow where thou lead'st. Like stinging bees in hottest summer's day Led by their master to the flowered fields, And be avenged on cursed Tamora.

Be bold

convey This growing image of thy fiend-like face? Why dost not speak? what, deaf? not a word? A halter, soldiers! hang him on this tree. And by his side his fruit of bastardy. Aar. Touch not the boy; he is of royal blood. Luc.

Too like the sire for ever being good.

A

Get me

a ladder.

And

is

made to ascend,

Lucius, save the child

Aar. bear

it

from

me to the Empress.

show thee wondrous things. That highly may advantage thee to hear: If thou wilt not, befall what may befall, I'll speak no more but "Vengeance rot you all!" Luc. Say on: an if it please me which thou If thou

lo

50

hang the child, that he may see it sprawl; sight to vex the father's soul withal.

First

A ladder brought., which aaron

And wherein Rome hath done you any scath,

Whose high exploits and honourable deeds Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt.

the base fruit of his burning lust.

Say, wall-eyed slave, whither wouldst thou

Enter lucius uoith an army o/goths, ivith

I

babe,

for thy mother's sake."

Surprised

And here's

ACT V

Goth;

my weapon drawn, I rush'd upon him, him suddenly, and brought him hither To use as you think needful of the man. Luc. O worthy Goth, this is the incarnate devil That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand; 4/ With

have

to a trusty

Who, when he knows thou art the Empress' Will hold thee dearly

To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths. And now, sweet emperor, be blithe again, And bury thy fear in my devices.

art,

thy mother's look. Villain, thou mightst have been an emperor: 50 But where the bull and cow are both milk-white, They never do beget a coal-black calf. Peace, villain, peace!" even thus he rates the babe lent thee but

—

Bid him demand what pledge will please him best. /Emil. Your bidding shall I do effectually.

I

mine eye

Did not thy hue bewray whose brat thou

Had nature

a parley

the art

fix

building, suddenly

heard a child cry underneath a wall. made unto the noise; when soon I heard The crying babe controU'd with this discourse: "Peace, tawny slave, half me and half thy dam!

and appoint the meeting Andronicus. Sat. ^milius, do this message honourably: And if he stand on hostage for his safety.

And temper him with all

earnestly did

I

at his father's house, the old

Tarn.

I

I

Of warlike Lucius,

Even

as

Upon the wasted

100

dor:

Emperor requests

I

20

To gaze upon a ruinous monastery;

his son for us.

I

that the

Goth?

a lusty

stray'd

can smooth and fill his aged ear With golden promises; that, were his heart Almost impregnable, his old ears deaf. Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue. [To ^Mii-ius] Go thou before, be our ambassa-

Say

by

2nd Goth. Renowned Lucius, from our troops

feed.

Tarn. If Tamora entreat him, then he will:

For

here, led

Enter second goth, leading aaron ivith his child in his arms.

When as the one is wounded with the bait. The other rotted with delicious

who comes

But

Andronicus

will enchant the old

With words more

ACT V

do

this, I'll

speak'st.

Thy child shall live, and I will see it nourish'd. Aar. An if it please thee! why, assure thee, Lucius,

6i

—

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

I

'Twill vex thy soul to hear what I shall speak; For I must talk of murders, rapes and massacres,

Acts of black night, abominable deeds,

Complots of mischief, treason,

That both mine eyes were rainy like to his: And when I told the Empress of this sport, She swooned almost at my pleasing tale

Unless thou swear to me my child shall live. Luc. Tell on thy mind; I say thy child shall

And

live.

Luc.

ist

Who should

and then I will begin. swear by? thou believest

no god:

7/

That granted, how canst thou believe an oath? Aar. What if I do not? as, indeed, I do not; Yet, for

I

know thou

for

my tidings gave me twenty kisses.

Goth.

What,

canst thou say

all this,

Aar. Ay, like a black dog, as the saying is. Luc. Art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds?

Aar. Ay, that I had not done a thousand more. and yet, I think. Even now I curse the day Few come within the compass of my curse Wherin I did not some notorious ill. As kill a man, or else devise his death, Ravish a maid, or plot the way to do it, Accuse some innocent and forswear myself, 75 Set deadly enmity between two friends.

—

art religious

And hast a thing within thee called conscience, With twenty popish tricks and ceremonies Which I have seen thee careful to observe, Therefore I urge thy oath; for that I know

An idiot holds his

bauble for a god 75) keeps the oath which by that god he swears, that I'll urge him: therefore thou shalt vow

And

Make poor men's

To

Set fires on barns and hay-stacks in the night.

I

nought to thee.

will discover

my god I swear to thee I

Luc. Even by

Aar. First

know thou,

I

will.

begot him on the

Empress. Luc.

O most insatiate and luxurious woman!

Aar. Tut, Lucius, this was but a deed of charity To that which thou shalt hear of me anon. 90

'Twas her two sons

that murder'd Bassianus;

O detestable villain! call'st thou that Why,

Luc.

she

sport for

was wash'd and cut and

That codding

As

them

that had the doing of it.

O barbarous, beastly villains, like thyself!

Aar. Indeed,

I

was

spirit

sure a card as ever

I

let

I

won the

100

set;

a devil,

£7Z?^r

^rd Goth.

i$o

THIRD GOTH.

My lord, there

is

a messenger

from

Rome Desires to be admitted to your presence.

my deeds be witness of my worth.

Luc. Let him

come

near.

train'd thy brethren to that guileful hole

Where the dead corpse of Bassianus wrote the

Enter JEMiLws.

lay:

Welcome, ^milius what's the news from Rome?

thy father found And hid the gold within the letter mention'd, Confederate with the Queen and her two sons: And what not done, that thou hast cause to rue,

The Roman Emperor greets you

Wherein

And,

I

were

So I might have your company in hell. But to torment you with my bitter tongue! Luc. Sirs, stop his mouth, and let him speak no more.

their tutor to instruct them: had they from their mother.

That bloody mind, I think, they learn'd of me, As true a dog as ever fought at head. Well,

indeed cannot do ten thousand more. Luc. Bring down the devil; for he must not die So sweet a death as hanging presently. I

Aar. If there be devils, would

trimm'd, and 'twas

Trim

And nothing grieves me heartily

To live and burn in everlasting fire.

trimming? Aar.

break their necks;

bid the owners quench them with their tears. Oft have I digg'd up dead men from their graves. And set them upright at their dear friends' doors, Even when their sorrows almost were forgot; And on their skins, as on the bark of trees. Have with my knife carved in Roman letters, "Let not your sorrow die, though I am dead." Tut, I have done a thousand dreadful things i^i As willingly as one would kill a fly,

But that

They cut thy sister's tongue and ravish'd her And cut her hands and trimm'd her as thou saw'st. Luc.

cattle

And

By that same god, what god soe'er it be. That thou adorest and hast in reverence. To save my boy, to nourish and bring him up;

Or else

120

and

never blush?

shall,

I

193

And almost broke my heart with extreme laughter I pry'd me through the crevice of a wall When, for his hand, he had his two sons' heads; Beheld his tears, and laugh'd so heartily,

villainies

Ruthful to hear, yet piteously perform'd: And this shall all be buried by my death

Aar. Swear that he

:

letter that

had no stroke of mischief in it? I play'd the cheater for thy father's hand, And, when I had it, drew myself apart I

no

:

/Emit. Lord Lucius, and you princes of the

Goths, for he understands

you are

all

in

by me;

arms.

He craves

a parley at your father's house, Willing you to demand your hostages,

160

TITUS ANDRONICUS

[94

And they

be immediately deliver'd. ist Goth. What says our general? Luc. ^milius, let the Emperor give his pledges Unto my father and my uncle Marcus,

And we will come. March away. Scene

ii.

Rome:

[Exeunt.

I

ACT V

am; therefore come down and welcome

me.

Do me some service,

Tit.

ere

I

come to thee.

Lo, by thy side where Rape and Murder stands; Now give some surancc that thou art Revenge, Stab them, or tear them on thy chariot- wheels;

before Titus's house

Enter TAMORAy demetrius, ^w^'chiron, disguised-

I

Tarn.

shall

And then I'll come and be thy waggoner. And whirl along with thee about the globe.

Tarn. Thus, in this strange and sad habiliment,

Provide thee two proper palfreys, black as

will encounter with Andronicus,

To hale thy vengeful waggon swift away

And

say

I

am Revenge,

sent from

Knock

at his study,

where, they say, he keeps,

I

Who doth molest my contemplation? me ope the door

lo

And day by day I'll do this heavy task. So thou destroy Rapine and Murder there. Tarn. These are my ministers, and come with me. 60 Tit. Are these thy ministers? what are they

my sad decrees may fly away And all my study be to no eff^ect? That

You

so

are deceived: for

what

I

mean to do

have set down; And what is written shall be executed. Tarn. Titus, I am come to talk with thee. Tit. No, not a word; how can I grace my talk, Wanting a hand to give it action? Thou hast the odds of me; therefore no more. Tarn. If thou didst know me, thou wouldest talk with me. 20 Tit. I am not mad; I know thee well enough: Witness this wretched stump, witness these crimson lines; Witness these trenches made by grief and care; Witness the tiring day and heavy night; Witness all sorrow, that I know thee well For our proud empress, mighty Tamora: Is not thy coming for my other hand? Tarn. Know, thou sad man, I am not Tamora; She is thy enemy, and I thy friend: I am Revenge: sent from the infernal kingdom 50 To ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind By working wreakful vengeance on thy foes. Come down and welcome me to this world's light; Confer with me of murder and of death: There's not a hollow cave or lurking-place, No vast obscurity or misty vale. Where bloody murder or detested rape Can couch for fear, but I will find them out; And in their ears tell them my dreadful name, Revenge, which makes the foul offender quake. Tit. Art thou Revenge? and art thou sent to me, 41 To be a torment to mine enemies? See here

in

bloody

lines

I

rising in the east

Until his very downfall in the sea:

Enter titus, above.

your trick to make

by the waggon-wheel all day long.

Even from Hyperion's

They knock.

Tit.

will dismount, and

Trot, like a servile footman,

strange plots of dire revenge;

Tell him Revenge is come to join with him. And work confusion on his enemies.

Is it

50

And find our murderers in their guilty caves: And when thy car is loaden with their heads,

below

To join with him and right his heinous wrongs. To ruminate

jet,

call'd?

Tarn. Rapine and Murder; therefore called so,

Cause they take vengeance of such kind of men.

Good Lord, how like the Empress' sons they are! And you, the Empress! but we worldly men Have miserable, mad, mistaking eyes. sweet Revenge, now do I come to thee; And, if one arm's embracement will content thee, Tit.

1

will

embrace thee

in

it

by and by. [Exit above. him fits his lunacy:

Tarn. This closing with

Whate'er I forge to feed his brain-sick fits, 7/ Do you uphold and maintain in your speeches. For now he firmly takes me for Revenge; And, being credulous in this mad thought, I'll make him send for Lucius his son; And, whilst I at a banquet hold him sure, I'll find some cunning practice out of hand

To scatter and disperse the giddy Goths, Or,

at the least,

make them his

See, here he comes, and

I

enemies.

must ply

my theme.

Enter titus below. Tit.

Long have

I

been forlorn, and

all

for

thee:

Welcome, dread Fury, to my woful house: Rapine and Murder, you are welcome too. How like the Empress and her sons you are! Well are you fitted, had you but a Moor: Could not all hell afford you such a devil? For well I wot the Empress never wags But in her company there is a Moor; And, would you represent our Queen aright, It were convenient you had such a devil But welcome, as you are. What shall we do?

81

po

o

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

II

Tarn. What wouldst thou have us do,

Tarn. [Aside

Andronicus?

Dem. Show me

will

a murderer,

I'll

deal with him.

Show me a villain that hath done a rape. And I am sent to be revenged on him. Tarn. Show me a thousand that have done thee Chi.

wrong.

And

Whiles

How

on them

to

you go tell

I

my lord the Emperor

have govern'd our determined jest? Yield to his humour, smooth and speak him And tarry with him till I turn again. I

suppose

all.

And

Look round about the wicked streets of Rome; And when thou find'st a man that's like thyTit.

195

her sons] WTiat say you, boys? bide with him,

Tit. [Aside]

will be revenged

I

!

me mad.

will o'erreach

them

in their

Dem. Madam, depart

wo

Tit.

Good

Chi. Tell us, old

in the

I

know thou dost;

and, sweet Revenge,

farewell.

Rapine, stab him; he's a ravisher.

and

Revenge now goes

To lay a complot to betray thy foes.

Go thou with him; and when it is thy hap To find another that is like to thee, Go thou with them;

own devices:

at pleasure; leave us here.

Tarn. Farewell, Andronicus:

stab him; he's a murderer.

74/

know them all, though they

I

A pair of cursed hell-hounds and their dam!

self,

Good Murder,

fair.

Emperor's court

There is a Queen, attended by a Moor: Well mayst thou know her by thy own

[Exit

man,

how

shall

we

tmaok\,

be

employ'd? Tut, I have work enough for you to do. Publius, come hither, Caius, and Valentine! 75/ Tit.

proportion.

Enter publius and others.

For up and down she doth resemble thee: I pray thee, do on them some violent death; They have been violent to me and mine. Tarn.

Well

Pub. Tit.

hast thou lesson'd us; this shall

Pub.

no

we do. But would

it

please thee,

good Andronicus,

When he is here, even at thy solemn feast, Empress and her sons.

The Emperor himself and all thy foes; And at thy mercy shall they stoop and kneel, And on them shalt thou ease thy angry heart. Tit.

Marcus,

my brother! Enter

Go,

'tis

120

device?

sad Titus

calls.

nephew Lucius; him out among the Goths: me, and bring with him

inquire

Stop close their mouths, let them not speak a word. Is he sure bound? look that you bind them fast. Re-enter titus, ivith lavinia; he bearing a knife,

Tell him the Emperor and the Empress too

Tit.

Feast at my house, and he shall feast with them. This do thou for my love; and so let him. 75 As he regards his aged father's life. Marc. This will I do, and soon return again. [Exit.

Now will hence about thv business, And take my ministers along with me. Tit.

Nay, nay,

I

let

Rape and Murder stay

with me;

Or else I'll call my brother back again, And cleave to no revenge but Lucius.

thou art too much

Caius and Valentine, lay hands on them. Oft have you heard me wish for such an hour, 160 And now I find it; therefore bind them sure. And stop their mouths, if they begin to cry. [Exit. Publius, &c. lay hold on chiron and DEMETRIUS. Chi. Villains, forbear! we are the Empress' sons. Pub. And therefore do we what we are

Bid him repair to Some of the chiefest princes of the Goths; Bid him encamp his soldiers where they are:

Tain.

take them, Chiron

commanded.

marc us.

gentle Marcus, to thy

Thou shalt

I

The one is Murder, Rape is the other's name; And therefore bind them, gentle Publius.

And bid him come and banquet at thy house;

What says Andronicus to this

sons,

deceived;

Goths,

will bring in the

The Empress'

and Demetrius. Tit. Fie, Publius, fie!

To send for Lucius, thy thrice-valiant son, Who leads towards Rome a band of warlike

I

What is your will? Know you these two?

Come, come,

and she a

basin.

Lavinia; look, thy foes are

bound.

mouths, let them not speak to me; But let them hear what fearful words I utter. 170 O villains, Chiron and Demetrius Here stands the spring whom you have stain'd with mud. This goodly summer with your winter mix'd.

Sirs, stop their

You

kill'd

her husband, and for that vile fault

Two of her brothers were condemn'd to death,

My hand cut off and made a merry jest;

.

.

TITUS ANDRONICUS

196

Both her sweet hands, her tongue, and that more

Inhuman

you constrain'd and forced. if I should let you speak? shame you could not beg for grace.

traitors,

Villains, for

Hark, wretches how I mean to martyr you. 181 This one hand yet is left to cut your throats. Whilst that Lavinia 'tween her stumps doth hold The basin that receives your guilty blood. You know your mother means to feast with me. And calls herself Revenge, and thinks me mad: Hark, villains! I will grind your bones to dust And with your blood and it I'll make a paste, !

And of the paste a coffin I will rear And make two pastries of your shameful heads. And bid that strumpet, your unhallow'd dam, 191 Like to the earth swallow her own increase. is

the feast that

And this

I

have bid her

now bring them in, for I'll play the cook. And see them ready 'gainst their mother comes.

So,

[Exeunt., bearing the dead bodies.

Scene

hi

.

Court of Titus's house: a banquet set

out

Enter lucius, marcus, and gotus, with

AARON prisoner. Luc. Uncle Marcus, since repair to

Goth.

Rome,

I

it is

am

my father's mind

content.

What, hath the firmament more

Sat.

suns than

one? Luc.

What boots

it

thee to call thyself a sun?

Marc. Rome's Emperor, and nephew, break the parle;

These quarrels must be quietly debated. 20 The feast is ready, which the careful Titus Hath ordain'd to an honourable end, For peace, for love, for league, and good to Rome: Please you, therefore, draw nigh, and take your places.

Marcus, we will. Hautboys sound. The Company

Sat.

sit

down at

table.

And ours with thine,

Good uncle,

Enter titus dressed like a Cook, lavinia veiled^ YOUNG LUCIUS, and others, titus places the dishes on the table.

befall

Welcome,

what

my gracious lord;

welcome,

dread Queen; Welcome, ye warlike Goths; welcome, Lucius; And welcome, all although the cheer be poor, 'Twill fill your stomachs; please you eat of it. 29 art thou thus attired, Andronicus? Sat. :

Why

Tit.

Because

I

would be sure

to have

all

well.

To entertain your Highness and your Empress. Tarn.

We are beholding to you, good

Andronicus Tit. An if your Highness knew my heart, you were. My lord the Emperor, resolve me this Was it well done of rash Virginius To slay his daughter with his own right hand, Because she was enforced, stain'd, and deflower'd? Sat. It

fortune will.

Luc.

hand.

Tribunes, Senators, and others.

Tit.

Receive the blood: and when that they are dead, Let me go grind their bones to powder small 200 And with this hateful liquor temper it; And in that paste let their vile heads be baked. Come, come, be every one officious To make this banquet, which I wish may prove More stern and bloody then the Centaurs' feast.

I

is at

the banquet she shall surfeit on;

cuts their throats.

That

Emperor

Enter saturninus and tamora, with /emilius.

to.

For worse than Philomel you used my daughter, And worse than Progne I will be revenged: And now prepare your throats. Lavinia, come,

He

the

or tongue, her spotless chastity.

What would you say,

This

ACT V

[Exeunt GOTHS, with aaron. Flourish within.

The trumpets show

dear

Than hands

ist

:

Tit.

was, Andronicus.

Your

reason, mighty lord?

4.0

Because the girl should not survive her shame. And by her presence still renew sorrows. Tit. A reason mighty, strong, and effectual; A pattern, precedent, and lively warrant. For me, most wretched, to perform the like. Die, die, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee; Sat.

take you in this barbarous

Moor, This ravenous tiger, this accursed devil; Let him receive no sustenance, fetter him, Till he be brought unto the Empress' face. For testimony of her foul proceedings: And see the ambush of our friends be strong; I fear the Emperor means no good to us 10 Aar. Some devil whisper curses in mine ear, And prompt me, that my tongue may utter forth The venomous malice of my swelling heart! Luc. Away, inhuman dog! unhallow'd slave! Sirs, help our uncle to convey him in.

[Kills LAVINIA.

And, with thy shame, thy

father's

sorrow

die!

What hast thou done, unnatural and unkind? Tit. Kill'd her, for whom my tears have made me blind. yo I am as woful as Virginius was, And have a thousand times more cause than he Sat.

SCENE

TITUS ANDRONICUS

III

To do this outrage:

and

What, was she

Sat.

it

now

Your

done.

is

ravish'd? tell

who did the

Tit. Will't please

you

Highness feed? Why hast thou

Tarn.

speak.

eat? will't please

slain thine

only daughter

Tit. Not I; 'twas Chiron and Demetrius: They ravish'd her, and cut away her tongue; And they, 'twas they, that did her all this wrong. Sat.

Go fetch them hither to us presently.

Tit.

Why, there they are both,

Whereof their mother daintily

baked

6i

Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred. 'Tis true, 'tis true; witness my knife's sharp point.

wretch, for this accursed deed!

balcony.

Marc. You sad-faced men, people and sons of

Rome, by winds and high tempestuous

am the turned forth,

Alas,

be

it

known to you.

you know

I

///

my adventurous body.

am no vaunter,

I;

My scars can witness, dumb although they are. That

my report is just and full of truth.

do disgress to much. O, pardon me; For when no friends are by, men praise themBut, soft! methinks

Citing

I

my worthless praise:

Now is my turn to speak. Behold this

[Pointing j^^

To love-sick Dido's sad attending ear baleful burning night

When subtle Greeks surprised King Priam's Troy, Tell us what Sinon hath bewitch'd our ears, Or who hath brought the fatal engine in gives our Troy, our

My heart

is

Nor can I

utter

Rome,

the civil

all

our bitter

tell

the tale;

arms of an Attendant. 120

The issue of an irreligious Moor, Chief architect and plotter of these woes:

The villain is alive in Titus' house. And as he is, to witness this is true.

Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge These wrongs, unspeakable, past patience. Or more than any living man could bear. Now you have heard the truth, what say you, Romans? Have we done aught

amiss?

Show us

wherein.

And, from the place where you behold us now. i^i The poor remainder of Andronici Will, hand in hand, all headlong cast us down, And on the ragged stones beat forth our brains. And make a mutual closure of our house. Speak, Romans, speak; and if you say we shall, Lo, hand in hand, Lucius and I will fall. ^mil. Come, come, thou reverend man of bring our Emperor gently in thy hand, Lucius our Emperor; for well 1 know 1^0 The common voice do cry it shall be so. All. Lucius, all hail, Rome's royal Emperor!

grief.

90

Marc. Go, go into old Titus' sorrowful house.

Lending your kind commiseration.

him

child in the

And

When it should move you to attend me most. a captain, let

to the

Of this was Tamora delivered;

Rome,

wound.

not compact of flint nor steel;

But floods of tears will drown my oratory, And break my utterance, even in the time

is

shut on me, and turn'd weeping out

To beg relief among Rome's enemies; Who drown'd their enmity in my true tears. And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend.

child:

me teach you how to knit again

The story of that

Here

The gates

Marc.

This scatter'd corn into one mutual sheaf, These broken limbs again into one body; Lest Rome herself be bane unto herself. And she whom mighty kingdoms court' sy to, Like a forlorn and desperate castaway, Do shameful execution on herself. But if my frosty signs and chaps of age. Grave witnesses of true experience, Cannot induce you to attend my words, [To Lucius] Speak, Rome's dear friend, as erst our ancestor, 80 When with his solemn tongue he did discourse

That

sent her enemies unto the grave.

selves.

sever'd, like a flight of fowl

gusts, let

And

Sheathing the steel in

Luc. Can the son's eye behold his father bleed? There's meed for meed, death for a deadly deed! [Kills sATURNiNus. A great tumult. LUCIUS, MARCUS, and others go up into the

By uproar

and basely cozen'd

father's tears despised,

Of that true hand that fought Rome's quarrel out,

I

[Kills TITUS.

O,

Our

That have preserved her welfare in my blood; And from her bosom took the enemy's point,

TAMORA.

Sat. Die, frantic

known to you.

Lastly, myself unkindly banished,

in that pie;

hath fed,

it

That cursed Chiron and Demetrius Were they that murdered our Emperor's brother; And they it were that ravished our sister: 9^ For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded;

your

thus?

Scatter'd

weep to hear him

Luc. Then, noble auditory, be

deed.

[Kills

197

hearts will throb and

To Attendants. ^

And hither hale that misbelieving Moor,

TITUS ANDRONICUS

198

To be adjudged some direful slaughtering death, As punishment for his most wicked

Lord,

life.

[Exeunt Attendants.

all hail,

To heal

Rome's gracious governor! :

me aim awhile. me to a heavy task

But, gentle people, give

For nature puts

this

warm

kiss

on thy pale cold

him;

There

my mouth.

let

him

/7p stand, and rave, and cry for food:

If any one relieves or pities him, For the offence he dies. This is our doom:

lips,

Some

Kissing Titus.

stay to see

Aar. O,

him

fasten'd in the earth.

why should wrath be mute and fury

dumb?

face.

of thy noble son! Marc. Tear for tear, and loving kiss for kiss. Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips: O, were the sum of these that I should pay Countless and infinite, yet would I pay them! Luc. Come hither, boy; come, come, and learn last true duties

of us

160

To melt in showers:

1

am no

I

should repent the evils

baby,

knee.

asleep, his loving breast thy pillow;

that with base prayers I

have done:

good deed in all my life I did, do repent it from my very soul. 1^0 Luc. Some loving friends convey the Emperor

If one I

hence.

And give him

Many a time he danced thee on his

I,

Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did Would I perform, if I might have my will:

thy grandsire loved thee

well:

Sung thee

ope

Give sentence on this execrable wretch. That hath been breeder of these dire events. Luc. Set him breast-deep in earth, and famish

These sorrowful drops upon thy blood-stain'd

The

I

^m. You sad Andronici, have done with woes:

/jo

Stand all aloof: but, uncle, draw you near. To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk.

O, take

cannot speak to him for weeping;

I

Re-enter Attendants with aaron.

Romans may I govern so. Rome's harms, and wipe away her woe!

Luc. Thanks, gentle

so you did live again!

My tears will choke' me, if

LUCIUS, MARCUS, and the others descend. All. Lucius,

ACT V

Would I were dead,

burial in his father's grave:

My father and Lavinia shall forthwith Be closed

in

our household's monument.

Many a matter hath he told to thee.

As

Meet and agreeing with thine

No funeral rite, nor man in mourning weeds, No mournful bell shall ring her burial;

infancy;

In that respect, then, like a loving child.

Shed yet some small drops from thy tender spring. Because kind nature doth require it so: Friends should associate friends in grief and woe: ijo Bid him farewell; commit him to the grave; Do him that kindness, and take leave of him. grandsire, grandsire! even with Young Luc.

O

all

my heart

for that heinous tiger,

Tamora,

But throw her forth to beasts and birds of prey: life was beast-like and devoid of pity; And, being so, shall have like want of pity. 200 See justice done on Aaron, that damn'd Moor, By whom our heavy haps had their beginning: Then, afterwards, to order well the state.

Her

That

like events

may ne'er it ruinate.

[Exeunt.

:

^ THE

TAMING OF THE SHREW DRAMATIS PERSONS

A Lord

Grumio

Christopher Sly,

Curtis Peter

a tinker

Two Huntsmen Servingman Page Messenger Three Servants Players

Nathaniel Joseph

Nicholas

Hostess Baptista MirjoLA, a rich gentleman of Padua Vincentio, an old gentleman of Pisa LucENTio, son to Vincentio, in love with Bianca Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, a suitor to Katharina

Gremio

,

I

HORTENSIO Tranio BlONDELLO

servants to Petruchio

Philip

Persons in the Induction

,

'''''''' ''

D-

A A A

Pedant Tailor

Haberdasher

Katharina, Bianca

the

shrew

daughters

to

Baptista

Widow

^'^"^^

Non-Speaking: Attendants and

I

servants to Lucentio

Scene: Padua, and

Petruchio

s

servants

country house

i9i INDUCTION Scene

i.

would not lose the dog for twentv pound. Hun. Why, Belman is as good as he, mv He cried upon it at the merest loss I

ist.

Before an alehouse on a heath

Enter hostess and sly.

And twice to-day Trust me,

pheeze you, in faith. Host. A pair of stocks, you rogue! Sly. Ye are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles; we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore paucas pallabris; let the Sly.

I'll

world Host.

Lord.

will not

Sly.

No, not

pay for the glasses you have

a denier.

Host.

I

Go

know my remedy;

I St

must go fetch the

third-borough.

[Exit.

Sly. Third, or fourth, or fifth

borough,

I'll

Hun.

Lord.

an-

swer him by law: I'll not budge an inch, boy: let him come, and kindly. [Falls asleep.] Horns

were

as

I

will,

my lord.

50

2nd Hun. He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale. This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.

lo I

art a fool: if Echo

Lord. What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe?

go to

by, Jeronimy:

warm thee.

Thou

I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well and look unto them ail: To-morrow I intend to hunt again.

burst?

thy cold bed, and

pick'd out the dullest scent:

take him for the better dog.

fleet,

slide: sessa!

You

I

lord;

O monstrous beast! how like a swine he

lies!

Grim death, how

and loathsome

foul

is

thine

image! ^winded. Enter a

lord from hunting,

Sirs,

ivith his tram.

Lord. Huntsman,

I

charge thee, tender well

I

this drunken man. were convey 'd to bed, sweet clothes, rings put upon his

will practice

What think you,

my

Wrapp'd

hounds Brach Merriman, the poor cur, is emboss'd; And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd

in

on

if he

fingers,

A most delicious banquet by his bed. And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself? 41

brach.

Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? 20

ist

Hun. Believe me, choose.

199

lord,

I

think he cannot

——

:

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

200

2nd Hun. It would seem strange unto him when he waked. Lord. Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy.

Then

take him up and manage well the jest: Carry him gently to my fairest chamber And hang it round with all my wanton pictures

INDUCTION

'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well:

have forgot your name; but, sure, that part Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd. A Player. I think 'twas Soto that your honour means. Lord. 'Tis very true: thou didst it excellent. Well, you are come to me in happy time; The rather for I have some sport in hand Wherein your cunning can assist me much. I

his foul head in warm distilled waters burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet: Procure me music ready when he wakes, 50 To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound; And if he chance to speak, be ready straight And with a low submissive reverence Say, "What is it your honour will command?" Let one attend him with a silver basin Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers; Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper. And say, "Will't please your lordship cool your hands?" Some one be ready with a costly suit And ask him what apparel he will wear; 60 Another tell him of his hounds and horse,

And give them

And that his

Let them want nothing that

Balm

And

lady mourns at his disease:

Persuade him that he hath been lunatic; And when he says he is, say that he dreams, For he is nothing but a mighty lord. This do and do it kindly, gentle sirs: It will be pastime passing excellent, If it be husbanded with modesty. lord, I warrant you we will play ist Hun. our part. As he shall think by our true diligence jo He is no less than what we say he is. Lord. Take him up gently and to bed with him; And each one to his office when he wakes.

My

Some

bear out sly.

A trumpet sounds.

go see what trumpet

Sirrah,

[Exit

is

a lord will hear

you play

to-night:

But I am doubtful of your modesties; Lest over-eyeing of his odd behaviour, For yet his honour never heard a play You break into some merry passion And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs. If you should smile he grows impatient. A Player. Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves

Were he the veriest antic in the world. Lord. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery. friendly

welcome every one:

my house affords.

[Exit one with the players. Sirrah,

go you to Barthol'mew

And see him dress'd in all That done, conduct him

my page.

suits like a lady:

to the drunkard's

cham-

ber;

And call him "madam," do him obeisance.

my love. He bear himself with honourable action,

Tell him from me, as he will win

110

he hath observed in noble ladies Unto their lords, by them accomplished: Such duty to the drunkard let him do With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy.

Such

as

say "What is't your honour will command, Wherein your lady and your humble wife May show her duty and make known her love?"

And

that sounds:

'tis

There

5)0

SERVINGMAN.

And then with kind embracements,

some noble gentleman that means. Travelling some journey, to repose him here. Belike,

tempting

kisses.

And with declining head into his bosom, Re-enter servingman.

Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd

How now! who is it? An't please your honour, players your lordship.

Serv.

That

offer service to

Lord. Bid them

come

Now,

fellows,

you are welcome.

We thank your honour.

80

A Player. So please your lordship to accept our duty.

Lord.

With all my heart. This

if the

boy have not

a

woman's

Which

in a

napkin being close convey'd

Shall in despite enforce a

See

this dispatch'd

Anon

I'll

give thee

with

watery eye.

all

more

the haste thou canst:

instructions.

[Exit a

fellow

gift

To rain a shower of commanded tears. An onion will do well for such a shift.

Do you intend to stay with me to-night?

Lord.

Who for this seven years hath esteemed him No better than a poor and loathsome beggar: And

near.

Enter players.

Players.

120

To see her noble lord restored to health.

I

remem-

ber.

Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son:

1^0

SERVINGMAN.

I know the boy will well usurp the grace. Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman: I long to hear him call the drunkard husband,

— SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

II

And how my men will

201

And twenty caged nightingales do sing: Or wilt thou sleep? we'll have thee to a couch

stay themselves from

laughter

When they do homage to this simple peasant. I'll in to counsel them; haply my presence May well abate the over-merry spleen

Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed

Which otherwise would grow

Or wilt thou

Say thou wilt walk;

into extremes.

[Exeunt.

Scene

ii.

A bedchamber in the Lord's house

Enter aloft sly, with Attendants; some with apparel, others with basin and ewer and other appurtenances; and lord.

For God's sake, a pot of small ale. your lordship drink a cup of sack? 2nd Serv. Will't please your honour taste of Serv. Will't please

these conserves?

^rd Serv.

What raiment will your honour wear

to-day? Sly. I am Christophero Sly; call not me "honour" nor "lordship": I ne'er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef: ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear; for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes

than feet; nay, sometime more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the over-

Heaven cease this

idle

humour

honour!

O,

that a

mighty man of such descent,

2nd Serv. Dost thou love

and so high esteem, Should be infused with so foul a spirit!

What, would you make me mad?

Am not

we will

now by present Ask Marian Hacket, the fat of Wincot, if she know me not: if she

transmutation a bear-herd, and

thee straight

bleeds,

60 shall sad

am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What! I am not bestr aught: here's

Like envious floods o'er-run her lovely face, She was the fairest creature in the world;

And yet Sly.

she

Am

I

is

inferior to none.

a lord? and have

Or do I dream?

say

I

I

ale,

score

I

or have

I

such a lady?

dream'd

I

do not sleep: I see, I hear, smell sweet savours and I

I

till

speak;

feel soft things:

this

it is

that

makes your lady

Upon my life, I am a lord indeed And not a tinker nor Christophero Sly.

2nd Serv. O,

this

is it

that

makes your servants

And once

Well, bring our lady hither to our

sight;

again, a pot o' the smallest ale.

2nd Serv. Will't please your mightiness to wash

droop! it

that

your kindred shuns

your house, 50 As beaten hence by your strange lunacy. O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth, Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment And banish hence these abject lowly dreams. Look how thy servants do attend on thee. Each in his office ready at thy beck. Wilt thou have music? hark! Apollo plays. Music.

yo

now?

^rd Serv. O, mourn!

Hence comes

shed for

thee

profession a tinker?

Lord.

yo fetch

Adonis painted by a running brook. And Cytherea all in sedges hid. Which seem to move and wanton with her breath. Even as the waving sedges play with wind. Lord. We'll show thee lo as she was a maid, And how she was beguiled and surprised. As lively painted as the deed was done. ^rdServ. Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood. Scratching her legs that one shall swear she

I

Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burtonheath, by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by

ale-wife

pictures?

Thou hast a lady far more beautiful Than any woman in this waning age. ist Serv. And till the tears that she hath

Of such possessions, Sly.

breathed stags, ay, fleeter than the roe.

Apollo weep. So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn. Lord. Thou art a lord and nothing but a lord:

your

in

bestrew the ground:

will

are as swift

As

And at that sight

leather.

Lord.

we

ride? thy horses shall be trapp'd.

Their harness studded all with gold and pearl. Dost thou love hawking? thou hast hawks will soar Above the morning lark: or wilt thou hunt? Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth. I St Serv. Say thou wilt course; thy greyhounds

Sly. ist

40

On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis.

your hands?

O, how we joy to see your wit restored! jp O, that once more you knew but what you are! These fifteen years you have been in a dream; Or when you waked, so waked as if you slept. Sly. These fifteen years by my fay, a goodly !

nap.

never speak of all that time? O, yes, my lord, but very idle words: For though you lay here in this goodly chamber.

But did ist

I

Serv.

o

:

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

202

Yet would you say ye were beaten out of door; And rail upon the hostess of the house; And say you would present her at the leet, Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd

Are come tc play

ACT

a pleasant

For so your doctors hold Seeing too

much

it

comedy;

very meet.

sadness hath congeal'd your

blood.

po Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket. Sly. Ay, the woman's maid of the house. ^rd Serv. Why, sir, you know no house nor no

And melancholy

quarts:

is the nurse of frenzy Therefore they thought it good you hear a play And frame your mind to mirth and merriment. Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.

such maid,

Sly. Marry, I will, let them play comonty a Christmas gambold or

Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up. As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece, And Peter Turph, and Henry Pimpernell, And twenty more such names and men as these Which never were, nor no man ever saw. Sly.

Amen.

Sly.

T

i^i

No, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff. What, household stuff?

Page. Sly.

is a kind of history. Well, we'll see't. Come, madam wife, sit by my side and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger.

Page. It

too

thank thee: thou shalt not lose by

not a

trick?

Now Lord be thanked for my good amends!

All.

Is

it.

a tumbling-

it.

Sly.

Flourish.

Enter the page as a lady, ivith attendants. Page. Sly.

How fares my noble lord?

Marry,

Where

fare well; for here

1

My

my wife?

is

Are you

:

call

me "lord"

:

I

am your good-

I

My husband and my lord, my lord and

///

Sly 'Tis inuch. Servants, leave

undress you and

me and her alone.

come now

to bed.

me entreat of you

Page. Thrice-noble lord, let

To pardon me yet for a night or two,

121

Or, if not so, until the sun be set: For your physicians have expressly charged, In peril to incur your former malady. That I should yet absent me from your bed: I hope this reason stands for my excuse. Sly.

Ay,

again: flesh

I

I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy, The pleasant garden of great Italy; And by my father's love and leave am arm'd With his good will and thy good company,

all.

institute

A course of learning and ingenious studies. Gave me my

being and

w

my father first,

A merchant of great traflic through the world,

they »ay that I have dream'd And slept above some fifteen year or more. Page. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me. Being all this time abandon'd from your bed.

long. But

had

Pisa renown'd for grave citizens call

Madam wife,

Madam,

I

nursery of arts,

Here let us breathe and haply

I

ladies.

Sly.

man tranio.

My trusty servant, well approved in

m all obedience.

know it well. What must I call her? Lord. Madam. Sly. Al'ce madam, or Joan madam? Lord. "Madam," and nothing else: so lords Sly.

I

Padua: a public place

Luc. Tranio, since for the great desire

To see fair Padua,

man. husband; am your wife

i.

Enter lucentio and his

what is thy will with her?

my wife and will not call me hus-

band? men should

Page.

ACT

cheer enough.

Scene

Page. Here, noble lord Sly.

is

it I

stands so that

I

may

would be loath to

fall

hardly tarry so into

my dreams

will therefore tarry in despite of the

and the blood. Enter a messenger.

Mess. Your honour's players, hearing your

amendment,

75

Vincentio,

come of the

Bentivolii.

Vincentio's son brought up in Florence It shall

become

to serve

all

hopes conceived.

To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds: And therefore, Tranio,

for the time I study, Virtue and that part of philosophy Will I apply that treats of happiness By virtue specially to be achieved. Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa left And am. to Padua come, as he that leaves A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst. Tra. Miperdonato, gentle master mine, I

am

Glad

20

in all affected as yourself;

that

you thus continue your resolve

To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy. Only, good master, while we do admire This virtue and this moral discipline, Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray; Or so devote to Aristotle's checks As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured:

50

SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

I

Balk logic with acquaintance that you have

And practise rhetoric in your common talk; to quicken you;

Music and poesy use

The mathematics and the metaphysics, them

Fall to

as

you

find

your stomach serves you;

No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en:

speak.

study what you most affect. 40 Luc. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise.

In brief,

If,

sir,

Biondello, thou wert

come

Hor. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? Sorry am I that our good will effects Bianca' s grief.

ashore,

We could at once put us in readiness, And take a

lodging

fit

And make her

some show to welcome us

to town.

Go

in,

And nio stand by.

$0

you have

to court her at

To cart her rather:

your pleas-

she's too

rough

And me too, good Lord!

Tra. Hush, master! here's

is

stark

mad

or wonderful froward. I

jo

see

Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety. said,

master;

mum! and

gaze your

fill.

And For

I

may soon make good

said, Bianca, get

you

in:

not displease thee, good Bianca, will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.

let it I

Kath.

A pretty peat! it is best

Put finger

liberal

you may

stay;

100

have more to commune with Bianca. [Exit. Kath. Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not? What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike, I knew not what to take, and what to leave, Gre.

[Exit.

You may go

to the devil's

dam: your

gifts

are so good, here's none will hold you. Their love is

not so great, Hortensio, but

nails together,

and

we may blow

fast it fairly out:

our our cake's

dough on both sides. Farewell: yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish him to her father. Hor. So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray.

Though

brooked

parle,

the nature of our quarrel yet never

know now, upon advice, it we may yet again have

eth us both, that

touchaccess

and be happy rivals in love, to labour and effect one thing

fair

mistress

specially.

What's that, I pray? Hor. Marry, sir, to get a husband Gre.

/21

in the eye,

an she

knew why.

for her sister.

A husband! a devil. I

say, a husband.

say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell? Hor. Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and mine to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, an a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough. Gre. I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her

Gre.

Bap. Gentlemen, that

have

know any such, men

so farewell. Katharina,

Hor.

Peace, Tranio!

I

you,

Gre.

Luc. But in the other's silence do

What

my house,

hither; for to cunning

very kind, and

Bianca' s

some good pastime

toward:

Well

keep within

I

to our

That wench

I

ha?

us!

Tra.

them

will be

I

For

There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife? Kath. I pray you, sir, is it your will To make a stale of me amongst these mates? Hor. Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you. Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. 60 Kath. I 'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear; I wis it is not halfway to her heart; But if it were, doubt not her care should be To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool And paint your face and use you like a fool. Hor. From all such devils, good Lord deliver Gre.

know she taketh most delight

Schoolmasters will

And

me.

for

I

^0

To mine own children in good bringing up:

ure.

Gre. [Aside]

for

resolved:

[Exit bianca.

Or Signior Gremio,

know you well and love you well.

shall

am

In music, instruments, and poetry.

Prefer

If either of you both love Katharina,

Leave

I

Bianca:

Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,

Bap. Gentlemen, importune me no farther, For how I firmly am resolved you know; That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter Before I have a husband for the elder:

I

bear the penance of her tongue?

Bap. Gentlemen, content ye;

Enter baptista, katharina, bianca, gremio, a pantaloon, and hortensio. lucentio and tra-

Because

Why will you mew her up,

Gre.

Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell.

to entertain

Such friends as time in Padua shall beget. But stay a while: what company is this? Tra. Master,

203

you in my discontent. 80 Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe: My books and instruments shall be my company, On them to look and practise by myself. Luc. Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva Bian. Sister, content

I

:

:

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

204

dowry with

this condition, to

be whipped at the

high cross every morning.

Hor. Faith, as you say, there's small choice

in

rotten apples. But come; since this bar in law makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly

maintained, till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet

Happy man be

Bianca!

He

his dole!

How

gets the ring.

fastest

that runs

Gre.

agreed; and would

I

had given

hiiii

the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing that would thoroughly woo her, wed her and bed her,

and rid the house of her!

Come on.

me thine

first.

You will be schoolmaster And undertake the teaching of the maid:

pray,

sir, tell

Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, If I achieve not this young modest girl. Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst; Assist me, Tranio, for

I

know thou

Not

is:

possible; for

And be in Padua here

may it be done? who shall bear your

part.

Vincentio's son,

his

200

book, welcome his

friends.

Luc. Basta; content thee, for

I

have

it full.

We have not yet been seen in any house. Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces For man or master; then it follows thus; Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead. Keep house and port and servants, as I should: i6o

I

will

some other

be,

Some Neapolitan,

some

Florentine,

or meaner

man of Pisa.

210

'Tis hatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at once

wilt.

it is

The rest will comfort,

Tra.

Visit his countrymen and banquet them?

no time to chide you now; Affection is not rated from the heart: If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so, Redime te captum quam queas minimo. Luc. Gramercies, lad, go forward; this contents: Tra. Master,

That's your device. Luc. It

Keep house and ply

me, is it possible That love should of a sudden take such hold? Luc. O Tranio, till I found it to be true, I never thought it possible or likely; But see, while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness: And now in plainness do confess to thee, That art to me as secret and as dear As Anna to the queen of Carthage was, I

Luc. Tell

i^o

[Exeunt gremio and hortensio. Tra.

he closely mew'd her up. Because she will notjbe annoy'd with suitors. Luc. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! But art thou not advised, he took some care i()i To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her? Tra. Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted. Luc. I have it, Tranio. Tra. Master, for my hand. Both our inventions meet and jump in one. Tra.

am

I

for thy counsel's sound.

Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak: When Biondello comes, he waits on thee; But I will charm him first to keep his tongue. Tra. So had you need. In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is,

And I am tied to

be obedient;

For so your father charged

me at our parting,

you look'd so longly on the maid. Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all. Luc. O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face. Such as the daughter of Agenor had. That made great Jove to humble him to her hand,

"Be serviceable to my son," quoth he, Although I think 'twas in another sense;

When with his

And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded

Tra. Master,

Tra.

knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand.

Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her

sister

trance. sir: if you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus

pray, awake, stands

Her elder That

till

220

am content to

be Lucentio, Because so well I love Lucentio. Luc. Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves I

eye.

Began to scold and raise up such a storm That mortal ears might hardly endure the din? Luc. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move And with her breath she did perfume the air: iSo Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her. Tra. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his 1

I

And therefore has

say you, Signior

Gremio?

ACT

sister is so curst

and shrewd

the father rid his hands of her.

Master, your love must

live a

maid

at

home;

it

Here comes the rogue. Enter biondello.

where have you been? Nay, how now! where are you? Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes? Or you stolen his? or both? 230 pray, what's the news? Luc. Sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest. And therefore frame your manners to the time. Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life, Sirrah,

Bion.

Puts

And

Where have

I

been!

my apparel and my countenance on. for my escape have put on his;

I

:

SCENE For

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

I

came ashore I was descried:

in a quarrel since I

Pet.

I kill'd a man and fear Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes, While I make way from hence to save my life: You understand me?

Bion.

I, sir!

ne'er a whit.

And not a jot of Tranio

Luc.

in

Enter hortensio.

240

your mouth

now! what's the matter? My old friend Grumio! and my good friend Petruchio! How do you all at Verona? Pet. Signior Hortensio, come you to part the fray? tutto il cuore., ben trovato., may I say. Hor. Alia nostra casa ben venuto, molto hcnwrato

Con

Baptista's youngest

Rise,

my sake,

But, sirrah, not for

but your master's,

discreetly in

kind of

all

companies:

When I am alone,

I am Tranio; your master Lucentio. 249 Luc. Tranio, let's go: one thing more rests, that thyself execute, to make one among these wooers: if thou ask me why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good and weighty. \ExmnU

why, then

in all places else

The presenters above speak.

My lord, you nod; you do not mind

the play.

by Saint Anne, do L A good matter, comes there any more of it?

Sly. Yes,

My lord,

Sly. 'Tis a

'tis

but begun.

would 'twere done! They sit and mark.

Scene

25P

ii.

To see my friends

I

man grumio.

take

my leave,

Hortensio; and

I

trow

this is his house.

is

there

knock me here soundly. sir! why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir? 10 Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate And rap me well, or I'll knock your knave's pate.

Knock you

My master

knock you

here,

is

grown quarrelsome.

it

I

should

first.

And then I know after who comes by

the worst.

not be?

Faith, sirrah, an you'll not knock, Fll ring

try

Then had Pet. I

not

Grumio come by

A senseless villain!

the worst.

Good Hortensio,

bade the rascal knock upon your gate

And could not get him for my heart to do it. Gru. Knock at the gate! O heavens! Spake you not these words plain, "Sirrah, knock me here, rap me here, knock me well, and knock me soundly"? And come you now with, "knocking at the gate"?

be gone, or talk not, I advise you. Hor. Petruchio, patience; I am Grumio' s pledge: Why, this's a heavy chance 'twixt him and you, ancient, trusty, pleasant servant

Grumio.

how you can sol,

fa,

and sing

it;

it.

He -wrings him by the ears. Gru. Help, masters, help! my master

sweet friend, what happy gale Blows you to Padua here from old Verona? Pet. Such wind as scatters young men through the world 50 farther than at

Signior Hortensio, thus

Pet. Villain, I say,

I'll

'leges in

me to leave

home

Where small experience grows. But in a few,

Here, sirrah Grumio; knock, I say. Gru. Knock, sir! whom should I knock? any man has rebused your worship?

Will

what he

look you, sir, he bid me knock him and rap him soundly, sir: well, was it fit for a servant to use his master so, being perhaps, for aught I see, two and thirty, a pip out? Whom would to God I had well knock'd at first.

To seek their fortunes

in Padua, but of all

My best beloved and approved friend,

Pet.

sir,

his service,

Your

Padua: before Hortensio's house

Verona, for a while

Gru.

no matter,

And tell me now,

Enter petruchio and his

Gru.

'tis

Pet. Sirrah,

madam

very excellent piece of work,

lady:

Pet.

compound this

Latin. If this be not a lawful cause for

You use your manners

Page.

Gru. Nay,

I

advise

surely:

will

quarrel.

daughter.

Serv.

mio Petruchio. Grumio, rise: we

signor

after,

That Lucentio indeed had

ist

bid you, sirrah villain!

How

Hor.

Tranio is changed into Lucentio. Bum. The better for him: would I were so too! Tra. So could I, faith, boy, to have the next wish

But

205

Now, knock when I

is

mad.

it

stands with me:

Antonio, my father, is deceased; And I have thrust myself into this maze. Haply to wive and thrive as best I may: Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home. And so am come abroad to see the world. Hor. Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee

And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? So Thou'ldst thank me but a little for my counsel: And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich And very rich: but thou'rt too much my friend. And I'll not wish thee to her. Pet. Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we Few words suffice: and therefore, if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio' s wife. As wealth

is

burden of my wooing dance,

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

2o6

Be she

As As

was

as foul as

Florentius' love,

old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd

jo

Socrates' Xanthippe, or a worse,

me not,

She moves

That ever Katharina

will be woo'd; Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en. That none shall have access unto Bianca Till Katharine the curst have got a husband. Gru. Katharine the curst! A title for a maid of all titles the worst. Hor. Now shall my friend Petruchio do me

or not removes, at least,

Affection's edge in me,

were she

as

rough

As are the swelling Adriatic seas: I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua.

you flatly what why, give him gold enough and

Gru. Nay, look you,

mind is: marry him to his

sir,

he

tells

as

many

two and fifty horses: so money comes

diseases as

Have

leave and leisure to make love to her And unsuspected court her by herself.

Hor. Petruchio, since we are stepp'd thus far in, I will continue that I broach'd in jest. I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife With wealth enough and young and beauteous,

Brought up

Her only

as best

and that

fault,

she

becomes is

a

Gru. Here's no knavery! See, to beguile the old how the young folks lay their heads to-

folks,

gether!

faults

Enter gremio, and lucentio disguised.

enough,

Master, master, look about you:

intolerable curst

is

and froward, so beyond all measure ^i That, were my state far worser than it is, I would not wed her for a mine of gold. ?et. Hortensio, peace! thou know'st not gold's

For

As

I

name and

father's

will board her,

thunder

when

'tis

though she chide

the clouds in

Hor. Peace, Grumio!

in

Padua

I

I

will not sleep, Hortensio,

And

therefore

let

till I

me be thus

To give you over at this

first

loo

not her;

tell

you what,

For she

sweeter than perfume itself they go to. What will you read to her? Luc. Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you

As As

you

encounter.

he'll rail in his rope-tricks. I'll

sir,

an she stand him but a

little,

he will throw a figure in her face and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat. You know him not, sir. Hor. Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee,

For

in Baptista's

keep

my treasure is:

He hath the jewel of my life in hold. His youngest daughter, beautiful Bianca, me and other more, Suitors to her and rivals in my love. x\nd her withholds from

1^0 too.

is

To whom

120

for

my patron,

stand

you so

firmly as yourself were

still

assured. in place:

Yea, and perhaps with more successful words Than you, unless you were a scholar, sir. Gre.

Gru.

do, she

an he begin once,

I have perused the note. have them very fairly bound:

well;

sir; I'll

mend it with a largess. Take your paper And let me have them very well perfumed:

would think scolding would do little good upon him: she may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so: why, that's nothing; I

A proper stripling and an amorous! O, very

I'll

Unless you will accompany me thither. Gru. I pray you, sir, let him go while the humour lasts. O' my word, an she knew him as well as

Gru. Gre.

And see you read no other lectures to her: You understand me: over and beside

see her;

bold with

the rival of my love.

Signior Baptista's liberality,

for her scolding tongue,

know her father, though I know And he knew my deceased father well, Pet.

it is

All books of love, see that at any hand;

as loud

autumn crack.

Hor. Her father is Baptista Minola, An affable and courteous gentleman: Her name is Katharina Minola,

Renown'd

there,

Petruchio, stand by a while.

Hark you,

enough:

who goes

ha?

effect:

me her

1^0

gentlewoman:

And shrewd

Tell

robes

Well seen in music, to instruct Bianca; That so I may, by this device, at least

amiss,

withal.

Is that

in sober

To old Baptista as a schoolmaster

old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head, though she

have

/50

grace.

And offer me disguised

a puppet or an aglet- baby; or an

why, nothing comes

ACT

Supposing it a thing impossible. For those defects I have before rehearsed,

Pet.

O this learning, what a thing O this woodcock, what an ass

it is!

Peace,

160

it is!

sirrah!

Hor. Grumio,

mum! God

save you, Signior

Gremio. Gre. And you are well met, Signior Hortensio. Trow you whither I am going? To Baptista Minola. promised to inquire carefully About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca: And by good fortune I have lighted well On this young man, for learning and behaviour 170 Fit for her turn, well read in poetry And other books, good ones, I warrant ye. Hor. 'Tis well; and I have met a gentleman I

— SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

II

Hath promised me to help me to another, A fine musician to instruct our mistress; So shall I no whit be behind in duty To fair Bianca, so beloved of me. Gre. Beloved of me; and that my deeds

Tell me,

shall

prove.

Here

you news a

is

good for either. by chance I met.

indifferent

gentleman

whom

Upon agreement from us to his liking. Will undertake to woo curst Katharine, Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please. Gre. So said, so done,

is

Pet.

I

know

No. man? Pet. Born Gre.

she

is

me

say'st

I

Well begun, Tranio.

190

Gru. Will he

woo

Why came

to't

i'

For

I

be, sir,

pray.

I

away.

you go;

of^,

yea or

any offence?

is it

Why, sir, I pray, me as for you? what reason, For

25/ will get

are not the streets as free

But so

Gre.

is

not she.

beseech you?

I

know, Gremio. the chosen of Signior Hortenthis reason, if you'll

she's the choice love of Signior

Hor. That she's

I

Baptista

mine ears?

I

not heard the sea puff 'd up with winds

like an

Have

I

200

angry boar chafed with sweat?

not heard great ordnance in the

And heaven's

field,

thunder in the skies? Have I not in a pitched battle heard Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' artillery

clang?

And do you tell me of a woman's That gives not half so great

a

tongue,

blow

to hear

x\s will a chestnut in a farmer's fire?

210

happily arrived.

promised we would be contributors And bear his charge of wooing, whatsoe'er. Gre. And so we will, provided that he win her. Gru. I would I were as sure of a good dinner. I

save you. If

249

Hortensio, to what end are all these words? Hor. Sir, let me be so bold as ask you.

Did you yet ever see Baptista' s daughter? Tra. No, sir; but hear I do that he hath two, The one as famous for a scolding tongue is

the other for beauteous modesty.

me;

let

her go by.

I

may

Pet. Sir, understand you this of me in sooth: The youngest daughter whom you hearken for 261 Her father keeps from all access of suitors, And will not promise her to any man

Until the elder sister

The younger then

Enter tranio brave, and biondello.

God

jade. Pet.

Gre. Yea, leave that labour to great Hercules; And let it be more than Alcides' twelve.

My mind presumes, for his own good and ours.

Tra. Gentlemen,

240

Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers;

Pet. Sir, sir, the first's for

Gre. Hortensio, hark: is

a noble gentleman,

Then well one more may fair Bianca have: And so she shall; Lucentio shall make one. Though Paris came in hope to speed alone. Gre. What! this gentleman will out-talk us all. Luc. Sir, give him head; I know he'll prove a

As

Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. Gru. For he fears none.

This gentleman

be gentlemen.

And were his daughter fairer than she is. may more suitors have and me for one.

my time heard lions roar?

Rage

if you

me with patience,

She

hither but to that intent?

a little din can daunt

is

right; hear

To whom my father is not all unknown;

Will I live? her? ay, or I'll hang her.

not in

my masters!

Tra. Softly,

Do me this

I

bold,

if

Gre.

God's name:

Have Have

Hor.

ere

talk

No; if without more words you you hence.

That

have

Think you

word

maid you

let's

sio.

stomach,

a

Pet.

Pet.

And

Tra. For

in

you have

shall

any hand,

Biondello,

Sir, a

a suitor to the

Tra.

country-

me assisting you in all. But will you woo this wild-cat? You

sir.

Gre.

hear no harm.

What

sir, at

Luc.

strange! if

love no chiders,

I

no?

Verona, old Antonio's son: My father dead, my fortune lives for me; And I do hope good days and long to see. Gre. O sir, such a life, with such a wife, were But

Nor her that chides,

Tra.

Are you

her faults?

so, friend?

sir; you mean not her to him and her, sir: what have you

to do? Pet.

an irksome brawling scold:

masters,

all,

Tra. Perhaps,

Tra.

all

he, Biondello.

Hark you,

Hor.

well.

Hortensio, have you told him If that be

you mean? Tra. Even Gre.

Gru. And that his bags shall prove. Hor. Gremio, 'tis now no time to vent our love: 180 Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I'll tell

207

beseech you, which is the readiest way To the house of Signior Baptista Minola? 221 Bion. He that has the two fair daughters: is't he I

Tra. If

be

Must

it

be

is

first

so, sir, that

stead us

all

and

And if you break the

be wed:

free and not before.

you are the man

me amongst the rest. ice

and do

this feat,

THE TAMING O F FHF SHREW

2o8

Achieve the elder, set the younger free For our access, whose hap shall be to have her zjo Will not so graceless be to be ingrate. Hot. Sir, you say well and well you do consince

You

must, as

you do profess

we do,

to be a suitor,

shall not

I

I

be slack: in sign whereof.

we may contrive this

afternoon.

And quaff carouses to our mistress' And do as adversaries do in law.

health.

Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.

Gru. Bion. O excellent motion! Fellows, let's 280 begone. Hor. The motion's good indeed and be it so, Petruchio,

shall be

I

your ben venuto.

my sight?

What,

will

Bianca, get thee

you not

suffer

11

be revenged.

I'll

bianca. in.

50

me? Nay, now

see

She is your treasure, she must have a husband; I must dance barefoot on her wedding day And for your love to her lead apes in hell. Talk not to me: I will go sit and weep Till I can find occasion of revenge. [Exit. Bap. Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I? But who comes here?

gratify this gentleman.

To whom we all rest generally beholding. Tra. Sir,

me, and

[Exit bianca.

Kath.

And

act

flouts

[Flies after

6^/7 .What, in

ceive;

Please ye

Her silence

Kath.

[Exeunt.

Enter gremio, lucentio in the habit of a mean man; petruchio, with hortensio as a musician; and TRANio, uoith biondello bearing a lute and books.

ACT

Good morrow, neighbour Baptista. Good morrow, neighbour Gremio. God

Gre.

II

Bap.

Scene

i.

Padua: a room in Baptista's house

save you, gentlemen!

Enter katharina and bianca. Bian.

Good

sister,

wrong me

not, nor

wrong

Whom thou lovest best:

Gre. Pet.

me,

sister,

I

tell

see thou dissemble not.

of all the

never yet beheld that special face I could fancy more than any other. Kath. Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio? Bian. If you affect him, sister, here

//

swear have him. Kath. O then, belike, you fancy riches more: You will have Gremio to keep you fair. Bian. Is it for him you do envy me so? Nay then you jest, and now I well perceive 20 You have but jested with me all this while: I

plead for you myself, but

prithee, sister Kate, untie

Kath. If that be

jest,

then

you

I

shall

my hands.

all

the rest

was

so.

Strikes her.

Enter baptista. Bap. Why,

how now, dame! whence grows

this

insolence?

Bianca, stand aside. Poor

girl!

I

have a daughter,

sir,

called Katharina.

You are too blunt: go to it orderly. You wrong me, Signior Gremio: give me

she weeps.

Go ply thy needle;

meddle not with her. For shame, thou hilding of a devilish spirit.

Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee?

When did she cross thee with a bitter word?

am a gentleman of Verona,

sir.

That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, Her affability and bashful modesty. Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour,

jo

Am bold to show myself a forward guest

men alive

Which

I'll

Pray, have you not a

leave.

Or what you will command me will I do, So well I know my duty to my elders. Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee,

I

Bap.

my raiment, to my petticoat;

Bian. Believe

^/

sir!

daughter

To make a bondmaid and a slave of me; That I disdain: but for these other gawds. Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself, all

you, good

Call'd Katharina, fair and virtuous?

yourself.

Yea,

And

Pet.

Within your house, to make mine eye the witness Of that report which I so oft have heard. And, for an entrance to my entertainment, I do present you with a man of mine. Presenting hortensio.

Cunning

in

music and the mathematics,

To instruct her fully in those sciences. Whereof I know

she

is

not ignorant:

Accept of him, or else you do me wrong: His name is Licio, born in Mantua. 60 Bap. You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake. But for my daughter Katharine, this I know, She is not for your turn, the more my grief. Pet. I see you do not mean to part with her, Or else you like not of my company. Bap. Mistake me not; I speak but as I find. Whence are you, sir? what may I call your name? Pet. Petruchio is my name; Antonio's son,

A man well known throughout all Italy. Bap.

I

know him

well:

you are welcome

Gre. Saving your tale, Petruchio,

for his

70

sake. I

pray,

.

SCENE Let

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

I

us, that are

What dowry

poor petitioners, speak too:

Pet.

O, pardon me, Signior Gremio;

I

And

would

fain be doing.

doubt wooing.

Gre.

Pet.

not, sir; but

it

I

you

will curse

your

Neighbour, this is a gift very grateful, I am sure of it. To express the like kindness, myself, that have been more kindly beholding to you than any, freely give unto

you

this

young scholar

[pre-

Pet.

cunning

in

service.

A

thousand thanks, Signior Gremio. Welcome, Cambio. [To tranio] But, gentle sir, methinks you walk like a stranger: may I be so Bap.

bold to

know

the cause of your coming?

Tra. Pardon me,

sir,

the boldness

is

mine own, po

it

assure her of

I'll

that she survive

me,

tain'd.

Greek, Latin, and other languages, as the other in music and mathematics: his name is Cambio; pray, accept his as

dowry,

be

Let specialties be therefore drawn between us, That covenants may be kept on either hand. Bap. Ay, when the special thing is well ob-

That

Rheims;

for that

my lands and leases whatsoever:

all

senting LucENTio], that hath been long studying at

And,

I

my

Her widowhood, In

209

have with her to wife? death the one half of my lands, in possession twenty thousand crowns.

Bap. After

Baccare! you are marvellous forward.

shall

is,

her love; for that

Why,

that

is

is all in all.

nothing; for

I

tell

1^0 you, father,

am as peremptory as she proud-minded; And where two raging fires meet together They do consume the thing that feeds their I

Though

speed!

That, being a stranger in this city here, Do make myself a suitor to your daughter, Unto Bianca, fair and virtuous. Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me,

But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words. Pet. Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for

In the preferment of the eldest sister.

That shake

Tra.

Of Pisa,

sir;

Holla, within!

£w/^r a Servant.

gentlemen

them both, no These are their tutors: bid them use them well. [Exit Servant^ with lucentio and hortensio, BIONDELLO /(9//^Ti;mg We will go walk a little in the orchard. And then to dinner. You are passing welcome. And so I pray you all to think yourselves. and

Pet. Signior Baptista,

tell

my

business asketh haste.

And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well, and in him me, Left solely heir to

all his

Bap.

How

my

now,

friend!

why

dost thou look

so pale?

Hor. For Bap.

fear,

What,

I

promise you, if I look pale. my daughter prove a good mu-

will

sician?

Hor.

I

think she'll sooner prove a soldier:

may hold with her,

but never lutes. fi^^.Why, then thou canst not break her to the

Iron

Hor. Why, no; for she hath broke the lute to me. I did but tell her she mistook her frets, /jo And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, "Frets, call you these?" quoth she; "I'll fume with them": And, with that word, she struck me on the head, And through the instrument my pate made way;

And there

I

stood amazed for a while.

As on a pillory, looking through the While she did call me rascal fiddler

And

lute:

twangling Jack; with twenty such vile

terms.

As had she studied to misuse me so. Pet. Now, by the world, it is a lusty wench; I

love her ten times

O, how

more than

e'er

I

i6o

did:

long to have some chat with her! Bap. Well, go with me and be not so discom-

lands and goods.

Which I have better'd rather than decreased: Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,

though they blow perpetually.

lute?

by report I know him well: you are very welcome, sir. Take you the lute, and you the set of books; You shall go see your pupils presently.

To my daughters;

not,

Re-enter hortensio, with his head broke.

son to Vincentio.

A mighty man of Pisa;

Sirrah, lead these

1^0

winds.

This liberty is all that I request. That, upon knowledge of my parentage, I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo And free access and favour as the rest: And, toward the education of your daughters, wo I here bestow a simple instrument, And this small packet of Greek and Latin books: If you accept them, then their worth is great. Bap. Lucentio is your name; of whence, I pray? Bap.

fury:

grows great with little wind. Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all: So I to her, and so she yields to me; For I am rough and woo not like a babe. Bap. Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy little fire

I

'

fited:

120

Proceed

in practice

with

my younger daughter;

— THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

2IO

She's apt to learn and thankful for good turns.

Signior Petruchio, will

Or shall Pet. I

I

I

send

you go with

too angry.

us,

my daughter Kate to you?

pray you do. [Exeunt

all

with some

but petruchio.]

when

she

///

Then I'll commend her volubility. And say she uttereth piercing eloquence:

Enter katharina.

Good morrow, Kate;

for that's

your name,

I

hear.

X^r/z.Well have you heard, but something hard

of hearing: call me Katharine that do talk of me.

They

lie,

in faith;

you are

for

call'd plain

Kate,

But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate, 189 For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate, Take this of me, Kate of my consolation; Hearing thy mildness praised in every town.

Thy virtues

spoke

and thy beauty sounded,

of,

Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs. Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife. Kath. Moved! in good time: let him that moved hither

Why,

Pet.

what's a moveable?

A join'd-stool. it

:

And yet as heavy

as

my weight should be.

Should be! should

Well

Kath.

O

out.

it

if

you

talk of tails:

and so fare-

well.

What, with my tongue come again.

Pet.

Kate;

I

Kath. That

am

a

in

your

tail?

nay,

gentleman.

220 swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. Kath. So may you lose your arms; If you strike me, you are no gentleman; And if no gentleman, why then no arms. Pet. A herald, Kate? O, put me in thy books! Kath. What is your crest? a coxcomb? Pet. A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. Kath. No cock of mine; you crow too like a Pet.

I'll

try. [She strikes him.]

I

craven. Pet.

Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not

look so sour. Pet.

It is

my fashion, when I see a crab.

Why, here's no crab;

250

and therefore look

not sour. Kath. There Pet.

is,

there

Then show

Kath.

Had

I

it

is.

me.

a glass,

I

would.

What, you mean my face? Kath. Well aim'd of such a young one. Pet. Now, by Saint George, I am too young Pet.

for

you. Kath. Yet you are wither'd.

Kath. Pet.

I

with cares.

24.0

care not.

Nay, hear you, Kate:

in sooth

you scape

not so. I

chafe you, if I tarry: let

me go.

No, not a whit: I find you passing gentle. 'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sulPet.

len.

And not

I find report a very liar; For thou are pleasant, gamesome, passing cour-

teous.

But slow

in speech,

yet sweet as spring-time

flowers;

catch;

Pet.

could find

Whose tongue?

Kath.

Thou hast hit

come, sit on me. Kath. Asses are made to bear, and so are you. Pet. Women are made to bear, and so are you. Kath. No such jade as you, if me you mean. Pet. Alas! good Kate, I will not burden thee; For, knowing thee to be but young and light Kath. Too light for such a swain as you to

Pet.

it

where it lies. knows not where a wasp does wear

Kath. Yours,

Pet. 'Tis

Remove you hence: I knew you at the first You were a moveable. Kath.

my sting.

Kath. In his tongue. Pet.

Kath.

And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst;

Pet.

210

if the fool

Who

Good

do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks. As though she bid me stay by her a week: iSo If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day When I shall ask the banns and when be married. But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak. If she

you

II

you are

his sting? In his tail.

Say that she rail; why then I'll tell plain She sings as sweetly as a nightingale: Say that she frown; I'll say she looks as clear As morning roses newly wash'd with dew: Say she be mute and will not speak a word:

You

faith,

,

My remedy is then, to pluck

Pet.

comes.

Pet.

Pet.

Kath. Ay,

spirit

i'

Kath. If I be waspish, best beware

will attend her here,

And woo her

ACT

Come, come, you wasp;

Pet.

slow-wing'd

—buzz!

ta'en,

and like a buzzard. buzzard take

turtle! shall a

thee?

Kath. Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.

Thou canst not frown, thou canst not look askance, Nor bite the lip, as angry wenches will, 2^0 Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk. But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers. With gentle conference, soft and affable. Why does the world report that Kate doth limp?

:

SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

I

Gre. Hark, Petruchio; she says she'll see thee

slanderous world! Kate like the hazel-twig

and slender and as brown in hue As hazel nuts and sweeter than the kernels. O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt. Kath. Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st com-

hang'd

Is straight

mand. 260 Pet. Did ever Dian so become a grove As Kate this chamber with her princely gait? O, be thou Dian, and let her be Kate; And then let Kate be chaste and Dian sportful! Kath. Where did you study all this goodly speech? Pet. It is extempore, from

Am

Pet.

I

not wise?

Kath. Yes; keep you

Marry, so

Pet.

my mother-wit.

A witty mother! witless else her son.

Kath.

I

warm.

mean, sweet Katharine,

thy

in

bed:

And therefore,

setting

all this

chat aside,

2jo

Thus in plain terms your father hath consented That you shall be my wife; your dowry 'greed :

marry you. Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn; For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty, will you, nill you,

I

Be

patient, gentlemen;

choose her for

I

myself: If she and

I

be pleased, what's that to you?

'Tis bargain'd twixt us twain, being alone,

That she I

tell

shall still

you,

'tis

be curst in company.

incredible to believe

How much she loves me: O, the kindest Kate! She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss 5/0 She vied so fast, protesting oath on oath. That in a twink she won me to her love. O, you are novices! 'tis a world to see. How tame, when men and women are alone, A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew. Give me thy hand, Kate: I will unio Venice, To buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day. Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests; I will be sure my Katharine shall be fine. I

know

not what to say: but give

me your

hands;

will

^20

God send you joy, Gre. Tra.

make me like thee well, Thou must be married to no man but me; For I am he am born to tame you Kate, And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate

Thy

Pet.

Bap.

on;

And,

first.

Tra. Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part!

beauty, that doth

280 Conformable as other household Kates. Here comes your father: never make denial; 1 must and will have Katharine to my wife.

Petruchio!

Amen, say we: we

'tis

a match.

will be witnesses.

and wife, and gentlcinen, adieu: I will to Venice; Sunday comes apace: will have rings and things and fiae array; And kiss me, Kate, we will be married o' Sunday. [Exeunt petruchio and katharina severally. Pet. Father,

We

Gre.

Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly?

Bap. Faith, gentlemen,

now

I

play a merchant's

part,

Re-enter baptista, gremio, and tranio.

Bap.

Now,

with Pet. It

Signior Petruchio,

how

And venture madly on

speed you

my daughter? I

should speed amiss.

Why, how now, daughter Katharine! in your dumps? Kath. Call you me daughter? now, I promise you You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, To wish me wed to one half lunatic; 2 90 A mad-cap ruffian and a swearing Jack, That thinks with oaths to face the matter out. Bap.

Pet. Father, 'tis thus:

That

yourself and

all

the world.

talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her:

If she be curst,

it is

'Twas

a

a desperate mart.

commodity

lay fretting

by

you: 'Twill bring you gain, or perish on the seas. Bap. The gain I seek is, quiet in the match.

How but well, sir? how but well?

were impossible

Tra.

Gre. No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch. But now, Baptista, to your younger daughter: Now is the day we long have looked for: I am your neighbour, and was suitor first. Tra. And I am one that love Bianca more Than words can witness, or your thoughts can guess. Gre. Youngling, thou canst not love so dear as

Tra. Greybeard, thy love doth freeze. But thine doth fry. Gre.

Skipper, stand back:

for policy.

For she's not froward, but modest as the dove; She is not hot, but temperate as the morn; For patience she will prove a second Grissel, And Roman Lucrece for her chastity And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together. That upon Sunday is the wedding-day. ^00 Kath. I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first. .

55/

'tis

I.

^40

age that nourishcth.

Tra. But youth in ladies' eyes that flourisheth. Bap. Content you, gentlemen: I will compound this strife:

must win the prize; and he of both That can assure my daughter greatest dower 'Tis deeds

have my Bianca' s love. Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her?

Shall

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

212 Gre. First, as

my

you know,

house within the

Now

city

furnished with plate and gold;

Is richly

550

My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry; have stuff 'd

I

In cypress chests

And

all

fat

Tra.

if

in years,

I

die to-morrow, this

I

If whilst

Tra.

my stalls,

360

Yet

I

live she will

ning.

is

hers.

ACT

in. Sir, list

to

Scene

me:

galleys: these

two

less

galliases,

Tra. That's but a cavil: he

out-vied.

is

is

old,

I

And may not young men die,

young. as well as

Bap. Well, gentlemen, am thus resolved: on Sunday next you

My daughter Katharine

is

to you, if you

If not, to Signior

And so,

I

leave to read philosophy.

pause, serve in your harmony.

Hor. Sirrah,

I

will not bear these braves

of

thine.

Bian. Why, gentlemen,

you do me double

wrong,

To strive for that which am no

resteth in

my choice:

breeching scholar in the schools;

I'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times, But learn my lessons as I please myself. 20 And, to cut off all strife, here sit we down: Take you your instrument, play you the whiles; His lecture will be done ere you have tuned. Hor. You'll leave his lecture when I am in

tune?

I

take

Bian.

know

to be married:

Now, on the Sunday following, Be bride

10

Luc. That will be never: tune your instrument.

old?

I

And while

I

Gremio

much.

After his studies or his usual pain?

I

firm promise:

lecture shall have leisure for as

Then give me

as

I

this is

To know the cause why music was ordain'd! Was it not to refresh the mind of man

must confess your offer is the best; And, let your father make her the assurance, She is your own; else, you must pardon me, 55^0 If you should die before him, where's her dower? Gre.

Hor. But, wrangling pedant,

The patroness of heavenly harmony: Then give me leave to have prerogative; And when in music we have spent an hour, Luc. Preposterous ass, that never read so far

world. Bap.

Have you so soon forgot the entertainment Her sister Katharine welcomed you withal?

Your

much, whate'er thou offer' st next. have offer'd all, I have no more; And she can have no more than all I have: If you like me, she shall have me and mine. Tra.Why, then the maid is mine from all the

By your

grow too forward,

sir:

will assure her.

I

III

Padua: Baptista' s house

Enter lucentio, hortensio, and bianca.

My land amounts not to so much in all: That she shall have; besides an argosy That now is lying in Marseilles' road. What, have I choked you with an argosy? Tra. Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no argosies; besides

i.

Luc. Fiddler, forbear; you

Within rich Pisa walls, as any one ^jo OldSigniorGremio has in Padua; Besides two thousand ducats by the year Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure. What, have I pinch'd you, Signior Gremio? Gre. Two thousand ducats by the year of land!

Nay,

[Exit.

be only mine.

leave her houses three or four as good,

Gre.

I

must confess;

That "only" came well

And twice

[Exit.

A

am my father's heir and only son: If I may have your daughter to my wife,

Than three great And twelve tight

boy.

A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide!

have faced it with a card often. my head to do my master good: I see no reason but supposed Lucentio Must get a father, call'd "supposed Vincentio"; And that's a wonder: fathers commonly 411 Do get their children; but in this case of wooing, child shall get a sire, if I fail not of rny cun-

I

I'll

401 a fool

'Tis in

things answerable to this portion.

Myself am struck

And

in

fear thee not:

An old Italian fox is not so kind, my

my arras counterpoints,

oxen standing

III

Set foot under thy table: tut, a toy!

my crowns;

Costly apparel, tents, and canopies. Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl, Valance of Venice gold in needlework. Pewter and brass and all things that belong To house or housekeeping: then, at my farm I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail, Sixscore

I

young gamester, your father were To give thee all, and in his waning age

Sirrah

Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands; In ivory coffers

ACT

Gre. Adieu, good neighbour. [Exit baptista.

shall

make this

Bianca

assurance;

Gremio:

my leave, and thank you both.

Where left we last?

Luc. Here,

madam:

Hie ibat Simois; hie est Sigeia tellus; Hie steterat Priami regia celsa senis. Bww. Construe them. 50 Luc. Hie ibat, as I told you before, Simois, I am Lucentio, hie est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa,

:

SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

I

steterat,

your love; Hie and that Lucentio that comes a-wooing,

Priami,

is

213

Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get

my man Tranio, we

celsa senis, that

bearing

regia,

my port,

might beguile the old panta-

Madam, my instrument's

in tune.

O

fie! the treble jars. Bian. Let's hear. Luc. Spit in the hold, man, and tune again.

Now let me see if

Bian.

Hie

ibat Simois,

tellus,

you

trust

I

I

can construe

know you

I

it:

not, hie est Sigeia

His steterat Priami, take regia, presume not, eelsa senis,

despair not.

Madam,

Hor.

'tis

now in tune. All but the base.

Lue.

The

Hor.

base

is

right;

'tis

Mistress, your father prays

you leave

your books

Bian. Farewell, sweet masters both;

40

not;

heed he hear us not,

Serv.

And help to dress your sister's chamber up: You know to-morrow is the wedding-day.

loon.

Hor.

Enter a servant.

the base knave that

I

must be

gone.

[Exeunt Bianea and Servant. Luc. Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay.

[Exit.

have cause to pry into this pedant: Methinks he looks as though he were in love: Yet if thy thoughts, Bianca, be so humble To cast thy wandering eyes on every stale, po Seize thee that list: if once I find thee ranging, Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing. Hor. But

I

jars.

Now,

[Exit.

How fiery and forward our pendant is!

[Aside]

for

Scene

my life, the knave doth court my

love:

Pedascule,

watch you better

I'll

Bian. In time

I

Lue. Mistrust

may it

yet.

believe, yet

I

50

not; for, sure, .^acides

you, I

should be arguing

But

let it rest.

still

Now,

Good masters,

take

upon

that doubt:

Licio, to you: it

not unkindly, pray,

have been thus pleasant with you both. Hor. You may go walk, and give me leave a

That

Are you

so formal, sir? well,

And watch

withal; for, but

I

must wait, be

I

musician groweth amorous. before you touch the instrument, To learn the order of my fingering, I must begin with rudiments of art; fine

Hor.

Madam,

To teach you gamut in a briefer sort, More pleasant, pithy, and effectual. Than hath been taught by any of my

trade:

And there it is in writing, fairly drawn. Bian. Why, I am past my gamut long ago. Hor. Yet read the gamut of Hortensio. Bian. [Reads] " 'Gamut' I am, the ground of

yo

all

accord,

'A

re,'

to plead Hortensio's passion;

'B mi,' Bianca, take

'C

him

fa ut,' that loves

'D

sol re,'

'E

la mi,'

one

clef,

show

Call

you

Old

fashions please

this

iVnd yet we hear not of our son-in-law. What will be said? what mockery will it be, To want the bridegroom when the priest attends To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage! What says Lucentio to this shame of ours?

No

shame but mine:

I

must, forsooth, be

To give my hand opposed against my heart 60

deceived.

Our

the

forced

while:

My lessons make no music in three parts. [Aside]

is

That Katharine and Petruchio should be married,

Kath.

I

Lue.

Enter baptista, gremio, tranio, katharina, BIANCA, lucentio, and others, attendants.

'pointed day.

call'd so from his grandfather. must believe my master; else, I promise

I

Padua: before Baptista's house

Bap. [To tranio] Signior Lucentio, this

mistrust.

Was Ajax, Bian.

ii.

two

pity, or

gamut?

all

I

am

not so nice,

for old inventions.

mad-brain rudesby

full

of spleen;

banns;

Yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd. Now must the world point at poor Katharine, And say, "Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife. 20 If it would please him come and marry her!" Tra. Patience, good Katharine, and Baptista too. Upon my life, Petruchio means but well, Whatever fortune stays him from his word: Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise; Though he be merry, yet withal he's honest. Kath. Would Katharine had never seen him

Bap. Go,

80

10

I told you, I, he was a frantic fool. Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behaviour: And, to be noted for a merry man. He'll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage, Make feasts, invite friends, and proclaim the

by bianca and others. cannot blame thee now to

[Exit ^weeping, followed

I

die."

I

a

Who woo'd in haste and means to wed at leisure.

though!

affection:

notes have

tut, I like it not:

me best;

To change true rules

for thy lord,

with

Unto

girl;

I

weep; For such an injury would vex a very saint, Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour.

!

:

!

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

214

Enter biondello.

Why,

Bion.

Nay, by Saint, Jamy, I hold you a penny,

Bion. Master, master! news, old news, and such

news

you never heard of

as

Bap.

Is it

Bion.

Why,

is it

HI

that's all one.

A horse and a man

5/

new and old too? how may

ACT

Bap.

that be?

more than one. not many.

Is

And yet

not news, to hear of Petruchio's

coming? Bap.

Is

Enter petruchio and grumio.

he come?

Bion. Why, no, sir. Bap. What then? Bion. He is coming.

Come, where be these home?

Pet.

and sees you 41

news? Bion. Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned, a pair of boots that have been candlecases, one buckled, another laced, an old rusty sword ta'en out of the town-armoury, with a broken hilt,, and chapeless; with two broken

what

to thine old

points: his horse hipped with an old

mothy

saddle

and stirrups of no kindred; besides, possessed with the glanders and like to mose in the chine; troubled with the lampass, infected with the fashions, full of windgalls, sped with spavins, rayed with the yellows, past cure of the fives, stark spoiled with the staggers, begnawn with the bots, swayed in the back and shoulder-shotten; near-legged before and with a half-checked bit and a head-stall of sheep's leather which, being restrained to keep him from stumbling, hath been often burst and now repaired with knots; one girth six times pieced and a woman's crupper of velure, set

which hath two

down

in studs,

letters for

her

name fairly

and here and there pierced

with packthread. Bap. Bion.

Who comes with him? O,

sir,

his lackey, for all the

world ca-

parisoned like the horse; with a linen stock on one leg and a kersey boot-hose on the other, gartered with a red and blue list; an old hat and "the humour of forty fancies" pricked in't for a feather: a monster, a very

are welcome,

monster

in apparel,

and not like a Christian footboy or a gentleman's lackey. Tra. 'Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion;

Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell'd. Bap. I am glad he's come, howsoe'er he comes. Bion. Why, sir, he comes not. Bap. Didst thou not say he comes? Bion. Who? that Petruchio came? Bap. Ay, that Petruchio came. 80 Bion. No, sir; I say his horse comes, with him on his back.

And yet you halt

Bap.

po

not.

Not

Tra.

As

sir.

And yet I come not well.

Pet.

there.

Tra. But say,

You

Bap.

When will he be here? Bion. When he stands where I am Bap.

gallants? who's at

so well apparell'd

wish you were.

I

Were it better,

Pet.

I

should rush in thus.

But where is Kate? where is my lovely bride? How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown: And wherefore gaze this goodly company. As if they saw some wondrous monument. Some comet or unusual prodigy? Bap. Why, sir, you know this is your weddingday:

were we

First

you would not come;

sad, fearing

Now sadder, that you come so unprovided. Fie, doff this habit,

shame

An eye-sore to our

solemn

all

so long detain'd

And sent you hither Tedious

Pet.

your

loi

estate.

festival

And tell us, what occasion of import

Tra.

Hath

to

Sufficeth,

I

it

you from your wife,

so unlike yourself?

were

to

and harsh to hear:

tell,

am come to keep my word,

Though

in some part enforced to digress; Which, at more leisure, I will so excuse no As you shall well be satisfied withal. But where is Kate? I stay too long from her: The morning wears, 'tis time we were at church.

Tra. See not your bride in these unreverent

robes

Go to my chamber; Not

Pet.

I,

Bap. But thus,

Good

Pet.

put on clothes of mine.

believe me: thus I

trust,

you

I'll

visit her.

will not

marry

sooth, even thus; therefore ha'

her.

done

with words:

To me she's married, Could

I

repair

not unto

what she

will

my clothes:

wear

in

me,

120

As I can change these poor accoutrements, 'Twere well for Kate and better for myself. But what a fool

When I And

am

I

to chat with you,

should bid good

seal the title

morrow

with a lovely

to

my bride,

kiss!

[Exeunt petruchio and grumio. Tra.

He hath some meaning in his mad attire:

We will persuade him, be

it

possible.

To put on better ere he go to church.

— SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

II

and see the event of this. [Exeunt baptista, gremio, and attendants. Tra. But to her love concerneth us to add

Bap.

I'll

after him,

Her father's liking: which to bring to pass, As I before imparted to your worship, whate'er he be, I am to get a man

75/

—

It skills

not much, we'll

fit

him

to our turn

And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa; And make assurance here in Padua

Of greater sums than I

have promised. Re-enter petruchio, katharina, bianca,

shall

Luc.

Were it not that my

BAPTISTA, hortensio, grumio, and

fellow-schoolmaster

Doth watch Bianca' s steps so narrowly, 141 'Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage; Which once perform'd, let all the world say no, I'll keep mine own, despite of all the world. Tra. That by degrees we mean to look into, And watch our vantage in this business: We'll over-reach the greybeard, Gremio,

my master's sake,

Lucentio.

/50

Re-enter gremio.

came you from the church? I came from school. the bride and bridegroom coming

Signior Gremio, Gre.

As

Tra.

And is

Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: I know you think to dine with me to-day. And have prepared great store of wedding cheer; But so it is, my haste doth call me hence. Pet.

And therefore here I mean to take my Bap. Pet.

willingly as e'er

'tis

a

groom

indeed,

why,

'tis

you

may

will

Kath

impossible.

Why, he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend. Tra. Why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's dam.

Gre. Tut, she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him!

Pet.

am

I

me entreat you.

Let

me entreat you

Are you content to

Grumio,

Pet. sir,

my horse.

they be ready: the oats have eaten

the horses.

Kath. Nay, then.

Do what thou canst,

I

will not

No, nor to-morrow, not

till I

go to-day;

"if any list."

For me,

I'll

not be gone

till I

please myself:

Tra.

What said the wench when he rose again?

'Tis like you'll prove a jolly surly groom.

Gre.

Trembled and shook;

That take

for

why, he stamp'd

and swore.

As

Pet.

ifthe vicar meant to cozen him.

But after many ceremonies done, He calls for wine: "A health!" quoth he, as He had been aboard, carousing to his mates

it

on you

at the first so roundly.

O Kate, content thee;

prithee, be not

angry.

ijo

Kath. if

210

please myself.

The door is open, sir; there lies your way; You may be jogging whiles your boots are green;

and book and book and

priest:

"Now take them up," quoth he,

stay?

I

Gru. Ay,

cuff

201

am content you shall entreat me stay; But yet not stay, entreat me how you can. Kath. Now, if you love me, stay.

loud.

That, all-amazed, the priest let fall the book; And, as he stoop'd again to take it up, This mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a

Let

content.

Kath. Pet.

160 I'll tell you. Sir Lucentio: when the priest Should ask, if Katharine should be his wife, *'Ay, by gogs-wouns," quoth he; and swore so

priest

/po

Pet.lt cannot be.

Gre.

fell

leave,

away to-night?

not be.

Gre.

A grumbling groom, and that the girl shall find. Tra. Curster than she?

possible

must away to-day, before night come:

I

Pet. It

A bridegroom say you?

That down

Is't

And, honest company, I thank you all, That have beheld me give away myself To this most patient, sweet, and virtuous wife: Dine with my father, drink a health to me; For I must hence; and farewell to you all. Tra. Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.

home? Gre.

train.

Make it no wonder; if you knew my business, You would entreat me rather go than stay.

The narrow-prying father, Minola, The quaint musician, amorous Licio; All for

215

But that his beard grew thin and hungerly And seem'd to ask him sops as he was drinking. This done, he took the bride about the neck And kiss'd her lips with such a clamorous smack That at the parting all the church did echo: i8i And I seeing this came thence for very shame; And after me, I know, the rout is coming. Such a mad marriage never was before: Hark, hark! I hear the minstrels play. [Music.

you quietly enjoy your hope. And marry sweet Bianca with consent.

So

.

.

I

will be angry:

what hast thou

to do?

Father, be quiet: he shall stay my leisure. Gre. Ay, marry, sir, now it begins to work.

219

Kath. Gentlemen, forward to the bridal dinner: see a woman may be made a fool,

After a storm; quaff 'd off the muscadel And threw the sops all in the sexton's face;

I

Having no other reason

If she

had not a

spirit to resist.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

2l6

They

Pet.

go forward, Kate,

shall

at

thy com-

mand.

Obey

the bride,

you

that attend

on her;

Go to the feast, revel and domineer.

big,

is

is

mine own

my goods, my chattels;

she

is

my

fret;

25 / house,

here she stands, touch her whoever dare; bring mine action on the proudest he

That stops

my way in Padua. Grumio,

forth thy

weapon,

we are beset with

thieves;

Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man. Fear not, sweet wench, they shall not touch

thee,

Kate: 240 I'll buckler thee against a million. [Exeunt vETRxjCHio., katharina, ^W grumio. Bap. Nay, let them go, a couple of quiet ones. Gre. Went they not quickly, 1 should die with

Of all mad matches never was the like.

Luc. Mistress, what's your opinion of your

mad herself,

she's

madly

mated. I warrant him, Petruchio is Kated. Bap. Neighbours and friends, though bride and bridegroom wants For to supply the places at the table, 249 You know there wants no junkets at the Gre.

Lucentio, you shall supply the bridegroom's

Bianca take her sister's room. Tra. Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride let

it?

Bap. She shall, Lucentio.

Come, gentlemen, [Exeunt.

go.

ACT Scene

Who is that calls so coldly? A piece of ice: if thou doubt

it,

thou mayst

my shoulder to my heel with no greatbut my head and my neck. A fire, good

er a run

Curt. Is my master and his wife coming, Grumio? Gru. O, ay, Curtis, ay: and therefore fire, fire; cast on no water. 21 Curt. Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported? Gru. She was, good Curtis, before this frost: but, thou knowest, winter tames man, woman, and beast; for it hath tamed my old master and my new mistress and myself, fellow Curtis. Curt. Away, you three-inch fool! I am no beast. Gru. Am I but three inches? why, thy horn is a foot; and so long am I at the least. But wilt thou make a fire, or shall I complain on thee to our

whose hand, she being now at hand, thou shalt soon feel, to thy cold comfort, for being slow in thy hot office?

IV

I

prithee,

good Grumio,

tell

me,

how goes

the world?

A

Gru.

cold world, Curtis, in every oflice but

thine; and therefore fire:

thy duty; for

my

do thy duty, and have master and mistress are almost

frozen to death.

^o good

Curt. There's fire ready; and therefore,

Grumio, the news.

news

Why, as will

Curt.

place;

"J^ck, boy! ho! boy!" and as

much

thaw.

Come, you

Why,

are so full of cony-catching!

fire; for I have caught extreme cold. Where's the cook? is supper ready, the house trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept; the serving-men in their new fustian, their white stockings, and every officer his weddinggarment on? Be the jacks fair within, the jills fair without, the carpets laid, and every thing in

Gru.

therefore

order? i.

Petruchio' s country house

Enter grumio.

Gru. Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masand all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? was ever man so rayed? was ever man so weary? I am sent before to make a fire, and chey are coming after to warm them. Now, were not I a little pot and soon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth, my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my heart in my belly, ere I should come by a fire ters,

,

from

Gru.

feast.

let's

Gru. slide

Curt.

sister?

Bian. That, being

And

I

mistress,

laughing.

Tra.

than

IV

Curtis.

And

Draw

myself; for,

man

ACT

with blowing the fire, shall considering the weather, a will take cold. Holla, ho!

Enter cuKTis.

My household stuff, my field, my barn, My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing; I'll

warm taller

Curt.

nor stamp, nor stare, nor

will be master of what

She

I,

full

Nay, look not I

thaw me: but

Curtis.

measure to her maidenhead. Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves: But for my bonny Kate, she must with me. Carouse

to

Curt. All ready; and therefore, I pray thee, news. Gru. First, know, my horse is tired; my master and mistress fallen out. Curt.

How?

Gru. Out of their saddles into the thereby hangs a tale. Curt. Let's ha't,

good Grumio.

Gru. Lend thine ear. Curt. Here.

dirt;

and 60

— SCENE

Gru. There.

This

Nath. All things

[Strikes him.]

is

to feel a tale, not to hear a tale.

Gru. And therefore 'tis called a and this cuff was but to knock at beseech listening. Now I begin: came down a foul hill, my master

your

ear,

and

Imprimis,

we

Enter petruchio and katharina.

Where

be these knaves? What, no

To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse!

a horse.

Where

Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?

is

All Serv. Here, here,

You

Pet.

Did

I

not bid thee meet

And

Gabriel's

you must meet

my

forth to credit her.

she comes to borrow nothing of

Enter four or jive serving-men.

Nath. Phil. Jos.

Welcome home, Grumio! no

i'

the

link to colour Peter's hat,

Walter's dagger was not come from sheath-

ing:

There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory; The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly; Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet

/40

you. Pet.

Go,

rascals, go,

and fetch

my supper in. [Exeunt SERVANTS.

come. Soud, soud, soud, soud! Re-enter servants

Why, when,

I

say?

njoith

supper.

Nay, good sweet Kate, be

Nich. Fellow Grumio!

Nath. How now, old lad? Gru. Welcome, you; how now, you; what, fellow, you; you; and thus much for greeting. Now, my spruce companions, is all ready, and all

—

—

Off with my boots, you rogues! you villains, when? [Sings] "It was the friar of orders grey. As he forth walked on his way:" /50 Out, you rogue! you pluck my foot awry: Strikes

him.

Be merry, Kate. Some water, here; what, ho! Where's my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you

What, Grumio!

things neat?

unpink'd

Take that, and mend the plucking off the other.

How now, Grumio!

—

all

merry.

countenance her.

Why,

pumps were

heel;

—

hear, ho?

loi master to countenance my mistress Gru. Why, she hath a face of her own. Curt. Who knows not that? Gru. Thou, it seems, that calls for company to

Gru. them.

me in the park.

along these rascal knaves with thee? Gru. Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made,

[Singing] "Where is the life that late I led" Where are those Sit down, Kate, and wel-

are.

Gru. Call them forth.

them

/50

And bring

And

I call

sir.

peasant swain! you whoreson malt-

There was no

Curt.

here,

horse drudge!

Gru. Ay: and that thou and the proudest of you all shall find when he comes home. But what talk I of this? Call forth Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Philip, Walter, Sugarsop and the rest: let their heads be sleekly combed, their blue coats brushed

and their garters of an indifferent knit: let them curtsy with their left legs and not presume to touch a hair of my master's horsetail till they kiss their hands. Are they all ready?

sir;

Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms! What, no attendance? no regard? no duty? Where is the foolish knave I sent before? Gru. Here, sir; as foolish as I was before. Pet.

she.

Do you

man at

door

prayed before, how I cried, how the horses ran away, how her bridle was burst, how I lost my crupper, with many things of worthy memory, which now shall die in oblivion and thou return unexperienced to thy grave. Curt. By this reckoning he is more shrew than

Curt.

is

—

Pet.

Gru. Tell thou the tale: but hadst thou not (rossed me, thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell and she under her horse; thou shouldst have heard in how miry a place, how she was bemoiled, how he left her with the horse upon her, how he beat me because her horse stumbled, how she waded through the dirt to pluck him off me, how he swore, how she prayed, that never

They

near

riding behind

Curt. Both of one horse? Gru. What's that to thee?

Curt.

How

our master? //p Gru. E'en at hand, alighted by this; and thereCock's passion, silence! I hear my fore be not master.

7^

Why,

217 ready.

is

,

sensible tale:

my mistress

Curt.

——

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

I

Curt.

—

.

—

hence.

And

bid

my cousin Ferdinand come hither:

One, Kate, that you must

kiss,

and be acquainted

with.

Where are my slippers?

Shall

I

have some water?

:

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

2l8

My falcon now Enter one with water.

And till

Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily. You whoreson villain! will you let it fall? Strikes

pray you; 'twas

That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites That bate and beat and will not be obedient. She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat; 200

a fault un-

A whoreson beetle-headed,

flap-ear'd

i6o

knave!

down;

sit

I

know you have

not;

As with

Will you give thanks, sweet Kate; or What's this? mutton?

else shall I?

Who brought it?

Pet.

Peter.

I.

and so

Pet. 'Tis burnt;

are these!

is all

the meat.

Where is

the rascal cook?

How durst you, villains, bring it from the dresser, iVnd serve

it

thus to it

me that love it not?

to you, trenchers, cups, and

all:

&c. about the stage. You heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves! What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight.

Throws

I'll

the meat, some undeserved fault about the making of the bed; here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster.

find

And

Ay.

istServ.

There, take

Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall

a

stomach.

What dogjs

This way the coverlet, another way the sheets: Ay, and amid this hurly I intend That all is done in reverend care of her; And in conclusion she shall watch all night: And if she chance to nod I'll rail and brawl And with the clamour keep her still awake. 210 This is a way to kill a wife with kindness; And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong hum-

the meat,

our.

He that knows

For

I

it

And

Scene

how

'tis

to

tame

a

shrew.

charity to show.

[Exit.

am

forbid to touch

with such over-roasted

Is't possible,

friend Licio, that Mistress

Doth fancy any other but Lucentio? tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand. Hor. Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching. I

Since, of ourselves, ourselves are choleric, it

Padua: before Baptistas house

Bianca

it,

engenders choler, planteth anger;

feed

ii.

Enter tranio and hortensio. Tra.

expressly

better 'twere that both of us did fast,

Than

:

I

away;

And

better

Now let him speak

pray you, husband, be not so disquiet: The meat was well, if you were so contented. /// Pet. I tell thee, Kate, 'twas burnt and dried Kath.

sharp and passing empty; sl>e must not be full-gorged.

To make her come and know her keeper's call, I

willing.

Come, Kate,

IV

For then she never looks upon her lure. Another way I have to man my haggard.

him.

Kath. Patience, Pet.

is

she stoop

ACT

flesh.

Be patient; to-morrow 't shall be mended. i8o And, for this night, we'll fast for company: Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.

Enter bianca and lucentio. Luc.

Now, mistress,

profit

you

in

what you

read?

[Exeunt.

What, master, read you?

Bian.

Re-enter servants severally.

first

resolve

me

that.

Luc.

Nath. Peter, didst ever see the like? Peter. He kills her in her own humour.

I

read that

I

profess,

The Art

And may you prove,

Bian.

sir,

to

Love.

master of your

art!

Re-enter curtis.

Gru.

Where

is

Luc.

Curt. In her chamber,

making

a

rails,

and swears, and

rates, that she,

poor

way to stand,

as

one new-risen from a dream. i8p for he is coming hither. [Exeunt.

me,

I

swear that your mistress Bianca world so well as Lucentio.

in the

tell

O despiteful love!

thee, Licio, this

unconstant womankind!

is

Thus have

But one that scorn to live in this disguise. For such a one as leaves a gentleman. And makes a god of such a cullion

'tis

Know,

Re-enter petruchio. Pet.

tell

wonderful. Hor. Mistake no more: I am not Licio, Nor a musician, as I seem to be; I

Away, away!

And

that durst

Tra.

to look, to

speak.

And sits

You

Loved none

not which

10

Now,

pray.

soul.

Knows

dear, prove mistress of

Hor. Quick proceeders, marry!

sermon of conti-

nency to her;

And

While you, sweet

my heart!

he?

I politicly begun my reign, my hope to end successfully.

sir,

that J

am call'd Hortensio.

20

SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

II

Tra. Signior Horrensio,

I

Of your entire affection to Bianca; And I

since

mine eyes are witness of her hghtness,

will with you, if you be so contented,

Forswear Bianca and her love Hor. See,

how they

kiss

for ever.

And give assurance to Baptista Minola, As ifhe were the right Vincentio. Take in your love, and then let me alone.

and court! Signior

Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow Never to woo her more, but do forswear her, As one unworthy all the former favours 50 That I have fondly flatter'd her withal.

And here

Tra.

I

take the like unfeigned oath,

And

And

how

beastly she doth court him!

so farewell, Signior Lucentio.

Shall

win

in

my love: I

and so I take swore before.

Tra. Mistress Bianca, bless

As

40

women, not their beauteous

In resolution as

I

my leave. [Exit.

you with such grace

have ta'en you napping, gentle love,

you

jest:

Tra. Mistress,

V

Tra.

That

but have you both for-

we have.

Then we are rid of Licio. have a lusty widow now, be woo'd and wedded in a day. 5/

faith, he'll

shall

God give him joy! Ay, and he'll tame her.

Bian.

Tra.

He says

Bian.

Tra. Faith, he

is

Tranio.

gone unto the taming-school.

The taming-school! what,

Bian.

so,

is

Ay,

is

the master;

That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, To tame a shrew and charm her chattering

am dog-weary:

I

have watch'd so long

but at last

I

spied

An ancient angel coming down the hill, Will serve the

turn.

What is he,

Tra.

Biondello?

Bion. Master, a mercatante, or a pedant, I

know

not what; but formal in apparel.

In gait and countenance surely like a father.

Luc.

And what of him, Tranio?

I

life?

pray? for that goes

80

hard.

Tra. 'Tis death for any one in

Mantua

To come to Padua. Know you not the cause? ships are stay'd at Venice, and the Duke, For private quarrel 'twixt your Duke and him, Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: 'Tis marvel, but that you are but newly come, You might have heard it else proclaim'd about. sir, it is

60

worse

for

me than so;

have bills for money by exchange From Florence and must here deliver them. po Tra. Well, sir, to do you courtesy. This will I do, and this I will advise you: First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa? Fed. Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been, Pisa renowned for grave citizens. Tra. Among them know you one Vincentio? Fed. I know him not, but I have heard of him; A merchant of incomparable wealth. I

He is my father,

sir;

and, sooth to say,

somewhat doth resemble you. 100 As much as an apple doth an

In countenance oyster, and

all

one.

To save your life in this extremity.

And think

O master, master,

I

week or two: as Rome;

Padua, careless of your

My life, sir! how,

This favour will

Enter biondello. Bion.

Fed.

Tra.

tongue.

That

Tra.

Bion. [Aside]

mistress, and Petruchio

you are welcome.

at the farthest?

if God lend me life. What countryman, I pray? Of Mantua. Of Mantua, sir? marry, God forbid!

And come to

Tra.

there such a

place?

Tra.

Fed.

For

sworn me? Luc.

sir!

you

so to Tripoli,

Tra.

Fed. Alas!

And have forsworn you with Hortensio. Bian. Tranio,

far on, or are

Your

looks.

'longeth to a lover's blessed case!

Nay,

Travel you

Fed. Sir, at the farthest for a

Hor. Would all the world but he had quite forsworn! For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, I will be married to a wealthy widow. Ere three days pass, which hath as long loved me As I have loved this proud disdainful haggard.

Kindness

Enter a pedant.

God save you, sir! And you, Tra.

Fed.

But then up farther, and as far

en-

treat:

Fie on her! see,

jo

[Exeunt lucentio and bianca.

Lucentio,

Never to marry with her though she would

219

Tra. If he be credulous and trust my tale, I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio,

have often heard

it

I

do you

for his sake;

not the worst of all your fortunes

That you are like to Sir Vincentio. His name and credit shall you undertake. And in my house you shall be friendly lodged: Look that you take upon you as you should; You understand me, sir: so shall you stay no Till you have done your business in the city: If this be courtesy,

Fed.

O sir,

I

sir,

accept of it.

do; and will repute you ever

The patron of my life and liberty. Tra. Then go with me to make the matter good. This, by the way,

I

let

you understand;

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW My father is here look'd for every day, To pass In

assurance of a dower

these circumstances

all

in

marriage

me and one Baptista's daughter here:

'Twixt

I'll

Go with me to clothe you as

instruct you:

becomes you.

120

[Exeunt.

Scene

hi.

A room in Petruchws house

And

Enter katharina and grumio.

Beggars, that

come unto

Upon entreaty have I,

my

me?

father's door,

Nor never needed that

I

Pet. [Aside]

9

He does it under name of perfect love; should sleep or eat,

'Twere deadly sickness or else present death. I prithee go and get me some repast; I care not what, so it be wholesome food. Gru. What say you to a neat's foot? Kath. 'Tis passing good: I prithee let Gru. I fear it is too choleric a meat.

Gru.

I I

like

it

cannot

well: tell; I

'tis

up

fie!

all,

you are

to blame.

bear you company.

Hortensio,

if thou

50

my honey love.

Kate, eat apace: and now,

Will

we return unto thy father's house

And revel it as bravely as the best. With silken coats and caps and golden rings, With ruffs and cuffs and fardingales and things; With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery, beads, and

knav-

all this

ery.

What,

hast thou dined?

The tailor

stays thy

lei-

sure,

To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure.

good Grumio, fetch fear

you touch the meat.

I'll

With amber bracelets,

me have it.

How say you to a fat tripe finely broil'd? Kath.

it

let it stand.

Much good do it unto thy gentle heart!

should entreat.

wants. if I

Eat

pray you,

repaid with thanks;

lovest me.

to entreat.

Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep,

should say,

is

sir.

Hor. Signior Petruchio,

With oaths kept waking and with brawling fed: And that which spites me more than all these

As who

thank you,

Come, Mistress Kate,

meet with charity:

who never knew how

service

so shall mine, before I

not;

this dish. I

Kath.

it

sorted to no proof.

is

The poorest

Pet.

a present alms;

If not, elsewhere they

But

to famish

word? Nay, then thou lovest

Kath.

And marry me

a

my pains

all

Here, take away

appears did he

IV

thanks.

What, not

Gru. No, no, forsooth; I dare not for my life. Kath. The more my wrong, the more his spite

What,

ACT

Pluck up thy spirits; look cheerfully upon me. Here, love; thou see'st how diligent I am To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee: 40 I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits Pet.

60

20 it

Enter tailor.

me.

choleric.

What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?

Come, tailor, let us see these ornaments; Lay forth the gown.

A dish that I do love to feed upon. Gru. Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little. Kath. Why then, the beef, and let the mustard Kath.

Gru. Nay then, mustard,

I

will not:

you

shall

have the

Then

Why,

both, or one, or anything thou wilt.

Why then, the mustard without the beef.

Kath. Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding [Beats him.

slave,

That feed' St me with the very name of meat: Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you. That triumph thus upon my misery! Go, get thee gone, I say.

How fares my Kate?

What, sweeting,

this

was moulded on

fie, fie! 'tis

a porringer;

lewd and

filthy:

a cockle or a walnut-shell,

A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap: Away with it!

come, let me have a bigger. have no bigger: this doth fit the time. And gentlewomen wear such caps as these. jo Pet. When you are gentle, you shall have one Kath.

I'll

too.

Hor. [Aside] That will not be in haste. Kath. Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to all

amort? Hor. Mistress, what cheer? Kath.

'tis

sir?

the cap your worship did bespeak.

And not till then.

Enter petruchio and hortensio uoith meat. Pet.

Why,

Pet.

is

A velvet dish:

Or else you get no beef of Grumio. Gru.

What news with you, Hab. Here

rest.

Kath.

Enter haberdasher.

Faith, as cold as can be.

speak;

And

speak

Your

And

I

will;

I

am no child, no babe: me say my mind,

betters have endured

if you

cannot, best

you stop your

ears.

My tongue will tell the anger of my heart, Or else my heart concealing it will break.

:

SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

III

And rather than Even

shall, I will

to the uttermost, as

Why,

Pet.

it

I

be free

please, in words.

thou say'st true;

80

a paltry cap,

it is

A custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie: I

love thee well, in that thou likest

Kath. Love

And it

I

me or love me not,

will have, or

I

I

not.

Gru.

HABERDASHER.

^i

thou

see she's like to have neither cap

nor gown.

You

bid

me make it orderly and well.

More quaint, more

pleasing, nor

more commend-

able:

mean to make

Belike you

Why,

true;

a puppet of me. he means to make a puppet of

thee.

Thou yard,

thou

nit,

made it should be done. gave him no order; I gave him the stuff. Tai. But how did you desire it should be made? Gru. Marry, sir, with needle and thread. 121 Tai. But did you not request to have it cut? Gru. Thou hast faced many things.

Tai.

'With

I

I

it,

a small

compassed cape": /^/

"With

Gru.

two sleeves. "The sleeves curiously cut."

I

confess

Ay,

Pet.

a trunk sleeve"

there's the villainy. i'

commanded

the

bill,

sir;

error

i'

the

bill.

I

the sleeves should be cut out and

sewed up again; and that I'll prove upon thee, though thy little finger be armed in a thimble. Tai. This is true that I say: an I had thee in place where, thou shouldst know it. /y/ Gru. I am for thee straight: take thou the bill, give me thy mete-yard, and spare not me. Hor. God-a-mercy, Grumio! then he shall have no odds. Pet. Well, sir, in brief, the gown is not for me. Gru. You are i' the right, sir: 'tis for my mistress.

Go, take it up unto thy master's use. Gru. Villain, not for thy life: take up my mistress' gown for thy master's use! 161 Pet. Why, sir, what's your conceit in that? Gru. O, sir, the conceit is deeper than vou think for:

O,

have.

Gru. Face not me: thou hast braved many men; brave not me; I will neither be faced nor braved.

to his master's use!

fie, fie, fie!

Pet. [Aside]

Hortensio, say thou wilt see the

tailor paid.

Go take it hence; Hor. Tailor,

I'll

be gone, and say no more. for thy gown to-

pay thee

morrow Take no unkindness of his hasty words: Away! I say; commend me to thy master. :

my master had direction:

Grumio gave order how Gru.

said

I

of

Take up my mistress' gown

thou winter-cricket thou! Braved in mine own house with a skein of thread? Away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant; Or I shall so be-mete thee with thy yard As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou livest! I tell thee, I, that thou hast marr'd her gown. Tai. Your worship is deceived; the gown is Just as

said so.

Tai. [Reads]

three-quarters, half-yard, quarter,

nail! flea,

I

gown": loose-bodied gown,

Pet.

She says your worship means to make a puppet of her. Pet. O monstrous arrogance! Thou liest, thou thread, thou thimble, Tai.

Thou

he say

confess the cape.

Gru. Error

According to the fashion and the time. Pet. Marry, and did; but if you be remember'd, 1 did not bid you mar it to the time. Go, hop me over every kennel home. For you shall hop without my custom, sir: 100 I'll none of it: hence! make your best of it. Kath. I never saw a better-fashion'd gown.

Pet.

I

Tai. [Reads] I

ever

if

in the skirts

Tai. [Reads]

Gru.

this?

Hor. [Aside]

lies in's throat, if

and beat me to death with a bottom of brown thread: I said a gown. Pet. Proceed.

mercy, God! what masquing stuff is here? What's this? a sleeve? 'tis like a demi-cannon: What, up and down, carved like an apple-tart? Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash.

Tai.

The note

Tai. [Reads] "/wpn'wzj, a loose-bodied

sew me

call'st

it.

Gru. Master,

ay: come, tailor, let us

see't.

Like to a censer in a barber's shop: Why, what, i' devil's name, tailor,

75/

Read

Pet.

will have none.

Thy gown? why,

'

testify.

like the cap;

[Exit Pet.

it

221

say unto thee, I bid thy master cut out the gown; but I did not bid him cut it to pieces: ergo, thou liest. Tai. Why, here is the note of the fashion to I

170

[Exit TAILOR. Pet.

Well, come,

my Kate; we will unto your

father's in these honest mean habiliments: purses shall be proud, our garments poor; For 'tis the mind that makes the body rich; And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,

Even

Our

So honour peereth

What

is

Because

his

in the

meanest habit.

more precious than the lark. feathers are more beautiful?

the jay

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

222

Or

is

Because

O,

Sir,

his painted skin contents the

To gather in some debts, my son Lucentio Made me acquainted with a weighty cause Of love between your daughter and himself:

good Kate; neither

no,

i8o eye? thou the worse

art

poor furniture and mean array. it shame, lay it on me; And therefore frolic: we will hence forthwith, To feast and sport us at thy father's house. Go, call my men, and let us straight to him; And bring our horses unto Long-lane end; There will we mount, and thither walk on foot. Let's see; I think 'tis now some seven o'clock.

For

this

If thou account'st

And

we may come there by dinner-time.

well

Kath.

dare assure you,

I

sir, 'tis

190

almost two;

'twill

iv.

[Exeunt,

the house: please

it

you

that

Ay, what

it is,

your son Lucentio here

40

my daughter and she loveth him.

like a father

you

will deal with

him

I

shall have my daughter with consent. thank you, sir. Where then do you know

best

I

else?

and but

I

As

be deceived

may remember me.

my house,

in

jo

Lucentio; for, you

know.

warrant you. Enter biondello.

But, sir, here comes your boy; 'Twere good he were school'd. Tra. Fear you not him. Sirrah Biondello,

Now do your duty throughly,

I advise you: // Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio. Bion. Tut, fear not me. Tra. But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista? Bion. I told him that your father was at Venice, And that you look'd for him this day in Padua. Tra. Thou'rt a tall fellow: hold thee that to

drink. Baptista: set

with either part's agreement stand?

Not

I have many servants: hearkening still; And happily we might be interrupted. Tra. Then at my lodging, an it like you: There doth my father lie; and there, this night. We'll pass the business privately and well. Send for your daughter by your servant here;

Pitchers have ears, and

such austerity as 'longeth to a father.

Here comes

shall

Bap.

Tra. 'Tis well; and hold your own, in any case,

I

That

Tra.

Near twenty years ago, in Genoa, Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus.

Ped.

so bestow'd; cannot be with you, Signior Baptista, of whom I hear so well. I

We be affied and such assurance ta'en

Signior Baptista

With

Me shall you find ready and willing With one consent to have her

Your son

call?

Ped.

50

And pass my daughter a sufficient dower. The match is made, and all is done:

Padua: before Baptista' s house

is

hear of you

Or both dissemble deeply their affections: And therefore, if you say no more than this,

Enter tranio, and the pedant dressed like VINCENTIO. Tra. Sir, this

I

To have him match'd; and if you please to like No worse than I, upon some agreement

Doth love

be what o'clock I say it is. Hor. [Aside] Why, so this gallant will com-

Scene

good report

for the

And for the love he beareth to your daughter And she to him, to stay him not too long, I am content, in a good father's care.

Right true

It shall

sun.

And,

Bap. Sir, pardon me in what I have to say: Your plainness and your shortness please me well.

Pet. It shall

mand the

IV

by your leave: having come to Padua

For curious

be supper-time ere you come there. be seven ere I go to horse: Look, what I speak, or do, or think to do. You are still crossing it. Sirs, let 't alone: I will not go to-day; and ere I do.

And

ACT

the adder better than the eel.

your countenance,

sir.

Besides, old

Gremio

is

My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently. The worst is this, that, at so slender warning, 60 You are like to have a thin and slender pittance. Bap. It likes me well. Biondello, hie you home. And bid Bianca make her ready straight; And,

if you will, tell

Lucentio's father

is

what hath happened,

arrived in Padua,

And how

she's like to be Lucentio's wife. pray the gods she may with all my heart! Tra. Dally not with the gods, but get chee gone. [Exit biondello.

Bion.

I

I lead the way? Welcome! one mess is like to be your cheer: Come, sir; we will better it in Pisa.

Signior Baptista, shall

Enter baptista and lucentio. Signior Baptista,

[To

the

you

pedant]

you are happily met. Sir, this is

the gentleman

of:

pray you, stand good father to me now. Give me Bianca for my patrimony.

I

told

20

Bap.

I

follow you.

[Exeunt tranio, pedant, and baptista.

I

Ped. Soft, son!

jo

Re-enter biondello.

Biom Cambio!

SCENE

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

IV

What

Luc. Bion.

You saw my master wink and

laugh upon

Luc. Biondello, what of that?

Bbn. Faith, nothing; but has left me here beexpound the meaning or moral of his 80 signs and tokens. Luc. I pray thee, moralize them. Bion. Then thus. Baptista is safe, talking with the deceiving father of a deceitful son. Luc. And what of him? Bion. His daughter is to be brought by you to hind, to

^

//

far.

And

be

it

moon, or

sun, or

An if you please to call Henceforth Pet.

I

say

I

vow

it is

it

it

shall

what you

please:

a rush-candle.

be so for me.

the moon.

I know it is the moon. Nay, then you lie; it is the blessed sun. Kath. Then, God be bless'd, it is the blessed

Kath. Pet.

sun:

the supper.

And then? Bion. The old priest of Saint your command at all hours. Luc. And what of all this? cannot

tell;

Luke's church

is

at

90

expect they are busied about

you assurance of her, ''cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum'' to the church; take the priest, clerk, and some suffia counterfeit assurance: take

:

you look

for,

I

have no more

20

What you will have it named, even that it is; And so it shall be so for Katharine. Hor. Petruchio, go thy ways; the

field is

won. Pet.

Well, forward, forward! thus the bowl

should run.

And not unluckily

cient honest witnesses: If this be not that

it is not, when you say it is not; And the moon changes even as your mind.

But sun

Luc.

I

cross 'd!

cross'd; nothing but

Hor. Say as he says, or we shall never go. Kath. Forward, I pray, since we have come so

you?

Bion.

223

Evermore cross'd and

sayest thou, Biondello?

But, soft!

against the bias.

company

is

coming

here.

to say.

But bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day. Luc. Hearest thou, Biondello? Bion. I cannot tarry: I knew a wench married in an afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit; and so may you, sir: and so, adieu, sir. My master hath appointed me to go to Saint Luke's, to bid the priest be ready to come against you come with your appendix. [Exit.

Luc.

I

may, and

will, if she be so contented:

She will be pleased; then wherefore should

I

doubt?

Hap what hap may, It shall

go hard

if

I'll

roundly go about her:

Cambio go without

Scene

v.

her.

[Exit.

A public road

Come on, i' God's name; once more toward our father's. Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the it is

not moonlight

now. Kath.

say I

it is

the

know it

is

moon that

shines so bright.

Now, by my

me truly too,

sweet.

Happier the man,

whom

is

thy abode?

fair a child;

favourable stars

40

Pet.

Why, how now,

mad: This is a man,

Kate!

I

hope thou

art not

old, wrinkled, faded, wither'd,

a maiden, as thou say'st he

Kath. Pardon, old father,

is.

my mistaking eyes,

That have been so bedazzled with the sun That everything I look on seemeth green: I

perceive thou art a reverend father; I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.

Pardon, mother's son, and that's

self,

be moon, or star, or what I list. Or ere I journey to your father's house. Go on, and fetch our horses back again.

It sh^ll

tell

Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman? Such war of white and red within her cheeks! 50 What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty. As those two eyes become that heavenly face? Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee. Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake. Hor. A' will make the man mad, to make a woman of him. Kath. Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and

Now

the sun that shines so

bright. Pet.

Tell me, sweet Kate, and

And not

moon! the sun:

gentle mistress:

Allot thee for his lovely bed-fellow!

Pet.

The moon!

Good morrow,

where away?

Happy the parents of so

and Servants.

Pet. I

[To vincentio]

Whither away, or where

Enter petruchio, katharina, hortensio,

Kath.

Enter vincentio.

my-

Pet.

Do, good old grandsire; and withal make

known Which way thou travellest:

50 if

along with us,

We shall be joyful of thy company. Vin. Fair

sir,

and you

my merry mistress.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

224

That with your strange encounter much amazed me,

My name is call'd Vincentio; my dweUing

I

think

And bound I am to

Padua; there to visit son of mine, which long I have not seen.

What is

Pet.

his

Lucentio, gentle

Ped.

60

this true? or is

it

else

travellers, to

shall

70

heart.

[Exit.

to yourself: he

live.

I

Nay, I told you your son was well beloved Padua. Do you hear, sir? To leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you, tell Signior Lucentio that his father is come from Pisa and is here at the door to speak with him. 50

Thou

liest: his

father

is

come from Padua

and here looking out at the window. Vin. Art thou his father? Ped. Ay, sir; so his mother says,

if I

may

be-

lieve her. Pet. [To vincentio] Why, how now, gentleman! why, this is fiat knavery, to take upon you another man's name. Ped. Lay hands on the villain: I believe a' means

to cozen

somebody

in this city under

my

coun-

tenance.

4i

Re-enter biondello.

ACT V Bion.

Padua: before Lucentio' s house

I

have seen them

in the

church together:

send 'em good shipping! But who is here? mine old master Vincentio! now we are undone and brought to nothing. Vin. [Seeing biondello] Come hither, crack-

God

biondello, LUCENTIO, and bianca.

discovered. Enter behind

Bion. Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest

is

hemp.

ready. fly,

I

Biondello: but they

may

chance to

home; therefore leave us. Nay, faith, I'll see the church

need thee Bion.

come back

to

my master's

o'

as

your soon

I

hope

Come

forgot

I

may choose,

hither,

sir.

you rogue. What, have you

me?

Bion. Forgot you! no, sir:

jo I

could not forget

I never saw you before in all my life. What, you notorious villain, didst thou

you, for

can.

[Exeunt lucentio, bianca, and biondello. I

Bion.

Vin.

at

back; and then

Gre.

bring him a hundred pound merry withal?

need none, so long as

Ped.

jest

Have to my widow! and if she be froward. Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.

I

man

Pet.

do assure thee, father, so it is. along, and see the truth hereof; For our first merriment hath made thee jealous. [Exeunt all but hortensio. //or. Well, Petruchio, this has put me in

as

knock

in

I

Luc.

best

but not to be spoken

sir,

make Keep your hundred pounds

Ped.

your pleas-

break a

if a

or two, to

Come, go

GREMio

you were

21

What

Vin.

Upon the company you overtake?

i.

toward.

withal.

ure.

Scene

is

Vin. Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?

Who will of thy arrival be full joyous.

Hor.

some cheer

down the gate? Ped. He's within,

Let me embrace with old Vincentio, And wander we to see thy honest son.

Like pleasant

command your welcome here,

likelihood,

PEDANT looks out of the window. What's he that knocks as he would beat

sir.

Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth; Beside, so qualified as may beseem The spouse of any noble gentleman.

is

all

Gre. They're busy within;

And I may entitle thee my loving father: The sister to mv wife, this gentlewoman, Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not, Nor be not grieved: she is of good esteem.

Pet.

shall

I

louder.

Happily met; the happier for thy son. now by law, as well as reverend age,

Vin. But

choose but drink before you

Knocks.

name?

Vin. Pet.

shall not

go:

And, by

Pisa;

A

You

Vin.

act v

marvel Cambio comes not

all this

never see thy master's father, Vincentio? Bion. What, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir: see where he looks out of the win-

while.

Enter petruchio, katharina, vincentio,

GRUMio, Pet. Sir, here's

uuith Attendants.

the door, this

is

dow. Vin. Is't so, indeed? [Beats biondello.]

Lucentio's

Bion. Help, help, help! here's a

house:

My father's bears more toward the market-

madman

will

[Exit.

61

murder me. Ped. Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!

place;

Thither must

Vin.

I,

and here

I

leave you,

sir.

//

^

[Exit from above.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

SCENE Pet. Prithee,

Kate,

"5

stand aside and see the

let's

[They

end of this controversy.

Re-enter biqndello, with

retire.

Lucentio and

BIANCA.

pedant below; tranio, baptista,

Re-enter

—

Bion. O! we are spoiled and yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.

and Servants.

what are you

Tra. Sir,

that offer to beat

my

servant?

What am

Vin.

immortal gods!

O

nay, w^hat are you, sir?

I, sir!

O

A

fine villain!

silken doublet!

a velvet hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain hat!

O, I am undone! I am undone! while I play the good husband at home, my son and my servant spend

the university.

all at

How now!

Tra.

what's the matter?

What, is the man lunatic? you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you a madman. Why, sir, what 'cerns it you if I wear pearl and Bap.

Tra. Sir,

gold? tain

I

thank

my good

father,

I

am

able to main-

79

it.

Thy

Vin.

father!

O villain!

he

is

a sail-maker in

Bergamo.

as fast as

you mistake, Pray, what do you think is his name? sir,

Vin. His name! as if

knew

I

Vin.

I

Luc. Here's Lucentio, Right son to the right Vincentio; That have by marriage made thy daughter mine, While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne. Gre. Here's packing, with a witness, to deceive us

that damned villain Tranio, That faced and braved me in this matter so? Bap. Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?

Cambio

And happily I have

What Tranio did, Then pardon Vin. sent

/50

myself enforced him

him, sweet father, for

I'll slit

to;

my sake.

the villain's nose, that would have

me to the gaol.

Bap. But do

you

hear, sir? have

you married

my daughter without asking my good will? we

Vin. Fear not, Baptista:

but

to:

will in, to be

I

will content you,

revenged for

this vil-

[Exit.

Bap.

And

Luc.

Look not

I,

this

I

me to the gaol!

Carry

Talk

not, Signior

I

Gre.

say he shall 100

Take

[Exit,

heed, Signior Baptista, lest

My

cake

I

Out of hope of all, but my

be Signior Lucentio. with the dotard! to the gaol with

no

f

Thus

strangers

O monstrous villain!

may

share of the feast.

you be

know thee to

Away

is

rest.

[Exit.

Kath. Husband,

Kath. No,

Gre. Yes,

thy father will not [Exeunt LUCENTIO and BiAscA. dough; but I'll in among the

pale, Bianca;

frown.

Gremio:

be haled and abused:

140

to sound the depth of this knavery.

Lucentio.

Vin.

arrived at the last

the wished haven of my bliss.

Unto

Pet. First kiss

11m!

with Tranio, in the town;

While he did bear my countenance

cony-catched in this business: I dare swear this is the right Vincentio. Fed. Swear, if thou darest. Gre. Nay, I dare not swear it. Tra. Then thou wert best say that I am not

Bap.

changed into Lucentio.

is

Made me exchange my state

Officer.

go to prison. Gre.

all!

Where is

Vin.

lainy.

Gre. Stay, officer: he shall not go to prison.

Bap.

Lucentio?

love

not his name:

mad knave to the gaol. Father Bapcharge you see that he be forthcoming.

Carry

How hast thou offended?

Bap.

Where is

go

tista,

be.

Luc. Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's

sir.

have brought him up ever since he was three years old, and his name is Tranio. Fed. Away, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio; and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio. 89 Vin. Lucentio! O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold on him, I charge you, in the Duke's name. O, my son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son Lucentio? Tra. Call forth an officer.

Enter one with an

may

Bian. Pardon, dear father.

Bian.

You mistake,

Bap.

Luc. [Kneeling] Pardon, sweet father. Vin. Lives my sweet son? [Exeunt biondello, tranio, and pedant,

let's

follow, to see the end of

this ado.

me, Kate, and we will. Kath. What, in the midst of the street? Pet.

Pet.

What,

Why,

are thou ashamed of me? sir,

God

then

away. Kath. Nay, I

let's

forbid; but

home

/50

ashamed to

again.

Come,

kiss.

sirrah,

let's

will give thee a kiss:

now

pray

thee, love, stay. Pet. Is

not this well?

Come, my sweet Kate:

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

226

Better once than never, for never too late. [Exeunt.

Scene

Padua: Lucentws house

ii.

Enter baptista, vincentio, gremio, the pedant, LUCENTIO, BIANCA, PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA,

HORTENSIO, and WIDOW, TRANIO, BIONDELLO, and GRUMio: the servingmen with tranio bringing in a banquet.

At

Luc.

agree:

down; // For now we sit to chat as well as eat. Pet. Nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat! Bap. Padua affords this kindness, son Petruchio. Pet. Padua affords nothing but what is kind. Hor. For both our sakes, I would that word were true.

Now,

for

my

life,

Hortensio fears his

widow. Wid. Then never trust me, if I be afeard. You are very sensible, and yet you miss

Pet.

my

sense:

mean, Hortensio is afeard of you. Wid. He that is giddy thinks the world turns 20 round. Pet. Roundly replied. Kath.

Mistress,

how mean you that?

Wid. Thus I conceive by him. Pet. Conceives by me! How

likes

Hortensio

that?

My

Hor.

widow

says, thus she conceives her

tale.

Pet.

Very

well mended. Kiss him for that, good

widow.

"He that is giddy thinks the world turns round": I pray you, tell me what you meant by that. Wid. Your husband, being troubled with a shrew, Measures my husband's sorrow by his woe: And now you know my meaning. 50 Kath. A very mean meaning. Wid. Right, I mean you. Kath. And I am mean indeed, respecting you. P^/. To her, Kate! Kath.

Hor.

Gre. Believe me,

these quick-witted

sir,

they butt together well.

Head, and butt! an hasty-witted body Would say your head and butt were head and

To her, widow!

Ay, mistress

Bian.

with self-same kindness welcome thine.

My

I

Gremio

bride, hath that

awaken'd

you?

Brother Petruchio, sister Katharina, And thou, Hortensio, with thy loving widow. Feast with the best, and welcome to my house: banquet is to close our stomachs up. After our great good cheer. Pray you, sit

Pet.

likes

folks?

Vin.

To smile at scapes and perils overblown. My fair Bianca, bid my father welcome. I

How

Bap.

horn.

And time it is, when raging war is done.

While

hundred marks, my Kate does put her down. Hor. That's my office. Pet. Spoke like an officer: ha' to thee, lad! Drinks to Hortensio.

Bian.

though long, our jarring notes

last,

ACT V

A

Pet.

Ay, but not

frighted

me; therefore

I'll

sleep again. Pet.

Nay,

that

you

shall not: since

you have be-

gun.

Have

at

Bian.

you

Am

I

for a bitter jest or two!

your bird?

I

mean

to shift

my

bush;

And then pursue me as you draw your bow. You are welcome all. Pet.

[Exeunt bianca, katharina, and widow. She hath prevented me. Here, Signior

Tranio,

This bird you aim'd at, though you hit her not; Therefore a health to all that shot and miss'd. j/ Tra. O, sir, Lucentio slipp'd me like his greyhound, Which runs himself and catches for his master. Pet. A good swift simile, but something currish. Tra. 'Tis well, sir, that you hunted for yourself: 'Tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay. Bap. O ho, Petruchio! Tranio hits you now. Luc. I thank thee for that gird, good Tranio. Hor. Confess, confess, hath he not hit you here? Pet. A' has a little gall'd me, I confess; 60 And, as the jest did glance away from me, 'Tis ten to one it maim'd you two outright. Bap. Now, in good sadness, son Petruchio, I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all. Pet. Well, I say no: and therefore for assurance Let's each one send unto his wife; And he whose wife is most obedient To come at first when he doth send for her, Shall win the wager which we will propose. Hor. Content. What is the wager? Twenty crowns, jo Luc. Pet. Twenty crowns! I'll venture so much of my hawk or hound. But twenty times so much upon my wife. Luc. A hundred then. Content. Hor. A match! 'tis done. Pe^. Hor. Who shall begin? Luc.

That

will

I.

SCE NE

Go,

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

II

Biondello, bid your mistress

Bion.

I

go.

Luc.

[Exit,

be your half, Bianca comes. have no halves; I'll bear it all myself.

Bap. Son, I'll

I'll

Re-enter biondello.

How now!

Pet.

my mistress

is

hope, better.

I

Hor. Sirrah Biondello, go and entreat my wife [Exit biondello. To come to me forthwith.

O, ho! entreat Nay, then she must needs come. Pet.

Hor.

I

I

will add

Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns; Another dowry to another daughter. For she is changed, as she had never been. Pet. Nay, I will win my wager better yet

And show more sign of her obedience. Her new-built virtue and obedience.

what news?

sends you word 80 busy and she cannot come. Pet. How! she is busy and she cannot come! Is that an answer? Ay, and a kind one too: Gre. Pray God, sir, your wife send you not a worse. Bion. Sir,

That she

227

The wager thou hast won; and

come to me.

am

See where she comes and brings your froward wives As prisoners to her womanly persuasion. 120 Re-enter katharina, with bianca and

widow.

Katharine, that cap of yours becomes you not: Off with that bauble, throw it under-foot. Wid. Lord, let me never have a cause to sigh, Till

be brought to such a

I

silly pass!

what a foolish duty call you this? Luc. I would your duty were as foolish too: The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca, Hath cost me an hundred crowns since supper-

her!

Bian. Fie!

afraid, sir,

Do what you can, yours will not be entreated.

time. Re-enter biondello.

Now,

Bian.

my wife?

where's

Bion. She says

5>o

you have some goodly

jest in

hand:

She will not come; she bids you come to her. Pet. Worse and worse; she will not come!

O vile. Intolerable, not to be endured!

Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress;

Say,

command her come to me. know her answer. What?

I

Hor.

[Exit

grumio.

I

Pet.

She will not.

Hor.

The fouler fortune mine, and there an end. Bap. Now, by my holidame, here comes Pet.

Katharina!

What

is

your

will, sir, that

you send

Muddy,

And

Pet. Go, fetch them hither: if they deny to come, Swinge me them soundly forth unto their hus-

bands: say, and bring

them

hither straight.

KATHARINA. of a wonder.

[Exit

Hor. Pet.

And

is

so

a

wonder,

it is: I

Marry, peace

if you talk

wonder what it

it

bodes.

bodes, and love, and quiet

life.

And

awful rule, and right supremacy; to be short, what not, that's sweet and happy? no

And,

Bap.

Now,

charge thee,

tell

on

my duty.

these head1^0

and husbands. Wid. Come, come, you're mocking: we will have no telling. Pet. Come on, I say; and first begin with her. Wid. She shall not. Pet. I say she shall: and first begin with her. Kath. Fie, fie! unknit that threatening unkind brow, And dart not scornfiil glances from those eyes. To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor: It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads. Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair

for

Where is your sister, and Hortensio's wife? Kath. They sit conferring by the parlour fire.

Luc. Here

I

strong women What duty they do owe their lords

100

Pet.

I

fool you, for laying

buds,

mer

Away,

The more

Katharine,

fair befal thee,

1^0

And in no sense is meet or amiable. A woman moved is like a fountain troubled,

Re-enter katharina.

Kath.

Pet.

good Petruchio!

ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty;

it is so, none so dry or thirsty Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it. Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee, And for thy maintenance commits his body To painful labour both by sea and land. To watch the night in storms, the day in cold, /50 Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe; And craves no other tribute at thy hands But love, fair looks, and true obedience; Too little payment for so great a debt. Such duty as the subject owes the prince Even such a woman oweth to her husband;

while

And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, And not obedient to his honest will. What is she but a foul contending rebel

sour.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

228

And graceless traitor to her loving lord? I am ashamed that women are so simple

To offer war where they should Or

1

60

My hand

kneel for peace,

seek for rule, supremacy and sway.

When they are bound to serve,

and obey. Why are our bodies soft and weak and smooth, Unapt to toil and trouble in the world. But that our soft conditions and our hearts Should well agree with our external parts? Come, come, you froward and unable worms! mind hath been as big as one of yours, 170 heart as great, my reason haply more. To bandy word for word and frown for frown; love,

My My

now

But

Our

I

see our lances are but straws.

strength as weak, our weakness past

com-

pare.

That seeming

to be

most which

we

indeed least

are.

Then

And

your stomachs, for it is no boot. place your hands below your husband's foot: vail

ACT V

In token of which duty, if he please.

Pet.

is

Why,

it dc him ease. wench! Come on, and kiss

ready; -may there's a

me, Kate. 180 Luc. Well, go thy ways, old lad; for thou shalt ha't.

Vin. 'Tis a

good hearing when children are

ward. Luc. But a harsh hearing when ward. Pet. Come, Kate, we'll to bed.

women

to-

are fro-

We three are married, but you two are sped. [To LucENTio] 'Twas

I

won

the wager, though

you hit the white; And, being a winner, God give you good night! [Exeunt petruchio an^ katharina. Hor. Now, go thy ways; thou hast tamed a curst shrew. Luc. 'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be

tamed

so.

[Exeunt.

^ THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA DRAMATIS PERSON^E Duke of Milan,

Father

Launce, the like to Panthino, Servant

to Silvia

to

AntontG

Julia, beloved of Proteus Silvia, beloved of Valentine LucETTA, ivaiting-ivoman to Julia

Antonio, Father to Proteus Thurio, a foolish rival to Valentine Eglamour, Agent for Silvia in her escape Host, ivhere Julia lodges

Three Outlaws,

Proteus

Non-Speaking

:

Servants and musicians

ivith Valentine

Speed, a clownish servant

Scene

Valentine

to

Verona, Milan, and the frontiers of

:

Mantua

ime:

ACT Scene

I.

Val.

I

Verona: an open place

Coy looks

with heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth 50 With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: If haply won, perhaps a hapless gain; If lost, why then a grievous labour won; However, but a folly bought with wit. Or else a wit by folly vanquished. Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll

Enter valentine and proteus. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus: Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits. Were't not affection chains thy tender days

To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love, I

rather

would entreat thy company

To see the wonders of the world abroad Than,

living dully sluggardized at

Wear out thy youth with

To be in love, where scorn is bought with

groans;

home,

shapeless idleness.

prove.

Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers.

you cavil at: I am not Love. your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, 40 Methinks, should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say, as in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And writers say, as the most forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow. Even so by love the young and tender wit

For

Is turn'd to folly, blasting in the

But since thou lovest, love

still

and thrive therein.

would when I to love begin. lo Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu! Think on thy Proteus, when thou haply seest Some rare note- worthy object in thy travel: Even

as

I

Wish me partaker in thy happiness

When thou dost meet good hap;

and

in

thy dan-

ger, If ever danger

I

Val.

Pro.

do environ thee.

will be thy

beadsman, Valentine.

And on a love- book pray for my success? Upon some book I love I'll prav for thee.

Val. That's

21

How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love; For he was more than over shoes in love. Val. 'Tis true; for

you

Val.

Over the

Val.

No,

I

will not, for

it

my coming,

there to see

Pro.

And thither

Val.

Sweet Proteus, no; now

will

I

$0

me shipp'd.

bring thee, Valentine. let

us take our

leave.

To Milan let me hear from thee by letters Of thy success in love and what news else

me not the

bopts.

Pro.

bud,

his

Expects

are over boots in love.

boots? nay, give

is

verdure even in the prime And all the fair effects of future hopes. But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee That art a votary to fond desire? Once more adieu! my father at the road

And yet you never swum the Hellespont. Pro.

Love

Losing

on some shallow story of deep

love:

Pro. 'Tis love

boots thee not.

What?

Betideth here in absence of thy friend; And I likewise will visit thee with mine.

119

60

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

230

happiness bechance to thee in Milan!

Pro.

x\ll

Val.

As much to you

Pro.

He after honour hunts,

at

home! and

Speed.

so, farewell.

[Exit.

He leaves his I

Julia,

my

all,

studies, lose

War with good counsel,

set the

more;

for love.

at

Speed.

nought;

wit with musing weak, heart sick with

But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan. Speed. Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already, And I have play'd the sheep in losing him. Pro. Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be a while away. Speed. You conclude that my master is a shepherd then and I a sheep?

wake or

me still

a sheep.

I seek my master, master seeks not me: therefore I am no

sheep.

91

The

sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for wages followest thy master; thy master for

wages follows not

Pro.

make me cry

"baa."

my

letter

100

to Julia?

Ay,

mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such store of Speed.

I

perceive

must be

I

how do you

sir,

Marry,

the

sir,

bear with me?

letter,

And

yet

it

a quick wit. cannot overtake your slow

Come, come, open the matter

in brief:

Speed.

Open your

purse, that the

she? Speed. Truly, Pro.

Why,

sir,

I

said

/40 think you'll hardly win her.

couldst thou perceive so

much from

Speed. Sir,

I

could perceive nothing at

her; no, not so

much

all

from

as a ducat for delivering

your letter: and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel. Pro.

What

said she? nothing?

No, not so much

as

"Take

this for

1^0 thy

pains." To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll

commend you to my master. Pro.

Go,

go, be gone, to save your ship

from

wreck.

Which cannot perish having thee aboard, Being destined to a drier death on shore. [Exit SPEED.

you were

best stick her.

Nay:

in that

you are

pound you. Speed. Nay, sir, less than for carrying your letter.

You

What

the

her?

sir: I, a lost

Speed. If the ground be overcharged,

Pro.

what

money and

muttons.

Pro.

fain to bear

purse.

Speed.

Pro. But, dost thou hear? gavest thou

"Ay."

Beshrew me, but you have

Speed.

sheep. Speed. Such another proof will

say,

pains.

therefore thou art a

thee:

I

is

very orderly; having nothing but the word "noddy" for my

the sheep the shepherd; but

Pro.

she did nod; and

if

matter may be both at once delivered. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains.

True; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not

my

say, she did nod: and

I

that set together

Why,

Pro.

Speed.

80

sleep.

A silly answer and fitting well a sheep.

Speed. This proves

noddy.

that's

sir;

said she?

Pro.

and

And

Pro.

Why then, my horns are his horns, I

— Ay—why,

Speed. Well, with you.

do.

whether Pro.

for carrying a letter to

letter.

70

Pro.

Speed.

over and

it

noddy. 122 Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. Pro. No, no; you shall have it for bearing the

Saw you my

master?

I

little

You mistook,

you ask me Pro.

Enter SPEED. Speed. Sir Proteus, save you!

Nod

Pro.

my time.

world

a pin? fold

your lover. Pro. But what said she? Speed. [First nodding] Ay.

thought.

Pro.

'Tis threefold too

thou hast metamorphosed me,

Made me neglect my

Made

and

friends,

pound to

a

i

over,

after love:

friends to dignify t'.iem

leave myself,

Thou,

I

From

act

mistake;

I

astray, 'twere best

no a

mean

pound

shall serve

me

must go send some better messenger: I fear my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post. I

'

Scene

II.

The same: garden of Julia

s

house

Enter julia and lucetta. the pound

—

a pinfold.

Jul.

But say, Lucetta,

now we

160 [Exit.

are alone,

SCENE

TWO GENTLE MEN

THE

II

Wouldsr thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam, so you stumble not unheedfblly.

Of all the fair resort of gentlemen

Jul.

What

Jul.

were

What

]ul.

Jul.

What think' st thou of the gentle

That you may ruminate.

And yet I would had o'erlooked the I

were

yo

shame

a

And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. What a fool is she, that knows I am a maid. And would not force the letter to my view!

Fie,

fie,

how wayward

madam: tis a passing shame unworthy body as I am. Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. 20 Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Luc. Then thus: of many good I think him best. Jul. Your reason? Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason; I think him so because I think him so. Jul. And wouldst thou have me cast my love on I,

And

presently

all

if you

thought your love not cast

When willingly

I

would have had her

60 here!

How angerly

I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforced my heart to smile!

My penance

to call Lucetta back

is

And ask remission for my What ho! Lucetta!

folly past.

What would your ladyship?

Luc.

Why he, of all the rest, hath never moved me. Luc. Yet he, of all the rest, I think, best loves ye. Jul. His little speaking shows his love but small.

29

Luc. Fire that's closest kept burns most of all.

They do not

love that do not

show

Luc. Nothing.

men know their

love.

knew

I

his

Luc. Peruse this paper,

"To Julia."

mind.

Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns,

Unless

whom?

who gave

it

I

That I might sing it, madam, to a tune. Give me a note: your ladyship can set. Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible.

think,

pray.

goodlv broker!

Dare vou presume to harbour wanton

lines?

Luc.

it

It is

it.

Jul.

And why

To whisper and conspire against my youth?

Luc.

Now,

Jul. Let's see

trust

me,

'tis

an office of great worth

81

to the tune of "Light o' Love." too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. Heavy! belike it hath some burden then? Luc. Ay, and melodious were it, would you sing

Best sing

40 a

a false interpreter.

love of yours hath writ to you in

Luc.

from Proteus. He would have given it you; but I, being in the way, Did in your name receive it: pardon the fault, I

Now, by my modesty,

have

rhyme.

thee?

Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent,

it

Some

Jul.

Luc. That the contents will show. Say, say,

let fall.

that paper nothing?

Luc.

madam.

Say, from

is

Luc. Nothing concerning me. Jul.

would

To take a paper up that I

And

Jul.

Luc. O, they love least that let

7/

Why didst thou stoop, then?

Luc.

their

near dinner-time?

I would it were, Luc. That you might kill your stomach on your meat And not upon your maid. Jul. What is't that you took up so gingerly?

Jul.

love.

////.

kiss the rod!

chid Lucetta hence,

Jul. Is't

Jul.

Jul.

humbled

I

Re-enter lucetta.

away.

Jul.

this foolish love

How churlishly

him?

I

is

profferer construe

That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse

Luc. Pardon, dear

Jul.

to call her back again

Which they would have the

How

Jul.

fee than

Since maids, in modesty, say "no" to that

so.

Proteus?

name?

Luc. Ay,

more

letter:

Luc. Lord, Lord! to see what folly reigns in us! now! what means this passion at his Jul.

That

for love deserves

Will ye be gone?

Jul.

well- spoken, neat and fine; // vou, he never should be mine. think' St thou of the rich Mercatio?

Well of his wealth; but of himself, so

Luc.

To plead

[Exit.

shallow simple skill. think' St thou of the fair Sir Egla-

It

I

231

for the place.

Luc.

As of a knight

Luc.

fit

There, take the paper: see it be return'd; Or else return no more into my sight.

Jul.

mour? But,

an officer

hate.

mv

According to

And you

Luc.

That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion which is worthiest love? Luc. Please you repeat their names, I'll show my mind

OF VERONA

not you? I

your song.

cannot reach so high.

How now, minion!

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

232

Keep tune there

Luc.

still,

so

you

will sing

it

out:

And yet methinks I do not Jul. You do not?

90

it is

too sharp.

now you

are too

I

Scene

I

[Exit.

hateful hands, to tear such loving words!

on such sweet honey And kill the bees that yield it with your stings! I'll kiss each several paper for amends. Look, here is writ "kind Julia." Unkind Julia! no As in revenge of thy ingratitude. 1 throw thy name against the bruising stones. Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain. Injurious wasps, to feed

Shall lodge thee

till

wound be throughly

I search it with a sovereign kiss. But twice or thrice was "Proteus" written down. Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away Till I have found each letter in the letter. Except mine own name: that some whirlwind

bear a ragged fearful-hanging

Lo, here

one

rock

121

thence into the raging sea! line

is

his

name twice writ,

it

Thus

fold

Now kiss,

that

I'll

tear

away.

will not, sith so prettily

He couples will

will.

He said that Proteus your son was meet. And did request me to importune you To let him spend his time no more at home, Which would be great impeachment to his age, In having known no travel in his youth. Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to

Madam,

I have been hammering. have consider'd well his loss of time And how he cannot be a perfect man, 20 Not being tried and tutor 'd in the world: Experience is by industry achieved And perfected by the swift course of time. Then tell me, whither were I best to send him? Pan. I think your lordship is not ignorant How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the Emperor in his royal court. Ant. I know it well. Pan. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent

Ant.

I

like thy counsel; well hast thou advised:

And that thou mayst perceive how well The execution of it shall make known.

Re-enter lucetta.

I

like

Jul. If you respect

Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch him to the Emperor's court. Pan. To-morrow, may it please you, Don ^ Alphonso With other gentlemen of good esteem Are journeying to salute the Emperor

Luc. Nay,

And to commend their service to his

Luc.

ISO

Dinner is ready, and your father stays. Jul. Well, let us go. Luc.

What,

shall these

papers

lie like telltales

here?

I

to

for all these exercises

And be in eye of every exercise Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

to his complaining names.

them one upon another: embrace, contend, do what you

I

For any or

him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, 50 Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen,

*'Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,

To the sweet Julia":

reputation,

Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:

I

heal'd;

And yet I

Pan.

Wheron this month

And thus

in

Why, what of him? He wonder'd that your lordship Would suffer him to spend his youth at home, Ant.

that

my bosom as a bed

thy

house.

Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister? Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.

writ "love- wounded Proteus."

Poor wounded name!

it

The same: Antonio's

Some to the wars, to try their fortune there; Some to discover islands far away; Some to the studious universities.

were so anger'd with the

same!

And throw

hi.

While other men, of slender

best pleased

To be so anger'd with another letter. Nay, would

1^0 [Exeunt.

Enter antonio and panthino.

bass.

bid the base for Proteus.

This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. Here is a coil with protestation! [Tears the letter.'] 100 Go get you gone, and let the papers lie: You would be fingering them, to anger me. Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be

Unto

you judge I wink. you go?

will't please

a descant:

Jul.

And here is

Come, come;

flat

There wanteth but a mean to fill your song. Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly Luc. Indeed,

see things too, although Jul.

And mar the concord with too harsh

Jul.

I

You, minion, are too saucy.

Luc. Nay,

I

see;

No, madam;

Luc. Jul.

like this tune.

ACT

Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. I see you have a month's mind to them. Luc. x\y, madam, you may say what sights you

them, best to take them up. was taken up for laying them down:

will.

it

40

SCENE Ant.

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

in

Good company;

with them

shall

Re-enter panthino.

go:

And,

233

Proteus

in

good time! now

will

we break with

Pan. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you: He is in haste; therefore, I pray you, go.

him.

8^

Why, this it is: my heart accords thereto. And yet a thousand times it answers "no."

Pro.

Enter proteus. Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn. O, that our fathers would applaud our loves,

[Exeunt.

ACT Scene

To seal our happiness with their consents! heavenly

what

letter are

you reading

Speed. Sir,

May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two Of commendations sent from Valentine, Deliver'd by a friend that came from him. Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. Pro. There is no news, my lord, but that he

is

Val.

Val.

And daily graced by the Emperor; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish?

Val.

Val.

and there an end.

Pro.

not, for

My lord,

I

I

am peremptory.

cannot be so soon provided:

after thee:

to-morrow thou must go.

Come on, Panthino: you shall be employ 'd To hasten on his expedition. Thus have

[Exeunt antonio and panthino. I shunn'd the fire for fear of

show my

father Julia's letter,

Lest he should take exceptions to my love; with the vantage of mine own excuse Hath he excepted most against my love.

And

O, how

this spring

not within hearing,

sir.

Your worship, still

or else I mistook. be too forward.

sir;

10

And yet I was last chidden for being too

Go to,

sir: tell

me, do you

know Madam

Val.

your worship loves?

Why, how know you that I am in love?

Speed. Marry, by these special marks: first, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreathe like a malcontent; to relish a love-

song, like a robin-redbreast; to

walk

alone, like

laughed to crow like a cock; when you walked, walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked it was for want of money: and now you metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when look on you, I can hardly think you my master. Val. Are all these things perceived in me?

sadly,

are

And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd. fear'd to

a thing divine!

to

burning.

I

it's

one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a schoolboy that had lost his A B C; to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas. You were wont, when you

Ant. Look, what thou want'st shall be sent

Pro.

is

Well, you'll

your arms,

jo

Please you, deliberate a day or two.

No more of stay!

me,

Madam Silvia! Madam Silvia!

Speed. She that

Like exhibition thou shalt have from me. it

it

Silvia?

am resolved that thou shalt spend some time With Valentinus in the Emperor's court: What maintenance he from his friends receives, in readiness to go:

ay, give

slow. Val.

To-morrow be

me see:

let

Why sir, who bade you call her?

Speed.

thus suddenly proceed;

will, I will,

gloves are on. be yours, for this

How now, sirrah?

Speed. 6i

1

Excuse

Ha!

Speed. She

wish.

I

may

but one.

Speed.

I

then, this

Sweet ornament that decks Ah, Silvia, Silvia!

writes

Muse not that

Why,

mine:

How happily he lives, how well beloved

one relying on your lordship's will And not depending on his friendly wish. Ant. My will is something sorted with his

Duke's palace

Not mine; my

Speed.

Pro.

Pro. x\s

II

the

your glove.

Val.

there?

For what

Milan:

Enter valentine and speed.

jo

Julia!

How now!

Ant.

i.

of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day. Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, And by and by a cloud takes all away!

80

I

Speed.

They

are

all

perceived without ye.

Without me? they cannot. Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would: but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you and shine through you like Val.

the water in an urinal, that not an eye that sees

THE TWO GENTLE MEN OF VERONA

234

you but

a physician to

is

comment on your mal-

Val.

No, boy, but

But

Val.

tell

me, dost thou know

my

lady

Speed. [Aside]

puppet!

Silvia?

you gaze on so

Speed. She that

Now will he interpret to her. Ew^^r SILVIA.

Hast thou observed

that? even

she,

Val.

I

Why,

sir, I

know her not.

Dost thou know her by and yet knowest her not? Val.

^o gazing on her,

my

Not

so

Speed. Sir,

I

fair,

boy, as well-favoured.

know that well

That she

is

not so fair

as,

Val.

mean

I

that her beauty

is

she gives

of you, well

exquisite, but her

60

infinite.

Speed. That's because the

other out of all count. Val. How painted? and

one

is

how out of count?

Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, no man counts of her beauty. Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her never saw her since she was de-

Ever since you loved her. have loved her ever since

Now trust me, madam, it came hardly off; For being ignorant to whom it goes I writ at random, very doubtfully. Sil. Perchance you think too much of so much pains?

I

saw

her; and

Sil.

Meaning henceforth you cannot

see her.

Speed. [Aside]

I

guess the sequel;

to trouble

you no more.

And yet you will; and yet

another "yet."

Love

is

O,

blind.

that

you had

Val.

mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have when you chid at Sir Proteus

What should I see then? Speed. Your own present folly

80

Val.

and her passing deformity: for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose, and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.

you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes. Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours. Val. Belike, boy, then,

Val. In conclusion,

I

What means your ladyship? do you not

like S/7.

it?

Yes, yes: the lines are very quaintly writ;

But since unwillingly, take them again.

for going ungartered!

I

i2i

A pretty period! Well,

And yet I will not name it; and yet I care not; And yet take this again; and yet I thank you,

Why?

Speed. Because

Speed.

No, madam; so it stead you, I will write, command, a thousand times as much;

Please you

jo

see her beautiful.

Speed. If you love her,

would

///

And yet

How long hath she been deformed? I

letter

clerkly done.

Val.

formed.

Val.

should give her interest, and

But for my duty to your ladyship. Sil. I thank you, gentle servant: 'tis very

beauty.

Speed.

He

him.

Val.

Speed.

You

it

Val. As you enjoin'd me, I have writ your Unto the secret nameless friend of yours Which I was much unwilling to proceed in

painted and the

that

Speed.

Valentine and servant, to you two

Sir

Speed. [Aside]

enough.

favoured.

favour

Speed [Aside] O, give ye good even! here's a

thousand.

What dost thou know?

Speed.

Val.

and mistress, a thousand good-

million of manners. Sil.

Speed. Is she not hard-favoured, sir?

still I

Madam

morrows.

Speed.

Val.

p5>

as she sits at

mean.

Val.

ii

can do them.

O excellent motion! O exceeding

supper?

Val.

I

Peace! here she comes.

ady.

Val.

act

as well as

stand affected to her.

would you were

set,

90

Nay, take them. Val. Sil. I

me

to write

some

you writ them,

sir, at

my request;

other.

And when it's writ, for my sake read it over. And if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Val. If it please Sil.

Why,

if it

me, madam, what then? it for your

please you, take

labour:

And

Val. Last night she enjoined

ay:

will

Sil.

so your affection

cease.

Ay,

are for you.

none of them; they are for you; would have had them writ more movingly. Val. Please you, I'll write your ladyship an-

But I

75

Madam, they

so,

Speed.

good morrow, servant.

[Exit.

140

O jest unseen, inscrutable, invisible.

a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a

one she loves. And have you?

As

Speed. Val.

have.

My master sues to her, and she hath taught her

lines to

I

Speed.

Are they not lamely

steeple!

writ?

suitor.

SCENE

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

I

He being her pupil, to become her tutor.

O excellent device! was there ever heard a better, my master, being scribe, to himself should

That

Wherein

write the letter?

How

Val.

now,

what are you reasoning

sir?

Nay,

was rhyming:

I

'tis

you

that have

235

seal the bargain

sigh not, Julia, for thy sake,

I

The next ensuing hour some Torment me

with yourself? Speed.

And

with a holy kiss. Pro. Here is rny hand for my true constancy; And when that hour o'erslips me in the day Jul.

for

my love's

foul

10

mischance

forget fulness!

My father stays my coming;

answer not;

The tide is now:

Val.

nay, not thy tide of tears; That tide will stay me longer than I should.

Speed.

Julia, farewell!

/jo

the reason.

To do what? To be a spokesman from Madam Silvia. Val. To whom? Speed. To yourself: why, she wooes you by

a

What figure?

Val.

Ay, so true love should do:

By

a letter,

grace I

Why, she hath not writ to me? Speed. What need she, when she hath made you write to yourself? Why, do you not perceive the i6o

jest?

No,

Val.

Enter panthino. Pan. Sir Proteus, Pro.

Go;

Alas! this

Why,

me none,

And

I

she hath given you a letter. I

writ to her friend.

that letter hath she delivered, and

Scene

mind discover.

II.

Have

patience, gentle Julia.

must, where

is

no remedy.

When possibly I

can,

I

will return.

Jul. If you turn not,

Keep this

you will return the sooner. remembrance for thy Julia's sake.

Giving a Pro.

ring.

Why,

take you

then, we'll this.

make exchange;

weeping,

I

think

Crab

my dog be my mother

my father wailing, my sister crying, our

maid howling, our cat wringing her hands, and

all

our house in a great perplexity, yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear: he is a stone, a very pebble stone, and has no more pity in him than a dog: a Jew would have wept to have seen our parting; why, my grandam, having no eyes, look you, wept herself blind at my parting. Nay, I'll show you the manner of it. This shoe is my father: no, this left shoe is my father: no, no, this left shoe is my mother: nay, that cannot be so neither: yes, it is so, it is so, it hath the worser sole. This shoe, with the hole in it, is my mother, and this my father; a vengeance on't there 'tis: now, sir, this staff is my sister, for, look you, she is as white as a lily and as small as a wand: this hat is Nan, our maid: I am the dog: no, the

—

Verona: Julia's house

Enter proteus and julia.

Pro.

Launce. Nay, 'twill be this hour ere I have done weeping; all the kind of the Launces have this very fault. 1 have received my proportion, like the prodigious son, and am going with Sir Proteus the sourest-natured dog that lives:

Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover. All this I speak in print, for in print I found it. Why muse you, sir? 'tis dinner-time. Val. I have dined. Speed. Ay, but hearken, sir; though the chameleon Love can feed on the air, I am one that am nourished by my victuals and would fain have meat. O, be not like your mistress; be moved, be moved. [Exeunt.

I

a street

to the Imperial's court.

reply;

Pro.

The same:

I'll

Or fearing else some messenger that might her

Jul.

hi.

would

Scene

20

Enter launce, leading a dog.

except an angry word.

it were no worse. ijo warrant you, 'tis as well: For often have you writ to her, and she, in modesty, Or else for want of idle time, could not again

Val.

for.

I

[Exeunt.

there an end.

Speed.

come,

believe me.

Val. That's the letter

Speed.

you are stay'd

come. parting strikes poor lovers dumb I

No believing you, indeed, sir. But did you

She gave

Speed.

cannot speak;

it.

perceive her earnest? Val.

word?

should say.

Val.

Speed.

it

a

For truth hath better deeds than words to

figure.

Speed.

[Exit julia.

What, gone without

here,

dog is himself, and I am the dog Oh! the dog is me, and I am myself; ay, so, so. Now come I to my father; Father, your blessing: now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping: now should I kiss my father; well, he weeps on. Now come I to my mother: O, that she could speak now like a wood woman! Well, I kiss her; why, there 'tis; here's my mother's breath up and

down.

Now come I to my sister; mark the moan Now the dog all this while sheds not

she makes.

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

236 a tear nor speaks a

word; but see

how

I

lay the

my tears.

dust with

Enter panthino.

shipped and thou art to post after with oars.

What's the matter? why weepest thou, man? ass! you'll lose the tide, if you tarry any

Away,

What, angry.

no matter

It is

if

the tied

were

the unkindest tied that ever any

Pan.

What's the unkindest

lost; for

man tied.

Where

should

I

lose

my tongue?

Launce. In thy tale.

Pan. In thy

tail!

Launce. Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the

Why, man, were dry, I am able to fill it with my the wind were down, I could drive the

master, and the service, and the tied! if the river

tears; if

boat with Pan.

my sighs.

60

Come, come away, man;

I

Thurio! do you change

Sir

You have

Thu. Ay, I

sir,

know

air.

said, sir.

and done too, for this time. 50 well, sir; you always end ere you

it

begin.

tide?

Why,

—

Pan.

than live in your

Val.

he that's tied here. Crab, my dog. Pan. Tut, man, I mean thou' It lose the flood, and, in losing the flood, lose thy voyage, and, in losing thy voyage, lose thy master, and, in losing thy master, lose thy service, and, in losing thy Why dost thou stop my mouth? service j/ Launce. For fear thou shouldst lose thy tongue. Launce.

II

folly.

Val. Give him leave, madam; he is a kind of chameleon. Thu. That hath more mind to feed on your blood

Val.

longer.

Launce.

ACT

double your

colour?

Pan. Launce, away, away, aboard! thy master

it is

I'll

How?

Thu. S/7.

is

Well, then,

Val.

was

sent to call

A

Sil.

fine volley

quickly shot

Val. 'Tis indeed, S/7.

of words, gentlemen, and

off.

madam; we thank

the giver.

Who is that, servant?

sweet lady; for you gave the fire. Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's looks, and spends what he borrows kindly in your company. ^o Thu. Sir, if you spend word for word with me, I shall make your wit bankrupt. Val. I know it well, sir; you have an exchequer of words, and, I think, no other treasure to give your followers, for it appears, by their bare liveries, that they live by your bare words. S/7. No more, gentlemen, no more: here comes Val. Yourself,

Sir

my father.

thee.

Launce. Sir, call

Enter duke.

me what thou darest.

Pan. Wilt thou go? Launce. Well,

Scene

I

Duke. [Exeunt.

will go.

iv.

Milan:

the

Duke' s palace

Val. Mistress?

Thurio frowns on you. Ay, boy, it's for love. Speed.^oto^yoM.

Of my mistress,

Val.

Thu.

[Exit.

10

it

in

will be thankful

your

Ay,

my good lord;

a son that well deserves

The honour and regard of such a father. 60 Duke. You know him well? Val. I know him as myself; for from our infancy

We have conversed and spent our hours together:

folly?

jerkin.

My jerkin is a doublet.

so well reputed.

And though myself have

folly.

And how quote you my quote

I

50

friends

Duke. Hath he not a son? Val.

What instance of the contrary?

I

beset.

:

man? Ay, my good lord, I know the gentleman be of worth and worthy estimation

And not without desert

'Twere good you knocked him. Sil. Servant, you are sad. Val Indeed, madam, I seem so. Thu. Seem you that you are not? Val. Haply I do. Thu. So do counterfeits. Val. So do you. Thu. What seem I that I am not? Val. Wise.

Thu.

To

then.

Speed.

Your

you are hard good health

Val.

Val.

Val.

Silvia,

father's in

My lord,

Val.

Speed. Master, Sir

Thu.

your

To any happy messenger from thence. Duke. Know ye Don Antonio, your country-

Servant!

Val.

daughter

What say you to a letter from your Of much good news?

Enter silvia, valentine, thurio, and speed. S/7.

Now,

Sir Valentine,

20

been an idle truant. Omitting the sweet benefit of time To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection. Yet hath Sir Proteus, for that's his name. Made use and fair advantage of his days; His^years but young, but his experience old; His head unmellow'd, but his judgement ripe; jo And, in a word, for far behind his worth

Comes

all

the praises that

I

now

bestow,

— SCENE

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

IV

He is complete in feature and in mind With

all good grace to grace a gentleman. Duke. Beshrew me, sir, but if he make this good, He is as worthy for an empress' love As meet to be an emperor's counsellor. Well, sir, this gentleman is come to me.

With commendation from great potentates; And here he means to spend his time awhile I

:

We'll both attend upon your ladyship. [Exeunt silvia and thurio. Val. Now, tell me, how do all from whence you came? Pro. Your friends are well and have them much Pro.

80

'tis

commended. Val.

him

Val.

Sil.

now

she hath enfranchised

them

^0

Upon some other pawn for Val.

Nay,

sure,

I

fealty.

think she holds them prisoners

Nay, then he should be

blind.

Val.

To see such lovers, Thurio,

here comes the [£x/Y thurio.

Enter proteus. Val.

Welcome, dear

Proteus! Mistress,

beseech you,

I

100

Confirm his welcome with some special favour. Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither, If this be he you oft have wish'd to hear from. Val. Mistress, it is: sweet lady, entertain him To be my fellow-servant to your ladyship. Sil. Too low a mistress for so high a servant. Pro. Not so, sweet lady: but too mean a servant To have a look of such a worthy mistress. Val. Leave off discourse of disability: Sweet lady, entertain him for your servant. no Pro. My duty will I boast of; nothing else. Sil. And duty never yet did want his meed: Servant, you are welcome to a worthless mistress. Pro. I'll die on him that says so but yourself. Sil. That you are welcome? Pro. That you are worthless. Re-enter thurio. r/^w. 'Madam,

with you.

My tales of love were wont to weary you;

I

Ay, Proteus, but that life is alter'd now: have done penance for contemning Love,

joy not in a love-discourse.

Val.

Whose high imperious thoughts have punish'd me 75 With bitter fasts, with penitential groans. With

nightly tears, and daily heart-sore sighs;

in

revenge of my contempt of love.

O gentle Proteus, Love's a mighty lord so humbled me as I confess no woe to his correction Nor to his service no such joy on earth. Now no discourse, except it be of love; 140 Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep, Upon the very naked name of love. Pro. Enough; I read your fortune in your eye. Was this the idol that you worship so? Val. Even she; and is she not a heavenly saint.^

And hath There

as yourself:

can wink.

gentleman.

in health.

sorrow.

Love hath twenty pair of eyes. Thu. They say that Love hath not an eye at all. lady.

Upon a homely object Love Sil. Have done, have done;

all

how thrives

know you

How could he see his way to seek out you? Why,

them

Love hath chased sleep from my enthralled eyes And made them watchers of mine own heart's

blind; and, being

Val.

and

I

For

still.

S/7.

Pro.

hither to

Belike that

I left

How does your lady?

your love?

[Exit. you presently. Val. This is the gentleman I told your ladyship Had come along with me, but that his mistress Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks.

will send

And how do yours?

Pro.

worth. Silvia, I speak to you, and you, Sir Thurio; For Valentine, I need not cite him to it: I

I

When you have done, we look to hear from you.

no unwelcome news to you. Val. Should I have wish'd a thing, it had been he. Duke. Welcome him then according to his think

237

wait upon his pleasure. Come, Sir Thurio, Go with me. Once more, new servant, welcome: I'll leave you to confer of home affairs; //p Sil.

my lord your father would speak

Pro.

is

No; but she

is

an earthly paragon.

Val. Call her divine.

Pro.

I

Val.

O,

Pro.

When I

And I must minister the Val.

will not flatter her.

me; for love delights was sick, you gave me

flatter

in praises.

bitter pills,

like to you.

Then speak the truth by her;

/jo

if not divine,

Yet let her be a principality. Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth. Pro.

Except

my mistress.

Sweet, except not any; Except thou wilt except against my love. Pro. Have I not reason to prefer mine own? Val.

And

I will help thee to prefer her too: be dignified with this high honour To bear my lady's train, lest the base earth Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss 160 And, of so great a favour growing proud.

Val.

She

shall

Disdain to root the summer-swelling flower

And make rough winter everlasting.

—

TWO GENTLEMEN

THE

238

Why,

Pro.

Valentine, what braggardism

OF VERONA Scene

this?

Then

Pro.

Not

Val.

a street

launce

severally.

Milan!

alone.

is

The same:

by mine honesty, welcome to

Speed. Launce!

nothing;

She

v.

Enter speed and

Pardon me, Proteus: all I can is nothing her whose worth makes other worthies

Val.

To

Acrn

is

let

her alone.

for the world:

I

why, man, she

is

mine

own,

Launce. Forswear not thyself, sweet youth, for am not welcome. I reckon this always, that a

man

is

never undone

welcome

And I as rich in having such a jewel As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl, The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold.

lyo

he be hanged, nor never

till

some certain shot be paid and the hostess say "Welcome!" Speed. Come on, you madcap, I'll to the alehouse with you presently; where, for one shot of five to a place

till

Forgive me that I do not dream on thee. Because thou see'st me dote upon my love.

pence, thou shalt have five thousand welcomes. But, sirrah, how did thy master part with Madam

My foolish rival, that her father likes

Julia?

Only

for his possessions are so huge.

gone with her along, and I must after, For love, thou know'st, is full of jealousy. Pro. But she loves you? Val. Ay, and we are bethroth'd: nay, more, our Is

marriage-hour.

With

The

of;

manner of our

i8o

flight,

how I must climb her window.

made of cords, and

ladder

Plotted and 'greed on for

all

the

means

my happiness.

Go on before; I shall inquire you forth: must unto the road, to disembark Some necessaries that I needs must use,

Even

Will you make haste?

not!

i^o

VALENTINE.

one heat another heat expels. Or as one nail by strength drives out another. So the remembrance of my former love Is by a newer object quite forgotten.

She

is fair;

is

Julia that

I

Methinks

And that O, but

And

I

I

it

I

How shall

I

'Tis but her picture

I

There

is

If not, to

I

shall

my erring love,

compass her

I'll

use

thee,

I'll

5/

stand-under and under-stand

me

is

it

will;

match?

true, will't be a

Ask my dog: it

he say ay, it will; if he he shake his tail and say

if

if

will.

The conclusion is then Thou shalt never get

Launce.

that

it

will.

such a secret from

but by a parable.

41

sayest thou, that

I

get

my

it

so. But,

master

is

Launce,

become

a

I never knew him otherwise. Than how?

Launce.

to love her!

A notable lubber,

as

thou reportest him

to be.

Speed.

210

Why,

thou whoreson

ass,

thou mistakest

me.

50

Why,

Launce.

fool,

I

meant not

thee;

I

meant

thy master. Speed.

will;

my skill.

do too: look

Launce.

be blind. I

I

my staff understands me.

Why,

say no,

Speed.

have yet beheld,

no reason but

If I can check

understand thee not.

notable lover?

love

And that hath dazzled my reason's light; But when I look on her perfections,

I

stands under thee, indeed.

nothing,

how

was wont.

That thus without advice begin

stands well with

sayest?

what

Speed. 'Tis well that

him so little. dote on her with more advice, I

It

Launce.

me

was.

love his lady too too much.

that's the reason

it

one.

Speed.

200

my zeal to Valentine is cold. love him not as

but lean, and

Speed. But tell

love

Bears no impression of the thing

What thou

Launce.

reasonless to reason thus?

and so

when

My staffs understands me.

Launce. x\y, and

all

mine, or Valentine's praise,] true perfection, or my false transgression,

That I did love, for now my love is thaw'd; Which, like a waxen image 'gainst a fire.

20

a fish.

stands the matter with

stands well with her.

Speed.

[Is it

Her

how

Launce. W\\n a block art thou, that thou canst

as

That makes me

it

Speed.

[£:C/>

then,

Speed ^N\\2.\: an ass art thou!

presently attend you.

PrO.\vj'\\\.

Why,

Launce. Marry, thus;

him,

Pro.

Val.

shall he marry her? No, neither. Speed. What, are they broken? Launce. No, they are both as whole as

them?

I

I'll

No.

How then?

Speed.

Good Proteus, go with me to my chamber. In these affairs to aid me with thy counsel.

And then

Launce. Speed.

Launce.

the cunning

all

Determined

Launce. Marry, after they closed in earnest, they parted very fairly in jest. Speed. But shall she marry him?

[Exit.

lover.

I

tell thee,

my

master

is

become

a hot

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

SCENE V

Why,

Launce.

burn himself

1 tell

thee,

in love. If

care not though he

I

thou wilt, go with

the alehouse; if not, thou art an

Hebrew,

me

to

a Jew,

Scene

and not worth the name of a Christian. Speed.

Why?

At thy

Scene

[Exeunt.

service.

vi.

The same:

Duke's palace

the

To To

To leave my Julia,

did adore a twinkling star,

first I

1 cannot leave to love, and yet I do; But there I leave to love where I should love. Julia I lose and Valentine I lose: If I keep them, I needs must lose myself; If I lose them, thus find I by their loss For Valentine myself, for Julia Silvia. I to myself am dearer than a friend. For love is still most precious in itself; And Silvia witness Heaven, that made her fair!— Shows Julia but a swarthy Ethiope.

will forget that Julia

20

Luc. Better forbear Jul.

till

Proteus

O, know' St thou not

By

I

have pined

Didst thou but know the inly touch of love. Thou wouldst as soon go kindle fire with snow As seek to quench the fire of love with words. 20 Luc. I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire, But qualify the fire's extreme rage. Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason. Jul. The more thou damn'st it up, the more it

The current that with gentle murmur glides. Thou know' St, being stopp'd, impatiently doth his fair course is not hindered.

a gentle kiss to

every sedge

He overtaketh in his pilgrimage,

I'll

50

be as patient as a gentle stream

And make a pastime of each weary step. Till the last step have brought me to my love; And there I'll rest, as after much turmoil

The

counsel, his competitor.

Now presently I'll give her father notice Of their disguising and pretended flight; enraged, will banish Valentine;

By

wed

his daughter; quickly cross 40 some sly trick blunt Thurio's dull proceedshall

ing.

I'll

50

And so by many winding nooks he strays With willing sport to the wild ocean. Then let me go and hinder not my course:

Myself in

But, Valentine being gone,

in,

longing for that food so long a time.

A blessed soul doth in Elysium.

all

my soul's

food?

Giving

now prove constant to myself.

For Thurio, he intends,

make return.

his looks are

Without some treachery used to Valentine. This night he meaneth with a corded ladder To climb celestial Silvia's chamber- window,

Who,

10 fly,

He makes sweet music with the enamell'd stones,

dead;

sweeter friend.

his feeble steps;

rage;

And Valentine I'll hold an enemy. at Silvia as a

with

Much less shall she that hath Love's wings to And when the flight is made to one so dear. Of such divine perfection, as Sir Proteus.

But when

is alive. is

long!

burns.

—

Remembering that my love to her

way is wearisome and

Pity the dearth that

Whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferr'd With twenty thousand soul-confirming oaths.

cannot

me;

A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary

To measure kingdoms

lo But now I worship a celestial sun. Unheedful vows may heedfuUy be broken, And he wants wit that wants resolved will To learn his wit to exchange the bad for better. Fie, fie, unreverend tongue! to call her bad.

I

girl, assist

Are visibly character'd and engraved. To lesson me and tell me some good mean

Jul.

oath

Aiming

Counsel, Lucetta; gentle

Luc. Alas, the

I

Provokes me to this threefold perjury; Love bade me swear and Love bids me forswear. sweet-suggesting Love, if thou hast sinn'd, Teach me, thy tempted subject, to excuse it!

I

]ul.

And even in kind love I do conjure thee.

A journey to my loving Proteus.

be forsworn; love fair Silvia, shall I be forsworn; wrong my friend, I shall be much forsworn; shall

And even that power which gave me first my

At

house

How, with my honour, I may undertake

Enter proteus. Pro.

s

Who art the table wherein all my thoughts

thou go? Speed.

Verona: Julia

vii.

Enter julia and lucetta.

59

Launce. Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as to go to the ale with a Christian. Wilt

239

Love, lend me wings to make my purpose swift. As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift! [Exit.

Luc. But in what habit will you go along? Not like a woman; for I would prevent

Jul.

loose encounters of lascivious men:

Gentle Lucetta, fit me with such weeds As may beseem some well-reputed page. Luc. Why, then, your ladyship must cut your hair. Jul.

No,

girl; I'll knit it

up in

silken strings

With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots. To be fantastic may become a youth

40

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

240

breeches?

That

Jul.

fits

me, good my lord. you wear your farthingale?"

Now tell me, Pro.

Why even what fashion thou best likest, Lucetta. You must needs have them with madam.

Luc.

a codpiece,

Out, out, Lucetta! that will be ill-favour'd. A round hose, madam, now's not worth a

Jul.

Luc.

Unless you have a codpiece to stick pins on. Jul. Lucetta, as thou lovest me, let me have What thou thinkest meet and is most mannerly. But tell me, wench, how will the world repute

me 60 For undertaking so unstaid a journey? I fear me, it will make me scandalized. Luc. If you think so, then stay at home and go not.

Nay,

that

I

me, he will scarce be pleased withal. is the least, Lucetta, of my fear: A thousand oaths, an ocean of his tears And instances of infinite of love

jo

Luc. All these are servants to deceitful men. Base men, that use them to so base effect!

But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth; His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles, His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate, His tears pure messengers sent from his heart. His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth. Luc. Pray heaven he prove so, when you come to him!

Now,

as thou lovest

me, do him not that

wrong

80

To bear a hard opinion of his truth: Only deserve my love by loving him; And presently go with me to my chamber, To take a note of what I stand in need of, To furnish me upon my longing journey. All that

is

mine

I

in lieu thereof, dispatch it

Scene

i.

Milan:

my friend,

This night intends to steal away your daughter: Myself am one made privy to the plot. I know you have determined to bestow her On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates; And should she thus be stol'n away from you. It would be much vexation to your age, Thus, for my duty's sake, I rather chose

Than, by concealing it, heap on your head A pack of sorrows which would press you down. Being unprevented, to your timeless grave. 21

Duke

s

I

40

if it please you, you may intercept him. good my Lord, do it so cunningly That my discovery be not aimed at; For love of you, not hate unto my friend.

Where,

90

palace

Enter duke, thurio, and proteus. Lkike. Sir Thurio, give us leave,

Which to requite, command me while I live. This love of theirs myself have often seen, Haply when they have judged me fast asleep, And oftentimes have purposed to forbid Sir Valentine her company and my court: But fearing lest my jealous aim might err And so unworthily disgrace the man, A rashness that I ever yet have shunn'd, 50 I gave him gentle looks, thereby to find That which thyself hast now disclosed to me. And, that thou mayst perceive my fear of this. Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested, I nightly lodge her in an upper tower. The key whereof myself have ever kept; And thence she cannot be convey'd away. Pro. Know, noble lord, they have devised a

But,

III the

thank thee for thine honest

a corded ladder fetch her down; For which the youthful lover now is gone And this way comes he with it presently;

me hence. [Exeunt.

I

And with

presently!

am impatient of my tarriance.

ACT

Sir Valentine,

mean

leave at thy dispose.

Come, answer not, but to

5>

Know, worthy prince.

How he her chamber-window will ascend

My goods, my lands, my reputation; Only,

should draw from

me.

care;

Jul.

I

My duty pricks me on to utter that

That

Warrant me welcome to my Proteus.

Jul.

would

The law of friendship bids me to conceal; But when I call to mind your gracious favours Done to me, undeserving as I am,

Duke. Proteus,

fear

Jul.

I

To cross my friend in his intended drift

will not.

Then never dream on infamy, but go. If Proteus like your journey when you come. No matter who's displeased when you are gone: Luc.

I

My gracious lord, that which

discover

Which else no worldly good

pin,

Jul.

Proteus, what's your will with

me?

as well as "Tell

will

FII

[Exit THV^lO. 45)

What compass

ACT

We have some secrets to confer about.

Of greater time than I shall show to be. Luc. What fashion, madam, shall I make your

pray, awhile;

Hath made me publisher of this pretence. Duke. Upon mine honour, he shall never know That I had any light from thee of this. Pro. Adieu,

my lord;

Sir Valentine

is

coming. [Exit,

yo

—— SCENE

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

I

241

do chide, 'tis not to have you gone; For why, the fools are mad, if left alone. Take no repulse, whatever she doth say; 100 For "get you gone," she doth not mean "away!" Flatter and praise, commend, extol their graces; Though ne'er so black, say they have angels' If she

^WZ^r VALENTINE.

Duke. Sir Valentine, whither away so fast? Val. Please it your Grace, there is a messenger

That stays

to bear

my letters to my

friends.

And I am going to deliver them. Duke. Be they of much import? Val. The tenour of them doth but signify health and happy being at your court. Duke. Nay then, no matter; stay with me

faces.

That man

My

awhile; I

am

to break with thee of some affairs

That touch me 'Tis not

must be secret. 61 have sought

near, wherein thou

unknown to

thee that

I

To match my friend Sir Thurio to my daughter. Val. I know it well, my Lord; and, sure, the match

Were rich and honourable;

I say, is no man, tongue he cannot win a woman. Duke. But she I mean is promised by her friends Unto a youthful gentleman of worth, And kept severely from resort of men. That no man hath access by day to her.

Val.

besides, the gentle-

Val.

70

I

And turn her out to who will take her

in:

her beauty be her wedding-dower; and my possessions she esteems not.

let

me What would your Grace have me to do in

Val.

resort to her

by

night.

but one

///

may enter at her

is aloft,

built so shelving that

Would

is

affect;

Verona here but she is nice and coy

that.

Duke. This very night; for Love is like a child. That longs for every thing that he can come by. Val. By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder. Duke. But, hark thee; Val. It

I

aged eloquence: have thee to my tutor

have forgot to court; Besides, the fashion of the time is changed How and which way I may bestow myself To be regarded in her sun-bright eye. Val. Win her with gifts, if she respect not words:

Duke.

90 More than quick words do move a woman's mind. Duke. But she did scorn a present that I sent her. Val. A woman sometimes scorns what best contents her.

Send her another; never give her o'er; For scorn at first makes after-love the more. If she do frown, 'tis not in hate of you. But rather to beget more love in you:

best

a cloak that

is

of any length.

1^0

A cloak as long as thine will serve the

turn? Val.

I

Dumb jewels often in their silent kind

I

it

Under

And nought esteems my For long agone

I will go to her alone: convey the ladder thither? will be light, my lord, that you may bear

How shall

a lady in

Now therefore would

with a pair of anchoring hooks,

serve to scale another Hero's tower,

So bold Leander would adventure it. 120 Duke. Now, as thou art a gentleman of blood, Advise me where I may have such a ladder. Val. When would you use it? pray, sir, tell me

80

this?

Duke. There I

would

cords.

hath drawn my love from her; thought the remnant of mine age Should have been cherish'd by her child-like duty, I now am full resolved to take a wife

Whom

What lets

To cast up,

Upon advice,

For

I

far from the ground, one cannot climb it Without apparent hazard of his life. Val. Why then, a ladder quaintly made of

And

froward.

Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty, Neither regarding that she is my child Nor fearing me as if I were her father; And, may 1 say to thee, this pride of hers.

Then

then,

window? Duke. Her chamber

Is full of virtue, bounty, worth, and qualities Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter: Cannot your Grace win her to fancy him? Duke. No, trust me; she is peevish, sullen,

where

Why,

Duke. Ay, but the doors be lock'd and keys kept safe, That no man hath recourse to her by night.

man

x\nd,

that hath a tongue,

If with his

Ay,

my good lord.

Then let me see thy cloak: me one of such another length. Why, any cloak will serve the turn, my

Duke. I'll

get

Val.

lord.

How shall

I fashion me to wear a cloak? me feel thy cloak upon me. What letter is this same? What's here? "To

Duke.

I

pray thee,

let

Silvia"!

here an engine fit for my proceeding. be so bold to break the seal for once. [Reads. "My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly, And slaves they are to me that send them

And I'll

i^l

flying:

O, could

their

master come and go as lightly,

:

——

—

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

242

Himself would lodge where senseless they

on's head but

are lying!

While

their king, that hither

1,

them impor-

tune,

Do curse the grace that

with such grace hath

Because myself do want my servants' fortune: 1 curse myself, for they are sent by me, That they should harbour where their lord would be."

/yo

"Silvia, this night

I

will enfranchise thee."

Wilt thou

— for thou

art

[Exit.

And why not death rather than living ijo

torment?

And Silvia is from

And

it

fly

is by shadow of perfection.

I

is

i8o

I

here, I

I

but attend on death

hence,

I

fly

away from

strike nothing:

I

I

pray

say, forbear. Friend Valentine, a

Val.

My

Pro.

No, Valentine.

Val.

No Valentine, indeed, for sacred Silvia.

ears are stopt and cannot hear good news, So much of bad already hath possess'd them. Pro. Then in dumb silence will I bury mine, For they are harsh, untuneable and bad. Val. Is Silvia dead?

210

Hath she forsworn me? Pro. No, Valentine. Val.

No Valentine,

if Silvia

have forsworn me.

What is your news? Launce. Sir, there

is

a proclamation that

vanished. Pro.

That thou

art banished

—O,

From

you are

that's the

me thy friend. have fed upon this woe already. excess of it will make me surfeit. 220

hence, from Silvia, and from

O,

I

Silvia

know that I am

banished?

Ay, ay; and she hath offer'd to the doom Which, unreversed, stands in effectual force A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears: Those at her father's churlish feet she tender'd; With them, upon her knees, her humble self; Wringing her hands, whose whiteness so became them As if but now they waxed pale for woe:

When she for thy repeal was close prison he

With many

Run, boy, run, run, and seek him out.

Val.

Launce. Soho, soho!

What seest thou?

sir, I'll

word.

That to

Pro.

Why,

Besides, her intercession chafed

life.

Enter proteus and launce. Pro.

200

But neither bended knees, pure hands held up. Sad sighs, deep groans, nor silver-shedding tears. Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire; 25/ But Valentine, if he be ta'en, must die.

not death, to fly his deadly doom:

But, fly

Who wouldst thou strike?

Launce. Nothing.

Pro.

Foster'd, illumined, cherish'd, kept alive.

Tarry

I

strike?

Doth

be to think that she

be by Silvia in the night, no music in the nightingale; Unless I look on Silvia in the day, There is no day for me to look upon; She is my essence, and I leave to be, If I be not by her fair influence

Except

Nothing. Can nothing speak? Master, shall

Launce.

And now

myself: banish'd from her

self: a

feed upon the

There

What then?

Val.

Val.

deadly banishment! light is light, if Silvia be not seen? joy is joy, if Silvia be not by?

Unless

Pro.

news!

To die is to be banish'd from myself; What What

No.

Who then? his spirit?

Pro. Sirrah,

folly

hence.

Is self

Val.

you

burn the world? Wilt thou reach stars, because they shine on thee? Go, base intruder! overweening slave! Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates, And think my patience, more than thy desert, i6o Is privilege for thy departure hence: Thank me for this more than for all the favours Which all too much I have bestow'd on thee. But if thou linger in my territories Longer than swiftest expedition Will give thee time to leave our royal court, By heaven! my wrath shall far exceed the love I ever bore my daughter or thyself. Be gone! I will not hear thy vain excuse; But, as thou lovest thy life, make speed from Val.

a Valentine.

Pro.

Launce.

Merops' son

aspire to guide the heavenly car

And with thy daring

III

not a hair

Pro. Villain, forbear.

'Tis so; and here's the ladder for the purpose.

Phaethon

ACT

find: there's

Pro. Valentine?

Pro.

What's here?

'tis

go to

Val. Neither.

bless'd them.

Why,

Him we

Launce.

My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them;

I

——

commanded

bitter threats

No more;

him

so,

suppliant, her.

of biding there.

unless the next

word that thou

speak'st

190

Have some malignant power upon my

life:

SCENE

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

1

pray thee, breathe it in mine ear, As ending anthem of my endless dolour. 240 Pro. Cease to lament for that thou canst not If SO,

I

Here

Launce.

Which, being writ to me, shall be deliver'd Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love.

The time now I'll I

Come, Valentine.

out.

260

[Exeunt valentine and proteus.

it was the son of proves that thou canst not

come; try me in thy paper. and Saint Nicholas be thy

fool,

There;

50/

Speed. [Reads.]

Ay,

"/wpnwiy; She can milk."

that she can.

brews good

And thereof comes

much

but a fool, look you; and yet

Launce.

What

Launce.

A

a

woman,

I

milkmaid; yet

she hath had gossips; yet

will not tell myself; 'tis

'tis

not a maid, for

a maid, for she

is

her master's maid, and serves for wages. She hath

more

much Here

qualities than a water-spaniel; in a is

which

is

bare Christian. [Pulling out a paper.]

the cate-log of her condition. ''Imprimis:

She can fetch and carry." Why, a horse can do no more: nay, a horse cannot fetch but only carry; therefore

is

she better than a jade. ''Item:

She can milk"; look you, a sweet virtue in a maid with clean hands.

when

Then may

with your mastership? Launce.

With my master's

ship?

Speed. Well,

what news 280 why, it is at sea.

your old vice still; mistake the word. What news, then, in your paper? Launce. The blackest news that ever thou heardest. Speed.

Why, man, how black? Why, as black as ink. Let me read them.

Launce. Speed.

I

set the

she can spin for her

need not

world on wheels,

liv^ing.

5/p

many nameless virtues." much as to say, bastard virknow not their fathers and

Speed. "Item: she hath

Launce. That's as

Speed.

"Here follow her

vices."

Launce. Close at the heels of her virtues. Speed. "Item: She

is

not to be kissed fasting, in

respect of her breath."

Launce. Well, that fault breakfast.

Read

may

be mended with a

on.

Speed. "Item: She hath a sweet

Launce.

That makes amends

mouth."

550

for her sour breath.

Speed. "Item: She doth talk in her sleep."

Launce.

It's

no matter

for that, so she sleep not

in her talk.

Launce.

How now, Signior Launce!

5/0

Speed. "Item: She can spin."

Launce.

Speed. "Item: She

Enter speed. Speed.

"Can she

special virtue; for then she

therefore have no names.

my

but what

ale."

be washed and scoured.

woman;

'tis

brew good

need a man care for a stock with a wench, when she can knit him a stock? Speed. "Item: She can wash and scour."

tues; that, indeed,

and yet

ale."

the proverb:

as to say,

I have master is a kind of a knave: but that's all one, if he be but one knave. He lives not now that knows me to be in love; yet I am in love; but a team of horse shall not pluck that from me; nor who 'tis I love; and yet 'tis a

I

begot

my grandfather.

Speed. "Item: She can knit."

O my dear Silvia! Hapless Valentine!

Launce.

who

so?"

me at the North-

Go,

the wit to think

this:

Speed. "Item: She can sew."

my

Val.

am

Come,

Launce.

Launce.

gate.

him

this

Launce. That's as

if thou seest

me

illiterate loiterer!

"Blessing of your heart, you

Pro.

sirrah, find

O

Speed, ''hem: She

lovest Silvia, though not for thyself,

boy. Bid him make haste and meet

Speed.

Launce.

serves not to expostulate:

convey thee through the city-gate; part with thee, confer at large

pray thee, Launce, an

will try thee. Tell

I

speed!

250

Regard thy danger, and along with me! I

can.

I

read.

Of all that may concern thy love-affairs.

Val.

liest;

thy grandmother:

And manage it against despairing thoughts. Thy letters may be here, though thou art hence;

As thou

Thou

Speed. iMarry, the son of

thou canst not see thy love; Besides, thy staying will abridge thy life. Hope is a lover's staff; walk hence with that

And, ere

291

Speed.

thee?

if thou stay,

Come,

read.

Launce.

help,

And study help for that which thou lament'st. Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.

243

Launce. Fie on thee, jolt-head! thou canst not

vices! virtue:

is

O villain,

slow

in

words."

down among her be slow in words is a woman's only pray thee, out with't, and place it for that set this

To I

her chief virtue. Speed. "Item: she

34^ is

proud."

Launce. Out with that too; it was Eve's legacy, and cannot be ta'en from her. Speed. "Item: She hath no teeth." Launce. I care not for that neither, because I

love crusts. Speed. "Item: She

is

curst."

—

—

—

— —

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

244

Lcmnce Well, the best

is,

she hath no teeth to

Dissolves to water and doth lose his form.

350

A little time will melt her frozen thoughts

bite.

She will often praise her liquor."

Speed, ''hem:

ACT

And

worthless Valentine shall be forgot.

III

10

Launce. If her liquor be good, she shall: if she will not,

Of

Launce.

down

is

How now, Sir Proteus!

too liberal."

her tongue she cannot, for that's

slow of; of her purse she shall keep shut: now, of another thing she may, and that cannot I help. Well, proceed. Speed, "hem: She hath more hair than wit, and more faults than hairs, and more wealth than writ

she

not, for that

is

I'll

faults."

Launce. Stop there; I'll have her: she was mine, and not mine, twice or thrice in that last article. Rehearse that once more. Speed, "hem: She hath more hair than wit"

More hair than wit? It may be: I'll The cover of the salt hides the salt, and

Launce.

prove

it.

more than the salt; the hair that covers the wit is more than the wit, for the greater hides the less. What's next? Speed. "And more faults than hairs" Launce. That's monstrous: O, that that were therefore

it

is

out! Speed.

"And more wealth than

Why,

Launce.

gracious. Well, as nothing

is

word makes

that I'll

faults."

have her: and

if it

the

faults

be a match,

impossible

What then? Launce. Why, then Speed.

will

I

tell

thee

—

5 So

that thy

master stays for thee at the North-gate. Speed. For me? Launce. For thee! ay, who art thou? he hath

man than thee. And must I go to him? Launce. Thou must run to him,

stayed for a better Speed.

for thou hast stayed so long that going will scarce serve the

turn.

Speed.

your

Why

didst not tell

me

sooner? pox of [Exit.

love-letters!

Launce.

^91

Now will he be swinged for reading my

letter; an unmannerly slave, that will thrust himself into secrets! I'll after, to rejoice in the

boy's correction.

Scene

ii.

[Exit.

The same:

Enter

Enter proteus.

good things should be praised.

will; for

I

Speed. ''Item: She

the

Duke's palace

duke and thurio.

Duke. Sir Thurio, fear not but that she will love you, Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight. Thu. Since his exile she hath despised me most, Forsworn my company, and rail'd at me. That I am desperate of obtaining her. Duke. This weak impress of love is as a figure Trenched in ice, which with an hour's heat

Is your countryman According to our proclamation gone? Pro. Gone, my good lord. Duke. My daughter takes his going grievously.

Pro.

A little time, my lord, will kill that grief.

Duke. So

Thurio thinks not so. I hold of thee For thou hast shown some sign of good desert I

believe; but

Proteus, the good conceit

Makes me

the better to confer with thee.

Longer than

I prove loyal to your grace Let me not live to look upon your Grace. Duke. Thou know'st how willingly I would

Pro.

21

effect

The match between Sir Thurio and my Pro.

I

Duke.

do,

daugliter.

my lord.

And

also,

I

think, thou art not ignorant

How she opposes her against my will. She did, my lord, when Valentine was here. Duke. Ay, and perversely she persevers so. Pro.

What might we do to make the girl forget The love of Valentine and love Sir Thurio? 50 Pro. The best way is to slander Valentine With falsehood, cowardice, and poor descent. Three things that women highly hold in hate. Duke. Ay, but

she'll

think that

it is

spoke in

hate. Pro.

Ay,

if his

enemy deliver

it:

Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken By one whom she esteemeth as his friend. Duke. Then you must undertake to slander him. Pro. And that, my lord I shall be loath to do: 'Tis an ill office for a gentleman, ^o Especially against his very friend. Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage him, Your slander never can endamage him; Therefore the office is indifferent. Being entreated to it by your friend. Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it By aught that I can speak in his dispraise. She shall not long continue love to him. But say this weed her love from Valentine, It follows not that she will love Sir Thurio. 50 Thu. Therefore, as you unwind her love from him.

Lest

it

should ravel and be good to none,

You must provide to bottom it on me; Which must be done by praising me as much As you in worth dispraise Sir Valentine. Duke. x\nd, Proteus, kind.

we dare trust you in this

— SCENE

Because

You

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

II

we know, on

Enter valentine and speed.

are already Love's firm votary

And cannot soon revolt and change your mind. Upon this warrant shall you have access Where you with Silvia may confer at large;

^rd Out. Stand, about ye:

60

For she is lumpish, heavy, melancholy. And, for your friend's sake, will be glad of

If not, we'll

Speed. Sir,

That

you;

Val.

Where you may temper her by your persuasion

ist

To hate young Valentine and love my friend. As much Sir

You By wailful

sonnets,

grievance.

love.

Thu.

practice.

Therefore, sweet Proteus, my direction-giver. Let us into the city presently 91 To sort some gentlemen well skill'd in music. I have a sonnet that will serve the turn

To give the onset to thy good advice. Duke. About it, gentlemen! Pro. We'll wait upon your Grace

till

after

afterward determine our proceedings. Duke. Even now about it! I will pardon you. [Exeunt.

Then know

IV

The frontiers of Mantua: a forest Enter certain outlaws.

ist

Out. Fellows, stand fast;

2nd

I see a passenger. Out. If there be ten, shrink not, but down

with 'em.

are your enemies.

that

I

have

little

for he's a /^

wealth to

I

Of which if you should here disfurnish me, You take the sum and

substance that

2nd Out. Whither

you?

Val.

travel

I

have.

To Verona.

Whence came you? From Milan. ^rd Out. Have you long sojourned there? Val. Some sixteen months, and longer might ist

Out.

Val.

have stay'd,

21

If crooked fortune had not thwarted me. ist

Out.

Val.

What, were you

banish'd thence?

was.

I

2nd Out. For what offence? Val. For that which now torments me

to re-

hearse: kill'd a I

man, whose death I much repent; slew him manfully in fight,

Without

false

vantage or base treachery.

Ow?. Why, ne'er repent

it, if it were done But were you banish'd for so small a fault? Val. I was, and held me glad of such a doom.

so.

5/

2nd Out. Have you the tongues?

My

Val.

youthful

travel

therein

made me

happy,

Or

else

I

often had been miserable.

By

the bare scalp of Robin Hood's fat

This fellow were a king for our wild faction! ist Out. We'll have him. Sirs, a word. Speed. Master, be one of them; it's an honourable kind of thievery. ^o Val. Peace, villain!

2nd Out. Tell us

ACT

we

sir:

friar.

And

i.

you.

My friends

^rd Out.

supper.

Scene

rifle

lose;

ist

And thy advice this night I'll put in

and

sit

are undone; these are the villains

A man am cross'd with adversity; My riches are these poor habiliments.

I

Duke. This discipline shows thou hast been in

make you

we

the travellers do fear so much.

all

But yet

This, or else nothing, will inherit her.

and throw us that you have

Out. That's not so,

Val.

whose composed rhymes

Should be full-fraught with serviceable vows, jo Duke. Ay, Much is the force of heaven-bred poesy. Pro. Say that upon the altar of her beauty You sacrifice your tears, your sighs, your heart: Write till your ink be dry, and with your tears Moist it again, and frame some feeling line That may discover such integrity: For Orpheus' lute was strung with poets' sinews. Whose golden touch could soften steel and stones. So Make tigers tame and huge leviathans Forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands. After your dire-lamenting elegies. Visit by night your lady's chamber- window With some sweet concert; to their instruments Tune a deploring dump: the night's dead silence Will well become such sweet-complaining

sir,

2nd Out. Peace! we'll hear him. ^rd Out. Ay, by my beard, will we, proper man.

as I can do, I will effect: Thurio, are not sharp enough; must lay lime to tangle her desires

Pro.

But you.

245

Valentine's report.

this:

have you any thing to

take to? Val.

Nothing but

my fortune.

^rd Out. Know, then, that some of us are gentlemen, Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth Thrust from the company of awful men:

Myself was from Verona banished

— THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

246

For practising to

An heir,

and near

steal

away

allied

Out.

And

these.

I

for such like petty crimes as

now must we to her window. And give some evening music to her ear. Enter thurio and Musicians. Thu. How now. Sir Proteus, are you crept before us?

Ay, gentle Thurio:

Pro.

—

But the purpose for we cite our faults. That they may hold excused our lawless

a banish'd

Therefore, above the rest, we parley to you: Are you content to be our general?

60

Let's tune, and to

it

lustily awhile.

clothes.

we do, in this wilderness? What say'st thou? wilt thou

Now, my young guest, methinks allycholly: I pray you, why is it? Host.

as

be of our

consort?

Marry, mine

Jul.

Say ay, and be the captain of us all: We'll do thee homage and be ruled by thee. Love thee as our commander and our king. ist Out. But if thou scorn our courtesy, thou diest.

shalt not live to brag

what we

haveoffer'd. I take your offer and will live with you. Provided that you do no outrages 7/ On silly women or poor passengers. ^rd Out. No, we detest such vile base prac-

Val.

host,

29

Come, we'll have you merry: I'll bring you where you shall hear music and see the gentleman that you asked for. shall I hear him speak? Ay, that you shall. Jul. That will be music. Music plays. //o5?. Hark, hark!

But

Host.

he among these? Ay: but, peace! let's hear *em.

Jul. Is

Host.

Milan: Outside the duke's Silvia's chamber

palace.,

Who is Silvia?

Is

When I protest true loyalty to her, She twits me with my falsehood to my friend; When to her beauty I commend my vows. have been forsworn

In breaking faith with Julia

whom

I

loved:

And notwithstanding all her sudden quips, The least whereof would quell a lover's hope. Yet, spaniel-like, the

she kind as she

For beauty

Already have I been false to Valentine And now I must be as unjust to Thurio. Under the colour of commending him, I have access my own love to prefer: But Silvia is too fair, too true, too holy. To be corrupted with my worthless gifts.

I

more she spurns

my love.

The more it grows and fawneth on her

still.

is

she.

all

40

under

Pro.

me think how

what

our swains commend her? Holy, fair and wise is she; The heaven such grace did lend her, That she might admired be.

That

Enter proteus.

She bids

cannot be

SONG

[Exeunt. ii.

I

Host.

tices.

Come, go with us, we'll bring thee to our crews, And show thee all the treasure we have got; Which, with ourselves, all rest at thy dispose.

Scene

because

you're

merry.

Jul.

2nd Out. Thou

that

Enter, at a distance, host, and julia in boy's

To make a virtue of necessity ^rd Out.

you know

Will creep in service where it cannot go. 20 Thu. Ay, but I hope, sir, that you love not here. Pro. Sir, but I do; or else I would be hence. Thu. Who? Silvia? Pro. Ay, Silvia; for your sake. Thu. I thank you for your own. Now, gentlemen.

lives;

man.

And live,

for

love

And partly, seeing you are beautified With goodly shape and by your own report A linguist and a man of such perfection As we do in our quality much want 2nd Out. Indeed, because you are

IV

But here comes Thurio:

a lady,

unto the Duke.

2nd Out. And I from Mantua, for a gentleman, yo Who, in my mood, I stabb'd unto the heart. ist

ACT

lives

is fair?

with kindness.

Love doth to her eyes repair. To help him of his blindness. And, being help'd, inhabits there.

Then to Silvia That

Silvia

let

is

us sing.

/o

excelling;

She excels each mortal thing

Upon the dull

earth dwelling:

To her let us garlands

bring.

10

Host.

How now! are you sadder than you were How do you, man? the music likes you

before? not. Jul.

You

Host.

mistake; the musician likes

Why, my pretty youth?

me not.

SCENE

THE TWO GENTLE MEN OF VERONA

II

He plays false, father. Host. How? out of tune on the strings?

But she

]ul.

my

Av, I would I were deaf; it makes have a slow heart. Host. I perceive you delight not in music.

me

Not

so; but yet so false that

very heart-strings. Host. You have a quick ear.

Jul.

Not

a whit,

Host. Hark, Jul.

Ay,

when

what

fine

that change

it

in the

is

music!

the spite.

play but 7/

would always have one play but one

I

whom,

I

we talk on

so suppose

Jul. [Aside]

if your

So

sure, deceive

Peace! stand aside: the

That you

shall

say

I

will so plead

my cunning drift excels.

Where meet we?

Thu.

At Saint Gregory's

Pro.

well.

Farewell.

Thu,

[Exeunt thurio and Musicians.

Enter silvia above. Pro.

Madam, good even to your ladyship. thank you for your music, gentlemen.

Sil. I

One, lady,

Pro.

his

pure heart's

truth.

learn to

know him by

his

voice. Sil. Sir

Proteus, as

I

take

it.

Pro. Sir Proteus, gentle lady, and Sil.

What's your

am

That

I

Pro.

I

this

I

fast asleep.

queen of night

spend

I

swear,

I

think

Jul.

Not

That

e'er

it hath been the longest night watch'd and the most heaviest. 141

so; but I

[Exeunt. hi.

The same

Egl. This

is

the hour that

Madam Silvia

and know her mind: There's some great matter she' Id employ Entreated

me to call

me in.

Enter silvia above.

Who calls?

Sil.

100

in talking to thee.

grant, sweet love, that

I

Madam, madam!

intend to chide myself

time

was

Enter eglamour.

despise thee for thy wrongful suit,

Even Tor

I

almost day.

may compass yours.

so far from granting thy request

And by and by

By my halidom,

Pray you, where lies Sir Proteus? Host. Marry, at my house. Trust me,

Scene I

Think'st thou I am so shallow, so conceitless. To be seduced by thy flattery. That hast deceived so many with thy vows? Return, return, and make thy love amends. this pale

sir;

90 your servant.

5/7. You have your wish; my will is even this: That presently you hie you home to bed. Thou subtle, perjured, false, disloyal man!

For me, by

you would,

it.

But since your falsehood shall become you well To worship shadows and adore false shapes, 75/ Send to me in the morning and I'll send it: And so, good rest. Pro. As wretches have o'ernight That wait for execution in the morn. [Exeunt proteus and silvia, severally. Jul. Host, will you go?

will?

That

Pro.

I

Jul. [Aside] If 'twere a substance,

'tis

You would quickly

is

Jul.

you knew

if

121

hanging in your chamber; To that I'll speak, to that I'll sigh and weep: For since the substance of your perfect self Is else devoted, I am but a shadow; And to your shadow will I make true love.

Host.

Who is that that spake?

dead.

heart be so obdurate,

And make it but a shadow, as I am. Sil. I am very loath to be your idol,

company parts.

is

for in his grave

me yet your picture for my love,

The picture that

Pro. Sir Thurio, fear not you:

I;

He heard not that.

Madam,

Vouchsafe

present to his lady.

am

Assure thyself my love is buried. Pro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earth. Sil. Go to thy lady's grave and call hers thence. Or, at the least, in hers sepulchre thine.

Often resort unto this gentlewoman? Host. I tell you what Launce, his man, told me: he loved her out of all nick. Jul. Where is Launce? Host. Gone to seek his dog; which to-morrow, by his master's command, he must carry for a Jul.

ashamed

likewise hear that Valentine

And

Pro.

thing.

But, host, doth this Sir Proteus that

no

thyself art witness,

betroth'd: and art thou not

Pro.

one thing? Jul.

am

Sil.

You would have them always

Host.

I

To wrong him with thy importunacy?

jars so.

change

is

'Twere false, if I should speak it; For I am sure she is not buried. Stl. Say that she be; yet Valentine thy friend

Survives; to

Jul.

247

dead.

Jul. [Aside]

60

he grieves

Jul.

is

did love a lady;

Your servant and your

Egl.

friend;

One that attends your ladyship's command. Sil.

Sir

Eglamour, a thousand times good mor-

row. Egl. As many, worthy lady, to yourself: According to your ladyship's impose,

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

248

am

come to know what service your pleasure to command me in.

ACT

IV

father would enforce me marry Vain Thurio, whom my very soul abhors. Thyself hast loved; and I have heard thee say

when a cur cannot keep himself companies! I would have, as one should say, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to be, as is were, a dog at all things. If I had not had more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he did, I think verily he had been hanged for't; sure as I live, he had suffered for't: you shall judge. He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentlemanlike dogs, under the Duke's table: he had not been there bless

No grief did ever come so near thy heart

the mark!

20 As when thy lady and thy true love died, Upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity.

cur

I

It is Sil.

thus early

10

O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman

Think not

I

flatter, for

I

swear

I

do not

Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplish'd:

Thou I

art not ignorant

what dear good

a foul thing

'tis

will

bear unto the banish'd Valentine,

Nor how my

in

all

^

—

smelt him. is

—

a pissing while, but

"Out with the dog!"

all

the

says one:

"Whip him

that?" says another:

chamber

"What

out" says

To Mantua,

"Hang him up" says the Duke. I, having been acquainted with the smell before,

Urge not my

knew it was Crab, and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs: "Friend," quoth I, "you mean to whip the dog?" "Ay, marry, do I," quoth he. "You do him the more wrong," quoth I; " 'twas I

I would to Valentine, where I hear he makes abode; And, for the ways are dangerous to pass, I do desire thy worthy company. Upon whose faith and honour I repose.

Sir

Eglamour,

father's anger,

the third:

Eglamour,

my grief, a lady's grief, And on the justice of my flying hence. To keep me from a most unholy match, But think upon

Which heaven and

fortune

did the thing

more

How many masters

5

rewards with

still

plagues.

I

since

I

know

as little

As much I wish

they virtuously are placed,

what betideth me good befortune you.

40

I

he hath

killed,

Madam

Silvia: did not

At

Sil.

Friar Patrick's cell.

intend holy confession.

your ladyship.

will not fail

Good mor-

Good morrow,

kind Sir Eglamour. [Exeunt severally.

Scene

iv.

The same

Enter launce, with his Dog. Launce. When a man's servant shall play the cur with him, look you, it goes hard: one that I brought up of a puppy; one that I saved from drowning, when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it. I have taught him, even as

still

mark me

is thy name? I like thee well. employ thee in some service presently. Jul. In what you please: I'll do what I can. Pro. I hope thou wilt. [To launce] How now, you whoreson peasant! Where have you been these two days loitering? Launce. Marry, sir, 1 carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me. 50 Pro. And what says she to my little jewel? Launce. Marry, she says your dog was a cur, and tells you currish thanks is good enough for

Pro. Sebastian

row, gentle lady. Sil.

bid thee

trick?

And

Where shall I meet you?

I

I

and do as I do? when didst thou see me heave up my leg and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale? didst thou ever see me do such a

Enter proteus and julia.

This evening coming.

Egl.

this for his servant?

all

Sil.

Where I

would do

be sworn, I have sat in the stocks for pudcHngs he hath stolen, otherwise he had been

When will you go? Egl.

He makes me no

out of the chamber.

I'll

executed;

give consent to go along with you.

Recking

Nay,

of."

me

have stood on the pillory for geese otherwise he had suffered for't. Thou thinhest not of this now. Nay, I remember the trick you served me when I took my leave of

do desire thee, even from a heart .\s full of sorrows as the sea of sands, To bear me company and go with me: If not, to hide what I have said to thee, That I may venture to depart alone. Egl. Madam, I pity much your grievances; (

Which

you wot

ado, but whips

one would say precisely, "thus

I

would teach

a

dog." I was sent to deliver him as a present to Mistress Silvia from my master; and I came no sooner into the dining-chamber but he steps me to her trencher and steals her capon's leg: O,

will

such a present. Pro. But she received

my dog?

No, indeed, did she not: here have I brought him back again. Pro. What, didst thou offer her this from me? Launce. Ay, sir; the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman boys in the marketplace: and then I offered her mine own, who is a dog as big as ten of yours, and therefore the gift Launce.

the greater.

— SCENE

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

IV

Go

Pro.

get thee hence, and find

Or ne'er return Away,

I

again into

my

my

dog

Enter silvia, attended.

me here? [Exit

LAUXCE.

A slave, that still an end turns me to shame! have entertained thee, have need of such a youth That can with some discretion do my business, jo For 'tis no trusting to yond foolish lout. But chiefly for thy face and thy behaviour, Which, if my augury deceive me not, Witness good bringing up, fortune, and truth: Sebastian,

I

Partly that

I

know thou,

Therefore

for this

I

entertain thee.

Go presently and take this ring with thee, Deliver it to Madam Silvia: She loyed me well deliver'd it to me. Jul. It seems you loved not her, to leave her is

Not

Pro.

so;

I

think she lives.

Ahsl

Pro.

Why dost thou cry "alas"? cannot choose

well

As you do

love your lady Silvia: She dreams on him that has forgot her love; You dote on her that cares not for your love. 'Tis pity love should be so contrary;

thinking on

it

makes me cry "alas!"

Well, give her that ring and therewithal po This letter. That's her chamber. Tell my lady I claim the promise for her heavenly picture. Your message done, hie home unto my chamber. Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary. [Exit. Jul. How many women would do such a mesPro.

sage? Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain'd

A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs. why do I pity him very heart despiseth me? Because he loves her, he despiseth me; 100 Because I love him, I must pity him. This ring I gave him when he parted from me, Alas, poor fool! his

To bind him to remember my good will; unhappy messenger. To plead for that which I would not obtain, To carry that which I would have refused, To praise his faith which I would have dispraised. I

Sir Proteus,

madam.

for a picture.

120

One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget, Would better fit his chamber than this shadow. Jul. Madam, please you peruse this letter. Pardon me, madam;

I

have unadvised

is

Sil. I

I

I

should not:

the letter to your ladyship. let me look on that again. may not be; good madam, pardon me.

pray thee,

75

There, hold!

will not look

upon your master's

lines:

know they are stuff'd with protestations And full of new-found oaths; which he will break As easily as I do tear his paper. Jul. Madam, he sends your ladyship this ring. S/7. The more shame for him that he sends it I

Wherefore shouldst thou pity her? Because methinks that she loved you as

And now am

sent on.

Sil. Ursula, bring my picture there. Go give your master this: tell him from me,

S/7. I

That with

O, he sends you Jul. Ay, madam. Sil.

80

But pity her.

And

I

From whom? Jul. From my master. 5/7.

Jul. It

Jul.

Pro.

To hear me speak the message am

This

dead, belike?

Jul.

Jul.

Gentlewoman, good day! I pray you, be my mean being me where to speak with Madam Silvia. S/7. What would you with her, if that I be she? Jul. If you be she, I do entreat your patience

To

Deliver'd you a paper that

token.

She

249

again.

sight.

say! stay'st thou to vex

o

I,

am my master's

true-confirmed love;

But cannot be true servant to my master, Unless I prove false traitor to myself. no Yet